Air Date: Friday, April 15, 2011 10PM E/P
Grade [rating=5]
As we saw last week, Morgan (Eva Green) is treading dangerous waters by using her powers. Merlin (Joseph Fiennes) warns her that using them comes with a cost she may not be able to afford.
I am beginning to fall in love with this version of Camelot! It’s not the like the stories I’d heard growing up about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Starz has created a truly grown-up version and I am relishing in its tenacious grip. It evokes a sense of darkness and coveting I’ve never experienced in any other retelling of the tale.
Guinevere (Tasmin Egerton) and Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower) circle the lion’s den with their secret passion. Arthur cannot seem to control his jealousy and it’s quite obvious Guinevere married Leontes (Phillip Winchester) out of duty rather than love. I am sure she has love for him, but after knowing each other since childhood, that kind of love isn’t going to be enough.
L-R: Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur and Phillip Winchester as Leontes
Merlin doesn’t like to use his powers because it can be addictive. Fiennes gives quite a chilling performance during “Lady of The Lake” after finding the master swordsmith, Caliburn (Vincent Regan). After Caliburn crafts a new, nearly indestructible sword for Arthur, a quarrel ensues between them about which one shall deliver said sword. The quarrel escalates to the point where Merlin loses control and kills Caliburn. His daughter, aptly named Excalibur (Lauren Coe), runs from Merlin in the wake of her father’s death only to become the “Lady of The Lake,” forever trapped in the lake courtesy of Merlin’s powers. I am enjoying Fiennes’ interpretation of the fabled Merlin.
Joseph Fiennes as Merlin
He’s obviously younger and much darker. One curious thing is when Arthur’s mother, the Queen Igraine (Claire Forlani), mentions Merlin hasn’t aged in 20 years. Is this Merlin an immortal or is there something he is doing to prevent his aging? What is more curious is how Merlin lies to Arthur and his men regarding how he acquired the new sword – which he names Excalibur. We can see Merlin’s remorse for the accidental murders of Caliburn and his daughter when he provokes two men in a tavern, both of whom pummel him to the ground. I’m so intrigued by Merlin’s past. We’ve only seen glimpses of it and how he lost his family so I’m anxious to find out what else Merlin is keeping secret.
Morgan’s quest to attain the crown and throne clouds her judgment as she increasingly uses her powers. Her stubbornness may be to her detriment. Morgan becomes gravely ill and unexpectedly receives an unwelcomed visit from her former governess at the nunnery, Sybil (Sinéad Cusack). It seems Sybil anticipated Morgan’s misuse of her powers and comes just in the nick of time. Morgan’s illness causes her to bleed from her eyes and ears and the sound effects of her agony are both haunting and eerily disturbing. As Morgan’s powers evolve, I fear it will only be for the worse. Her hunger for power and revenge will consume her.
L-R: Eva Green as Morgan and Sinéad Cusack as Sybil
Will Guinevere be able to keep up the charade? I could tell she was lying when she told Arthur she was happy and has everything she wants with Leontes. Honestly, I understand the attraction to Arthur. Having been betrothed to someone your whole life, a little distraction from another suitor, especially the King, is tempting. She ‘gave’ herself to Arthur before her wedding to Leontes but once the fruit is bitten, you can never put it back.
L-R: Tasmin Egerton as Guinevere and her friend Bridget (Lara Jean Chorostecki)
As for me, Leontes is the more handsome and mature – not to mention his body is rock solid! Thank you Starz for the brief nudity! On the other hand, Arthur is still young and impetuous. He is inexperienced in the ways of being a leader as well as a lover. What frightens me is Merlin’s vision of Arthur’s death – run through by his new sword Excalibur. Is this just a premonition of what could happen or what will happen if Arthur continues to pursue Guinevere? Or is the premonition a precursor of what Morgan is planning for her baby brother?
Tune into Camelot, Fridays at 10PM E/P on STARZ.
Photos © Starz. All Rights Reserved.
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