Ep 13. Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders

In season 10, the 13th episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 titled "Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders", the gang of Joel and the bots are back to their trademark hilarity as they riff on this bizarre and baffling film. The episode begins with Joel and his robot companions, Tom Servo and Crow, receiving a strange package at their satellite of love space station. Inside the package is a strange, old-fashioned film reel, which Joel proudly loads up into his makeshift projector. Thus begins the movie that drives the episode, Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders.

This movie is a unique blend of two different storylines. The first narrative centers around an elderly Merlin, played by veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, who runs a curious little shop full of magical trinkets and oddities. Merlin, who claims to have been around since the time of King Arthur, receives various visitors throughout the movie. Some come to browse his wares, while others seek Merlin's advice and guidance regarding mystical matters. However, despite his impressive magical abilities, Merlin often finds himself unable to provide satisfactory solutions to his clients' problems.

The second storyline is centered around a family. The father, Jack Clayton, is a work-at-home writer who is struggling to come up with new ideas for his horror novels. Meanwhile, his young son, David, is fascinated by the supernatural and enjoys visiting Merlin's shop. However, when Jack buys an odd-looking monkey figurine for David's birthday, strange things start to happen around the Clayton household. It becomes clear that the monkey figurine, which comes from Merlin's shop, has some sort of strange magic attached to it, and the Claytons soon find themselves dealing with some very weird and dangerous problems.

Throughout the episode, Joel and his robot friends provide their own brand of commentary on Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders. They poke fun at the characters' questionable decision-making skills, critique the film's strange editing and pacing, and invent amusing alternate storylines. Their jokes and quips keep the episode light and enjoyable, even as the strange and eerie events of the movie unfold.

While the episode is certainly a funny and entertaining one, it's worth noting that Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders is a decidedly bizarre movie. The combination of the two storylines can be confusing and jarring, and some of the magical elements don't always make sense. However, the strange and surreal nature of the movie only adds to the fun and wackiness of the episode.

Overall, season 10 episode 13 of Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a must-see for fans of the beloved cult series. With their trademark humor and witty commentary, Joel and the bots bring new life to the strange and surreal Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders, making for a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.