Introductions and a Little Thing Called a Pilot Episode

Introducing your lovely host for this blog...the Lady Andy! (Please hold your applause, as a tumbleweed goes by and crickets chirp.) And before you hard core science-fiction fans write me off as "someone-who-doesn't-know-what-she's-talking-about", let me make this very clear: Merlin wins at life, this i know and believe. If it came to a fight between Merlin and Harry Potter, Merlin would win before Potter got his wand out. A fight between Merlin and Superman, Merlin will be the victor as he summoned some Kryptonite. A battle between Merlin and a fire-breathing, immortal, emotionally unbalanced psychopath with every weapon imaginable attached to each of his limbs, Merlin will win.


 Now, to begin, the very first episode of Merlin.

One of the most memorable moments would have to be the sight of Merlin, walking along the path to Camelot. Seeing him at a distance, with his head turned, just a bit, takes the focus away from the sizable ears on the young man. Then, I follow him (thanks to the camera), throughout the town which we soon realize is Camelot. Following, the disturbing image of the town square is brought to Merlin's and my attentions:

Clearly, an execution is about to take place. Before I am given the opportunity to become oddly entranced, as I am at the sight of televised manslaughter, my screen is filled with the image of King Uther.

He's quite a powerful presence. And amongst him on his balcony are guards, obviously he has needed this protection before. (I wonder why...)

 After listening, I can deduct that this man, Uther, does NOT like magic. After all, that is the reason behind the execution and before I can debate this, Merlin (and that handy-dandy camera) turn my focus upon the execution as the cruel beheading takes place. And once the prisoner's head has been successfully detached from his body, an anguished cry is heard throughout the crowd. Attention is drawn to a slightly crippled woman. She swears vengeance, declaring that the man, who was killed, was her son. And just as Uther orders his knights to "seize her", the woman is gone in an explosion of smoke. (We'll come back to her later.)

 And with that nerve wracking display in mind, Merlin almost cautiously makes his way into an unknown tower. He opens the door marked "Court Physician" and quickly makes his way inside. I and Merlin are then greeted with the sight of an elderly fellow losing his balance and nearly falling off of his second story ledge. But Merlin's magic is shown to be instinctual as he slows down the pull that gravity has on the falling man, and then Merlin brings a bed from across the room, in order to give the physician a soft landing.

Although Merlin's abilities are surprising, what is even more shocking is that Merlin seemed to hope that maybe the old man would not realize that magic had just saved his life. Unfortunately for Merlin, the old man quickly rises and confirms that he knows exactly what has just taken place. The man introduces him as Gaius, an uncle of Merlin's mother, and he welcomes Merlin into his home. As a letter from Merlin's mother is read, and I learn that Merlin is from quite the small town and he has come to Camelot for his own protection from Gaius, as well as to be given a father figure by Gaius. Ironically, Merlin was sent to Camelot for his protection against magical prejudices and yet he has just witnessed an execution for, according to King Uther, "conspiring with sorcerers".

The scene then shifts to a woman with dark hair, who we soon learn is called Morgana. She is met by the King and seems to protest strongly against the execution that had taken place earlier that day. The King appears not quite as sympathetic and speaks of an upcoming celebration. Morgana refuses to attend in good conscience. Through this battle of wills, it is made clear that Morgana is: the King's ward, and has been since the death of her father at age 10, she does not share Uther's hatred of magic and she is not afraid to oppose her King.

Daylight fills the screen and Merlin is seen walking around Camelot. The camera follows a group of, what is assumed to be, knights and a blond boorish knight harassing his servant. Now before judging the knight too harshly, I do remark that this jerk of a knight is really quite attractive. But I digress. To continue, Merlin approaches the crowd and attempts to put an end to this unjust bullying. The beautiful knight seems almost stunned at the civilian's objection. Quickly, the boys exchange snipes at each other.

This falsely friendly exchange of words escalates when Merlin's hand is held behind his back. And as Merlin continues to insult his handsome opponent, the knight seems unable to believe that Merlin does not know who he is, which shouldn't be too awful since Merlin has been in Camelot for barely 24 hrs. Relatively soon, it is told to Merlin that the knight he was fighting is actually Prince Arthur, the son of King Uther. After insulting the Prince, it is understandable that the next scene involves Merlin being thrown in jail before he can say, "Oh crap!"

Thankfully, Merlin is soon released from prison by Gaius who struck a deal with Uther. This deal consisted of the release of Merlin in exchange for Merlin's public humiliation in the stocks, where he will have rotten fruit chucked at him. However those throwing the fruit seem to have lots of fun. Their childish laughter can be heard throughout this lovely experience.

And throughout this embarrassing display, Merlin is met by Gwen, short for Guinevere, who congratulates him on his bravery and recognizes herself as the maidservant to the Lady Morgana. (For now, she's just Merlin's friend, later she will mean more-ish to the plot.) She calls Arthur a bully and sympathizes with Merlin, showing that he can make friends.

The scene once again shifts to another altercation between Prince Arthur, the handsome, and Merlin, the mystically attractive. The fight turns physical but as Merlin is not very strong, he uses magic to give himself the advantage. After humiliating the Prince, Merlin is gathered by Gaius who appears quite furious at the sign of magic that was used in the brawl. Merlin shows his frustration about his magic, declaring himself useless and worthless without his special ability. (Quite the drama queen, huh?)

He goes to bed upset, yet is awoken by a mysterious voice, calling for him.

He then follows the raspy voice to under the dungeons, inside a tunnel, and finds...a dragon. (Clearly that was the only thing missing from the show.) The dragon seems to speak in riddles but poor Merlin and I are a bit too preoccupied to use our brains. The dragon can be quite a shock.


The dragon tells Merlin of his great destiny, and that Merlin will someday untie all of Albion with Arthur. As Merlin shows his objections to the idea, the dragon's imposing presence quickly silences him.This Great Dragon also appears to have a bit of resentment towards Uther, the reason for his imprisonment. However he also appears wise and all-knowing of matters and for that Merlin will most likely look to him for answers.

Now I'm going to do something that will most likely become frequent, I'm going to jump to the next important scene. But before that, I must come clean. 

Throughout this entry, I have neglected to inform you about our antagonist in the episode. Not because I have forgotten her, but because I like to give surprises, and if you knew about her, you would have more information than our central characters of Camelot. Therefore, I neglected to tell you about dear Mary Collins.

Okay, she's a little rough around the edges.

And before you ask "Mary who?" Let me remind you of the first scene our dear Merlin was greeted with upon his arrival in Camelot. The execution. And the old, crippled woman who was the mother of the man who was executed by magic-hating Uther? (If reference is needed, scroll up, I mentioned her briefly.) That would be Mary Collins. Now, the aforementioned celebration that Morgana was upset about attending? Called for an opera singer, Lady Helen, coming from out of town. Dear old Mary Collins skillfully intercepted the singer and disguised herself as Lady Helen. This becomes clear every time Mary Collins-disguised-as-opera-singer-Lady-Helen, looks into the mirror.

Many creepy flirtations later, "Lady Helen" is ready to perform. And she intends to do some damage.

To progress, it is the time for the celebration. Or the climactic moment. Merlin is present with Gaius, who is surprisingly invited to these festivities. Gwen is also present, as is Arthur and Morgana, who makes a seductive entrance and is soon chatted up by Arthur which brings their relationship into question, seeing as they most likely grew up together with Uther as their sole parental figure. (Gwen also hints that Morgana is meant to marry Arthur in the future and Merlin doesn't seem to like that.) Continuing, everyone, except servants, sits down for the performance of Lady Helen-who-is-actually-Mary-Collins-bent-on-the-destruction-of-King-Uther-for-killing-her-son. 

As the scorned woman sings, the entire hall seems to be put to sleep. more and more subjects of Camelot nod off and cobwebs expand upon their sleeping forms. The candles flicker and expel, and Merlin has yet to take action. As she sings, and Merlin remains unaffected, she advances on the drowsing royals. 

She then takes a knife out in front of her and, finally, Merlin reacts. He magics a chandelier to fall upon the enchantress and the court is then released from her spell. As the hall awakens, the witch attempts to throw her knife at Prince Arthur, clearly in a desperate attempt at making Uther experience the pain of the loss of a son, but Arthur is pulled away by Merlin. This heroic act is viewed by the entire court, appraised by the King. 

Look how happy they are!!

And, as a reward, King Uther declares Merlin to be Prince Arthur's manservant, what an honour for two boys who hate each other (insert sarcasm here).

All photos are from: http://www.merlintvshow.com 

Yay fansites!