Over at Obsessed With Film, I review last night's premiere of MERLIN on BBC1, which promises a darker tone and more serialized storytelling this year. Is the magic growing stronger or weaker in series 3?
"Having successfully pulled off a second series that deepened its character’s relationships, the stage is set for Merlin to launch into a third series that pushes this fantasy to the next dramatic level. Unfortunately, a lot of the good work in "The Tears Of Uther Pendragon" was dragged down by the show’s adherence to a formula I'd hoped it had evolved beyond. Merlin feels trapped between two audiences: the young kids and families (who just want an hour of magic and monsters), and the older crowd (who value the strength of the Arthurian legend and relish the potential for an epic emotional drama). It can never quite decide where to pitch itself, so it often ends up attempting both and dividing reactions. Continue reading...
