Merlin

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
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
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User Reviews

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  1. AnitaM.
    Jun 24, 2009
    4
    I tried watching this...I really did, but I ended up turning it off. They took a tale that is very well known and took too much license with it so that it became something unrecognizable. Add to it the cheap costuming and for me you have a very blah show. The boots these people wore were nothing like the time-periods clothing, the chain mail was CHEAP, and is it just me...or does anyone I tried watching this...I really did, but I ended up turning it off. They took a tale that is very well known and took too much license with it so that it became something unrecognizable. Add to it the cheap costuming and for me you have a very blah show. The boots these people wore were nothing like the time-periods clothing, the chain mail was CHEAP, and is it just me...or does anyone buy that a castle that is lit by fire...would be that white on the inside?!!! Honestly, there were too many distractions, aside from the screwy storyline for me to enjoy it. Don't bring this one back!… Expand
  2. MovieCritic
    Nov 21, 2011
    5
    It's ok show but a bit redundant about things. They took a enjoyable tale and messed with it until it was turned around and just nothing like the tale. Some episodes are funny, others try to be funny but to no avail. Most of the time episode themes are repeated in a later episodes and keep being repeated, just slightly tweaked which makes it boring to continue watching after a while. YouIt's ok show but a bit redundant about things. They took a enjoyable tale and messed with it until it was turned around and just nothing like the tale. Some episodes are funny, others try to be funny but to no avail. Most of the time episode themes are repeated in a later episodes and keep being repeated, just slightly tweaked which makes it boring to continue watching after a while. You also can almost predict what is going to happen in most episodes which makes you want to hurry it along and they drag out the whole Merlin not telling Arthur hes a wizard thing way to long. They should have had that happen the beginning of the second season or end of the first.… Expand
  3. LinnichG
    Dec 26, 2012
    4
    In term of storyline
  4. BillS
    Aug 28, 2009
    4
    Unfortunately, the good acting far excels the contrived, politically correct story lines.
  5. IsaacS.
    Jul 2, 2009
    6
    The story follows the very typical hero epic format, and the only question I have is which of his mentors: the physician or the dragon, will die first. The acting is so-so, the story-line quite dull, straightforward, and often illogical. The only way they could stop the evil witch from killing the Prince is some "not my destiny" mumbo-jumbo. I ain't buying it. There is no interesting The story follows the very typical hero epic format, and the only question I have is which of his mentors: the physician or the dragon, will die first. The acting is so-so, the story-line quite dull, straightforward, and often illogical. The only way they could stop the evil witch from killing the Prince is some "not my destiny" mumbo-jumbo. I ain't buying it. There is no interesting take on magic or the storyline. The characters are entirely unbelievable: did you notice how the Prince goes from being a jerk to a hero in 1.3 episodes? All in all, I'll watch it because I like fantasy, but that doesn't mean I'll enjoy it.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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).
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  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.
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  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.
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