Camelot: Reckoning Review (4/5)

What's most tragic about the cancellation of Starz drama Camelot after just one season is that, despite a rubbish middle five or six episodes, it showed a lot of potential with its opening two-parter and indeed here in the finale. Reckoning involves Arthur's brutal fight with Morgana's mercenaries at Bardon's Pass, as well as the passing of series regulars Leontes and Igraine, both of which are handled quite well, truth be said. Yes, the former runs on for a bit too long, to the extent that I was actually watching the clock (not a good sign when you're meant to be glued to the screen in a drama this intense), and the latter is a shallow conclusion to two complex and convoluted story arcs that forced this season from 'decent' into 'average' territory in the aforementioned middle segment, but they're much more fun to watch than some of the drivel we've had recently on the show, and as I said posed far more potential than many of the predecessing instalments. However, for all the decent plotting, the as-ever lavish scenery and the typically excellent standard of acting, those convoluted arcs I mentioned either reach a dissatisfying climax here, are left unconcluded or (in the case of the dark wolf spirit we saw in the opening two-parter) completely unmentioned, highlighting that the show's writers were unable to bring closure to the storylines due to only being informed of its cancellation after the season had been broadcast in the States. Like I said, it's a real shame, as in particular Jamie Campell Bower and Joseph Fiennes shine very brightly as Arthur and Merlin, with a relationship that I really would have liked to have seen developed in future episodes, yet is now left untouched by Starz. If only the team could have given us a more well-rounded episodes, then the vast hints of hope scattered throughout (especially in episodes such as Homecoming and this) could have transformed this into a programme worthy of an Arthurian title, a great alternative to our own kids/teenage show Merlin. Instead, it's the end, and it was only just worth the wait. Goodbye Camelot, we'll remember you fondly for what might have been...