Camelot: Season 1

Camelot was a series that aired on the Starz Network that was a version of the King Arthur mythology. It starred Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur, Eva Green as Morgan Pendragon, and Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere. The story is set around the sudden death of King Uther which sends the kingdom into chaos. Merlin installs Arthur as the king but his claim to the throne is challenged by his half-sister Morgan, who uses dark magic to try and take the throne. For those who get the Blu-Ray, the show looks and sounds great in HD. The 10 episodes are spread across three discs and there are a series of featurettes that range from about a minute long to nearly 15 minutes. The longest is a making-of documentary that features interviews with the cast and crew. There is also a five-minute blooper reel. A good amount of material for those who like watching the bonus features. Overall, the show was very good but was not around long enough to really establish a foothold. Green is really a stand-out as Morgan, the main antagonist of the series. It definitely has some of the main elements of the Arthurian legend, but definitely puts its own spin on the story. It does have a lot of violence and sex as many of the series on the premium cable stations have. The show was ultimately canceled not because of bad ratings but because of scheduling conflicts for Fiennes and Green. It was a well-written and acted series that should have had a longer run.

The tone and visual of this series lies somewhere between The Tudors and the first season of Spartacus: a fair heaping of graphic sex, lots of action and fighting and blood, plus sorcery and magic to boot. I thought they did a good job of making the show appeal to both women and men, which is not an easy task - could easily have too much historical emphasis and costuming & pomp, or too much blood and action. We must keep in mind there was no real King Arthur but only many myths and theories. I have seen and read many retellings and think they've done some clever and creative things in this show. They strike a nice balance between the barbaric and the noble in the lifestyle of the time - no gleaming armor, but rough furs and leather armor instead, with rough thrones and much smaller castles and armies than usually pictured. In a way, it makes every struggle more urgent and visceral when there are only a handful of men against each other in this way. They have cast some quite good actors such as Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green and others. I like this trend of movie actors doing television and especially cable which can be more intense. I also recognized some other faces such as the lead from TV's short lived "Crusoe" (really, how long could a show based on that book go on?). I hope that fans of both fantasy and action check the show out. Starz is definitely doing some interesting things and I look forward to seeing thier other upcoming shows such as Torchwood (one of my favorite shows, which I was crushed when it was cancelled).

This series is a little off track from the original Shakespearian take, but enjoyable non-the-less. If you enjoy watching Eva Green in a great role, this is for you. Character build and story line don't take too long to establish, plus. There is plenty of battle scenes and of course a couple of steamy sex scenes with Eva. A msut see, probably should limit little eyes when watching this.

Ya know what? Every now and then I like a different twist on an age old story. "Let's try something different for a change", say I. Well, this series does not disappoint along this line of thinking for these very reasons: King Arthur is NOT the manly Richard Burton we knew on the Broadway stage or the Richard Harris of the movie...he is an awkward teenager barely aware of his own existence on this earth who has to learn everything about being a king from the ground up as he goes along...he's a boy king who grows up to be a man and a leader of men. Guenevere is NOT a virtuous Julie Andrews or Vanessa Redgrave...she's a young woman betrothed to another who has a failing for young lads like the teenaged king! Sir Lancelot is NOT Robert Goulet or Franco Nero with a deep baritone voice...in fact, I don't think I've heard him sing even once in this series! Merlin is NOT the spritely Roddy McDowell or clever Laurence Naismith...he is a believable "magician" of curious and questionable background who successfully uses his magic only to serve and protect the new king, yet he is shown to have vulnerabilities and human frailties at certain points in the story...he is NOT the omnipotent creature we have come to know in past versions. Camelot is NOT the utopian "Emerald City" of modern Arthurian legend...it is an old, moss-covered, overgrown, rundown heap of stones that the new King Arthur and his knights decide to make their own because nobody else wants it! And Morgan is just plain.......Morgan! This version of the story is refreshingly different than the stories we've previously encountered. My wife and I find ourselves sitting together on the couch, bowl of popcorn precariously balanced between us, saying, "Oh, that was clever!" and "I didn't see THAT coming!" In short, we have found this version of the Arthurian legend to be very entertaining, and we like it a lot.

I watched this after watching the Merlin TV show and thoroughly enjoyed it. Both shows had their own take on the Arthurian legend, so it was great to see both. I recommend watching Merlin first since I felt like it would have been a bit tricky to follow the beginning scenes on this one if I didn't know much about the legend. But overall, a phenomenal show. Well acted and with it's own take on the legend. I really really wish they had made some more seasons of this show. What a shame there isn't more.

Over the top on sorcery, but a good interpretation of "The Knights of the Round Table."

Starz gained alot of creds with Sparticus and so they wanted to creat another series. this a result, based on the Arthurian legend. which in the end I find to be a bit of a mixed bag. (Beware Spoilers to follow.) First off I am an avid reader of Arthuiran fiction. I've read Malory, Geoffery, Chretien, and others. I've seen the Arthurian based movies and series. (And written reviews on them. see my page). And I know that NO movie is going to be totaly close to the legend. there are some good versions but some just dont entirly capture the feel. there has been a definitive Robin Hood (Flynn), but not a definitive Arthur movie. there are good ones though. Point is I dont entirly expect this to be totaly close to the legend. which is not a bad thing, but something like this should have the essence of the subject matter. this has the elements and a few twists. some may claim that there is a bit of modern 'political correctness'. Maybe there is but thats nothing new. Its also not so 'modern'. esspessily to Arthurian fiction. one need simply read Chretien to know that. (And lets not forget his patron was the daughter of one of the most powerful of women in the Midevil period). There are other examples as well of strong women in Arthurian fiction. Look at the 'Wedding of Gawain', Malory's story of Sir Gareth would be nothing without the strong willed Linet, and so on. That is not to say this series has its faults. it does. for various reasons. before I get to that let me speak of the actors. At the top of the list is Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, Eva Green as Morgan, and Sinead Cusack as Sybil. these are by far the best of the cast meambers and really make the series. if you watch it then watch it for no other reason then these actors.Then there is Jamie Campbell Bower as Arthur. at first he seems a bit of a fop, dishonorable, and unfit. yet as the sereies progresses his charture changes. for the better. he becomes the Arthur of legend. And maybe that's the point. that he starts out as reckless but becomes the hero he needs to be. still Fiennes excells as Merlin. he's clearly mad, not allways trust worthy, but loyal to the ideal of Camelot. Green is bitter, cunning, and strong willed. Cusack is another treat. her charture cares for Morgan as much as Merlin cares for Arthur. she is also intelligent and cunning. these main actors are what carry the series and are fun to watch. the others do a decent job, but some let the side down just a bit. Ultimatly in the end I can only reivew this series episode by episode. Because they have their good and bad points. I just cant review the series as a whole because of the jumble we get here. partly because of the writers, and other reasons. -Homecoming- Uther is slain, Morgan lusts for power and allies herself with Lot, and Merlin seeks out Arthur and tells him his true hertige. This episode has a lot of potential. some things are rather contrived. (It seems to quick for some of the knights to automaticly pledge their alleigance to Arthur.) Yet there is still the potential. Merlin has the dream of Camelot. he hopes Arthur will forfill this dream, and Arthur could become the king of legend, but there is a chance he wont. there is the possiblity he will fail. This is something I found to be interesting and they really could have worked on this angle a bit more. Arthur at first seems a typical reckless youth. he beds whatever woman he can get his hands on. he is awed and bewildered by what has been cast upon him. he dosent interly understand it all. yet he wants to do what is right. I think what lets the side down a bit is James Purefoy as Lot. He's not a bad actor. it's just his charture seems to familur to other roles he's played. his Lot is no different then Anthony in Rome for example. This is porbably my main complaint for this episode. -The Sword and the Crown- Arthur meets Guinevere, who he's been having dreams about. Morgan and Lot attack but Lot is defeated. Arthur claims the sword from the stone. Another good starter episode. the new telling of the sword in stone story is interesting and inventive. I also like that there are hints that Merlin set up this whole thing. Purefoy again lets the side down a bit again, but his charture meets his fate in the end. he beats Morgan, but is himself destroyed by Arthur. (Allthough you get the sense that if he had not lost to Arthur he would not have outlived Morgan). the highlight is really how Arthur is achiveing his inhertiance and Merlin's aid in this matter. Both Kay and Arthur have lost their only family to Lot. this angle could have been played up a bit more, as its a bit hard to really feel for the chatures. -Guinevere-These next two episodes I admit are not the best written. Leontes is one of the knights who serves Arthur. Kay and leontes seek out Gawain to come to Camelot, he reluctantly agrees. Arthur and Merlin are invited to feast with Morgan, which they do. merlin is himself taken prisoner. guinevere and Leontes are to be married but Arthur lusts after her. he wishes to be with her before her wedding. the twist here with Guinevere is that she is betrothed to Leontes, who himself willing serves Arthur. (This is all a whole twist on the Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot relationship). Morgan menwhile is using magic and it is costing her. the first thing I didnt care for is that Merlin and Arthur go to see Morgan without guards and are rather brazen. there seemed no good reason for this thinking. it was silly. of course they would be traped and tricked. aparently Arthur is just that blind about Morgan. aslo it is hard to see Arthur act in such a dishonrable manner. (and I see others think so too). He surrenders to his lust and risks everything. it didnt seem right. -Lady of the Lake- Arthur's sword is broken. Merlin seeks a new one from the swordmaker Caliburn, who wants to kill Arthur. his daughter, Excalibur, takes the sword but dies by accident in a lake. Merlin takes the sword from her dead hand. Arthur is upset that he cant be with Guinevere but she inspires him to do change things. While Morgan is ill there enters a nun, Syble (Cusack) who aids her. Again this is a weak episode. Caliburn's motives are rather murcky and it would have been nice if they were fleshed out. we need to know why he wants Arthur dead. it would have made the tragidy of his dauther's death more meaningful. however, I like Merlin's deceptive way of relating how he got the sword and establishes the legend. Arthur again isnt acting his best here. the highlight however is the introduction of Syble. it may be tempting for some viewers to give up at this point. I see some have, and I was almost tempted to as well. I encourage you to hang in there, the series improves. -Justice- Arthur and his knights look into a murder charge and they hold a trial, while Morgan minpulates merchants to come to her side. this is by far the better of episodes. this is where things start to improve and get better. here Arthur is acting as he should, as a man of honor. he is the Arthur of legend here. a man of the people who wants to improve his lands. yet at the same time Morgan uses cunning to change peoples minds using 'justice' to her own ends. Arthur uses justice to give hope. Morgan uses it to establish fear. this is a rather nice parrallel. this is one of my favorite episodes and agian its when things realy make their turning point. Arthur sees his own faults and sees he must do better. not only for himself but to others. I rather enjoyed this episode. -Three Journeys-Guinever travels to see her dying father, Arthur goes with her. Kay, Merlin, and some of the knights travel to Kay's home for a libary. A nun come to see Morgan telling her how Syble had burned down the nunnery. this is a rather interesting episode with different storys going on at once. on the one hand we have guinevere dealing with her father's death, the guilt for her actions, but her genuin love for Arthur. Arthur also loves her and is also guiltful. Kay is reluctant to go back home, but in the end finds beloved memorys of the past. merlin is incouraged to use magic rather then not use it. morgan is torn between admistering justice in front of everyone or punishing Syble, whome she cares for. it is another well written episode. I liked the mutliple storys going on and the chature devlopment. -The Long Night- Arthur and his court spends the night at Morgan's castle. she has various entertainments and stages a fake attack. at least time Arthur was smarter when visiting his sister. Merlin genuinly wants to go just for the sake of knowing what Morgan is planning. its interesting to see the 'staged' attack and how it effects the knights. Arthur genuinly believes it is real and wants to protect Morgan. all the while Morgan is discovering out the secrets of Camelot. in particular what happend with Arthur and Guinevere. its a nice little 'misleading' episode. at the end Igraine is taken prisoner and Morgan has taken her shape. -Igraine- As Igraine Morgan infiltrates Camelot. she seduces Merlin, exposes Guinevere, and all the while meets Igraine's friend a small orphined boy, Redwald. Igraine in the meantime uses all her wiles to escape and return to Camelot. Redwald is a nice chature a young dreamer. yet he sees Morgan's true self and by accident is killed. (those who dont like to see children harmed may not care for this episode.) It seems Morgan is genuinly affected by the boy, but the final scean shows her true colors. its a rather well written episode. showing how Igraine is and how Morgan precieves her. how Merlin cares for her and how he feels he is dangerous when people get to close to him. we see how a servant of Morgan is twisted in that love and convinced to stage an attack at the Bardon Pass. Vivian, Morgan's servant, however questions her misteresses actions. Syble however willing does all she hast to all for Morgan's sake. even though Green is not shown, her pressence is felt. -The Battle of Bardon Pass- (Bardon seems to me to be a refrence to the Battle of Badon, one of Arthur's well known victorys.) Morgan's troops attack the pass, Arthur and his men ride to defend the pass. Merlin finds out what Morgan has done, he and Igraine ride off to confront her, but are captured. Leontes in the meantime confronts both Guinever and Arthur. in the end it is Arthur alone who is left at the pass. This is a good episode. the only bit that lets the side down is Merlin and Igraine ridding off to confront Morgan. this seemed rather silly, and doomed to fail. the other bits were good. how the guilt of Arthur is exposed and how it effects the men. the battle sceans are well done. In the meantime Morgan is closer to achieving her goals. -Reckoning-Arthur alone defends the pass, it is believed he is slain. Morgan claims the crown. Leontes and the men return to aid Arthur, Leontes is slain. Arthur confronts Morgan. Syble takes the blame for all, and is executed. Morgan is left alone. Arthur and his men decide to honor Leontes and to achieve the goal that they set out to do. to creat a Camelot worthy of legend. Igraine in the meantime has been slain by Morgan and Merlin decides to leave. he sees that Arthur no longer needs him. this is the culmination of the series. we see that Arthur is becoming the man of legend, the man he was meant to be. it is fun to see him fight alone against so many. peace is gained between him and Leontes. all seems to be set to rights in Camelot. Arthur shows how he wants to give people peace, while Morgan gave them fear. he becomes the man the people and the land need. we see that he shall set up the legend that we all know. we even see the Round Table begining to be set up. Morgan, however, has taken Guinevere's shape and seduces Arthur. she departs, no dought to birth Mordred. So agian, in the end this is a bit of a mixed series. its not toatly bad, it just could have used more work in some areas. some things were well done, others could have been worked out better. there were parts that were not so well written that could have imporved. its all a jumble. over all Id say its a decent series. good. not terrible. but good. if you are interested give it a chance. it has potential. sadly this series lasted only one season. it was canceled for various reasons and there will be no second series. which is a pity. a few better episodes really could have helped this series. but you have to take what you can get. some episodes are quit enjoyable. others needed more work.

Good series that had lots of potential had it been given a 2nd season. The acting and storyline was good. The nasty woman was getting annoying. I'm not one for a constant nemesis in any show. It get tiresome. But this was a good series but once again, the folly of the powers that be prevailed and it was canceled. Oy.