Young Merlin (Colin Morgan) continues his tutelage under court physician Gaius (Richard Wilson). Prince Arthur (Bradley James) continues his training, preparing for the day he will succeed Lord Uther (Anthony Head) as king. Sisters Morgana (Katie McGrath) and Morgause (Emilia Fox) continue their schemes to usurp the throne from Uther.

CRITIQUE

I didn’t exactly jump for joy upon learning I would be reviewing this third season of the BBC series Merlin (which premiered in the states on NBC and then moved to Syfy). I’d not seen a single episode of the series, having assumed the moment I first saw the previews it wouldn’t be my cup of Earl Grey, so I wasn’t looking forward to diving into yet another later season of something with which I was unfamiliar. But I tried to make the best of it, telling myself it couldn’t possible be any worse than Camelot, the misguided Arthurian soap opera the people at Starz had the good sense to cancel a few months back. How wrong I was.

The producers of Merlin (which is called The Adventures of Merlin only on these DVD sets’ packaging) have said they took a bit of inspiration from Smallville. Had I known that going in, I probably would have been even less enthused, as I made it through maybe half of that series’ premiere episode before throwing in the towel. (I know Smallville ran a decade and developed a fiercely loyal following, but I never could figure out the appeal of a lengthy Superman story in which he’s not allowed to be Superman.)

What this show depicts is the formative stage of Merlin’s life, the time he was a gawky, lanky kid learning to use the great power he’s been given. (If you’re thinking the producers are using the Smallville line in an attempt to fool everyone into not thinking about another gawky, lanky kid learning to use magic, you’re not alone.) Despite the fact I grew up on Arthurian tales (as I mentioned when I reviewed Camelot, I used to be really into them) that saw no need to give Merlin any sort of backstory (I’ve never read any of Mary Stewart’s books, the titles of which are appropriated by episodes of this series) and agreed there was no need to supply him with one, I vowed not to hold that against this show. I still ended up being not the least bit entertained, but it’s not for that particular reason (or at least not totally).

So what’s the problem here? Well, everything. This show is a top-to-bottom misfire, wrongheaded in almost every possible way. For starters, this grand fantasy has been dumbed down into a bland soap opera; unlike Camelot, though, which had enough gratuitous female nudity to keep me awake, Merlin is a soap opera for tweens, a sort of medieval Degrassi Junior High. The action is bloodless, the romance presented as puppy love. The villains vamp and camp it up, sneering and cackling as they explain their schemes.

The relationship between Arthur and Merlin is that of a jock who is slowly warming up to the nerd tutoring him in math. Like Camelot, Merlin diverges from legend and forges a path that is decidedly not its own, unnecessarily adding cliché and ordinariness to a story that’s managed to survive perfectly fine on its own for a thousand years, thank you very much. You want to change things, fine. But come up with something that’s at least as interesting as what you’re jettisoning. Don’t just take established characters and plug them into by-the-numbers twaddle.

Despite coming in late, I didn’t have any trouble following the plot. This is largely due to the fact not a whole lot happens. Any Arthur tale that can run this long without actually putting Arthur on the throne is in serious need of help. You know it’s headed to the point where Arthur will become king, so I don’t see any point in dragging it out. But drag it out Merlin does, splitting its time between episodes in which Morgana and Morgause (whose look was obviously inspired by Michael Whelan’s cover art for C.J. Cherryh’s Exile’s Gate) scheme to wrench the throne away from Uther (usually via some over-elaborate plan or massive military assault, this despite the fact Morgana is in a perfect position to walk up and sink a knife into Uther’s chest) and episodes in which someone is kidnapped/poisoned/captured/enchanted or some stranger strolls into Camelot and causes trouble.

Out of the thirteen episodes presented here, less than half fit into what could be deemed the overall arc of the series (the first two and last two), while the rest are needless, repetitive filler. Were the producers to get on with it, they could tell the whole story in two, maybe three seasons, but they stall things with all of this padding, which kills the drama and tension. I wasn’t expecting Excalibur, but I also wasn’t expecting King Arthur & the Knights of Justice.

I get that the show is aimed at a young audience, and I hope it helps bring a new audience to some of the classic tellings, but I hate that it’s written and played at the same level of virtually every other piece of literature or popular culture being retooled for a new generation. In other words, it’s distressing to see fart jokes added to the Arthurian legend. Yes, fart jokes. The third episode of this season finds Merlin stupidly releasing a goblin, which then possesses Gaius. The possessed Gaius then wanders down to the pub and gets roaring drunk.

This leads to a scene where he twice stares directly into the camera and belches loudly. Uther eventually calls a meeting, telling his guards to locate and capture the person responsible for making all the mischief. As Uther and Morgana sit on the dais in the throne room, the possessed Gaius causes fart noises to emanate from underneath them. I almost wept. Unless your name is John Cleese, you’re not allowed to make fart noises in the presence of King Arthur. It’s the law. (Another episode features a bit where Merlin gives Arthur donkey ears. It’s almost as bad, but I don’t feel like getting into it.)

The acting is just as painful as the writing, nearly every role miscast. As I mentioned above, the villains take it over the top, with the hammy Fox being the worst offender. The heroes all look bored, especially Head, who appears to be in serious need of a nap. But I suppose this, too, is in keeping with the rules of kiddie fare. (Speaking of the heroes, this version of the shining jewel known as Camelot is--on the surface, at least--ethnically diverse. But while the producers have hired actors of all creeds and colors, those with non-alabaster skin aren’t given much to do. I found it impossible to see Adetomiwa Edun standing around with nothing to do and not have the word “token” pop into my brain.)

Were Merlin worthy of praise, I’d be bending over backwards to make sure people were aware of it. The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter flicks have given rise to almost as much bad filmed fantasy as Tolkien’s books did bad written fantasy, so the few that don’t absolutely bite deserve to be singled out. But Merlin belongs on the heap with Eragon, the Clash of the Titans remake, and last year’s Conan the Barbarian. I know people who’ll be upset with me for writing that, but it won’t be the first time.

THE VIDEO

The episodes are presented in their original 1.78:1 ratio; the transfers have been enhanced for anamorphic displays, and the thirteen episodes have been spread across four discs. The series has a deliberately soft look (it’s meant to be ethereal and fantastical, I suspect), which at times can edge toward too soft; some digital flatness and blur creep in from time to time. It never rises above the level of merely good, but it’s modestly budgeted television, so I guess there’s no real reason to complain too much.

THE AUDIO

The only audio option is a series of Dolby Digital Stereo tracks. The audio is good enough (and nothing more), but this is the sort of show that practically cries out for a full-blown surround mix. There’s a fairly good stereo spread, and dialogue and effects sound fine. English SDH subtitles are available.

THE EXTRAS

Commentaries are included for four episodes. Only diehard fans will get anything from them.

All of the following can be found on Disc Five of this set:

The Making of Merlin Season 3 (24 minutes) is your standard behind-the-scenes piece.

Footage from the show’s 2010 Comic-Con panel (28 minutes) is also included. Members of the cast and crew field questions from screaming fans.

A large selection of deleted scenes (28 minutes) contains excised bits from nearly every episode. 

A selection of outtakes (5 minutes) offers up flubbed lines and other goofs.

A photo gallery is also included, and you also get a couple wallpapers you can download to your computer.

FINAL THOUGHTS