Sure, 1998′s Merlin already has the advantage, being that it’s my favorite miniseries of all time, and I have yet to see tonight’s Merlin. But my colleague Adam Markovitz has made a strong case for Morgan in his B+ review of the miniseries, which began last Sunday: “There’s enough sword-clanging action — not to mention homoerotic tension — to keep viewers happily entertained for a spell.”
So let’s weigh their pros and cons. Morgan’s pros: 1) He’s a looker, 2) Re-imagined as a youngster, Merlin is likely more productive in night-time battle, considering his ability to go to bed after 8 pm. Cons: 1) Battling at dawn proves more difficult, without chalices full of Red Bull, and 2) I can’t seem to get behind a character that has strayed so much from its original form (blasphemy!). Now, let’s look at Neil’s Merlin. Pros: 1) He’s awesome, 2) He’s guides Arthur, defeats Mab, and gets the girl all on his own, and 3) He’s awesome. Cons: Well, I’ll let you guys fill in the cons on this one, because I really can’t think of any!
Who wins the battle for supremacy, folks? And will you be watching Merlin tonight?
The only con to the sam neil Merlin is that they never developed it as a series…but the original mini was darn good….i own it on dvd =)
I watched the two parts of Merlin last Sunday and enjoyed it. I liked the version Sam Neil better but this version was entertaining enough to make me set DVR for tonight’s show. I prefer Merlin much older and wiser and I wonder if they will have the lady of the lake and the sword in the stone included. Still, it’s a good way to enjoy a Sunday evening.
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Oh man I LOVE the 1998 Merlin miniseries and I also own it on DVD. I admit that I’m intrigued by this new version, but doubtful I’ll actually sit down and watch it.
It’s actually not a miniseries. It aired as a series in the UK last year, and they’ll making the second season currently.
I’m a huge fan of the who Arthurian thing – so I turned into this series – liked what I saw so far – but i’m aeasy target!!
Loved the Merlin mini-series, but not seen it in ages – but agree, highly entertaing and well done!
Missed the boat on both counts dude. Best all time Merlin is Nicol Williamson from “Excalibur”
Agreed – no one tops Nicol Williamson performance in “Excalibur”
I’ve watched all 4 episodes and am enjoying it; there’s nothing decent on Sunday evening until Amazing Race comes back on. So, it’s a pleasant way to pass the time; they way they’ve mixed up the story is a bit confusing though.
I haven’t seen the 1998 miniseries (but I’m about to look it up) so I have nothing really to base this off of, but I’m really enjoying this new Merlin. Of course, my obsession with Arthurian legends makes me a bit annoyed when things stray from the way I’ve interpreted them, but there’s really no right or wrong with this. So basically, the show is good fun and I hope it sticks around.
Can’t say that I remember the 1998 Merlin (woe is me) but I’ve been watching the current Merlin and am enjoying it (Giles is Uther!). Although, it totally strays from the known legend, it’s fun and reminds me somewhat of Xena. And I do agree with the other posters, Nicol Williamson totally rocks as Merlin in Excalibur.
Why is there an apostrophe in Merlin’s? It is a plural – it should be Merlins (no apostrophe). Perhaps the person who wrote this should read the book ‘Eats, Shoots & Leaves.’
Haven’t seen the miniseries, but I’m enjoying the TV show. I don’t get how there’s supposedly homoerotic tension between Merlin and Arthur, though. They’re just two actors working alongside each other.
Kate,
get your facts straight. This Merlin show is not a miniseries, it’s been renewed by the BBC already for a second season. whether it tanks on NBC is of no import to the show actually.
And as for the battle between merlin the show and merlin the mini, i’d say both are pretty bad so why even bother with such a battle of supremacy
And yes straying so far from the mythology is a turn off for a lot of people, including myself.
Merlin the mini-series does it for me, it’s fantastic and have watched it more than I can count. This new series…completely forgot it was on last night. Didn’t see it, didn’t miss it really.