Merlin

We are three episodes into the new (3rd) series of Merlin. This is a BBC family fantasy drama serial shown on Saturday early evening. If you've never heard of it visit the official website below, they do excellent web-work.

www.bbc.co.uk/merlin

I know a seven-year-old who has trouble deciding if this or Doctor Who is her favourite show. It's the good Doctor for me, but I think she'd plump for Merlin but is afraid of hurting my feelings. I like Merlin too so I don't take it to heart.

The inspiration for this show was apparently Smallville, the US series about the early years of Clark Kent, before he became Superman. I've never watched Smallville but it's in its 10th and final season with a strong fanbase so it must have something going for it. The first ever episode of Merlin showed the eponymous hero arriving at Camelot as a young lad. He has some basic magical powers but knows that he must keep them secret. The king, Uther, has a deep hatred of magic and has had many practitioners put to death. Arthur is the arrogant warrior-prince, Guinevere (Gwen) is a serving girl to Morgana, Uther's ward.

Merlin is a sort of 'Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - The Early Days'. I suspect that students and fans of Arthurian lore may have a marmite relationship with this show. Historically it's rubbish, but as a piece of family entertainment it's a belter. I enjoy watching how the pieces start to fall into place, such as the first appearances of Mordred, Excalibur, Lancelot etc.

The journey of Morgana from fiesty young princess to evil witch is particularly good, and her journey to the dark side now seems finally complete. There has not been one single event that has corrupted her, rather a series of ordeals, dissapointments and revelations, all brought into focus by a manipulative mentor. Slow-burning and realistic.

Although there is a story arc, you could happily drop into this show at any point and enjoy it immensely. Give it a go, just turn off your internal history professor first.