Review: Merlin 4.2: The Darkest Hour (Part Two)

Lancelot (Santiago Cabera) isn't long for this Earth.

Merlin's main issues, at least for this series, seem to actually stem from the main character and the grandiose phophesising that surrounds him. Sure, the mytharc is important - someytimes it's the only thing that can save a bad episode. But as we learnt from some of the later parts of RTD's Doctor Who, prophecies are only as good as the event they build up to, and after four series it just sounds silly. Despite this, the second half of the premiere was a great improvement because it took time to focus on the characters in ways that, unlike last week, didn't seem hollow.
      Merlin seems to have survived his encounter with a Dhuroka (presumebly because of his magical existence) and on Arthur's orders he is taken back to Camelot by Lancelot. I really liked the fact that they actually showed that three series have given Merlin and Arthur a brotherly cameraderie, the absense of which pushed last year's premiere over the edge into shit for me. While Arthur and his remaining knights wandered through tunnels, magical river spirits arrived, based on a prophecy, to conveniently heal Lancelot and Merlin, who called upon The Dragon for advice. Less cryptic than usual, the Dragon pretty much told them to do what they were going to do in the first place without as much melodrama.
      A more interesting side of the plot took place at Camelot. After shutting the gates to conserve resources, Inspector Lynley (I'm not called him anything else) got a talking down by Guinevere. After telling Morgana about her meddling, the witch had a tantrum and told Lynley about the prophecy (they're fairly common) proclaiming Guin king. He tries to kill her, but he doesn't have the heart; Morgana then tries to knock her out and leave her for the Dhuroka, but she's found by Gaius just in time. Everything was painfully obvious and Lynley is still a character that feels quite pointless, but Gaius at least feels like he cares about the situation.

Inspector Lynley. (Nathaniel Parker). Or Edgaban. Whatever.

     The Knights arrive at the Isle of the Blessed and run into Callieach. She and Merlin knock out all of the Kinghts except Lancelot so they can talk, and Merlin tells her that he is prepared to sacrifice himself to close the veil to prevent Arthur from doing so. She tells him that his time on this Earth is not yet over, and we see Lancelot walk into the Veil, closing it. Back in Camelot he gets a symbolic Viking Funeral (odd for early Medieval England, but ok) and Morgana tells Lynley of her intent to hunt down Emris.
     I was most annoyed at Lancelot's death. It would have been a bit of a copout if a less important character had gone, but I really thought that we'd get some mileage from the Love Triangle in Mythology. Instead, Arthur appeared quite cold as he refused to comfort her beyond a pat on the shoulder and then walked away as she grieved. I had the feeling that Lancelot would die the moment he promised Guin his life last week, and hoped that I was wrong.
     This week the characterisations were much better than before and at points I felt for them more than I had ever done in the previous series. Arthur and Guinevere's romance is still a song yet to be sung and now that Lancelot is out of the picture it looks set to be rather boring, but this premier has set up enough storylines to promise at least a few decent episodes this year. And I know that regardless of their quality they will share the problems at its centre - I just don't care about them any more, as they are Merlin. The second half of The Darkest Hour wasn't perfect, but it was at least entertaining and left me thinking that this series at least will have a good future.

Thanks.

NEXT WEEK: Either really bad padding or the most game-changing episode yet.