Merlin Episode 10 Series 4: A Herald Of A New Age.

You know, I’m thinking here, that series four of Merlin … ?

Is definitely showing itself to be worth the License payers money, it REALLY is … !

You see, I’ve just finished watching episode 10 — A Herald Of A New Age — and I think I can say I’m both impressed and enthusiastic about this episode.

Actually … ?

Impressed by, enthusing about …

And riveted by in a way I’ve not been riveted in a while.

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A Herald Of A New Age centres on Guinevere’s brother, Sir Elyan: and open’s with the knights gently teasing him whilst out on patrol.

When the team come across a shrine set up by the druids, to try and help what Merlin calls ‘restless spirits’.

And … ?

And, unknown to the rest of the group, a rather thirsty Sir Elyan does what SOMEONE was bound to do, at some point. Takes a drink from the small ceremonial fountain at the shrine*.

The unfortunate results of that is that the restless spirit Merlin suspected was at this particular site … ? Takes possession of the hapless Sir Elyan, in order to try and kill the king.

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Now, I was saying riveting … ?

Yes, very much so, I’m thinking.

I’ll HAPPILY admit to being glued to my seat.

And, again, not just by the writing: after all, a TV show — ANY TV show — is the sum of its part,s and those parts are shaping up very well indeed.

A Herald Of A New Age is well written, as I’ve come to expect: and well written with a nice twist in the tail about exactly who ordered the raid on the camp that the druid shrine is dedicated to.

And, AGAIN, this episode’s as beautifully acted as it’s predessessors: with Adetomiwa Edun putting in a nicely done performance as Sir Elyan.

The series so FAR, though … ?

Well, I know it’s called Merlin — and believe me, I think Colin Morgan does a SUPERB job, playing the young wizard with exactly the right mix of intelligence, dignity, guile and, above all, very warm humour — but this series … ?

THIS series of Merlin is all about King Arthur.

And my word, Bradley James is filling that pair of mythological shoes VERY nicely …

* I’ve got to admit, whenever I write a line like that, I’m almost always tempted to ALSO include “With HILARIOUS results,” for some strange reason. Or “With 1000 ELEPHANTS… !”. I’m inherently zany … apparently …