Merlin

BBC's Merlin possesses all the right elements which make it excellent family viewing. There's an onus on helping those in need, showing bravery, standing up to bullies and being loyal to your team. These factors could, in fact, form a list of qualities which might make up the code of chivalry expected of a noble knight. In Merlin these elements are delivered with an ample helping of banter and camaraderie. The programme has quests, dragons, adventure, good and evil, love interests, heaving pecs and chests, plenty of humour and an illicit, magical secret. It's a winner.

I've had a vested interest in the show from the start as my husband has worked on the post-production sound since the first episode. In the past five years much has happened in my life and also in Merlin the show. There have been plenty of highs and lows in both, with a few boring bits in between. So yesterday's official announcement that the show was to end was a somewhat momentous occasion for my family, one that has put me in nostalgic and reflective mood.

My kids have grown up watching Merlin turn from boy to man. However, as the characters are so much older than they, as well as watching 'Daddy's show' it was definitely the prospect of seeing the dragon that initially held their attention. My youngest, then two, would remove her seemingly superglued thumb from her mouth for just enough of a fleeting moment to point and say "Draaaagon", not in fact unlike Merlin says himself. She's a great mimic. The thumb would quickly be replaced. My boy, being older and aged five when the series began, felt the suspense of the baddies in his very being, running to the kitchen and peeking from around the corner, wanting to watch and not to watch all at once! The man (let's face it) listened more than watched, considering each sword clash, magic whoosh and sound level. He and the post production sound team have done a fantastic job. You might think I'm bias (OK I am!) but you haven't heard the raw recording, full of traffic noise, unforgiving drumming of Welsh rain beating down on the corrugated roofs of the sets and on the plastic sheeting used on external shots to keep the actors dry while recording. All this is removed, every word of dialogue made audible... even Gwaine's mumbling... I'm so proud. I think that even without the work connection I would have got into the series with the kids. It's exceptionally well made. I prefer it to Dr Who, who is always there, in competition, lurking, waiting in the wings of our Saturday nights.

It was a happy moment when the first series was recommissioned as both the man and I are freelance and we often live from hand to mouth. Sometimes its feast or famine, but Merlin has helped maintain us by bringing a modicum of stability to our lives and a new carpet to our home. I'm so grateful!

Series' have come and gone, fashions have changed, interest rates have fluctuated (not much actually) and last March, whilst wrestling with a frustrating job that even now drives me slightly insane at the thought, I turned to Twitter for an outlet and some light relief. I stumbled across Eoin Macken (see other blog) and made a twitter acquaintance with him which has given my Merlin viewing another angle. This acquaintance has also brought an insight into Merlin Fandom. I knew it was popular, I've seen the viewing figures and know it's sold to 80 countries. It is indeed one of the BBC's most successful exports ever. But it was only in the lull between series four and five that I discovered the YouTube videos and fan fiction which is lovingly and astonishingly well crafted. Boy... what a revelation! I'm astounded and in awe of much of it, and amazed that I'd been in complete oblivion of this mini phenomenon for four years.

I met many of the fans while helping at the convention for Eoin's film 'Cold' recently. Another amazing eyeopener which also proved to confirm that the actors playing the knights on Merlin, as well as Colin Morgan and Bradley James, are indeed as gallant and noble in life as the characters they play on the show. That particular day's quest was to reach the conference in London on time, having started in Dublin! Loyalty was shown by the bunch of actor/musician/photographer friends in helping each other out by being there in person and on Skype; and it goes without saying - loyalty from the fans attending! The bravery of Alexander Vlahos was formidable. He held the fort for Eoin and Tom Hopper at his first event of this kind, facing a large audience of fans falling on his every word, whilst not feeling at all on tip top form. Also the feat of stamina shown by all these guys in meeting hundreds of fans, signing hundreds of photos, and having hundreds of photos taken, all done with no sleep due to filming the night before, and with consummate charm and grace. A noble thing. What a day.

I admire many people greatly, but I've never been much of a fangirl (of anyone living....) so this fan thing was alien to me. However, I have enjoyed witnessing the flourishing friendships and support groups that Merlin fans have created. I feel I have my own little network of friends made at the conference and online from around the whole world, all because of Merlin! I love that! I've even felt the benefit and support of that group on this very day. (Thank you all! xxx)

Merlin, as well as its target audience, has grown up a fair bit. The acting is superb from every last character. Prominent characters have come and gone, notable Uther (Anthony Head), Morgause (Amelia Fox) and a favourite Anglo-Spaniard Santiago Cabrera who played Sir Lancelot. The plot lines have remained pretty formulaic throughout, with only the merest of nods to the classic legends with the connection ending pretty much at the character names. The weekly story arc is always artfully shoehorned into the forty odd minutes of each episode with double episodes at the beginning and end of each series. There is the longer story arc of Morgana's evil witchery and effort to oust Arthur with has progressed through the five series; and up until now, the 'Keep the Magic Secret' theme has run throughout. These are all observations, not criticisms, as I believe the creators are providing what the modern target audience wants. My kids have never complained. Not about the stories anyway! I know older teenage fans and adults remain unsatisfied however, Recently the last few episodes have seemed lazy and in my view, fillers, with confusing, illogical holes in the plots. So near to the end, it seems to be coasting and its almost as if the makers have lost interest, perhaps having more than half an eye on the next project. Merlin was always a five year plan the producers say, and its beginning to show.

As we near the finale of the show, my kids now prefer the camaraderie and banter of the characters, the sword fights and the monsters. They do in fact want blood (which is seemingly, and perhaps rightly, non-existent in Camelot). They're frustrated that Merlin's heroism and achievements are never acknowledged.

So is it not time now for the big reveal?  Can our desire to see Merlin's magic acknowledged by Arthur not be satisfied? A happy "Oh you little so-and-so, but I could've done it all without you, go clean my boots" moment between the two... or will there be a final, damning conclusion, bringing a definitive end with a full stop and an underline? Perhaps the makers will hedge there bets? Could a spin-off for the much underused knights be made? (Look at Sara-Jame and Torchwood...) Or, as suggested and hoped, maybe a series of feature films? Who knows? My children and I love the funny bits - the teasing and banter, specially among the knights. We all want to see more of them, its the best bit in my view. Let's hope the final five episodes bring all we want and leave us with a satisfying ending, possibly baying for more. That's the way to go.

Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: those actors have talent in spades and will take off and fly. The world is their oyster and their careers will be watched and supported by the fans they made during the Merlin years. There are many other projects, many more years and many many more fans and followers to come.


In my dotage I will sit back in my wing-back chair and watch my Merlin Box Set (or the streaming of it straight to my retinas) recalling the time friendships were forged. Most of all I will remember the cold autumnal and winter nights blissfully spent in a jumble of arms and legs with my family on the sofa, watching this wonderful, brilliant show.