The Magic in Merlin captivated us from the start, but it did so without being too full of special effects & gizmos; it was simply done and provoked wonder in the beholder, just as magic should. We delighted in watching Merlin make the candles dance in the air for Freya or that he could sa+y "liote" and the light would appear. The fact that Merlin had to keep his secret from most of the rest of the characters compelled us to keep watching while we waited for the day his magic was revealed. It was...magical.
The Magic of Merlin was not just that there was magic, it was that the story was told with such grace. That even though there were epic battles, the communication between the characters was honorable, respectful, kind. Merlin was carried through 5 seasons by superb writing, extraordinary acting, inspired set design & scenery, great directing and more. It did not rely on fast cars, planes, gizmos, special effects, gore, violence. casual, insignificant sex all thrown together in a questionable package of what is the latest "cool", as so many tv shows and movies are. The Magic of Merlin is a combination of a mythical tale, magic, romance, heroism & values which we all respect, want & well, value.
Mythic Tale
Merlin & Arthur already conjure up mystery, legend & magic in many people's minds. Yet this story was something much more: it was the telling of Merlin and Arthur's life, how they came to be the men they became. As a coming of age theme, it was brilliantly done. The writing was superb in the way that the Sword was explained; both coming out of the lake of Avalon and being retrieved by Arthur from the stone. Mythic story telling at its best.
Merlin & Arthur Bromance: Real Brotherhood
Brotherhood is very much missing in our society. The story of brotherly love is something that all men long for, as women long for sisterly love also. It was portrayed here with such depth of emotion, such reality, such truth. Read: Merlin &
Arthur Bromance
Real Romance
The romance between Arthur & Gwen was real, gentle, & romantic. The progression of Arthur and Gwen’s romance was beautifully crafted. The way their romance blossomed from those first glances at each other to their first kiss, their caring, their love. It was gentle, true, it was Love. It’s what every girl longs for and every guy too if he will admit it. Read: Merlin: Real Romance at Last
* Real Values
Integrity, honor, respect, Love. These were the values that were portrayed again and again throughout the show. The relationships between friends, brothers, lovers & more. The way the characters spoke to each other with respect and caring. Their actions; they “walked their talk”. These values are so lacking in our current western society and most certainly in most western tv & movie shows. We crave their purity as symbolized in the episode with the Unicorn…symbol of Purity.
* Real Spirituality
Spiritual themes ran throughout the show and added another element that underlines why Merlin was so captivating for so many. The crystals, the references to the Earth and the old ways, the runes, the Crystal Cave, the Diomer and more. The scene in the penultimate episode where Balinor tells Merlin “you are not just my son, you are the son of the Earth, the Sun, the Stars, sleep now and you will awaken into the light”. What a Spiritual metaphor. Most especially, Merlin responding to Arthur’s question about how did he know the area around the Cave was Sacred: ”Everything here is so full of life, every tree, every leaf, every insect, it’s as if the world is vibrating, as if everything is much more than itself…..” Read: Real Spirituality
* Fun, it was Fun!'
Even though battles were being fought, , there was lighthearted banter, there was fun. Who can forget Uther marrying the Ugly Troll (quite brilliantly portrayed by the wonderful Sarah Parish), or the awkward Changeling Princess falling flat on her face, or the priceless episode where the Goblin takes over Gaius & creates such fun & mischief (the farting scene was one of the most hysterical scenes ever!) & it was clear Richard Wilson had a whale of a time with this episode!
The Magic of Merlin was never just about being able to start fires with no flint or create horses in the smoke, it was about a similar time where people cared for and helped each other, where the values of honor and integrity were revered and where people strived to live from the heart. Is that escapism? Perhaps. Or perhaps it runs deeper than that.. perhaps Merlin gave us hope for a better world; perhaps we want our world to be just like Merlin.
So come on Producers, Creators and Writers, do the right thing. Do what Merlin & Arthur would do. We want the Golden Age of Camelot & Albion. We want Merlin using magic freely with Arthur looking on, with Gwen, Gaius and all the Knights there. We are waiting.