Merlin - Series 2 Volume 1 [DVD]

Merlin is a joy. The first series was great, but the second series is much better on many levels. The positives the first series had are still there:

- an attractive and talented group of young actors playing the 4 main roles - Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen.

- great support from the older members of the cast such as Richard Wilson, Anthony Head and John Hurt

- beautiful music, locations, and costumes

- great stories that combine humour, action, adventure and magic without anything that would stop younger viewers from watching

- a wonderfully written and played central relationship between Merlin and Arthur that is the heart of the show.

But the second series also has:

- better special effects (which were decidely ropey in places in series 1)

- more varied storylines (S1 had a lot of Merlin and Arthur saving each others lives)

- a step up in the quality of the acting. In particular Bradley James (who plays Arthur) and Colin Morgan (Merlin) have matured into their roles. They have both delivered outstanding performances this series.

- some fantastic guest stars (watch out for Sarah Parish as a troll and Charles Dance as a very creepy witchfinder)

- better writing (cannot agree with the other reviewer who thinks this has deteriorated)

- some scenes - all the more moving because they are used sparingly - that deliver a real emotional punch.

My whole family - including my 2 early teens kids - love this show. My children have never been as emotionally invested in any drama as they are in this, and they are not alone. Most of their school friends seem to watch it too. What this show does, that so few actually manage, is to deliver something that kids love, but with another level to it for adults to appreciate.

Merlin has deservedly been a huge international success and has sold to almost every territory in the world (twice as many as Dr Who). It was also the first british drama to air on a major network (NBC) in the US for over 30 years. Well done to all involved. I recommend it heartily.

Season two has been airing on television since early September and has just passed the halfway mark, and so far has carried on its tradition of excellence.

The four young actors playing the leads are growing along with their characters, and it's wonderful to get a chance to see some new young actors while they are still just being discovered on the path to what will no doubt, for some of them, be stellar careers. Colin Morgan (Merlin) in particular is an incredible find, and the on-screen chemistry with Bradley James (Arthur) has been enough to garner the love and loyalty of fans across three continents, without taking into account the two female leads (Katie McGrath and Angel Coulby) and the suberb stage and screen veterans Anthony Head and Richard Wilson. The cinematography is rich and sumptuous and lends a wonderfully authentic feel to a world that is at best a creation of myth and fantasy, with plot, nuance and humour to be enjoyed on a number of levels by young and old alike. In this half of season 2, there is also a particularly spectacular spot of acting from guest star Sarah Parish, another actress who also clearly deserves more recognition.

So if you haven't seen it yet - you're missing a treat, so put aside your scepticism, open your heart and prepare to be warmed and entertained by the little British gem that is Merlin.

As a note to the cost - it's easy to get spoilt with the price of huge US 24 episode sitcoms that get released season by season often for the same price as half a season of British television, but when you consider that the continuance of a show rides on its viewing statistics and sales, it's a small price to pay to keep the first British family show in years to go overseas on our screens, and encourage the production company to keep going. If the bullet is still too hard to swallow - wait for the whole season to be released some time next Spring.

Merlin is an amazing show! I was very impressed with the DVD boxset and all the jam packed special features provided with it! Great product!