Merlin - S01E09: 'Excalibur'

The recent revival of Merlin has much to do with the increasing darkness that has descended upon Camelot, and this morbid episode is extremely impressive in terms of script, acting and particularly its eerie visuals. Who can forget that memorable shot of the wraith knight Tristan standing motionless outside the castle bathed in moonlight and prepared for battle?

Nimueh's welcome return to the show not only raises the revenge-fuelled knight, but also proves to be the catalyst for some fascinating revelations about Arthur's birth. Michelle Ryan showcases her versatility by generating sympathy for the villainous Nimueh, who suffered at the hands of Uther despite doing him a massive favour by giving him a son.

This backstory adds an extra dimension to both their characters, with the death of Uther's wife having severe repercussions on their lives. Yet the conclusion of the story, which seems to portray Uther in a brave and noble light, still feels slightly awkward because of the King's despicable actions throughout the series.

What does ring true though, are Uther's selfless actions regarding his son. Their intricate father-son relationship, played so earnestly by Anthony Head and Bradley James, is also given more emotional realism by the sacrifice incurred by the Prince's creation.

Sadly, the flirtations between Merlin and Guinevere are back, and the glances between the pair are as forced and laughably bad as ever. At least the impressive swordfighting sequences, which cleverly suggest rather than show gore, function as some kind of antidote.

Just like the previous emergence of Mordred, the unveiling of the Dragon-enhanced sword is an effective way of making the audience wonder exactly what might happen in the future. As Merlin is told by his CGI pal, Excalibur must not fall into the wrong hands. Just how evil can Uther really be with such a weapon?

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