Camelot

:

Season 1
  • Network: Starz
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 25, 2011
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
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Critic Reviews

  1. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Apr 7, 2011
    80
    Starz, however, has re-imagined the doings of Arthur, Guinevere and the gang as a bloody, bodice-ripping medieval soap opera, and the result is surprisingly satisfying.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Apr 1, 2011
    75
    Unfortunately, lightweight Bower (more Dude Arthur than King Arthur) and an even lighter-weight Egerton can't carry a series, let alone a kingdom. Nonetheless, it's still lots of lush, plush, silly good fun.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    Mar 31, 2011
    75
    Fantasy epics aren't really my thing, but this stylish, intense series should satisfy sci-fi fans for some time.
  5. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Mar 30, 2011
    75
    It all gets pretty involving in time. Based on the first three hours, this is a sturdy production from a producer/scriptwriter (Chris Chibnall) whose well-appointed credits include Torchwood, Doctor Who and the United Kingdom version of Law & Order.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Keith Staskiewicz
    Mar 28, 2011
    75
    A few key tweaks to the story and Joseph Fiennes' puckish interpretation of the king's right-hand sorcerer keep the legend from getting too stale
  7. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Apr 8, 2011
    70
    Some fans apparently don't think the sloe-eyed blond actor Jamie Campbell Bower is studly and thrusting enough for Arthur. But boyishness gives him room to grow, and there is plenty that's masterly about Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, who is occasionally seen in a studded hoodie and always shrouded in mystery, but other otherwise all man.
  8. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Mar 31, 2011
    70
    Bower's not the most compelling hero--and Fiennes can be a bore--but the story, however twisted, remains amusing.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Mar 30, 2011
    70
    Mr. Fiennes is fun to watch as an arrogant, punked-out Merlin; he's much more interesting than Jamie Campbell Bower, whose lightweight Arthur, to this point, doesn't appear to deserve all the attention he's getting....Best of all is Ms. Green, the Bond girl and Bernardo Bertolucci dream object, as Arthur's sister and rival (known here as Morgan). Her intensity is a good match for the show's gloomy-doomy, psychologizing mood.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Mar 30, 2011
    70
    Fiennes gives Camelot some feistiness and playfulness, and the whole affair is boosted by the fiery Green, a bit part by James Purefoy, plus strong performances in the supporting cast (and yet more wonderful costumes by Joan Bergin, who worked her Emmy-winning magic on Tudors).
  11. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Apr 1, 2011
    67
    This is "King Arthur Begins." Fiennes seems determined to play the Joker. Whether this interpretation of the sorcerer will cast a spell over viewers is uncertain.
  12. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Mar 18, 2011
    63
    As Merlin, Joseph Fiennes is more like a trainer-dietitian than mentor, but he's lively. Eva Green, as Morgan, is coldly beautiful and magnificent in Camelot couture. She's enchanting. But I don't see Jamie Campbell Bower's Arthur having the resolve of a king. [28 Mar 2011, p.54]
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Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best TV Season of 2011
57
#57 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
45
#45 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 49
  3. Negative: 12 out of 49
  1. historian
    Apr 2, 2011
    3
    Unlike Spartacus Blood and Sand, this one doesn't even try to sell you that it's a historical reenactment. Morgan La Fay apparently shops forUnlike Spartacus Blood and Sand, this one doesn't even try to sell you that it's a historical reenactment. Morgan La Fay apparently shops for her clothes on Hollowood Blvd., and buys her make up there while she's at it. No matter, there's plenty of sorcery too account for those dominatrix meets party at mom's skimpy clothing, and not too many actual cheap woolen mantles of the time period, not to mention lots of phrases like The King is Dead, Long Live the King, which wasn't used until the time of Charles VII, which aws in the 15th century, almost 1,000 years later. The show gets a ten for James Purefoy, being all manly and capable, and a -7 for all the other things wrong with it. Hey at lest there
    some improbable female nudify - those hollywood blvd. party outfits that look like a vogue editorial shoot get featured quite a bit, but the plot mking sense? Fuggedaboudit.    … Full Review »
  2. Scarus
    May 19, 2011
    3
    I started watching this to help battle my withdrawal symptoms from waiting for the next episode of Game of Thrones. I'm up to episode 07 now,I started watching this to help battle my withdrawal symptoms from waiting for the next episode of Game of Thrones. I'm up to episode 07 now, and I'm finding this increasingly more unwatchable every episode. While the young King Arthur might be good looking, I find his character completely unsympathetic, rather unbelievable and and even somewhat annoying. The thing that bothers me the most perhaps is that this whole thing has the feel of a cross between Robin Hood and Days of Our Lives, or even better yet, one of the Spanish Novelas that run nightly. Didn't the Knights of the Round Table wear Armor? I haven't seen any yet. I'm watching this on my computer and frequently just skip ahead a bit because what is happening onscreen is soooooo trite.

    I suppose I'll keep watching. I just wish I could find something better to watch.    … Full Review »
  3. tr34
    Apr 4, 2011
    4
    Lightweight is the only way to describe this re-telling of Arthur. I was expecting Son's of Anarchy medieval and instead we got BBC's MerlinLightweight is the only way to describe this re-telling of Arthur. I was expecting Son's of Anarchy medieval and instead we got BBC's Merlin with boobs and swearing. Oh! Joseph what did you sign up to?… Full Review »
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