Categories
Science Fiction Television

Stargate Atlantis Complete Series Blu-Ray Review

Finally! Stargate Atlantis The Complete Series on Blu-ray is here! The special features and episode commentaries come in at over 50 hours in an awesome 20 disc collection that brings together all the episodes of the entire series along with specials about many of the episodes, characters, cast and crew. If you’re a fan, you are going to want to buy the Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray set.

Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray

Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Series

Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray Box Set

This Blu-ray set is a great purchase for fans of the series. With the beautiful picture you can only get from Blu-ray, this box set of the complete series of Stargate Atlantis is the most compact, shelf-friendly set of all five seasons that you can get your hands on.

There are plenty of special features and extras on the discs in this box set, including commentaries for most of the episodes, behind the scenes specials called Mission Directives, and other features. See the list of special features and commentaries below for more information, and for a full review of the Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray box set just follow the link.

Stargate Atlantis is an action adventure science fiction series based on the popular Stargate SG-1 series. The adventures through the gate continues in the Pegasus Galaxy where an expedition from Earth has traveled to the fabled city of Atlantis to search out new technologies and the knowledge of the Ancients. Only when the expedition arrives in Pegasus, the team discovers an ancient foe called the Wraith that feeds on humans–and they’ve woken them early from their slumber. With no way to return to Earth and a new and powerful enemy, the Atlantis expedition must find allies and fight off an enemy that not even the Ancients could defeat.

Buy Stargate Atlantis Complete Series Blu-ray Set

Special Features Included in the Blu-ray Box Set

  • Disc 1 (Season 1):
    • “Rising” (Parts 1 and 2)
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood and Actor Joe Flanigan
    • “Hide and Seek”
      • Commentary by Actors Rachel Luttrell, Torri Higginson and Paul McGillion
    • “Thirty Eight Minutes”
      • Commentary by Actors Rachel Luttrell ad Paul McGillion
    • “Suspicion”
    • Extras
      • “Stargate: Atlantis” Set Tour with Directors Martin Wood and Peter DeLuise
  • Disc 2 (Season 1):
    • “Childhood’s End”
      • Commentary by Writer Martin Gero and Actors Rachel Luttrell and Rainbow Sun Francks
    • “Poisoning the Well”
    • “Underground”
    • “Home”
    • “The Storm”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • Extras
      • Wraithal Discrimination: It’s Not Easy Being Green
      • Diary of Rainbow Sun Francks
  • Disc 3 (Season 1):
    • “The Eye”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • “The Defiant One”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise and Stunt Coordinator Dan Shea
    • “Hot Zone”
      • Commentary by Writer Martin Gero and Actors Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks and Paul McGillion
    • “Sanctuary”
      • Commentary by Actors Rachel Luttrell and Torri Higginson
    • “Before I Sleep”
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “The Storm/The Eye”
      • Mission Directive: “Sanctuary”
      • Mission Directive: “Before I Sleep”
  • Disc 4 (Season 1):
    • “Brotherhood”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • “Letters from Pegasus”
    • “The Gift”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise and Actor Gary Jones
    • “The Siege: Part 1”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • “The Siege: Part 2”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “The Siege”
      • A look back on Season One with Writer Martin Gero
  • Disc 5 (Season 2):
    • “The Siege: Part 3”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
    • “The Intruder”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise and Actor Gary Jones
    • “Runner”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood and Actor David Hewlett
    • “Duet”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • “Condemned”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise and Actor Gary Jones
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “The Siege: Part 3” featuring Director Martin Wood
      • Mission Directive: “The Intruder” featuring Director Peter DeLuise
  • Disc 6 (Season 2):
    • “Trinity”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood and Writer Damian Kindler
    • “Instinct”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita and Producer Paul Mullie
    • “Conversion”
      • Commentary by Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
    • “Aurora”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood and Co-Producer Peter DeLuise
    • “The Lost Boys”
      • Commentary by Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Instinct” featuring Director Peter DeLuise
      • Introduction to a Character: Ronon Dex
  • Disc 7 (Season 2):
    • “The Hive”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood
    • “Epiphany”
      • Commentary by Director Neil Fearnley
    • “Critical Mass”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita, Actor Rachel Luttrell and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • “Grace Under Pressure”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actors Amanda Tapping and David Hewlett
    • “The Tower”
      • Commentary by Producer Paul Mullie and Director Andy Mikita
    • Extras
      • Profile On: David Hewlett
      • “Stargate: Atlantis” Stunts
  • Disc 8 (Season 2):
    • “The Long Goodbye”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita, Actor Torri Higginson and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • “Coup D’etat”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • “Michael”
      • Commentary by Director Martin Wood and Supervising Producer/Director Peter DeLuise
    • “Inferno”
      • Commentary by Director Peter DeLuise and Actor Gary Jones
    • “Allies”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita, Writer Martin Gero and Actor David Hewlett
    • Extras
      • Road to a Dream with Martin Gero
      • Profile On: Paul McGillion
  • Disc 9 (Season 3):
    • “No Man’s Land”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “Misbegotten”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Paul Mullie and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “Irresistible”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell
    • “Sateda”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer, Writer and Director Robert C. Cooper & Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • “Progeny”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Sateda” featuring Director Robert C. Cooper
      • Mission Directive: “Progeny” featuring Director Andy Mikita
      • Inside the Stargate: Atlantis Visual FX Department
      • Profile On: Rachel Luttrell
  • Disc 10 (Season 3):
    • “The Real World”
    • “Common Ground”
      • Commentary by Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • “McKay & Mrs. Miller”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “Phantoms”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “The Return, Part 1”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Executive Producer Paul Mullie
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Phantoms” featuring Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
      • General O’Neill Goes to Atlantis
  • Disc 11 (Season 3):
    • “The Return, Part 2”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Executive Producer Paul Mullie
    • “Echoes”
      • Commentary by Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • “Irresponsible”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell
    • “Tao of Rodney”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell
    • “The Game”
      • Commentary by Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “The Game” featuring Director William Waring
      • Masters of the Alien
  • Disc 12 (Season 3):
    • “The Ark”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela
    • “Sunday”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director William Waring
    • “Submersion”
      • Commentary by Director Brenton Spencer and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela
    • “Vengeance”
      • Commentary by Director Andy Mikita and Creature Effects Designer Todd Masters
    • “First Strike”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Martin Gero, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela 
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “First Strike” featuring Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
      • “Stargate Atlantis:” A Look Back on Season 3 with Martin Gero
  • Disc 13 (Season 4):
    • “Adrift”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “Lifeline”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actor Amanda Tapping
    • “Reunion”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring
    • “Doppelganger”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer, Writer and Director Robert C. Cooper and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela
    • “Travelers”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer/Writer Paul Mullie and Director William Waring
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: Doppelganger with Robert C. Cooper
      • A New Leader: Amanda Tapping Joins Atlantis
  • Disc 14 (Season 4):
    • “Tabula Rasa”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping
    • “Missing”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Carl Binder and Producer/Director Andy Mikita
    • “The Seer”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director Andy Mikita
    • “Miller’s Crossing”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Producer/Director Andy Mikita
    • “This Mortal Coil”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring
    • Extras
      • “Stargate Atlantis” Bloopers
      • Mission Directive: “This Mortal Coil” with Director William Waring
  • Disc 15 (Season 4):
    • “Be All My Sins Remember’d”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Producer/Director Andy Mikita
    • “Spoils of War”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director William Waring
    • “Quarantine”
      • Commentary by Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping
    • “Harmony”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director William Waring
    • “Outcast”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Producer/Director Andy Mikita
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Quarantine” with Director Martin Wood
      • Mission Directive: “Outcast” with Director Andy Mikita
  • Disc 16 (Season 4):
    • “Trio”
      • Commentary by Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping
    • “Midway”
    • “The Kindred”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director Peter F. Woeste
    • “The Kindred, Part II”
      • Commentary by Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • “The Last Man”
      • Commentary on “The Last Man” by Executive Producer/Writer Paul Mullie and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood
    • Extras
      • The Making of “Trio”
      • A Look Back at Season 4
      • Deleted Scenes
  • Disc 17 (Season 5):
    • “Search and Rescue”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita
    • “The Seed”
      • Commentary by Director William Waring
    • “Broken Ties”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Actor Jason Momoa
    • “The Daedalus Variations”
      • Commentary by Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director/Producer Andy Mikita
    • “Ghost In The Machine”
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Search and Rescue” with Director Andy Mikita and Producer Martin Gero
      • Showdown! Ronon v. Tyre
      • Bringing “The Seed” to Life
  • Disc 18 (Season 5):
    • “The Shrine”
    • “Whispers”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring
    • “The Queen”
      • Commentary by Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director Brenton Spencer
    • “Tracker”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director William Waring
    • “First Contact”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: ”Whispers” with Director William Waring and Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi
      • Mission Directive: “Tracker” with Director William Waring and Executive Produce Carl Binder
      • Tricks of the Trade: Submerging the Stargate
      • Joe Flanigan: A Conversation with the Colonel
  • Disc 19 (Season 5):
    • “The Lost Tribe”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita
    • “Outsiders”
      • Commentary by Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director William Waring
    • “Inquisition”
      • Commentary by Director Brenton Spencer and Actor Tobias Slezak
    • “The Prodigal”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director/Producer Andy Mikita
    • “Remnants”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring
    • Extras
      • Building a Humanoid with James Robbins and Martin Gero
      • Dr. Jackson Goes to Atlantis
      • The Life and Death of Michael Kenmore
      • Deleted Scenes (Part One)
  • Disc 20 (Season 5):
    • “Brain Storm”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer/Director Martin Gero
    • “Infection”
    • “Identity”
    • “Vegas”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper, Producer John G. Lenic and Editor Mike Banas
    • “Enemy at the Gate”
      • Commentary by Executive Producer Paul Mullie and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela
    • Extras
      • Mission Directive: “Brain Storm” with Director Martin Gero
      • “Stargate Atlantis” Goes To Vegas
      • Deleted Scenes (Part Two)

Buy Stargate Atlantis Complete Series Blu-ray Set

Categories
Fantasy News Television

Comic-Con Interview with Colin Morgan of Merlin

Lynn (@scififantasies) has shared a Tweet with you:  “SFXmagazine: Exclusive Comic-Con interview with Merlin’s Colin Morgan talking about series 4 http://t.co/u0bXHSK”

I watched the video and found it quite interesting. :) I like the hint that Merlin can’t continue to hide his magic forever. I would love to see him exposed as a sorcerer before the end of the series, because I think it would be fascinating to see Arthur come to terms with it.

Categories
News Science Fiction Television

SGU the Complete Final Season DVD is Available

The final season of Stargate Universe is available on DVD. Amazon is offering the set for just over $30 at the moment. (Check the item’s price on Amazon for the current actual price. It might be even cheaper now!)

Stargate Universe Season 2 DVD box cover
Season 2 was the final season of Stargate Universe

Season two ended the run of Stargate Universe. Unfortunately, the series wasn’t drawing enough live viewers to warrant a renewal for another season, despite the marked increase in episode quality in season 2, most notably in the back half of the season.

I had begun to really enjoy the series this season, after having ambivalent feelings about it in season 1. There was even a point when I thought I was done watching SGU, but I ended up returning to the series because of my love for all things Stargate.

There are a lot of special feature and extras on the Season 2 set, including commentary for every episode. I found several of the special features humorous, including the “Pitches” special. It might be my favorite of the entire set, just because I found the spoof of the process for getting a script together and written to be especially funny.

Finally, if you’re a huge fan of Stargate, it’s going to be hard to pass up owning the final season of what might be the final Stargate series for a long while. So, buy the Stargate Universe Complete Final Season DVD set for your collection and get a good deal in the process.

Link: I reviewed the SGU Season 2 DVD set on Stargate Universe Fan.

Categories
Sci-Fi Views

Poll for Stargate Fans Has Little Chance of Success

Not for the reasons you might think, either. 

I’m all for a vote to help save the Stargate franchise, but in this instance, I found myself turned off the vote by the wording of the request for votes.

http://stargate.taosu.net/

They are canceling Stargate! Not only SGU, but the whole Stargate franchise!

But we are already seeing SGU getting better every episode. We want to see more episodes and movies out of the franchise! Also, it’s not only SGU’s own fault for its cancellation. SyFy’s poor slot arrangement of the show largely contributes to its poor performance.

Cast here to show your support for Stargate!

I know why SGU was cancelled. It wasn’t very good in the beginning. In fact, it was part way into season 2 before the show became exciting and interesting enough to bring me back into the fold of SGU fans.

As for this poll, I don’t think it’s smart to put so much emphasis on Syfy as being part of the reason for the show’s failure. Syfy has been a huge supporter of Stargate over the years.

I think SGU had already lost far too many viewers before a time slot move was even contemplated. Denial of the facts isn’t helping anyone. Some people love the show. Many more do not.

Me, I have found a new appreciation for the episodes of Stargate Universe as the series nears its end. But blaming Syfy for the failure of the previous episodes is not a smart move. I won’t vote in this poll, even though I do think Stargate deserves to be saved.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Stargate Universe Episodes to Date

Stargate Universe is in its final season. Although I had high hopes for the series, it took a little too long to take off with viewers and ended up being cancelled after only two seasons. Still, you don’t want to miss your chance to watch these final episodes of the long-lived, much-loved Stargate franchise.

This list of Stargate Universe episodes that have aired to date includes links to view the episodes at Amazon where you can watch a short preview and choose either the standard version or the HD video version. Catch up quickly, because the final episodes in the series will be airing over the next few weeks.

Categories
Fantasy News Science Fiction Television

Being Human Renewed

Being Human has been renewed for a second season. The announcement came several days ago, which I happened to see on Syfy’s Twitter account.

Just today, I watched the latest episode, Dog Eat Dog, and cannot begin to express how fascinating I’m finding the relationships between Aidan, Bishop, Josh, Sally, and Rebecca. My favorite is the power plays going on inside the vampire culture. (And I don’t even like vampires!)

There are three full episodes online at Syfy for viewing, but your best bet is to catch reruns on the Syfy channel or buy episodes at Amazon or from the iTunes store.

I think the second season renewal is great news and hope the show continues to be so interesting.

What do you think of it?

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Goblin’s Gold – Review

Merlin

Goblin’s Gold

I’d summarize this episode as: Merlin accidently releases a mischievous goblin, which then causes all kinds of hilarious trouble for Merlin, Gaius, Uther, and Arthur. Things get out of hand, and Merlin must stop the goblin before it gets Gaius–and Merlin–killed.

Goblin’s Gold (Syfy recap – major spoilers) is the kind of episode that lightens things up while still maintaining the tension established in The Tears of Uther Pendragon. Events conspire to create possible future conflicts with Morgana and Gaius, while Arthur proves he’s not yet ready to accept Merlin as a Sorcerer.

There were a few inconsistencies of character in the story, but nothing so drastic that the episode didn’t hold together. Uther proved a bit too forgiving; Morgana didn’t take full advantage of the situation; Arthur accepted Merlin’s guilt a little too passively.

But after seeing last week’s previews of what this episode had in store, I wasn’t disappointed. Goblin’s Gold was a hilarious and fun diversion after the more serious two-part season opener, The Tears of Uther Pendragon. What did you think?

Buy Merlin Season 1 DVD box set or Merlin Season 2 DVD box set at Amazon

image image

Click images above for each current Merlin DVD set price

If you’ve missed any episodes from the first or second season of Merlin, now’s a good time to catch up. Although most episodes are stand-alone, the show has been on long enough now that missing too many episodes means you might not understand the implications of everything that happens. The animosity between Morgana and Merlin, the developing relationship between Arthur and Gwen…all these things are building on previous episodes at this point.

Merlin episodes aren’t available on Amazon on Demand. So, buying the Merlin DVD sets is the best way to support the show and watch some excellent fantasy TV.

Categories
Books Television Tie-in Merchandise

Merlin Book Series – List of Currently Available Books

Here’s a list of the books in the Merlin book series. These are the YA books from Bantam and most are also available as ebooks.

(UPDATE: Most of these books are out of print now, but you can occasionally still find used copies. Just check your favorite online used book store.)

  • The Dragon’s Call
  • Valiant
  • The Mark of Nimueh
  • The Poisoned Chalice
  • A Fighting Chance
  • The Sorcerer’s Curse
  • Dangerous Quests
  • The Last Dragonlord
  • The Nightmare Begins
  • The Adventures of Merlin: The Complete Guide
  • The Adventures of Merlin: Villains Guide
  • The Adventures of Merlin: Heroes Guide

If you find yourself wanting a deeper look at the Merlin television series, these books give you the chance to get into the heads of your favorite characters in a way you can’t do through the TV.

Keep reading for more descriptions of the books and images of the book covers. They’re nice enough to want to add to anyone’s Merlin collection.

Merlin Books Series (BBC TV Series)

Merlin: The Dragon’s Call

Merlin Book 1 - The Dragon's Call bookcover

Merlin arrives in bustling Camelot eager to make his way in the world and with a sense that some greater destiny is calling to him. But he soon finds that amidst the excitement there is a darker side to Camelot. Magic is outlawed here, so Merlin must keep his unique magical talents a closely guarded secret…

Merlin: Valiant

Merlin Book 2 Valiant bookcover

A mysterious new knight arrives in Camelot for the sword tournament. His fighting skills are impressive but Merlin suspects that dark magic is involved. With Prince Arthur next in line to fight, time is running out for Merlin to prove that evil is afoot…

Merlin: The Mark of Nimueh

The Mark of Nimueh book cover

A deadly plague is rife in Camelot and Gwen is suspected of witchcraft. Merlin must help Gaius find a cure and save his friend from execution…

Merlin: The Poisoned Chalice

The Poisoned Chalice book cover

Merlin is poisoned by the sorceress Nimueh and Arthur seeks the only antidote that can save him – but the prince is walking into a trap…

Merlin: A Fighting Chance

A Fighting Chance book cover

Merlin wants to help his new friend, Lancelot, become a Knight of Camelot – but it’s not as easy as he hopes. Then the Lady Morgana is struck down by a mystery illness. Gaius is baffled and a new physician arrives to help. He seems to have all the answers, but Merlin suspects that there’s something sinister going on. With a graphic novel element to bring the text to life, this book covers two TV episodes (#5 and #6 from the first season)…

Merlin: The Sorcerer’s Curse

The Sorcerer's Curse book cover

A treasure trove is discovered deep beneath Camelot but when the spirit of an evil sorcerer is unwittingly unleashed, Merlin quickly discovers that all that glitters is not gold. Meanwhile, a deadly assassin has arrived in Camelot. His aim? To kill Arthur. Will Merlin be able to save the prince from the killer’s lethal blade. This book covers two TV episodes (#1 and #2 from the second season)…

Merlin: Dangerous Quests

Dangerous Quests book cover

When Arthur kills a unicorn, Merlin knows that terrible consequences lie in store for Camelot and its people. And things are set to get worse. After a hunting trip in the forest, Arthur is fatally attacked by a savage beast. As the Crown Prince lies dying, Gauis knows that dark magic is at work and Merlin is the only one who can save him – but at what cost? With a graphic novel element that brings the text to life, this book covers two TV episodes (#11 and #13 from the first season)…

Merlin: The Last Dragonlord

The Last Dragonlord book cover

This is a spellbinding, action-packed book covering three exciting episodes of Merlin. The powerful enchantress Morgause arrives in Camelot. Set on destroying the bond between Uther and his son, she revives the seven deadly Knights of Medhir. While Arthur and Merlin ride out to face the Knights, everyone in Camelot is plunged into a deep and impenetrable sleep – everyone but Morgana. Desperate for a cure, Merlin is forced to beg for the Great Dragon’s help, but it comes at a price: the Dragon’s freedom. Why has Morgana escaped the effects of this powerful magic? And once free, will the Great Dragon wreak it’s vengeance on Camelot once and for all?

Merlin: The Nightmare Begins

The Nightmare Begins book cover

When Morgana’s nightmares spill into waking hours she becomes terrified that she has magic. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won’t stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she’s going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last? Willfully disobeying Gaius, Merlin risks everything to help Morgana, little guessing what the far reaching consequences might be. Lives are put in danger, loyalties are tested, and Morgana is reunited with the strange young druid boy Mordred, who the Dragon predicted would one day kill Arthur…

The Adventures of Merlin: The Complete Guide

Merlin, The Complete Guide book cover

This guide contains all you need to know about the world of Merlin. Explore Merlin’s world and find out all there is to know about the characters and their secrets. Contains facts and great imagery of all the cast, locations, and props. Discover the lore and legend of Merlin. Looks at each character and their various relationships as well as exploring the baddies and the monsters that lurk in Camelot. Never seen before footage as well as maps and spells from the spell book finish this complete guide. Welcome to Camelot! Enter the magical world of Merlin. Uncover secrets about the characters and delve into the murky history of some of Camelot’s mysterious visitors. Meet villains and heroes, deadly beasts and ethereal creatures in this must-have guide for all Merlin fans. Discover: Secrets about each character. Pages from Merlin’s Book of Spells. A must have for any Merlin fan!

The Adventures of Merlin: Villains Guide

Villain's Guide book cover

This the official guide contains facts and profiles from the hit TV show. In a land of myth and a time of magic there is a constant battle to maintain the balance of the world. Evil forces are at work to destabilize the kingdom. Meet the villains out to destroy Camelot in this official guide. Filled with tales of dreadful deeds, fascinating facts and fun activities this is the must-have guide for all “Merlin” fans…

The Adventures of Merlin: Heroes Guide

Heroes Guide book cover

This the official guide contains facts and profiles from the hit TV show. Enter the magical world of Merlin! In a land of myth and a time of magic the world is in need of heroes. Meet the brave champions of Camelot in this official guide. Filled with tales of bravery, fascinating facts and fun activities this is the must-have guide for all “Merlin” fans…

These Merlin books are available in print or as ebooks

To read the ebooks all you need is one of the free ebook readers available for download on Google Play or the Apple store then you can read these books right on your mobile device.

Of course, many fans prefer to have the print copies on their shelves. If that’s the case, most of these are available through third-party sellers. I’ve bought SGA books through third-party sellers before and had no problems receiving any of them.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

The Tears of Uther Pendragon, Part 1 & 2 – Review

Merlin

The Tears of Uther Pendragon

A short summary of the episode might go like this. The end of season two saw Morgana taken away by her sister Morgause. The Tears of Uther Pendragon opens a year later. After an exhaustive search for Morgana, Arthur and his knights find her, bedraggled and downtrodden, ready to be rescued. Morgana returns to Camelot, where Merlin worries that she will tell someone about his previous attempt to poison her, but she tells him she understands why he did it. He believes her, but begins to have doubts about her loyalty to Camelot and must take action to discover her real purpose for returning to Camelot.

I use the term review loosely here, because I don’t have a special way of reviewing an episode once I’ve watched it, and I also don’t tend to look beneath the surface for deep meanings, allegory, or metaphors.

What I do look for is enjoyment, excitement, continuity, drama, character development, and, just, STORY. Good story.

High story. The kind that pulls me in, holds me tight, and doesn’t let me go until days later, when I finally quit going over and over it in my head.

Merlin’s The Tears of Uther Pendragon Parts 1 and 2 are just such a pair of episodes. Click the link for Syfy’s summary, but beware of spoilers.

I enjoyed the interaction between Merlin and Arthur, Merlin and Morgana, and Morgause and Cenred. I also like to see Uther suffer a little for his bloodlust and this pair of episodes gave me some of that. I did think Morgana’s creepy evil smiles were a bit overdone, although I liked the first few. After a while though, they seemed to come a little too frequently and even seemed a bit cliché.

Still, I waited all week for the second part of The Tears of Uther Pendragon and I loved it! What did you think?

Buy Merlin Season 1 DVD box set or Merlin Season 2 DVD box set at Amazon

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If you’ve missing any episodes of either season, you should catch up before too many episodes of the new season air because the show is more enjoyable when you’re clear on what’s gone before. Otherwise, you might end up confused about what’s happening now. Most episodes are stand-alone with a few exceptions, but like any good series, new material often builds on old!

You can’t catch up on Amazon’s Video on Demand, because Merlin isn’t available there (likely because of licensing issues, Merlin isn’t available on most U.S. based sites where you would normally purchase episodes to watch online or download to your computer or TV to watch).

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Fantasy News Television

Merlin Season 2 DVD Shipping from Amazon

I know this because my copy of the Merlin Season 2 DVD just shipped. I’m excited to know Merlin is on its way to my home! I preordered the DVD set a few months ago and I get two day shipping so I expect to have it Tuesday (or Monday if I’m lucky).

Merlin’s season two was excellent.

Although some people have claimed it’s too modern, I disagree. I think the fact that Merlin isn’t stuck too firmly “in period” keeps the show relatable and is one reason my entire family enjoys the show.

There’s a great combination of drama, humor, and angst to keep everyone entertained. Merlin and Arthur both have a way a grow over the course of the series and it’s exciting to watch them wrestle with the issues that will eventually shape and mold the characters of each.

Merlin is my find of the year (since I had no clue what I was missing until early October of this year when I caught the first season on Netflix).

If you haven’t seen an episode yet, you should definitely check out this family friendly, medieval fantasy series. It’s a great TV show from BBC and it’s currently airing season 3 at the moment on Syfy.

The season 2 DVD has 5 discs and contains special features, including:

  • cast and crew introduction to season two
  • cast and crew audio commentaries
  • Behind the Scenes
  • The Making of Merlin
  • a photo gallery
  • wallpapers

The episodes in season 2 of Merlin are:

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