Was 'Merlin's return a magical one?

It's business as usual at Camelot with a fairly bogstandard episode to kick off a second season of sorcery shenanigans for the young wizard. There's very little wrong with the actual episode, which boasts some luscious special effects and winning performances. Yet it sticks very close to a narrative formula that quickly became stale last year and lacks the desired impact to signal the return of Merlin and friends to our televisions.

Prince Arthur and his wannabe-wench Merlin appeared to have gradually developed a bond (just about platonic!) during the first season and we felt a real sense of progression in terms of their rewarding relationship. However, the pair seem to have regressed back to their early days together - especially with the speed at which Arthur mistrusts, chastises and 'dumps' his loyal servant in favour of total stranger Cedric. "I just want Arthur to trust me and see me for who I am," whines Merlin, presumably before he reaches for the medieval equivalent of a Barbra Streisand LP.

Conversely, this fight for Arthur's attention also serves up some of the episode's strongest material as Cedric slyly plots to sabotage Merlin's duties and steal his thunder. It's hard not to giggle when Arthur finds Merlin passed out in the stable, face lodged in manure and oblivious to the fact that the horses have been unleashed. "Have you been at the cider?" amusingly asks the Prince.

Although the 'devious, self-serving stranger enters Camelot' plot has been done to death, Mackenzie Crook excels in his role as Cedric - both before and after his possession - and is well fleshed out as a character. His final plea to Merlin to join forces with him is a refreshing deviation from the usual guff that villains spout, pointing out that he is a slave and needs to 'come out' about his identity. It is a shame that the resolution of the confrontation between the pair fizzles out so quickly. Wouldn't it have been fun to see Merlin possessed?

The visual feel and scope of the episode is more impressive than ever, particularly with the eerie and atmospheric sequences of the winged creatures attacking the Camelot residents under the striking moonlight. The scene with the Dragon and Merlin was aesthetically pleasing too, and also featured an exchange between the pair that fortunately didn't end in the usual cryptic clue from the fire-breathing beast. Merlin's promise to release him could lead to some intriguing developments somewhere down the line. If only Merlin could promise the luscious Morgana some more screen time…

This episode, 'The Curse of Cornelius Sigan', could have seamlessly fitted into Merlin's first season midway through. In one respect, such familiarity reminds us why these characters quickly endeared themselves to millions of viewers. It also highlights that the show will need to stray from the formula and find more narrative magic if it's going to hang around on our screens long enough to see the Dragon released.


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