Sunday 13 November 2011

Merlin Episode 7 Series 4: The Secret Sharer.


Hmmm …



You know, there’s time’s when I’ll happily admit to loving an episode of Merlin.



There’s times when I’ve not been impressed.


Although, yes, you’re right: those are rarer that rocking horse manure.

And there’s times I’m …

Sort of in-between.

I’ll happily admit that last night’s episode of of Merlin — episode 7, The Secret Sharer — was one that left me in-between.

Hmmm …

Maybe that’s not tha phrase, maybe.

In a move to undermine Arthur’s faith in those closest to him, The Secret Sharer sees Morgana and Agravain managing to abduct Gaius.

Abduct Gaius …

And hire the mysterious Catha^ warrior-priest, Alator — played by Gary Lewis, I should add — to put Gaius to the torture.

She is convinced — rightly — that Gaius and only Gaius knows the real identity of Emris.

And is determined to find out …

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Now, I was saying that I wasn’t impressed with The Secret Sharer?

True, I’m not necessarily stunned with the story, per se, although the writing — The Secret Sharer was penned by Julien Lloyd, who does a good job, with his usual dark touch* — is up to it’s usual good standard.

What did keep my attention … ?

Is the fact that The Secret Sharer isn’t a huge contribution to the series 4 story-arc, but does build nicely on the Merlin regulars, and feature some good performances from it’s central cast: Bradley James, Colin Morgan and Angel Coulby and Katie McGrath†.

Actually … ?

I’ve a feeling Merlin series 4 is where Bradley James — slowly becoming more the King we know Arthur will be — will seriously start to shine.

In that sense … ?

I think The Secret Sharer can only help.

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* Which I have to confess I do like.

There’s one moment that has — hopefully — unintentional overtones. At one stage of the episode, Gaius is tied to a bench-type table: Morgana leans over him and says “It’s time for the fun to begin, ” … RIGHT into camera. I’m … going to go off and perve … …

^ Following on from last week’s Fomori references … ? This week, we have medieval French heretics!

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