Merlin puts away wand
The family drama Adventures of Merlin calls it a day with a two-hour series finale that’s somewhat less than epic, but will nonetheless satisfy fans of a medieval fantasy that lasted five full seasons before Saturday’s final chapter was writ.
From its inception, Merlin bore about as much resemblance to the Arthurian legends of yore as Clash of the Titans did to Greek mythology and Homer’s Iliad. The character Merlin was conceived as a feckless teenager, as played by the charisma-free Colin Morgan. Merlin was originally commissioned by the BBC as fill-in drama for young adults, presumably for those nights when Doctor Who wasn’t around to pull ’em in with its trippy tales of time travel and pure wit.
All you need to know about Merlin in those early days is that it is said to have been inspired by Smallville, the WB and CW’s take on Superman’s teenage years. The hope was that Merlin would appeal to younger viewers too hip to accept a series based on the classic Disney cartoon The Sword in the Stone, but too young to be exposed to the carnage and mayhem of a Braveheart.
Merlin’s finale — no spoilers here — features a quest, a showdown between mortal enemies, a glimpse of the fabled Isle of Avalon and much grunting and groaning from Saxon armies. There are morals to be drawn and soulful speeches about the true meaning of magic, and when to use it.
The acting has improved over the five years Merlin has been slaying dragons’ hearts and looking after the young, petulant Arthur, and it’s not giving too much away to say that the evil dastardly Morgana does not have everything go her way after everything is said and done.
“Some men are born to plow fields, some live to be great physicians, others to be great kings,” Merlin tells the once and future king Arthur, at one point in the finale. “Me, I was born to serve you … and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
When Merlin’s finale originally aired in the U.K., on Christmas Eve no less, many among its faithful following found time to shed a tear. And why not?
After all, some TV fantasies were made to touch some viewers’ hearts. Some were born to earn respect, and go on to win a multitude of accolades and awards. And others were destined for greatness, to shape and change the very medium that gave them life.
Merlin is no Game of Thrones, but one out of three ain’t bad.
(Space – 6 p.m.)
The Biggest Loser also features its finale tonight, with contestants reuniting to showcase their transformations, and find out who shed the most weight. (Citytv – 9 p.m.)