In Review: Merlin (Episodes 10 & 11)
Written by Ian Cullen on December 6, 2009 – 5:50 pm -Due to stuff going on in my life. I wasn’t able to bring you a review of episode ten of Merlin last weekend. So in order to catch up. I’ve doubled up on the reviews this weekend.
Merlin Episode 10 – Sweet Dreams
Synopsis: When arthur falls head over heels in love with a visiting princess. Merlin has to rescue him from the enchantment in order to evade throwing Camelot into a war with the visiting dignitaries.
Review: This was very much an episode that focuses on the more comedic aspects of the series, and in truth it was a little to similar to the two part episode Beauty And The Beast.
Despite this we saw some great performances from the actors. Bradley James portrayal of a love sick Arthur quoting love poetry damn near had me falling about the floor laughing.
The stand out acting performance has to go to Angel Coulby who barely speaks a word throughout the episode aside from in perhaps one scene, but what she does with the subtext in her quieter moments is nothing short of superb.
The episode also sees a confident acting turn from Georgia Moffet as Arthur’s love interest Lady Vivian runs perfectly counter to her role in the 2008 Doctor Who episode The Doctors daughter. As apposed to feisty Moffet plays bratty spoilt princess really well.
Overall this was not the best episode of the season, but was a vast improvement over the awful dross we were served with episode nine, which has to be Merlins lowest ebb of season two.
Score 6/10
Merlin Episode 11 – The Witches Quickening
Synopsis: Ruthless warlock Alvarr attempts to reclaim the Crystal of Neahid with help from Mordred, and Morgana finds herself making a tough choice.
Review: After two weeks of what you could term of Bottle shows that do not advance the overall storyline. We get back to a story that not only advances the season arc, but also advances the overall story arc of the series.
The very spooky looking child sorcerer Mordred returns and we see perhaps one of the events that lead Merlin and Mordred into conflict played out toward the end of the episode.
The episode is really about Morgana who over the second season has come to terms with her magical qualities, which only serves to fuel her confrontations with King Uther. A confrontation long coming, but worth the wait.
Between all this Arthur and Merlin are pretty much caught in the middle, between their friendship for Morgana and their loyalty to Camelot and the Kings hatred of Magic. Despite this we do get a few minor humorous moments. But for most part this is a raising of the steaks episode to build yo to the finale.
The episode serves well by bringing the relationships between the good folks of Camelot to Arthurian norms. The scene mentioned above between Mordred and Arthur toward the end of the episode is particularly chilling and a strong indicator of what is to come, but with a few new twists perhaps.
Score 8/10
Related posts:
- In Review: Merlin – The Nightmare Begins (Season Two – Episode Three)
- In Review: Merlin: Lancelot And Guinevere – (Episode 4 Season Two)
- In Review: Merlin Beauty And The Beast Part Two (Season Two, Episode 6)
- In Review: Merlin – The Witchfinder (Season Two – Episode Seven)
- Review: Merlin – Valiant
Tags: Colin Morgan, Katie McGrath, Merlin, Reviews, Sweet Dreams, The Witches Quickening
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