Merlin S01E06: 'A Remedy To Cure All Ills'

Some dodgy direction hampers a reasonable episode with standout performances from the dependable Richard Wilson and guest star Julian Rhind-Tutt as the malevolent medicine man.

As Gaius, Wilson has previously popped up once or twice each week to warn Merlin not to use his magic - a trait that has become totally yawnsome and predictable. Fortunately, the character is finally given more depth and space to express his dignity and dogged determination when he is framed for medical negligence and placed under immense scrutiny. Not only does he finally advocate magic, but he even pops to see that Waste Of Space CGI otherwise known as The Dragon.

But the crowning moment arrives in his supposed farewell scene with Merlin, which foregrounds his selfless paternal role and is sad but uplifting at the same time, thanks to Wilson's skill. Once he does return, one can't help but feel pity for his impotence when his spells fail to work.

The cold, dead eyes of Gaius's nemesis Edwin, lurking on his scar-strewn face, are formidably inhabited by Rhind-Tutt in the most impressive guest-starring role to date. Sadly the plot, involving a relative of someone killed by King Uther, is far too similar to the events of the first episode when Eve Myles starred as the revenge-filled witch. Furthermore, why should we care for the fate of Uther when he has committed a series of needlessly callous and cruel acts in the past, such as his insistence that Merlin drink the poison?

A very poorly helmed pre-credits sequence with Morgana and a little bug failed to whip up any excitement, and it was left to some superior acting to keep us gripped. However, the episode's climax is similarly botched. The overuse of staggering slow-mo in the fight between Edwin and Merlin serves to dissipate any tension, and you could probably start and finish a cryptic crossword in the time that it takes the fatal battleaxe to fly across the room into Edwin's skull.

To summarise - very good acting, woeful direction. Merlin really needs to start bringing all the elements together on a regular basis or else there's the danger that the remaining episodes will have a tired and inconsistent feel to them.

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