In 2008, the BBC took a chance on a very new different telling of the classic story of Merlin the Magician and the kingdom of the Pendragons.

Merlin stars Colin Morgan as the young magician, sent to live with the court physician Gaius. Gaius is an old friend of his mother, and the only person who can help him train and hide his magical powers, as use of magic has been forbidden in the kingdom by Uther Pendragon.

In an effort to bring in younger viewers, Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana are all played by some talented up and coming 20-somethings, and supported by industry veterans Anthony Head (Giles of “Buffy” fame), Richard Wilson, and John Hurt, who voices The Dragon.

The premise is pretty standard: Merlin comes to study under Gaius, to keep his talents hidden in order to stay alive, but also to protect and aid Arthur, a destiny he is not overly fond of. In the very first episode he gets off on the wrong fit with Arthur, and then becomes the prince’s servant. Merlin’s incompetence as a servant often finds him being sent to the stocks, which provides some great humor as you watch the poor guy get pelted with rotten fruits and vegetables. Arthur is shown at first as a bully and a medieval “jock”. While their relationship starts out rocky, the two young men find themselves forming a true bond.

The Lady Morgana lives in Camelot, ward of the king after a promise made to her dying father. Morgana suffers from horrible headaches and awful dreams. These dreams are often prophetic in nature, and the only person who knows of them is Gaius. Gwen is Morgana’s personal maid, and her father is the best blacksmith in Camelot. Gwen and Morgana aren’t just pretty faces, as both prove they can fight for themselves and are very strong, yet loving women.

Merlin & The Dragon

One detail of great importance is that Uther has a Dragon imprisoned in caverns underneath the castle. This is not just any dragon – this is the last Dragon in the entire kingdom. Merlin can hear the Dragon calling out to him. At first, he does not know who the voice belongs to. But he does seek it out, and it is the Dragon who tells Merlin that his destiny is entwined with Arthur. Gaius is also aware of the Dragon, but does not know that Merlin has met him, and vice versa.

The first season’s main nemesis is Nemueh, a sorceress once a friend of the Pendragons, but outcast when maintaining the balance of life and death in order to which the ends did not sit well with King Uther. In order to avenge herself, Nemueh comes after Arthur and those closest to him, especially gunning for Merlin since she seems to be able to sense his magical abilities.

Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon

I will admit, Anthony Head’s participation in this show is one of the reasons I searched it out. Other than the fact that I love fantasy books and the original story of Merlin & Arthur, Head is an amazingly diverse actor. His role as Giles is the one I will probably always recall first, but his portrayal of Uther is wonderful. While Uther does rule his kingdom with an iron fist and has an intense hatred for all things to do with magic, he does truly care about his people, and Head was the perfect choice for this character.

If you are a purist and cannot stand to see anything from the original tellings of Merlin changed, then this show is probably not for you. One of the biggest issues for some people has been that it was Uther in the show who has built Camelot, and not Arthur. I personally don’t mind this alteration, because I enjoy seeing how this new Camelot has been interpreted by the show’s writers.

The first season, consisting of 13 episodes, is currently airing Sunday nights on NBC in the United States and CTV in Canada. The BBC has confirmed that the second season will begin airing this Fall 2009 season.

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