The Dragon's Call
Merlin arrives in Camelot and learns his destiny to protect Arthur.
"The Dragon's Call" is the first episode of the British fantasy-adventure series Merlin, first broadcast on BBC One on 20 September 2008. It introduces the young sorcerer Merlin as he arrives in Camelot, where magic is outlawed, and establishes his secret destiny to protect Prince Arthur. The episode was conceived as an origin story for the Arthurian characters, aimed at family audiences.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Merlin
- Writer
- Julian Jones
- Director
- James Hawes
- Air date
- 20 September 2008
- Length
- 45 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Merlin, a young sorcerer, arrives in Camelot and witnesses the execution of Thomas Collins for sorcery, ordered by King Uther Pendragon. Uther then announces a festival celebrating twenty years since he eradicated magic from the kingdom. Thomas's mother Mary, appearing as a hideous hag, swears revenge—"a son for a son!"—before vanishing. Morgana warns Uther that his hatred may create enemies. Merlin reports to the physician Gaius and saves him from a fall by magically moving a mattress. Gaius warns Merlin to keep his powers secret and learns from a letter that Merlin's mother sent him to Camelot for protection. In the forest, Mary kills the singer Lady Helen with a poppet and assumes her appearance using enchantment, though her true form is visible in reflections. Merlin defends a servant from bullying, but the bully is Prince Arthur, and Merlin is imprisoned. He hears a mysterious voice calling his name. Gaius frees him, and Merlin is placed in the stocks, where he meets Guinevere, Morgana's handmaiden. After release, Merlin confronts Arthur and uses magic to keep him at bay during a mace fight. That night, Merlin follows the voice to a cave, where a dragon tells him his destiny is to protect Arthur.
Production
Merlin was conceived by Shine Television producers Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps, who had previously worked together on the fantasy series Hex. The BBC had been interested in a Merlin drama for some time; a project by Chris Chibnall for a Sunday night slot had not been commissioned. The programme was intended as family entertainment with wide appeal. Because the Arthurian legends are not historically accurate, the creators focused on a world that felt "real" rather than historically precise, including anachronisms such as tomatoes and a dragon. The series aimed for an "epic scale" with cross-generational appeal, inspired by films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, while also including relatable small moments and comedy. A fairy-tale aspect, seen in "The Dragon's Call" through singing and cobwebs, was incorporated to distinguish the show, with Beauty and the Beast as an inspiration. The US series Smallville influenced the idea of a "Camelot that existed before its golden age." The creators wanted to show Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, and Morgana in their youth, "before they were famous," and placed them in unusual positions relative to their later roles—for example, Guinevere is a servant with a romantic interest in Merlin. Looking back, Murphy and Capps felt the episode had too much to introduce, leaving insufficient room for the main plot.
Broadcast and reception
"The Dragon's Call" first aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2008. Overnight ratings showed 6.65 million live viewers, a 30% audience share, placing it second for the night behind ITV's The X-Factor. The final rating was 7.15 million viewers, making it the sixth most-watched programme of the week on BBC One. In the United States, the episode aired back-to-back with "Valiant" on NBC on 21 June 2009, the first time a British programme was picked up by a major U.S. terrestrial network since 1978's The New Avengers. The premiere averaged 5.2 million viewers, with 6.3 million during "The Dragon's Call" slot. Critical reception was mixed. Sam Wollaston of The Guardian praised Colin Morgan as a likable Merlin and called the show splendid, while Daniel Martin, also of The Guardian, felt the episode had awful dialogue and a flimsy plot. The Hollywood Reporter's Randee Dawn said it might hurt the eyes of those familiar with Arthurian legend but was fresh for newcomers. Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times appreciated the diverse cast and chemistry between Morgan and Bradley James but wished for more imagination in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed The Dragon's Call?
The Dragon's Call was directed by James Hawes.
Who wrote The Dragon's Call?
The Dragon's Call was written by Julian Jones.
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