Merlin: Series 5 - The Hollow Queen

This episode sees how much change has happened to Merlin since the start of the show.

I liked how Merlin seemed very much like Gaius, when he was looking after Daegal, which I thought was a really good way to show the character's growth. This is again shown when Merlin was able to instruct Daegal on what to use in order to cure the poison that Morgana used on him. I think that the character of Daegal acted as a reflection of how naive Merlin use to be at the start of the show.

I also think that the balance between Gwen being evil and appearing not to be, was achieved more effectively in this episode. Furthermore, with the device of having Merlin being lured away from Camelot, it works to extend this character change, as the montage for the next episode seem to show them hopefully fixing Gwen.

Another element of continuity entered in this episode in form of Sarrum of Amata, who was the one that imprisoned Morgana during the period between this and the last series. Also with the sad news of this being the last series of the show, it does seem that the continuity elements that have already been shown are building up to a big climax.

There were good performances from guest stars John Shrapnel and Alfie Stewart and its good to see Richard Wilson being given a bit more action.

Merlin: Series 5 - A Lesson In Vengeance

So this episode saw Gwen go bad.

This character change, mixed together with an attempt to kill Arthur, does make it interesting and intriguing. It is always good to be able to see a character's different side come out and gave Angel Coulby a good chance to show her versatility as a actor. Although, the source of Gwen's turn to evil hasn't been fully explained, which leaves me to question whether its of her own doing or she isn't aware of what she is doing because of being brainwashed by Morgana. I would prefer it to be the latter, as Gwen does kill someone in this episode out of cold blood which wouldn't be something the character would usually do.

Also I did think it would be a one episode thing but it seems that maybe it'll be an aspect that goes into the finale, which does add another layer to the continuity of the coming downfall of Arthur and Camelot. The guest character of Tyr Seward helped to show the change in Gwen and add to the suspense of the story. Also Gwen's plan to frame Merlin was a really good twist and showed a really contrast to the friendship they have had previously. I do like how Arthur and Gwen's relationship, in general, is portrayed to be very strong and supportive.

Moreover, Arthur and Merlin's two-hander scenes give a good sense of humour to the episode. It is also good to see how strong and determined Merlin is to keep Arthur alive. I do like when the old Merlin comes out and how he looks like the stereotypical image of Merlin from the Arthurian legend. And when the conclusion of the episode came, it, like last week's, left a feeling of anticipation as Gwen has everyone fooled, apart from Merlin and Gaius and it will be interesting to see how this will develop.

The guest cast, including John Bradley, Tony Guilfoyle and Zee Asha, all give good performers, adding tension and humour to the episode.

Merlin: Series 5 - The Dark Tower

This was a really good episode that felt fairytale like and had a great cliffhanger.

In this episode Gwen took more of a central role and it was good to see her getting more involved. It was also good to see Gwen's brother, Sir Elyan, being given a bit more development as well after Gwen was kidnapped by Morgana. Moreover, having two-hander scenes with just Gwen and Morgana worked well to show the change in their relationship and also an echo of the old friendship that once existed. I did like how Arthur and Gwen's relationship was highlighted well showing how much they care for each other.

The Dark Tower, where Gwen was imprisoned, seemed to feed on her fears and was done in a really creepy way, with close up shots on Gwen's face that worked well to create a sense of claustrophobia and make me sympathise with Gwen's situation. The use of night time for most of the episode and the prediction of a death helped to great suspense and tension throughout the episode.

The episode did feel very fairytale like, with the queen locked in a tower by an evil witch and her king has to fight through a thick and magical forest in order to save her. Only this fairytale ended in the death of Elyan and gave a bit of motive for the twist at the end of the episode which really was a surprise and left me thinking how this would then develop in the next episode.

There were great performance from Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath and Adetomiwa Edun, with a great amount of tension that led to a very surprising conclusion.

Monroe - Series 2

The medical drama returns, despite the 18 month gap in narrative, it works to make it feel that I can just settle back into investing in the characters.

I like how Sarah Parish's character, Jenny Bremmer, throughout the series had a good amount of character development where Bremmer learns to become more emotionally able with her partner Lawrence Shepherd and also more sympathetic with her patients. The central character Gabriel Monroe, portrayed by James Nesbitt, also developed well with him having to deal with causing damage to a patient's brain during an operation which worsens their condition.

Furthermore, in general the operations and the way the series tells of the background of the guest characters, are done in a very stylish and effective manner. It was also good how the cardiac centred stories were shown in an equal amount to the neurosurgery ones. Also the operation themselves and how they are done are just remarkable, such as when they have to stop a patient's heart in order to transplant it and when a patient is awake during the operation on their brain.

Parish and Nesbitt both give great performances as do the rest of the main cast. Tracy-Ann Oberman as Lizzie Clapham and Neil Pearson as Alistair Gillespie are great additions to the cast. The list of guest cast is vast and full of very good performances. It's been a very good series and it would be interesting to see how another series, if there is one, would develop.

Merlin: Series 5 - The Disir

This episode saw the exploration of Arthur's conflict with magic.

It was interesting to see how Arthur's strong belief in still having magic outlawed conflicted with the ideal that one day magic will return to Camelot. The idea of Arthur being judged and given his fate by the Disir, the highest court of the Old Religion and communicators with the gods, was very interesting and brings more of the coming downfall of Camelot that's been hinted at throughout the series so far.

The episode feels like it was setting up a lot of series continuity with Arthur rejecting the Disir's offer to accept magic. Although I would have thought that Arthur, after four series, would have been anxious about what consequences would come by rejecting magic and upholding his father's beliefs.  Also the way the Disir were shown worked well to create a sense of mysterious and power that would have to be associated to these powerful magical figures.

There is very much a different tone to this series, especially in terms of Merlin, who in this episodes makes quite a dark decision to let Mordred die because he seems to be consumed by the fate of Arthur and Camelot that he's been shown. What is good is how Arthur and Merlin's friendship is shown to be very strong, with Merlin very much acting as a confidant and wise adviser.

Merlin: Series 5 - Another's Sorrow

This episodes saw a good adventure story, furthering the characters and dealing with various elements of continuity of the series.

I felt that there was a sense that this episode was helping to tie up loose ends as the guest cast included the return of established characters, Princess Mithian and King Odin. Using these characters helps to further show passage of time between series and also how the ideal of the united kingdom under Arthur starts to come into place. It's good to see Richard Wilson being used more in this episode, as he hasn't had much until now in this series. Furthermore, it's interesting to see how a more grown up and tougher Merlin is starting to emerge.

This episodes feels like a return to past series and showing how much the characters have developed. It also really highlights Arthur and Merlin relationship which seems to be getting more stronger. The story also builds up tension and anticipation over how the episode will conclude, as most of it is the quest to request Mithian's father. The final confrontation between Arthur and Odin worked well and helped to show Arthur's humanity.

I think Katie McGrath gives a good performance as the aged servant version of Morgana with visuals and a voice that were convincing. Janet Montgomery and Fintan McKeown also return will good portrayals that reintroduce and make the characters make their mark effectively.