Merlin

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    40
    The middling show plays too much like “The O.C.’’ with swords, crowns, and a cheesy CGI dragon (voiced by John Hurt).
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    80
    For those new to the legend, this is a fresh, and delightfully color-blind, approach to the tale.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    40
    It takes the stuff of legend and imagination and makes it dry and commonplace. You look forward not to the next exciting chapter, but for the whole enterprise to go "poof" and disappear.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Adam Markovitz
    83
    Cheesy? Sure. But there's enough sword-clanging Action--not to mention homoerotic tension--to keep viewers happily entertained for a spell.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    40
    It's just that Merlin is clearly shopping for tricks in the bargain bin, and like the song says, the new Camelot's shining moments are all too brief, indeed.
  7. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    30
    Merlin looks, well, typically British with shoddy production values. Worse, it tells dull stories.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    70
    A lighthearted, quite charming medieval adventure series made by the BBC, is tailored to the age of Obama.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Kris King
    63
    Even with its quirky charm, though, the show's formula begins to wear thin.

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best TV Season of 2009
20
#20 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
17
#17 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 144 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 144
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 144
  3. Negative: 11 out of 144
  1. LillyanneS1
    Jan 16, 2011
    10
    already got the first season on DVD. Really Enjoyed It & doing well in UK where it has been renewed for a forth season to be done in eitheralready got the first season on DVD. Really Enjoyed It & doing well in UK where it has been renewed for a forth season to be done in either 2011 or 2012… Full Review »
  2. browniejes001
    Sep 19, 2010
    10
    I love this show!! Ten times better than most of the garbage on tv now days. I am officially addicted to watching :) Can't wait for season 3!I love this show!! Ten times better than most of the garbage on tv now days. I am officially addicted to watching :) Can't wait for season 3! Can't wait for someone else besides Gaius to find out about Merlins magic :)… Full Review »
  3. LinnichG
    Dec 26, 2012
    4
    In term of storyline
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