As the BBC's Robin Hood disappeared into the dark ages this young magician stepped effortlessly into his place.

And with the series being a success across the world it has attracted a bigger budget and some top talent.

It's this care -- script, performances, special effects and action sequences -- that makes the show perfect for the Doctor Who family spot on Saturday evenings.

This new DVD boxset -- featuring the first six episodes of the current third season -- sees Merlin better than ever.

The setting-up of the first two years is now bearing fruit, with confident stories, high drama, returning characters, and plotlines that push the growing Arthur and Merlin closer to the legends we know of Camelot and the Round Table.

David Knights