After the magical dilemma presented by ‘The Disir’, it is very much back to the day job for Merlin and crew this week. With this episode from series co-creator Julian Jones, the story will clearly has implications for the series’ ongoing arc.
We begin with Gwen and Elyan, who have ridden out to lay flowers on their father’s unmarked grave. On their return the party encounter a trap and in fleeing from the scene Gwen is abducted. With Arthur bereft and the Knights in shock, especially Elyan who feels entirely responsible, they ride out to rescue their Queen.
Following Morgana’s trail, they are lead inexorably towards the Dark Tower of the title. With a distracted Arthur, it is up to Merlin to keep the Knights spirits up. After an encounter with a diminutive magical creature, he manages to use his magical instincts to keep them surreptitiously on course. This of course requires the suspension of a little disbelief but then, we are used to Arthur being less than perceptive when it comes to magic!
In the tower, Morgana subjects Gwen to some very effective torture, achieved with the use of excellent sound design and shadow play. Director Ashley Way throws every trick in the book to torment her with blood curdling screams, shocks and scares that eventually give way to something even more cruel and psychological.
For the band of questing Knights, a simpler story plays out within some brilliant visuals. The stark differences in environment they encounter on their way to the Dark Tower are very appealing, with the dolorous plain surrounding their objective littered with the corpses of fallen Knights. We also enjoy some great shots of the Knights and Merlin riding out accompanied by surging, heroic music.
There is an easy camaraderie between the Knights and Gwen at the start that act as a nice counterpoint to the tense questing scenes that follow. Arthur is distracted and it is really Merlin that hand holds the Knights though this. His magical encounter in the forest is perplexing and leaves us wanting more, though it does provide the key to the next stage of the quest.
Morgana appears to be back on form with another plan, this time more nuanced than it initially appears. Relishing her game, the sorceress gets to do far more than just chew the scenery. She is subtle in her dealings with her prisoner as her cruelty fades into a sort of twisted kindness. There are further hints too of those two years of suffering in the dark, but she is holding onto that explanation for the moment.
Another solid episode, ‘The Dark Tower’ not only looks fantastic but also gives a long awaited opportunity for Queen Gwen to get out of Camelot. After five episodes fundamentally on the sidelines, she takes centre stage and goes though the emotional wringer in a thrilling performance from Angel Coulby.
Airs at 8.05pm on Saturday 10 November 2012 on BBC One.
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