TV Week: Merlin, Hole in the Wall and No Heroics

The production values are quite high, the locations are lovely, and the cast are generally agreeable – especially likeable Morgan, Richard Wilson as his crabby "mentor" Gaius, and saucer-eyed Eve Myles as this week's sorceress villain. The special effects are also decent (ignoring a few bad greenscreens), particularly a CGI talking dragon voiced by John Hurt. It's early days, and while this episode wasn't spellbinding (suffering from a very limp story and naff dialogue), there's too much potential to write-off Merlin just yet.

Hopefully everything will improve now the exposition's been dealt with. The real challenge for Merlin is ensuring this preamble can tell a story equally as enthralling as the existing legend -- although I suspect icons like Excalibur, the Lady Of The Lake, and the Holy Grail won't be ignored for too long. Fortunately, predictable attempts to modernize the tale aren't as clunky as the distracting political allegory of Robin Hood – with a mixed-race Guinevere (or "Gwen") being the only notable alteration. Other changes range from the predictable (Arthur rewritten as a cocksure pretty-boy who hates Merlin) to the intriguing ("evil" Morgana's a beautiful girl who doesn't agree with magic being outlawed). So, not a very magical start, but the premise is strong, Morgan looks capable as an awkward hero, and there's a solid foundation to build on.

HOLE IN THE WALL (BBC1, SAT 5.40PM) The last Japanese TV format I remember seeing adapted for British audiences was the woeful Endurance (first as clips presented by Chris Tarrant and then as a cheapo UK version with take-the-money-and-run Paul Ross). But, lest we forget, Dragons' Den also started life in the land of the Rising Sun. So there's a precedent for greatness. Dale Winton fronts this utterly bonkers idea, where lycra-clad celebrities in helmets (captained by dancer Anton du Beke and cricketer Darren Gough) try and fit through oddly-shaped holes in polystyrene walls that approach them, or risk being pushed into a pool of water. You might already be familiar with the game as "Human Tetris" on YouTube. It's totally ridiculous, if admittedly funny for brief moments. Stupid, ridiculous fun – but it's not an idea I can see lasting years on primetime TV. Or even for a second episode, let's be honest.

NO HEROICS (ITV2, THU 10.30PM) A superhero sitcom that wisely avoids becoming an ensemble My Hero -- by way of swearing, sexual themes and violence. In a parallel universe, superheroes (or "capes") are a normal part of everyday life. Here we meet five off-duty heroes, who regularly drown their sorrows at The Fortress, a local boozer where superpowers are barred: loser Alex/"The Hotness" (who can wield flame); the cynically amoral Sarah/"Electroclash" (who can make machines do her bidding); miserable, sexually-frustrated Spaniard Don/"Timebomb" (who can see a minute into the future), overweight singleton Jenny/"She-Force" (who has incredible strength); and boastful egomaniac Devlin/"Excelsor" (a Superman-level celebrity). Being and IV2 production means a low-budget and a consequent limitation with the premise, but its dark vein of humour is welcome and there's early promise. It's not an original idea, but it's timely (thanks to the success of The Incredibles, Heroes and Hancock in dissecting comic-book traditions), and could develop a cult following. I just hope it branches out from the pub-setting more often.