Excalibur is not a thing, something you can hold in your hand.
Excalibur is the good in you.
The power to do good, to stand up for what's right, to slay dragons, to capture bank robbers.
You always carry Excalibur in your heart.


Robert Tinnell, Kids of the Round Table (1995)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Het Huis Anubis en de Vijf van het Magische Zwaard

Het Huis Anubis en de Vijf van het Magische Zwaard (The House of Anubis and the Five of the Magical Sword, 2010-) is a Dutch/Flemish television series for adolescent viewers and features a prominent Arthurian story line with Merlin appearing in the series opening as he prophesies the future need for a band of young heroes (they seem sort of like mutants as each has one hypersensitive sense) to protect Excalibur from the evil Dark Druids (a task they accomplish over the course of the series) and later Morgan le Fay appearing in season two as the foe of the teen heroes and would-be wielder of Excalibur. Galahad also features in Season 2, when he is sent into the future (?) by Merlin to aid the teens (see http://anubisendelegendevandevijf.jouwweb.nl/anubis-personage-s).

I append a series of video clips below.

Openings to Season One (first the extended opening and then an abbreviated, but clearer one) (for translation of lyrics, click link and scroll down to "Opening Song")





Official Music Video (extended theme song: ) 



Opening to Season Two (with Morgan le Fay clearly shown as an antagonist)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Merlin Season 4

Teaser trailer for Merlin Season 4.



As the trailer notes, dark days are ahead for Camelot as Morgana forms an alliance with Arthur's uncle (!) Agravaine and plots against both Uther and Arthur. The series airs on SyFy Friday nights.

Merlin on DVD

Season three of Merlin has just been released to DVD and Blu-Ray for North American audiences. Extras include the following:
 
• Audio Commentary
• Making of Merlin Series 3
• Deleted Scenes
• Outtakes
• Wallpaper
• Gallery

This was an important season in terms of the Morgana arc and, under the tutelage of Morgause, saw her turn completely to the "Dark Side," while Merlin grew in power and confidence in his abilities. Arthur also matured as a man and leader, and the genesis of the Round Table fellowship was featured near the end of the season. Season four premiered this month on SyFy.