Product Details

• Actors: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head, Richard Wilson, Angel Coulby
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 18, 2011
• Run Time: 571 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003ES5JII
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,900 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Arthurian legend meets Beverly Hills 90210 in this BBC series that imagines the lives of King Arthur and the wizard Merlin as teenagers. The show takes any number of liberties with the traditional mythos, but two are crucial: Arthur's father, Uther (Anthony Head, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), has banished magic from Camelot on pain of death; and Guinevere (Angel Coulby), Arthur's destined queen, is the servant of Uther's ward, Morgana (Katie McGrath), setting up a class schism between her and Arthur (Bradley James). This developing romance is one of the strongest throughlines of the second season, which also sees Morgana cultivating her magical powers and Merlin (Colin Morgan) learning about his mysterious father. In fact, season 2 is much more about Arthur than Merlin--episode after episode features Arthur maturing, learning a little humility and patience whilst engaging in a lot of swordplay and jousting, while Merlin spends a lot of time observing from the sidelines and muttering the occasional spell. (Though fans of the young sorcerer shouldn't fear--Merlin has plenty of dashing moments himself.)

The special effects budget has clearly been upped--the show teems with monstrous creatures, including gargoyles, giant scorpions, a troll, a were-panther, and of course the last dragon from season 1 (voiced by John Hurt, Alien, 1984). Merlin has its flaws; the young actors seem more modern than Arthurian thanks to their wonderful teeth and contemporary attitudes, and the scripts and direction can be a bit pedestrian. But that's not what connects viewers to the show--it's the passions of adolescence merged with the pageantry and derring-do of British legends, enacted by a charismatic cast. The climactic episodes will leave fans hungry for season 3. In addition to 13 episodes, Merlin: The Complete Second Season offers an entire disc of behind-the-scenes footage and other extras. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

Merlin is back with even more magic, adventure and romance as the young wizard struggles to protect Prince Arthur in the perilous world of Camelot. While battling deadly assassins, mystical monsters and the most powerful sorcerers Camelot has ever seen, Merlin must work harder than ever to conceal his unique abilities, as King Uther redoubles his war against magic. And Merlin isn’t the only one whose destiny calls—Lady Morgana , Uther’s ward, discovers dangerous secrets she dare not reveal; Lancelot returns, changing everything for both Gwen and Arthur; and King Uther falls in love, little knowing that the charming Lady Catrina is secretly a hideous troll. And as Arthur continues on his path from arrogant prince to the noble and just King Arthur of legend, we see the return of the one prophesied to kill him—the mysterious druid boy, Mordred. Featuring exciting new villains, white-knuckle stunt sequences, and spectacular CGI monsters, Merlin: Season Two is more thrilling than ever.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars On TV or DVD, Great Seasons, The Adventures of Merlin. August 17, 2010

By Donna A

Format:DVD

An outtake on a younger version of Merlin and Arthur as young men
in Camelot. Each story gets better and more interesting then previous episodes as the seasons progress. Season One we were introduced to the characters and fell in love with them, Season Two we got to know them and loved them even more. The actors were very well picked for their parts and work well with each other. The show and cast of Merlin BBC series staring, 'Collin Morgan' as (Merlin) 'Bradley James' as (Prince Arthur Pendragon) 'Anthony Head' as (King Uther Pendragon) 'Katie Mcgrath' as (Morgana) 'Richard Wilson' as (Gaius) and 'Angel Coulby' as (Guinevere}

Plot....
Merlin with great magic powers arrives in Camelot, after his mother arranges for him to become an apprentice of Gaius. King Uther outlawed all magic and has imprisoned the last dragon deep under the city. Upon hearing the dragon's call, Merlin follows the voice and the dragon informs him that he has an important destiny to protect Arthur as one day he will be King.

Episodes for Season 2
Ep 1. The Curse of Cornelius Sigan.
Ep 2. The Once and Future Queen.
Ep 3. The Nightmare Begins.
Ep 4. Lancelot and Guinevere.
Ep 5. Beauty and the Beast-Part One.
Ep 6. Beauty and the Beast-Part Two.
Ep 7. The Witchfinder.
Ep 8. The Sins of the Father.
Ep 9. The Lady of the Lake.
Ep 10. Sweet Dreams.
Ep 11. The Witch's Quickening.
Ep 12. The Fires of Idirsholas.
Ep 13. The Last dragonlord.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Merlin's Magic Returns (SPOILERS) October 15, 2010

By Nuuk Ice Mummy

Format:DVD

I see from the other reviews already posted that you think the first series was great, well you won't be disappointed by the second! You have Merlin falling in love with The Lady of the Lake, an Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot love triangle, Uther marrying a Troll! Arthur meeting his dead Mother, The Witchfinder accusing Merlin, Morgana & Gaius of using magic. Morgana realises that she really does have the power of magic & starts using it for 'The Dark Arts', the reappearance of the mysterious Mordred & Morgause & The Great Dragon demanding even more & more of Merlin! In the series finale Merlin finally gets to meet his father whom he assumes is dead after what his mother has told him & finds out that he is the last 'Dragon Lord' only then to have him cruelly taken away from him. Merlin inherits the title of Dragon Lord which will no doubt develop more in season 3 when he can command the Great Dragon to do his bidding.

I have bought both music CD's that accompany the series' they are dramatic, haunting & include a touch of romance all at the same time. Merlin - Original Television Soundtrack; Merlin: Series Two - Original Television Soundtrack

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unconditional Love December 28, 2010

By Minor Fifth

Format:DVD

Not that long ago, I was shown the pilot episode of Merlin. I thought it was cheesy, weird, and hilariously dumb. And now, I am considering dropping $34 that I DON'T EVEN HAVE just to buy another season on DVD.

Merlin is addictive, plain and simple. Colin Morgan and Bradley James just got under my freaking skin, with their comic timing and their surprisingly sincere acting chops and their unique British adorableness and their epic chemistry levels. And wouldn't you know it, I'm even taking the terrible CGI John Hurt dragon seriously now. It's nothing short of magic, and there's nothing on television quite like it. What I feel for Merlin now is just true love -- plot holes, inconsistent characterizations, trolls and all.

Season 2 continues quite compellingly from the first. It contains some of my favorite episodes from the whole show, introduces a badass female villain, develops some important character relationships (hello, whiplash-inducing epic romances!), and ends with a breathlessly-awesome finale.

This season does contain the fantastically-embarrassing two-parter, "Beauty and the Beast;" yet even THAT will grow on you eventually if you love this show enough. And I do. Lord help me.