Merlin Versus Camelot

Merlin and Camelot are two cable-access shows based on the legend of King Arthur. Each show has its own take on Arthuriana, and other than the basic legend of King Arthur and Camelot, they couldn't be more different.

Merlin is a BBC show currently airing its third season on Syfy. Camelot is a new show on Starz, and although the official premiere is scheduled for April 1, Starz aired the first episode in February as a sneak peek. Based on the pilot, Camelot has many differences from Merlin.

Audience
Merlin is a family show appropriate for most audiences who would be interested in its storylines. Most, if not all, episodes are rated PG, and although they contain some violent content, the violence isn't graphic.

Camelot is clearly intended for adults. Rated MA for mature audiences, Camelot is much more graphic than Merlin. There is some sexual content and nudity as well as graphic violence and adult language.

Tone
Merlin is a light-hearted show. Although some of the episodes are more serious than others, humor and an undercurrent of love are always present. The show's premise is for Merlin to help Arthur fulfill his destiny to become a great king. The two don't always get along--in fact, they couldn't stand each other at first--but the friendship is there despite the king's insistence that Merlin is merely his son's servant.

In contrast, Camelot is a much darker show. So far, there is very little humor, and although Igraine loves the son who was taken from her, the most evident love is the relationship between Arthur and the family he believed to be his own. Merlin is still there to help Arthur, but as an elder and advisor, not a friend close in age.

Characters
The main characters on Merlin are Merlin himself, Arthur, Gaius, Uther, Gwen, and Morgana. Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, and Gwen are still young and seem to be in the same age group. Merlin is Arthur's servant; he lives with Gaius, the court's physician. Morgana, Uther's ward, lives at the castle along with Uther and Arthur. Gwen is Morgana's servant; she has lived alone since her father was wrongly executed. As a servant, Gwen is deemed an inappropriate match for the prince.

On Camelot, Merlin is still a major character. Arthur is also one of the main characters, as are Kay, whom he considers a brother, and Morgan, his half-sister and enemy. Guinevere will undoubtedly be a major character before long; she is already appearing in Arthur's dreams. Arthur's mother, Igraine, is also on the canvas. Uther is not; he is murdered early in the first episode.

Legend
Merlin is set in Camelot, when King Uther Pendragon still reigns over the kingdom. Uther has banned sorcery of any kind and orders the execution of anyone said to practice magic. Because of this, Gaius had to cease practicing magic and Merlin has to hide his own ability. For most of her life, Morgana has been pleasant and dutiful, but she eventually learns some things about herself that cause her to change drastically. She becomes dangerous, and Merlin must constantly keep an eye on her to prevent her from murdering the clueless king.

Camelot begins with Morgan's return to the castle to claim her rightful place as Uther's daughter. When he denies her, she poisons him, and he dies. With the king dead, Morgan banishes the her stepmother, Queen Igraine, and takes the throne for herself. This causes Merlin to arrange for young Arthur's return to the land. Because of the unusual circumstances surrounding Arthur's conception, Merlin had placed him with another family before he was a week old. Young Arthur had no idea of his true identity as the future king of Camelot. Merlin makes the journey to inform Arthur of his true birthright and bring him to Camelot, where he and Morgan vie for the right to rule the land.

Conclusion
Merlin and Camelot are drastically different from each other; they are clearly intended for different audiences with different tastes in television shows. Both shows have an audience and therefore a place on television. Although many people will watch both, some will undoubtedly prefer one over the other.

Source:

Camelot, Starz Official Site