Robin Hood

[Theta Sigma]

Childhood:
What a very fun episode involving child actors and what a way that Marian salvaged a plan that went wrong.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The Angel of Death:
The pestilence plot was well played out here and it was fun seeing Much pretending to be a corpse.
Also a good send off to an old character at the end.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Ducking and Diving:
The best line of the episode came from Matilda - "boiled Sheriff's brain with parsley".
Great scene when Robin finds out that Allan was the spy.

 

[Theta Sigma]

For England...:
It was a Denis Lawson night for me when I saw this episode because not only was he in this episode but he was also in Jekyll which was on Australian TV shortly afterwards.
Quite a good performance from him in a villainous role.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Show Me The Money:

Spoiler

Saw it coming but was disappointed with the death of Edward and it had more of an impact than with the death of Will's father in The Angel of Death since Edward had been around since the very beginning while Will's father only appeared a couple of times."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Get Carter!:
The Carter of the title looked very good being the villain but not so when he became of the good guys.
Still enjoyable though with Marian getting through the aftermath of the previous episode.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Lardner's Ring:
Playing the Fool is Matthew Horne and he and Jonas Armstrong were in the fourth and final season of Teachers. They are seen briefly together here in Robin Hood as I don't think they appeared together when they were on Teachers.
Remark about the bird can deliver a message very quickly made me think of an early version of email!
Talk about Robin and Marian sitting in a tree!

 

[Theta Sigma]

Walkabout:

Spoiler

I was very very surprised that Gisbourne decided to stay in Nottingham and fight. I personally did not think that Marian would be a strong enough reason for Gisbourne to face certain death. Well that is the power of love.

On another note the final episode of season 1 is called A Clue: No and there is a commentary on the season 1 DVD release. I noticed the way the commentary has been listed on the DVD menu as it says "A Clue: No Audio Commentary". This is funny because it gives the misleading impression that of a clue being no audio commentary.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Treasure of the Nation:

Spoiler

Oh my what a surprise that the title refers to the Queen Mother and she is played by Lynda Bellingham who I think is the first person from classic Who to appear in the current Robin Hood.
Also did not expect for Allan to pretend to be the Nightwatchman in order to get Marian off the hook and it happens to be Guy's idea.

 

[Theta Sigma]

A Good Day To Die:
Quite a surprise birthday party in more ways than one.
Black powder briefly makes a return here which I completely forgotten about.
So much for Much's (no pun intended) negotiating skills.
Quite moving how the band opened up to each other while being under siege.
Not a bad cliffhanger.

 

[Theta Sigma]

We Are Robin Hood:

Spoiler

Quite a depressing atmosphere for the end of this season.
We finally see King Richard and his appearance is not what I expected. I actually thought he was going to be older looking (thanks to that imposter in the previous season).
Sad to see Marian die. I can't help to think Lucy Griffiths' departure at the end of the second season mirrors that of Billie Piper's departure at the end of the second season of the current Doctor Who TV series.

With Marian dead, and Will and Djaq staying in the Holy Land it's hard to believe there is going to be a third season.

Be interesting to see what stories the third season will come up with.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Found out that the third season won't be shown (in the UK) later this year but sometime in the next.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Toby Stephens has joined the cast of Robin Hood as Prince John for the third season. This was confirmed by Stephens himself in an interview with Radio Times.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Not related to the current BBC series but I just listened on BBC7 the 90 minute radio drama The Legend of Robin Hood.

It includes a disturbing scene of what happens to slaves in the Holy Land and unfortunately the story itself does not have a happy ending.

 

[Theta Sigma]

New characters as reported on Digital Spy:
"Ones to watch include Guy's sister Isabella (Lara Pulver) and new girl gang member Kate (Joanne Froggatt), plus the highly-anticipated arrival of Friar Tuck (David Harewood)."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Found out from the Doctor Who Forum and Wikipedia that Big Finish Productions (the makers of the Doctor Who audio dramas) has gotten the licence to make talking books of Robin Hood (based on the current BBC TV series).

 

[Amateur]

Just in case nobody knows the third series starts tonight here (UK) on BBC One. About 7 O'clock I think... *goes and has a look at what the Sky Box is set to*...well, 6:50. Close enough.

Yeah, 6:50 tonight. It'll probably be on iPlayer as well afterwards...

 

[Theta Sigma]

Cause and Effect:
Season 3, Episode 2.

Spoiler

Joanne Froggatt makes her debut as Kate. Always nice to see her even though here she rats Robin to Gisbourne.
Quite an unlikely ally that Robin makes with Finn McMurrough.
Somehow should not have been surprised that the Sheriff handed Gisbourne to Prince John's men. Given their relationship it was something that was bound to happen.

Also quite recently I found out that there was a Children In Need Robin Hood sketch but featured only Guy and Marian which was shown in the UK during the season 2 run.

YouTube - Robin Hood on Children In Need

It was quite fun.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Sins of the Father:
Season 3, Episode 4.

Spoiler

Very funny when Kate and Allan were carrying the money that Allan tells Robin that they got the money right behind the back of the Sheriff.
Very impressive the way Rufus met his demise.
Very glad that Kate joins the gang at the end.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
The ABC has bought the third season:
ABC buys more BBC content :TV Tonight
"The third series of hit drama series Robin Hood (produced by Tiger Aspect) has also been acquired. No airdate as yet."

I

 

[Theta Sigma]

The BBC has cancelled Robin Hood:
BBC axes Robin Hood :TV Tonight

It is understood that it is the belief of the BBC that the series has run its course.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Do You Love Me?:
Season 3, Episode 6.

Spoiler

What a title for this episode in a reference to the question often asked by Prince John. Imagine mentioning the episode's name in a normal conversation.
Toby Stephens is quite funny as Prince John.
What a surprise that Gisbourne killed the Sheriff. Or has he?

 

[Theta Sigma]

Too Hot To Handle:
Season 3, Episode 7.

Spoiler

Quite a tender moment of Robin and Isabelle in the water talking about a dream. It is too bad that this was soon followed by Robin saying that this dream won't come true and Isabelle becoming a woman scorned.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The King Is Dead, Long Live the King...:
Season 3, Episode 8.

Spoiler

Not a bad episode involving the supposed death of King Richard.
The Archbishop was played by Ian Gelder. This was originally broadcast on May 23 2009 and Gelder appeared as Mr Dekker in Torchwood: Children of Earth a month and a half later.
Robin saying no to Isabella in the previous episode has led her here becoming the Sheriff. However the trailer for the next episode shows that she is not going to be the Sheriff for long.

 

[Theta Sigma]

A Dangerous Deal:
Season 3, Episode 9.

Spoiler

Isabella is becoming worst and worst and there does not seem to be any redemption for her.
I thought Kate was a bit tactless when she told Much that she like Robin.
Very good the interaction between Gisborne and Meg. Very frustrating that Meg died shortly after she was saved from losing her head.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Something Worth Fighting For Part 2:
Series finale.

Spoiler

Archer was quite literal when he said brothers in arms.
Although he was a baddie for most of the series, it was sad to see Gisborne die.
Quite an explosion of Nottingham castle.
Although Jonas Armstrong had decided from the outset this was going to be his final season, there had been talk of continuing the series without him. It may have worked for a Blakeless Blake's 7 but not too sure about a Robin Hoodless Robin Hood.
It was very nice to see Marian one last time at the end.
Quite a sad way to end the series.

Although not related to the BBC series Robin Hood's future appearances includes the K9 episode The Last Oak Tree In England and the movie starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott. I haven't seen every single Robin Hood episode and movie but definitely intend to watch these two projects.