Merlin Series 5: Arthur’s Bane, Part 2

You know, I knew there was a reason to what Merlin series 5.

I mean, beyond the fact that Katie McGrath is a stunningly gorgeous woman.

Yes, maybe I’d better rephrase that, shouldn’t I … ?   It’s starting to sound like I’m going to murder the President, doesn’t it … ?

Hmmm … 

Cue Mitt Romney … !

No, let’s leave that right there, shall we?   Yes, I think that’s a very good idea … 

At any rate … ?

I’ve just — literally —  finished watching this week’s episode of Merlin — Arthur’s Bane Part 2 — and have to admit to being VERY impressed with the way it’s concluded the Series 5 opener.

Let me try and summarize, if I can.

Carrying on from where Part 1 finished, Part 2 sees Arthur and Merlin escaping from the slave-traders who captured them: and making their way to to Morgana’s base, the Castle Of Ismìr.

Partly to try and find out what Morgana’s up to.

But mostly to rescue Arthur’s men from Morgana’s mines.

 ~~~~~

Also on the way … ?

We also find out that in the years since Series 4 ended, Morgana — along with Aithusa, the young dragon we saw with her — had been trapped and held captive,

Seemingly at the bottom of some description of empty well.

That’s had it’s effects.

As, in conversation with Mordred, Morgana seems more than a touch angry, lashing out, a couple of times in tonight’s episode.

Morgana is ALSO killed.

Apparently.

And apparently by Mordred: who is knighted by Arthur and asked to join the Round Table.

Hmmm … 

Do you get the feeling that’s going to end in tears* … ?

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Now … 

Did I enjoy tonight’s episode … ?

By crikey, yes … !

It nicely rounds off the opening story, and sets things up for the rest of the season: by showing us Gwen’s toughness and brains in the role of Queen, putting both Morgana — and the (probably fatally) stunted Aithusaº — into play for a big climax.

And ALSO puts Mordred right into the heart of Camelot, for a big finish.

Can I be frank … ?

Series Five is looking good.

*        Now, I’ve a feeling that Dr Kevin’s reading this post: just so you know, Kevin, I’ve not read everything Arthurian … but some of my friends have, and — from what I’ve picked up from both them and Wikipedia — the series manages to keep fairly close to the various sources.   And, as I recall, Mordred — as a youngster, back in Series 1 (or possibly 2) — was informally adopted.   By Morgana, just in case you’d read the Wikipedia entry that says they’re related … 

º        There’s a nice scene where Colin Morgan as Merlin, encounters Aithusa: and realises that it may not be able to fly … and cannot, as the adult Dragon voiced by John Hurt can, talk.

Merlin Series 5, Episode 1: Arthur’s Bane Part 1

King Arthur (Bradley James)

The Round Table

The Euchnar (Josette Simon)

 Phew … !

 I THINK I’m going to have to do some SERIOUS labelling, I really am.

Just so I know who I’m talking about … !

Trust me, you wouldn’t believe how long captioning a bunch of photos can take … !

And, yes, before you ask …

I’m talking about the bunch of photos I’ve got in this post.

~~~~~

As any one who’s followed me for a while now can tell you, I’ve usually only got time for two series on TV, at the moment.

Dr Who has been one of them, obviously: which, frankly, is something I’ve grown up on, for most of my life.

And Merlin.

And I’m thinking the two series are a real study in contrast at the moment.

~~~~~

Firstly, though, let me tell you a little something about tonight’s opening episode, Arthur’s Bane: Part 1.

Morgana (Katie McGrath)

Merlin (Colin Morgan)

Arthur’s Bane: Part 1 sees our regular cast — Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath et al — opening this series.

Ruadan (Liam Cunningham)

Guineve (Angel Coulby)

And in this opening episode, Katie McGrath’s Morgana is joined by Liam Cunningham as Ruadan: who’s supported by fellow newcomer, Sophie Rundle as Ruadan daughter, Sefa.

With the plot of the episode, itself, following Arthur’s attempts to rescue his men from Morgana: who’s using as much slave labour as she can to find what she calls the Euchnar, or Key To All Knowledge.

Little suspecting that what she thinks is a key is actually a rather shy creature dwelling in the caves under her castle.

There’s more … 

Coming across the last survivor of a massacred druid village, Merlin is given a warning by the dying seer.

That Arthur will soon face , in battle.

Of course, by the end of this part, we find out what we’ve suspected, now, since the start of Series 1.

Sefa (Sophie Rundle)

Sir Gwaine (Eoin Macken)

That Arthur’s Bane … 

Is a now grown Mordred … 

Mordred (Alexander Vlahos)

Sir Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun)

Personally … ?

I’m thinking Merlin’s fifth series could go to all sort’s of directions.

~~~~~

Gaius (Richard Wilson)

Sir Leon (Rupert Young)

Now, I said about contrasts, didn’t I … ?

Yes, I did.

You see, I can’t help but compare Arthur’s Bane Part 1 with The Asylum of The Dalek:and think that both Asylum … and this year’s Dr Who isn’t comparing well.

Granted, we’ve not seen ALL of Dr Who’s seventh series, as yet.

And, granted, the Matt Smith/Steven Moffat led series is up against an established series (effectively) that’s been going with it’s current cast for five years, against New Who’s (effective) 3 year run.

Equally, we also know that Dr Who can and will keep going: against the fact the Merlin, as a series, will have to end.

Going by those original sources, Arthur gets killed by Mordred, and buried on Saint Michael’s Mount.

But on the strength of this opening episode … ?

Arthur — and Merlin — is in far healthier shape.