This review is from: Merlin – Complete Series 2 Box Set [DVD] (DVD)
After becoming addicted to this after the first series, I didn’t originally know if a second series would be as good, but if anything its even better. I have been told that the viewer ratings weren’t that great for this, but that may have been due to the BBC endlessly changing the times it was shown.
I am still amazed that this works at all, after all there is a tradition of Arthurian stories getting mixed up and altered over the years, but this one is so original. And thankfully, unlike the dire Robin Hood, this is highly watchable and entertaining. There are some great cameos in this series, Charles Dance plays a witchfinder, Emilia Fox is in chainmail (who could believe that a woman could look sexy in all that metal? But Emilia shows that it can be done), and Sarah Parish is absolutely fantastic as a troll.
With Merlin having to still keep his magic a secret, Morgana finding out what she really is, and Mordred vowing vengeance on Merlin there is more than enough action here. On top of that Uther falling in love with a troll due to magic, and Arthur having a love spell placed on him there is bound to be trouble and comedy in store. Arthur professes his feelings for Guenivere and starts to learn more about humility and compassion, whilst Merlin has to keep his promise to let the dragon go free, and he also finds out who his father is. Merlin also starts to see that his powers are greater than he could have first suspected and that he must use them wisely.
Why this works so well is that it mixes drama and action (with great effects) with a touch of humour, and it doesn’t try to lay down some kind of code for behaviour, although with its depictions of chivalry, honour, truth, humility and compassion it does show an ideal of how we should all behave. The Arthurian legends have always been popular, probably due to the things I have mentioned, but it somehow goes beyond that, after all what boy wouldn’t want to be a world famous knight, and what girl wouldn’t want to be rescued by a knight on horseback?
All in all then this is another great series of Merlin, and I can’t wait until the third, that is great for all the family to watch.
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This review is from: Merlin – Complete Series 2 Box Set [DVD] (DVD)
Merlin is a fun watch. This review however will concentrate on the DVD Extras for the people out there like me who really appreciate seeing/hearing from their favourite cast members. Great extras help make the decision to buy an easy one.
Merlin have really spoilt the fandom, thank you to who ever gave the cast a camera for their video dairies, and the cast themselves for “doing their homework”. It has provided the fans with fantastic informal moments. These daries and the ones from Series 1 have left me eagerly awaiting the Series 2 Box set.
EXTRAS: ——–
Secrets and Magic (~10 – 15 mins each) ————————————— Each Merlin episode has a corresponding S&M episode. They are very much appreciated as they provide interesting footage on behind the scenes and guest stars. All 13 have been included in the box set (1-6 in Vol 2.1, 7-13 in Vol 2.2), which is great for non-UK people.
Last year the cast diaries were included as separate videos. This year there is no separate cast diary video. Instead their recorded videos have been sliced into the secrets and magic episodes where relevant.
The great upside to having the diaries in the S&M means we the fans get to see them on a weekly basis during airing which is —–> fantastic 🙂
But it would have been great if they had also included just the diary footage together as a separate video. This would allow fans to just watch the cast, rather then having to fast forward the S&M to get to say the “Your the Voice” (scratch that, its been cut, perhaps due to licensing) or “Lost in Abergavenny” video.
I was slightly hoping there may have been extended diary footage or new footage included in this box set as I have seen certain members with their cameras out (e.g. BJ in the A Night Less Ordinary interview). There is a couple of minutes in Making of Merlin though (see further below).
Overall one can not complain too much with the amount of extras the S&M episodes have given us.
Cast commentaries —————— The cast commentaries, providing some personal opinions, character insight (which is always welcomed), director talk and endearing ramblings (I’m looking at you BJ and CM – keep it up ;).
02.01 The Curse of Cornelius Sigan [Bradley & Colin] 02.02 Once and Future Queen [Angel & Anthony] 02.04 Lancelot & Guinevere [Bradley & Colin] 02.08 The Sins of the Father [Bradley, Colin & Anthony] 02.10 Sweet Dreams [Bradley, Angel, Julian Murphy (producer) & Alice Throughton (director)] 02.11 The Witch’s Quickening [Katie, Julian Murphy (producer) & Alice Throughton (director)] 02.12 The Fires of Idirsholas [Colin, Katie & Jeremy Webb]
Cast and Crew introduction to Series 2 (~10min) ———————————————– Snippets of the producers and cast introducing their characters and a couple of seconds on their series 2 thoughts/direction. They talk about and show scenes from episodes 1-6 etc.
Making of Merlin (~35min) ————————- This is an additional Behind the Scenes (episode 14?) that has not aired (is only on the Series 2, Volume 2 DVD at this stage).
Plenty of snippets of the producers and main cast (and a bit of the extended/guest cast) talking about: – The Legend – Talking Spellish – Horses (+ more joust talk!) – Mystical Creatures / CGI
As with the previous Behind the Scenes there is also some new cast diary footage sliced in.
Others —— – Wallpaper – Photo Gallery
PACKAGING ———– The box set contains volume 2.1 and 2.2 (also sold separately on Amazon). Each volume contains 3 disks. 2 full of episodes and one full of extras.
Content wise though you are not missing anything if you brought the set separately. The benefit is that the volumes are enclosed in the cardboard box which nicely matches the Series 1 box set. May be nice if just this outer box was sold (cheaply) separately for the dedicated fans that didn’t hold out for the full series set. Media lovers like matchy matchy.
The artwork on the disks and cases are also pleasing, with each disk containing one of the main 6 cast members (I uploaded four images). It has 5 DVD9s, and 1 DVD5 (~567 mins).
Merlin Series 3 Extras ———————- Check out my Merlin – Series 3 – Complete [DVD] review for the Volume 1 [DVD] extras (Vol. 2 extras will be added once its released).
At this stage it appears there are no Secrets and Magic episodes for Series 3, or Cast Diaries which is a big shame. There are deleted scenes on Volume 1, and Volume 2 is yet to be confirmed. To BBC Merlin – any footage saved from the cutting room floor and included…
This review is from: Merlin – Complete Series 2 Box Set [DVD] (DVD)
This is so good, it brings tears to the eyes. The brilliant concept of a Merlin the same age as Arthur continues to breathe new life into the legends.
Talents have converged to produce something special. Fine scripts. Splendid castle. Awesome dragon. Great special effects and audacious stunts. Throughout, the cast shines – especially Colin Morgan, superb as Merlin – good natured, put upon, vulnerable, all the while his powers growing. Who will ever forget his heartrending performance in that final episode? His scenes with Gaius (Richard Wilson) and Arthur (Bradley James) are amongst the series’ many particular pleasures.
The 13 episodes (several with commentaries, all with background bonuses) cover a wide range – in turn exciting, uplifting, moving, upsetting and very funny indeed. Visiting villains further enhance. Mackenzie Crook and Sarah Parish are both hilarious, she as a troll at her most happy when gorging on fresh horse manure. Charles Dance is a genuinely menacing Witchfinder, especially disturbing when giving Gaius such a tough time.
Characters have developed, the stage thus set for Season 3. Romance is budding between Arthur and Gwen. Morgana, Mordred and Morgause (Emilia Fox excellent) are clearly now fully motivated to create future havoc – many knights thereby destined never to see another day.
One cannot help holding blinkered King Uther (Anthony Head) personally responsible for most of the troubles, with so much unnecessary slaughter, attitudes hardening amongst those he persecutes. Arthur will need to break free from such entrenched inherited prejudices. Lucky is he to have loyal Merlin as a guide. The prince may as yet not fully appreciate him – but viewers do, apparently the world over. What better testimony of the series’ worth!
Totally involving, spellbinding fare.
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Another Great Series,
After becoming addicted to this after the first series, I didn’t originally know if a second series would be as good, but if anything its even better. I have been told that the viewer ratings weren’t that great for this, but that may have been due to the BBC endlessly changing the times it was shown.
I am still amazed that this works at all, after all there is a tradition of Arthurian stories getting mixed up and altered over the years, but this one is so original. And thankfully, unlike the dire Robin Hood, this is highly watchable and entertaining. There are some great cameos in this series, Charles Dance plays a witchfinder, Emilia Fox is in chainmail (who could believe that a woman could look sexy in all that metal? But Emilia shows that it can be done), and Sarah Parish is absolutely fantastic as a troll.
With Merlin having to still keep his magic a secret, Morgana finding out what she really is, and Mordred vowing vengeance on Merlin there is more than enough action here. On top of that Uther falling in love with a troll due to magic, and Arthur having a love spell placed on him there is bound to be trouble and comedy in store. Arthur professes his feelings for Guenivere and starts to learn more about humility and compassion, whilst Merlin has to keep his promise to let the dragon go free, and he also finds out who his father is. Merlin also starts to see that his powers are greater than he could have first suspected and that he must use them wisely.
Why this works so well is that it mixes drama and action (with great effects) with a touch of humour, and it doesn’t try to lay down some kind of code for behaviour, although with its depictions of chivalry, honour, truth, humility and compassion it does show an ideal of how we should all behave. The Arthurian legends have always been popular, probably due to the things I have mentioned, but it somehow goes beyond that, after all what boy wouldn’t want to be a world famous knight, and what girl wouldn’t want to be rescued by a knight on horseback?
All in all then this is another great series of Merlin, and I can’t wait until the third, that is great for all the family to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
|We the people… love the Cast Dairies!,
Merlin is a fun watch. This review however will concentrate on the DVD Extras for the people out there like me who really appreciate seeing/hearing from their favourite cast members. Great extras help make the decision to buy an easy one.
Merlin have really spoilt the fandom, thank you to who ever gave the cast a camera for their video dairies, and the cast themselves for “doing their homework”. It has provided the fans with fantastic informal moments. These daries and the ones from Series 1 have left me eagerly awaiting the Series 2 Box set.
EXTRAS:
——–
Secrets and Magic (~10 – 15 mins each)
—————————————
Each Merlin episode has a corresponding S&M episode. They are very much appreciated as they provide interesting footage on behind the scenes and guest stars. All 13 have been included in the box set (1-6 in Vol 2.1, 7-13 in Vol 2.2), which is great for non-UK people.
Last year the cast diaries were included as separate videos. This year there is no separate cast diary video. Instead their recorded videos have been sliced into the secrets and magic episodes where relevant.
The great upside to having the diaries in the S&M means we the fans get to see them on a weekly basis during airing which is —–> fantastic 🙂
But it would have been great if they had also included just the diary footage together as a separate video. This would allow fans to just watch the cast, rather then having to fast forward the S&M to get to say the “Your the Voice” (scratch that, its been cut, perhaps due to licensing) or “Lost in Abergavenny” video.
I was slightly hoping there may have been extended diary footage or new footage included in this box set as I have seen certain members with their cameras out (e.g. BJ in the A Night Less Ordinary interview). There is a couple of minutes in Making of Merlin though (see further below).
Overall one can not complain too much with the amount of extras the S&M episodes have given us.
Cast commentaries
——————
The cast commentaries, providing some personal opinions, character insight (which is always welcomed), director talk and endearing ramblings (I’m looking at you BJ and CM – keep it up ;).
02.01 The Curse of Cornelius Sigan [Bradley & Colin]
02.02 Once and Future Queen [Angel & Anthony]
02.04 Lancelot & Guinevere [Bradley & Colin]
02.08 The Sins of the Father [Bradley, Colin & Anthony]
02.10 Sweet Dreams [Bradley, Angel, Julian Murphy (producer) & Alice Throughton (director)]
02.11 The Witch’s Quickening [Katie, Julian Murphy (producer) & Alice Throughton (director)]
02.12 The Fires of Idirsholas [Colin, Katie & Jeremy Webb]
Cast and Crew introduction to Series 2 (~10min)
———————————————–
Snippets of the producers and cast introducing their characters and a couple of seconds on their series 2 thoughts/direction. They talk about and show scenes from episodes 1-6 etc.
Making of Merlin (~35min)
————————-
This is an additional Behind the Scenes (episode 14?) that has not aired (is only on the Series 2, Volume 2 DVD at this stage).
Plenty of snippets of the producers and main cast (and a bit of the extended/guest cast) talking about:
– The Legend
– Talking Spellish
– Horses (+ more joust talk!)
– Mystical Creatures / CGI
As with the previous Behind the Scenes there is also some new cast diary footage sliced in.
Others
——
– Wallpaper
– Photo Gallery
PACKAGING
———–
The box set contains volume 2.1 and 2.2 (also sold separately on Amazon). Each volume contains 3 disks. 2 full of episodes and one full of extras.
Content wise though you are not missing anything if you brought the set separately. The benefit is that the volumes are enclosed in the cardboard box which nicely matches the Series 1 box set. May be nice if just this outer box was sold (cheaply) separately for the dedicated fans that didn’t hold out for the full series set. Media lovers like matchy matchy.
The artwork on the disks and cases are also pleasing, with each disk containing one of the main 6 cast members (I uploaded four images). It has 5 DVD9s, and 1 DVD5 (~567 mins).
Merlin Series 3 Extras
———————-
Check out my Merlin – Series 3 – Complete [DVD] review for the Volume 1 [DVD] extras (Vol. 2 extras will be added once its released).
At this stage it appears there are no Secrets and Magic episodes for Series 3, or Cast Diaries which is a big shame. There are deleted scenes on Volume 1, and Volume 2 is yet to be confirmed. To BBC Merlin – any footage saved from the cutting room floor and included…
Read more
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|APPROPRIATELY MAGICAL,
This is so good, it brings tears to the eyes. The brilliant concept of a Merlin the same age as Arthur continues to breathe new life into the legends.
Talents have converged to produce something special. Fine scripts. Splendid castle. Awesome dragon. Great special effects and audacious stunts. Throughout, the cast shines – especially Colin Morgan, superb as Merlin – good natured, put upon, vulnerable, all the while his powers growing. Who will ever forget his heartrending performance in that final episode? His scenes with Gaius (Richard Wilson) and Arthur (Bradley James) are amongst the series’ many particular pleasures.
The 13 episodes (several with commentaries, all with background bonuses) cover a wide range – in turn exciting, uplifting, moving, upsetting and very funny indeed. Visiting villains further enhance. Mackenzie Crook and Sarah Parish are both hilarious, she as a troll at her most happy when gorging on fresh horse manure. Charles Dance is a genuinely menacing Witchfinder, especially disturbing when giving Gaius such a tough time.
Characters have developed, the stage thus set for Season 3. Romance is budding between Arthur and Gwen. Morgana, Mordred and Morgause (Emilia Fox excellent) are clearly now fully motivated to create future havoc – many knights thereby destined never to see another day.
One cannot help holding blinkered King Uther (Anthony Head) personally responsible for most of the troubles, with so much unnecessary slaughter, attitudes hardening amongst those he persecutes. Arthur will need to break free from such entrenched inherited prejudices. Lucky is he to have loyal Merlin as a guide. The prince may as yet not fully appreciate him – but viewers do, apparently the world over. What better testimony of the series’ worth!
Totally involving, spellbinding fare.
Was this review helpful to you?
|