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Description
The lampooned object
Merlin is a TV-series, produced by the BBC, about Merlin from the Arthurian legend. The writers have taken fresh approach to the source material, the set-up is this:

Youthful sorcerer Merlin is newly arrived at Camelot, a castle lorded by king Uther. Uther hates magic and has made it his life's mission to eradicate everyone who practices it. With so much blood on his hands, Uther's Camelot is the natural target of attacks from the few, vengeful magicians who have survived. Merlin is told by a dragon that it is his destiny to protect future king Arthur, so Merlin must defend Camelot from magical attacks, while at the same time keeping his own powers a secret from everyone. A heavy burden indeed, especially since the unwittingly protected Arthur is such a prat.

The core cast is very likeable, and because the writers have changed so many details one can experience a thrill of expectation each time a familiar character presents him-/herself by name, knowing what their main role is but without exactly how events will play out, just that in the end, somehow, everything is going to end in tears.

Comment to anachronisms
The Arthurian legend is traditionally set in the 9th century, sometimes the 12th. The BBC series is hard to pinpoint in time: the clothes appear, in part, to be mediaeval but Camelot looks as though it was built in the 15th century or later. For this Arthurian legend to make sense it would have to be set in the 16th century as they have both potatoes, tomatoes (from America) and glass mirrors (not invented until the 16th century). The telephone catalogues are my own addition. I'm sure I would let even that pass.

Merlin is the intellectual property of the hallowed BBC.

Description
The lampooned object
Merlin is a TV-series, produced by the BBC, about Merlin from the Arthurian legend. The writers have taken fresh approach to the source material, the set-up is this:

Youthful sorcerer Merlin is newly arrived at Camelot, a castle lorded by king Uther. Uther hates magic and has made it his life's mission to eradicate everyone who practices it. With so much blood on his hands, Uther's Camelot is the natural target of attacks from the few, vengeful magicians who have survived. Merlin is told by a dragon that it is his destiny to protect future king Arthur, so Merlin must defend Camelot from magical attacks, while at the same time keeping his own powers a secret from everyone. A heavy burden indeed, especially since the unwittingly protected Arthur is such a prat.

The core cast is very likeable, and because the writers have changed so many details one can experience a thrill of expectation each time a familiar character presents him-/herself by name, knowing what their main role is but without exactly how events will play out, just that in the end, somehow, everything is going to end in tears.

Comment to anachronisms
The Arthurian legend is traditionally set in the 9th century, sometimes the 12th. The BBC series is hard to pinpoint in time: the clothes appear, in part, to be mediaeval but Camelot looks as though it was built in the 15th century or later. For this Arthurian legend to make sense it would have to be set in the 16th century as they have both potatoes, tomatoes (from America) and glass mirrors (not invented until the 16th century). The telephone catalogues are my own addition. I'm sure I would let even that pass.

Merlin is the intellectual property of the hallowed BBC.