If you're anything like me then the words "Merlin" and "NBC" in the same sentence bring back horrifying images of Sam Neill as Merlin in the cheesy made for tv movie that premiered on the peacock network in the late nineties. So if you haven't already heard this news, then you might be as suprised as I was to learn that NBC is actually premiering a new series this summer (on June 21) called Merlin.
Now, don't worry, this Merlin won't be following in the footsteps of the TV Movie, and I promise you that Sam Neill is not involved (he's too busy working on new series Happy Town at ABC). This new Merlin series, actually looks good, and bears at least a small comparison (based solely on the previews) to the recent Harry Potter films. In fact, it's quite obvious that this is NBC trying to profit a little on the success that young wizards seem to have had lately, not that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This is what NBC has to say about their new series;
“Merlin” is a new drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience. The mythical kingdom of Camelot, in a time before history began, is a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious people, a dangerous world where magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon.
When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he quickly makes enemies including the heir to Uther's crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther's wise physician Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot's mystical secrets. As he does so, he discovers that his destiny and that of the kingdom’s young leader in waiting, Arthur, are inextricably linked.
Now, I'm as skeptical as you that NBC can pull this off, but tell me that synopsis doesn't intrigue you at least a little bit? Wait until you see the preview clips I've included below. But regardless of how good the series ends up being, my biggest concern lies with NBC itself. Just a few short months ago the network premiered another series entitled Kings, that although it took place in modern times, was a similar story about a monarch. The series was without a doubt fantastic, well written, and had the kind of low profile quality that many of us look for in our television these days...and the show was cancelled after only about a month or so. I've blamed the network for this show's failure the entire time due mostly to the marketing, or lack of marketing that took place. And once again here we are, a little over a week from when this new series, Merlin, is set to premiere, and I just learned about the show today.
Still, regardless of the networks ability at properly marketing their shows, you have to admit that it is summer time and there is a lot less on television right now. So give this series a chance, and let's see if it can satisfy some of us genre crazy nerds in TV land. Below the preview clips below I have included a link to a gallery of promo images from the first episode of Merlin.
Merlin premieres on NBC on June 21 at 9/8 c.
View the Gallery of images from NBC's upcoming Merlin (the series).
Merlin first aired on the BBC last year, and it's great. It'll especially appeal to fans who liked the way Smallville handled the Superman mythology, as it's similar in tone.
I think NBC is airing the first two episodes on the first night; it's recommended that you see both. I know some people who weren't high on the first episode who came to love the series. The effects get better as it goes along, also.
Thanks Craig! You're absolutely right. The first two episodes air on June 21. As for the effects, well, this is television and this is the summer. :) My expectations are therefore a little less. Can't wait, I hope this is a good one!
Merlin first aired on the BBC last year, and it’s great. It’ll especially appeal to fans who liked the way Smallville handled the Superman mythology, as it’s similar in tone.
I think NBC is airing the first two episodes on the first night; it’s recommended that you see both. I know some people who weren’t high on the first episode who came to love the series. The effects get better as it goes along, also.
Thanks Craig! You’re absolutely right. The first two episodes air on June 21. As for the effects, well, this is television and this is the summer. :) My expectations are therefore a little less. Can’t wait, I hope this is a good one!
I downloaded every episode last summer and absolutely loved it. My entire family waited anxiously each week for each new episode. I am not a big fan of mythology, but this series is done so well and is so exciting. The actors are great and the special effects are wonderful, especially for a t.v. series. I really can't say enough good things about this show. I am looking forward to season 2 this summer. I'm telling ya after the first 2 episodes you'll be hooked!
I agree 100%. The show is fantastic and I can't wait for its return to NBC. It is coming back, right?……RIGHT??????
I downloaded every episode last summer and absolutely loved it. My entire family waited anxiously each week for each new episode. I am not a big fan of mythology, but this series is done so well and is so exciting. The actors are great and the special effects are wonderful, especially for a t.v. series. I really can’t say enough good things about this show. I am looking forward to season 2 this summer. I’m telling ya after the first 2 episodes you’ll be hooked!
I agree 100%. The show is fantastic and I can’t wait for its return to NBC. It is coming back, right?……RIGHT??????
Umm, yeah, you are aware this isn't NBC's show, right? They are just gracious enough to bring us a cool show that the BBC has already had on the air. To compare this to Kings is not even close since it's not an NBC venture.
Actually, when I wrote the article I wasn’t aware that it was a BBC show, but learned of that shortly after publishing it. Regardless, I wasn’t comparing the quality of the shows Kings and Merlin, I was actually addressing NBC’s marketing techniques lately. I thought Kings was one of the best sci-fi-ish shows I’d seen in a long time, but until the night I watched it, I really had no idea what it was about. I think NBC destroyed that show with their lack of understanding for it, and their lack of knowing how to adequately market it. My fear is that NBC would make the same failures and mistakes on Merlin. That’s all I was comparing about them. Of course, in this case, whether or not its successful in the US won’t affect its success in the UK, probably, so it’ll still live on in some form. That makes me happy. :)
Umm, yeah, you are aware this isn’t NBC’s show, right? They are just gracious enough to bring us a cool show that the BBC has already had on the air. To compare this to Kings is not even close since it’s not an NBC venture.
Actually, when I wrote the article I wasn't aware that it was a BBC show, but learned of that shortly after publishing it. Regardless, I wasn't comparing the quality of the shows Kings and Merlin, I was actually addressing NBC's marketing techniques lately. I thought Kings was one of the best sci-fi-ish shows I'd seen in a long time, but until the night I watched it, I really had no idea what it was about. I think NBC destroyed that show with their lack of understanding for it, and their lack of knowing how to adequately market it. My fear is that NBC would make the same failures and mistakes on Merlin. That's all I was comparing about them. Of course, in this case, whether or not its successful in the US won't affect its success in the UK, probably, so it'll still live on in some form. That makes me happy. :)
That's the advantage of having a television network that isn't concerned about profit, but only about entertaining and educating its audience (with no adverts getting in the way). The BBC, with its huge array of television and radio stations, is fantastic. Our other 'socialist' networks (i.e. publically owned), Channel 4 (English Language) and S4C (Welsh Language) are funded by adverts instead of a £10 TV fee, but maintain high quality programming (much higher than the capitalist offering, ITV).
That’s the advantage of having a television network that isn’t concerned about profit, but only about entertaining and educating its audience (with no adverts getting in the way). The BBC, with its huge array of television and radio stations, is fantastic. Our other ‘socialist’ networks (i.e. publically owned), Channel 4 (English Language) and S4C (Welsh Language) are funded by adverts instead of a £10 TV fee, but maintain high quality programming (much higher than the capitalist offering, ITV).
The a aweful writing on this series.
merlin has powers but rarely uses them even when it's
most needed .
The lack of sense to the story is a real problem.
Like this week people are dieing seem very fast from a illness caused
by magic.Yet Gwen Father gets ill and seem to live long enough for merlin to
heal him with magic.Come on ? Like last week he keep fearing the bad knight …Merlin finds the bad knight shield had live snakes which merlin kills one but for what ever reason does not kill them all when he has the sword in hand and just kill one of them ????
Hello give me the writing job I can write better then this crap.
The series goes to great trouble, To much I think to hide Merlin's magic to the point of being stupid.
The a aweful writing on this series.
merlin has powers but rarely uses them even when it’s
most needed .
The lack of sense to the story is a real problem.
Like this week people are dieing seem very fast from a illness caused
by magic.Yet Gwen Father gets ill and seem to live long enough for merlin to
heal him with magic.Come on ? Like last week he keep fearing the bad knight …Merlin finds the bad knight shield had live snakes which merlin kills one but for what ever reason does not kill them all when he has the sword in hand and just kill one of them ????
Hello give me the writing job I can write better then this crap.
The series goes to great trouble, To much I think to hide Merlin’s magic to the point of being stupid.
NBC Sucks they cancel series after series that were just excellent to watch like KINGS ,No clue on how to program ….
NBC Sucks they cancel series after series that were just excellent to watch like KINGS ,No clue on how to program ….
One thing I can't understand, why Merlin with Sam Neil starring is horrible? In comparison with BBC's Merlin the tricks are surely of a lower quality. There are fewer feeble jokes, too. But it has – at least – some historic truth and great ideas and ideals.
On the contrary, BBC's Merlin is a series which you watch to relax and clear your mind. It's so…untrue, that you merely cannot take it seriously. A fine series, really. But – for a different purpose.
One thing I can’t understand, why Merlin with Sam Neil starring is horrible? In comparison with BBC’s Merlin the tricks are surely of a lower quality. There are fewer feeble jokes, too. But it has – at least – some historic truth and great ideas and ideals.
On the contrary, BBC’s Merlin is a series which you watch to relax and clear your mind. It’s so…untrue, that you merely cannot take it seriously. A fine series, really. But – for a different purpose.