If you are looking for the traditional story about Robin Hood and his Merry Men please start looking elsewhere! This show is an adventure series based on a well known medieval legend, it adds a touch of PVC here and there, camouflage clothes (we’re still digesting this one…), makeup that would make a drag queen proud, battle movements reminiscent from the Matrix, modern English for those who could have a hard time understanding «I be parched!», and lots of other interesting details that will certainly make you frown. A lot…
The characters are completely different from what we’re used to, take Robin for example, he looks like a teenager, has absolutely no charisma whatsoever but we are supposed to believe he’s an experienced soldier coming home from the crusades. Yeah right! Throughout his adventures we’ll see him perform acrobatic moves that enhance his super hero status, in one occasion he’s even faced with a squad of Ninja girls (yep, you read that right …). Maid Marian isn’t actually what you’d call a lady of that time. She’s constantly facing dangerous men in Nottingham and Sherwood forest, under the cover of the Nightwatchman, or even defying the Sheriff or Sir Guy of Gisborne, all this by herself. The Sheriff who was alternatively a fool or a cruel monster becomes more sarcastic here (he’s responsible for some of the most hilarious moments) and Sir Guy seems to go from a cardboard character to a villain divided between his loyalties and a possible redemption (which makes him our favourite character and not only because he’s Richard Armitage!).
The first 5 or 6 episodes are a bit flat, only after being able to get through them, does the series start to get a little more interesting – strangely enough, or maybe not, because of the bad guys!
One does have to suspend one’s disbelief, not only because of the modern details already mentioned (and there are enough of them to fill a long, long list) but because Robin seems too easy to catch if only the Sheriff’s guards weren’t so clumsy (we’re being kind here!), Marian can easily be recognised as the Nightwatchman but no one ever seems to realizes he’s a woman (puleeeasseee!) and having the Merry Men turn against Robin to save the bad guy is a first in our knowledge of the Robin Hood legend!
We really need to say that not everything is bad but you mustn’t expect this to be an accurate historical series, you really have to be in the mood for something like this to fully enjoy it. This is a family series, if you have kids at home the format will probably remind them of their favourite cartoon and they’ll be cheering for Robin all the way, however, the adults may find themselves cheering for Guy and hoping he won’t be deceived by a very manipulative Marian (such a good example for the young ones!). All in all, there’s something here for everyone!
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I need to know where Marian gets those hair pins, they seem to be excellent self-defence mechanisms…
LMAO I’m sure she had some silversmithing classes to be able to make her own weapons, Escalla. She seems to be such a talented girl! :P
Probably the same place where she buys her eyeliner and clothes, she’s terribly advanced for that time! ;-)
I’m thinking a medieval branch of Mango, H&M, Zara… something like that… Probably the same place where Robin buys his T-shirts and his trousers ;-)
Or Guy’s PVC suit but I will not complain about this, he looks so good in those trousers. :D
Curiously, I tend to notice less those wardrobe fantasies during the Sheriff and/or Guy scenes and cannot help but cringe when I see Marian in a very tight dress or with all that makeup. Ana O. and Ana T. know how much I love her… ;-)
Ooh, did you notice Lucky George’s coat in episode 7? Very modern that one! ;-)
Oh the Sheriff!!! Isn’t he great in those oriental pajamas or that fur hat?? Love him really!! And Gisborne!! I laugh myself silly with the Sheriff’s lines and Gisborne’s reactions!
**off to investigate mentioned coat**
When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes but after several episodes where I had permanently my mouth open (I was still in shock after seeing t-shirts, pvc and pj’s all over the place) I was ready for the next level.LOL
What bottered me the most was the lack of story in most of the episodes. Lot’s of characters, easy jokes (except for the Sheriff and Guy!!!), flat dialogues, some flirting scenes, “mystery” (huh huh…) and nothing else. In the end, there’s little content. The bad guys are the ones carrying the show and they make a hell of job. ;-)
Oh my and those arrows… Just the sound of it makes me crazy!
I couldn’t finish watching this series, because I thought Robin Hood was a bit flat compared to the Sheriff and Richard Armitage as Guy. When you start rooting for the villains instead of Robin Hood, you know there’s a problem. Funnily enough, they’re doing a second series.
Elizabeth,
Apparently there’s also a 3rd one coming!! I was already shocked to know about the 2nd but I cannot help wondering what they are going to do in the 3rd one…
Robin Hood has absolutely no charisma. I couldn’t care less about him or his Merry Men. It’s so hard to believe he is an experienced soldier, a “man” who fought in the Crusades, travelled extensively, met other people, other cultures… It’s almost a joke!
Btw, I love your blog. I always learn a new thing every time I go there. :)
This guy is cuuuuute!! :D
Richard Armitage, I presume? :D
Ana T, I love your summing up of the series! …and I can barely type from the tears in my eyes from laughing at the comments above on the hairpins and clothes! So true!
However, I’m a person good at suspending belief when I want to, and I put up with all the Robin stuff just to watch the Sherrif and Guy. The two of them have some really good lines – even more so in the episodes of series two that I’ve seen.
I’m also kind of enjoying rolling my eyes every time Marion comes on the screen. She and Robin deserve each other!
…oh, I quite like Much though, and Will’s inventions make me smile – he must have been McGuyver’s role model!
Well we actually wrote it between the three of us and I’m really glad you liked it!
Funny you mention their lines, I keep telling Ana and Alex that in season two the bad guys’ lines are even better. I haven’t convinced Alex to watch it yet but I’ll keep trying! :-P
Oh and I’ve just watched part of episode 7! Love the coat!! So medieval!!
Alex, I do think you should give season 2 a go. If you love to hate Marion, you’ll have a marvellous time, and the Sherrif and Guy really begin rule the show.
One thing I’m curious about, I wonder if some of the humour is quite culture specific? There is this line in episode 8 of season 2 towards the beginning about a ring (I’m being vague because I don’t want to make any spoilers). That line REALLY made me laugh, especially the way it was delivered – but I wondered if everyone who watched it would get the humour. What do you think?
I know what you’re talking about and I did not get it. I read some comments about it so I get the general idea but not the real thing, no. I would love it if you could email me privately and explain ;-)
Fantasma, I told you he was cute! I read somewhere that the best part of the whole second series is the scene where he has no shirt on. Swoon!
Dee, most of the time I feel sorry for Much, Robin treats him horribly but he just keeps crawling back for more. Whenever he says “Master Robin” I keep thinking of Lord of the Rings and the close relationship between Sam and Frodo. ;-)
I’ve just started watching this series; I’m up to about 5 episodes now. The thing I find is you really can’t take any of it seriously as the holes in the whole thing would drive one nuts. But for pure camp – and Richard Armitage in leather, I think it’s quite good.
Yes, I’ve felt sorry for Much too. Towards the end of Season One when Robin’s in a sulk over the whole Marian marrying Guy thing (talk about acting like a petulent little boy)and he lays into Much and is really cruel to him, I thought Much should deck him one. Actually, I think that’s when I gave up on Robin and decided he was an irrideemable character.
I had wondered if I didn’t click with Robin ‘cos I was just too old for him! I wondered if younger women found him better hero material. Are the teenagers over England swooning, do you think?
Don’t know about teenagers swooning, but my heart gave a little flutter. I think he’s cute. A lovable larrikin who also gets serious. He suits the role, IMHO. And yes, the campy sheriff with all the fun lines… he is a fabulous villain having the most tremendous fun. But the ultimate 6 words must be: Sir Guy of Gisborne in leather. Say no more.
Oh and did you see the sketch they did for the Children In Need charity? I thought it was hilarious the way Guy grabs the bear by its ear like he can’t stand to touch it and then twisting its arm behind his back when he was taking him to be hanged… too funny!´
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8MHK_5HxYg
OH – that was funny!!!
Goodness, yes! That sketch is too funny! How they keep a straight face when they’re acting scenes like that is beyond me.
Dee and Ana T.,
You are two wicked gals!!! ;-) I’m still not sure if I’ll be in the mood to go for another Robin Hood batch. It was a bit hard for me to finish season 1 so I’m still trying to decide if it’s ok to go for the 2nd. :) The big problem for me with this serie, is called Marian. I get so annoyed when I see her on the screen and I simply cannot understand how Guy (or even Robin!) can be interested in her. It’s simply beyond me! I keep wishing someone with a bit of sense would kick her out definitely and finally bring a female character who is really interesting. *sheesh*
Alex,
I wish I had a nice rebuttal for you regarding Marion – but I don’t. In my opinion, you’re right – she’s a total goober! She’s a manipulative, whining, self-centred fool!
Is there any way you can just close your eyes when she comes on? Just open them up again when you hear the Sheriff or Guy’s voice? Perhaps you could watch on DVD and just fast forward? Come on Alex, think outside the square! This is Richard Armitage playing Guy of Gisborne to perfection here, there must be a solution to your Marion problem!!!
Perhaps a desensitising programme? We could shut you in a cupboard with a whole pile of Marion life-size cardboard cutouts (After all, what’s the difference between them and the one in the series?) until you can cope!!!
Rotflol excellent suggestion Dee! I go for the fast forward solution myself! :-)
Speaking of voices, Gisborne has such a lovely voice doesn’t he?
LOL. I laughed out loud reading all you comments.
I heard about this show from my tv dealer, but he said it wasn’t that good, so I never had the chance to watch it. But when Ana O. told me all the idiosyncrasies… well, it just looks like a great show to watch and mock.
And it has Richard Armitage. Yummi.
Oops, that was me girls. :)
ROFL!!! That desensitising programme seems a bit hard for me, Dee. I would be in a mental institution for the rest of my life screeming “I hate you, Marian!!!”. Maybe it’s safer to go for the fast forward technique. ;-)
I’m sure I’ll be convinced (again!) to watch season 2 but only because of Guy!! :P
Ana T, you are right Guy has such a wonderful voice. For me it’s the light at the end of the tunnel. ;-)
Welcome, Syrin! :)
Poor Alex, well to help convince you to watch series 2 I found this site http://shipofdreams.me.uk/gisborne/index.htm with some interesting pictures ;-)
Dee, have you watched episode 11 yet? I was so curious about what was going to happen when Guy found out about the Nightwatchman and I really enjoyed the first scenes but the end was a bit… I don’t know he just became too good without really venting all that anger. I could see him saving her but to stop being angry so quickly was a let down.
Of course the season is almost finished so they have to wrap it up quickly I guess.
Hey Ana T, no I haven’t watched it. The last episode I’ve watched is 9. My internet provider slowed me down to dial-up because I was over my limit so I decided I’d wait to watch RH when I had some speed back. Now your comments have got me very curious and I’m beginning to get jittery in my seat waiting for the 27th (which is my new month for internet usage)! I shall post a comment when I get to see episode 11!
Speaking of Richard Armitage, I fell asleep with the TV on the other night and came to very bleerily in the early hours of the morning because there was a very familiar voice shouting in anger! By the time I managed to get my eyes open I had missed Armitage in Malice Aforethought – then of course, I was wide awake and watched the rest of it with only one short glimpse of RA!!
Oh maybe I should have kept my mouth shut then :-)
But you’re in for a marathon if you’re going to watch episodes 10 and 11 on the 27th because the final 2 episodes will be shown Dec 29th so you will only have to wait 2 days while I now have 2 weeks before I know how that is going to end…
Haven’t watched Malice Aforethought yet, is it any good?
The end bit that I saw was good! I shall have to track it down and watch it all though.
I’ll await your comments then! ;-D
Ana, I guess he calmed down quickly ‘cos he loves her and she spun a good line. Have to say though, I’m really, really not liking Marion – especially now. She is just unashamedly leading Guy on, knowing that he loves her that much, but also that she has no intention being with him. I wonder where the story writers think they’re going with this? Surely they can’t drag it all out too much longer?
You saw the episodes already?
Yep, I was waiting for my Mac to do some installs, so watched them on the PC on YouTube while I was waiting. As I said in my post, I really am a bit confused by the whole Guy/Marion thing. Do you think that this might be a case of the bad guy getting the girl? Do we know for definite if there is a third season?
No I don’t think so, I’m not sure where they are going with this plot (maybe having Guy killed in the end would solve it) but I don’t believe Robin is out of the picture. The show is called Robin Hood so he must get Marian in the end.
There hasn’t been an official announcement for season 3 but several of the actors have mentioned it. Richard Armitage has mentioned a top secret project in his latest message to fans so it seems plausible to think Guy will disappear soon (and it has been mentioned in the spoilers for the last two episodes that a main character will end in tragedy…)
Looking forward to know what happens in those 2 final episodes!!
you guys are hallerious! im totally loving this blog by the way (i have commented too much for one day!)
i must say i wquite enjoy the modernising of the whole series. i admit it is over zealous and quite distracting but i dont think it was meant as a historically accurate account. it is interesting to look at the theorectical implications of being so modern when also ebing so medieval. for example how does this change our views on out society as well as the society of the medievals?
but yes marian is a complete waste of space. she is cold to both robin and guy and her father and…….she has no substance. i think this was definatly a feminist adaptation for a couple of reasons. someone earlier outlined that there is no way marian would have stood up to the sherrif and guy etc and her role as the nightwatchmen was seriously questionable. but bringing a woman’s role to such a high degree of importance is an interesting contemporary spin.
im not into it though.
the sherrif was just a rock star wasnt he? just so evil and sarcastic. his persona was really a gem in this production. Guy, well there is no need to really say how he makes the show. he does. his quality of acting is just superb and he transports us with his confusion regarding his loyalties and affections. too bad the one he wants is such a useless twit.
i agree with the fact that this adaptation is like a cartoon. i watched the whole two series with my dad, becasue he enjoys the actions (so cute). there is a third series filming in hungary atm (but by now you all know this im sure)
Jaz there is no such thing as too many comments and I’m enjoying reading yours so go ahead and comment some more! :-)
We haven’t watched series 2 yet (well I’ve watched the Guy bits on You Tube) but I’m sure it will provide as many great moments for detailed analysis as series 1! We’ll get to it one of these days…
And there are already many rumours out there regarding series 3…
i love this video =)