A reckless gesture of magic by Merlin (Colin Morgan) - transforming a column of smoke to resemble a horse - sets in a motion a chain of events that leads to Uther (Anthony Head) upping his war on magic and calling in the dread Witchfinder Aredian (Charles Dance).
A bit more 17th Century than pseudo-Medieval, with a dash of the Spanish Inquisition, the anachronistic Aredian sets about a campaign of terror that soon leads him to Merlin; however brave Gaius (Richard Wilson) claims the magical amulet found in their rooms as his own and ends up behind bars instead.
Gaius withstands the Witchfinder's torture until Aredian brings Merlin, and the lady Morgana (Katie McGrath), back into the equation - at which point the old physician breaks down in front of Uther and confesses.
With Gaius sentenced to burn the next morning, Merlin and Gwen (Angel Coulby) race to find proof that Gaius was framed.
Another strong episode of Merlin, dominated by a powerful performance by guest star Charles Dance as the thoroughly unlikable Aredian, and while the ultimate twist, which restores the status quo of the programme in time for next week's episode, was quite predictable, it was still very well engineered.
Perhaps the only real fault in the fast pacing of this episode was Merlin's unnecessary, and fruitless, visit to The Great Dragon (voiced by John Hurt), who, once again, was no help whatsoever and makes you wonder what his role in Merlin is supposed to be (besides a reasonably impressive special effect?).
Quite a dark episode after the broad humour of the previous two-parter, you have to wonder if the young magician's luck is begining to run out? He was stitched up by Lady Catrina in Beauty And The Beast and now in The Witchfinder he is quickly the primary focus of Aredian's witch hunt.
Perhaps this is the underlying story arc of the series - as well as the faltering, fledgling romance between Gwen and Arthur (Bradley James) - and Merlin will have to "come out of the broom closet" by the end of the season?
Next week:
Saturday, 7 November 2009
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About Me
- The Acrobatic Flea
- I was a regular salaryman, earning a crust with my meager writing skills, until an aneurysm tore open my aorta unexpectedly in early 2005. I suffered a stroke during surgery and a collapsed lung afterwards. I have since realised that I now have a new chance at life, which (body willing) I shall indulge in with positiveness, happiness and the good companionship of my wonderful wife. The Acrobatic Flea handle comes from the name of my favourite - and most successful - Villains & Vigilantes RPG character in the '80s.
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1 persons have something to say about this!:
I thought that it was quite refreshing that he went to the Great Dragon to solve the problem and instead got a "Eh, sorry can't help you".
This was one of the better episodes after last week's "pantomime". Far from perfect but very entertaining. And next week's episode looks promising...
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