The Boy Merlin
The Boy Merlin is a Thames Television fantasy show from 1979, starring Ian Rowlands in the title role, about the magician Merlin. Set in Wales during the Dark Ages, the series tells the story of the young apprentice magician Merlin — the grandson of King Conaan, fostered by the family of Dafydd Ismena. Merlin's father is unknown; some say he was a demon of the night. His foster-grandmother, Myfanwy, who also possesses magical powers, is the only one to realise that Merlin's destiny lies at the court of King Arthur, and it is she who schools him in magic and witchcraft. However, because of the circumstances surrounding his birth, Merlin is in constant danger from Vortigern, the Saxon High King, and his beautiful queen Rowena.
Episodes
On Connan's land in Carmarthen, and against his wishes, Vortigern is building a great tower. Despite countless sacrifices by Grimbald, Vortigern's court magician, the tower keeps falling down. Iefan, a nobleman of the court, is summoned to bring Merlin to Carmarthen; but Merlin's life hangs in the balance when Grimbald calls for another sacrifice — the blood of a fatherless son of a princess...
Iefan arrives at the Smithy with a gift for Merlin — a beautiful leather-bound book of spells that has belonged to the kings of Carmarthen for generations. Iefan has defied an order to burn the book, and everyone is sworn to secrecy; Grimbald woul risk everything to get hold of it. Merlin, anxious to try out one of the spells, casts one that will render him invisible.
While out hunting, Iefan and King Conaan find a stone table, and Merlin is summoned to explain its meaning. Unfortunately, Merlin's arrival at court coincides with that of Rowena and Grimbald, and when the secret of the table is revealed, Merlin once again finds his life endangered.
Octa, brother of Rowena, is angered by Merlin's prophecies, and sets out into the forest to kill him. Dafydd, meanwhile, rescues a mysterious stranger under attack from a vagabond, and takes him home to recover from his ordeal. Merlin quickly reveals the stranger's identity — and when Octa arrives at the Smithy to seek revenge, it is not only Merlin's life which is in danger.
Merlin's grandfather, King Conaan, has joined forces with the Irish leader, Dermot O'Connell, in a plan to overthrow the mighty Vortigern. In a cunning move, Merlin is kidnapped and held hostage to force King Conaan to disband his army. If he does not, Merlin will die...
While gathering herbs by the lake, Merlin picks a beautiful orchid in full bloom, and suddenly from the centre of the lake a woman in white, Vivian, Lady of the Lake, materialises. When she reaches the shore, Vivian summons Merlin to take her to his foster father, Dafydd the Smith, where she commissions Dafydd to make her a very special sword. What part will it play in Merlin's destiny?
