Season 1 – The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin

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Justin S @RT15244886 2 days ago This effects, costumes, and acting are straight out of the 1990s, though with none of the whimsical charm. The characters are so stereotypical it's as though they're relying on architypes in place of actual character development. What could have been the bones of an interesting story fall apart early on through an almost complete lack or worldbuilding. It's a shame honestly, I came in thinking I'd really enjoy it. See more David H @RT24677402 Oct 10, 2026 The series looks and feels amazing. First reaction was "they spent a lot of money making this look very good!" The actors are unknowns but also very good. Very effective. The Christian themes sit well and contrast nicely against the Barbarians. A refreshing change, frankly. Hengist is a delicious bad guy. Uther is initially tiresome but improves. Merlin is very well cast. Like The Burroughs, this is one of those series where you HOPE there's a second in the pipeline. Thoroughly enjoying this. See more Brady F @RT68091851 Oct 10, 2026 The no name actors did an excellent job, especially Merlin, Charis, and some of the kings. The locations were the same beauty you get in the Lord in the rings. Music is good. Wish the cast singing was available to stream! It is superb. Action is very good. The story across episodes is excellent. Given the stories Christian roots, some more sexuality than that audience would be expecting or desiring---but nothing like Game of Thrones in that way. See more David R @RT75286489 Oct 10, 2026 This show is fantastic. So hard to find a truly excellent new show like this. It was a show that I had to save because you don't want to miss a single moment See more M S @MissBob Oct 9, 2026 Was promising but the christianity was just uncomfortible See more J W @jwoad67 Oct 9, 2026 This is a fascinating show - the battle between Christianity and Paganism and the retreat of the Roman Empire in the UK is the origin story of our society. The show made me read Le Morte D'Arthur again which shows that Christian back projection is not a new interpretation of the Arthur myths and remains the main way the stories have always been told. Religion and politics are not the same thing. I can see why the pro-Christian message is so offensive to people in the UK - we are so used to seeing an anti-Christian message that we can't see a pro-Christian message without calling it preachy. Our education system has conditioned you to think Christianity means backwardness and tyranny - it actually means the opposite as this show reminds us. On rereading Malory after watching the show, I found Merlin a compelling character for the first time - he had been too disneyfied in my imagination to think of him as anything else when I first read it. See more Read all reviews

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin — Season 1

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