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| Merlin Colin Morgan |
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| Arthur Bradley James |
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| Mordred Alexander Vlahos |
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| Guinever Angel Coulby |
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| Gauis Richard Wilson |
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| Morgana Katie McGrath |
Wow …
Just Wow … !
Now, you’ve possibly worked out I’m something of a fan of genre TV.
You’ve not been paying attention, then … !
And, as you’re probably no doubt aware, I’ve been following Dr Who since I was a child, and Merlin, ever since it started, five years ago.
And it’s been a hell of a fun ride, right up until tonight’s episode.
The last one of Series five: and, indeed, ever.
And from where I’m sitting … ?
From where I’m sitting, the BBC made a very good investment in Merlin.
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Episode 13 — Diamond of the Day - 2 — sees the conclusion of the Battle Of Camlann.
Where the forces of Camelot are saved by with the timely help from Merlin, in his Emrys disguise.
The army is saved. But with its forces scattered and only slowly heading back for the citadel.
And the prophesies that Merlin had been given, coming true.
The saxons are defeated …
The Dragon, Aifusa, seen off.
And that Arthur is fatally wounded.
Which isn’t necessarily all bad … until Arthur finds out that the help on offer — to get to the Isle of Avalon, where he can be healed — comes from a place he’s trusted for years, but been taught to abhor …
Merlin …
—————
Now …
I have to admit, I’ve mixed feelings about this last episode, I REALLY do.
On the one hand … ? On the one hand, I feeling much saddened that a fully made piece of genre fiction — one that’s breathed so much new life into the UK’s old Arthurian myths — is now finally over.
Merlin has been one heck of an entertaining ride and been — arguably — stronger, sometimes, than my usual choice, Dr Who. From talking to fellow sf/fantasty fanboi, Grub, it’s something I know he broadly agrees on. (From what he’s said over the years, he’s not one for Merlin: but felt that Misfits, on Channel Four, has been the stronger entry in British genre TV.)
On the OTHER hand … ?
Phew* … !
On the other hand, Merlin has not only been one of the most entertaining things I’ve seen on TV …
But one that’s kept me and many others glued to their sets for the past five years.
It may not be high art … ?
But its producers — Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps, all of Shine Productions — writers — too many to mention — and cast — Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon, Angel Coulby as Guinevere, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Richard Wilson as Gaius, John Hurt as the voice of The Great Dragon, Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon and Colin Morgan as the show’s central character, Merlin, himself — have managed to set the entertainment bar to a very high level.
I can but wish ALL of them well: based on the evidence, so far … ?
I’m convinced they’ll shine, whatever they do.
* I may just have to use the Microwave, in a second, to re-heat my cocoa …
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