If you miss television in which the heroes are actually heroic, you may want to check out Merlin airing Sunday nights this summer on NBC (8:00 EDT). It can also, of course, be found on Hulu.
The show, a sort of Smallville-take on the Camelot legend, tells the story of a young Prince Arthur and his friendship with his servant Merlin. Unknown to Arthur, Merlin is a sorcerer in training whose destiny is to protect his so he can grow into the great leader he will become.
Some conservative Christians may bristle at the sorcery aspect, but the show is pure fantasy and doesn't seriously promote the occult. In fact, in one recent scene after Merlin risked his life to save Arthur from a flying monster, Gaius (Merlin's mentor) exclaims "Thank God!" when he realizes his protégé is alive. Such overt references of gratitude to the Almighty are becoming increasingly rare in popular culture so the reference is in itself refreshing.
What Merlin does promote are such traditional values as courage, loyalty and friendship. Here Arthur and Merlin willingly risk their lives for each other and others. They serve higher callings. There is romance and longing of the heart but not the course presentations of sexuality presented on so many other shows -- including those aimed at teens.
Produced by the BBC (not Hollywood), the show seems out of another time -- and not just because of its setting. It recalls that era in television where good guys were really good and did not rely on so-called snarky comments to prove how cool they are. No one's addicted to a pain medication or is going through a divorce with an ex-wife who is now a man.
In short this is a family show in the purest sense -- in that parents and kids can watch together and enjoy it together. In today's TV universe, shows are either aimed at kids or adults. There's very little on that actually promotes family viewing. This is one such rarity that one hopes will gain in viewers and create a trend.
Too often conservative critics of the media concentrate their efforts on criticizing that which is bad (and there are certainly enough targets) but promoters of alternative values will praise and give awards to that which promotes their agendas.
In an industry that thrives on ego stroking, a little praise and appreciation can go a long way.
Comments
Two thumbs up for Merlin! It is very refreeshing to see something televised that is centered on good entertainment where disaster is not replicated over and over.
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