Last year we reviewed Robin Hood – Season one . It took us a long time to get to season two but since we are now very interested in watching season three (Toby Stephens! Toby Stephens!) we decided that this was something we had to do first.
We won’t go into the costume details, enough has been said about that during season one and things did not get better, but the aim is not accuracy so let’s leave it at that. Season two starts out seemingly directed at children, Robin Hood’s dialogues, winning attitude and provocative bravado just seem the right thing to attract the youngsters. He always manages to get in and out of the castle without being seen, he always beats the guards, he is always the hero. Either there are many holes in the Sherriff’s castle walls or RH has supernatural powers!! Ok, forget the supernatural powers… If you really look at it the same happens in every episode.
The story arc this season is quite simple and it’s all about the Sheriff’s various plots to kill King Richard. He needs money and he has to come up with an ingenious plan that couldn’t possibly be ruined by that meddling Robin Hood. To achieve his goal, he starts right away by trying to kill Hood by fanging with a snake in episode 1 and setting up a medieval casino in episode 2. The outrageous plots just go from there and when you think you’ve seen it all, they’ll surprise you again and again.
The Sheriff’s “laugh out loud” dialogues are just the best thing in the series, with an over the top performance he seems more aware of things than one would at first realize. His conversations with Marian (on having two faces) and with Gisborne (on Marian) are just too funny. In fact the villains’ dialogues are full of innuendo and double meaning. The sheriff definitely has the best lines. And that fake tooth!! Oh dear… It’s all wonderfully camp and the Sheriff just keeps plotting and plotting. He never succeeds but he doesn’t give up either. And poor Gisborne is always taking the brunt and fighting his divided loyalties.
The other storyline that develops through the episodes is the Gisborne / Marian / Robin love triangle. Gisborne was ready to get his revenge at Marian after being left at the altar at the end of season 1 (Beg! or Fetch!). But unfortunately she still seems to be able to wrap him around her little finger.) It’s kind of annoying after a while to see how manipulative she is and how unaware he is of her intentions (Grow up Gisborne! – said the sheriff, with no results). The young man seemed a character with bigger depth than the sheriff at first. He wanted to be better, to be worthy of Marian. In fact, it seemed that without the Sheriff’s influence and under different circumstances he could actually be a different person. Hélas! After two seasons, we really doubt the character will be that well developed.
After the conflicting emotions of episode 10 and the show of mercy of episode 11 it is hard to imagine those final moments for the series. Does it really make sense? Wouldn’t he instead take her up on her offer to kill the Sheriff and… What about all the little kids who watch the show? They’ll have nightmares now… It made for a surprising and emotional ending though and they certainly took advantage of the scenarios to make it most effective.
On the whole, and while it has funny and entertaining moments, it still can’t be taken too seriously. But, oh well, you all know why we watch it don’t you? Now, bring on Toby Stephens! La di da!!
The Highlights: our favorite moments
The Sheriff and his fake teeth… Yuck yuck! Funny but quite disgusting at the same time. (Ep. 1 and more)
Gisborne punches Allan. What was that for? Believability!! (Ep. 3)
Sir Guy without his shirt (definitely a highlight!) and we are all holding our breath trying to see if there will be something between the Sheriff’s right hand and Marian when everything is ruined by Peeping Tom, aka Robin Hood. (Ep. 3)
The drowning of the witch à la Jacques Cousteau is one of the funniest scenes this season. Poor Sheriff, nothing happens as planned… (Ep. 5)
Upgrade this young man to leather! The Sheriff’s lines are THE best. (Ep. 7)
If I wanted a wife I’d find one with better legs! This line is worth the entire episode. Long life to the Sheriff! (Ep. 8 )
We couldn’t finish without leaving a delicious teaser for season 3:
No need to say we are expecting great things from Toby Stephens. ;-)
Photos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/robin_hood/
Official site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/robinhood/
You can see more scenes here and here but they contain huge spoilers)
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I LOVE Robin Hood! My friend and I are Guy fanatics. We are deep into season three now I swear he gets better looking in every episode. LOL.
If I wanted a wife I’d find one with better legs! This line is worth the entire episode. Long life to the Sheriff! (Ep. 8 )
When he said this all I could think was that I didn’t think legs could get any better than Richard Armitage’s! LOL.
Hi Jenny, I would say we’re partial to Guy too so you’re in good company. :-)
And how are you enjoying season 3?
I only watched the first season, and even on that one I missed the final two episodes but couldn’t care less. Sheriff and Guy are the best characters, while I find the others pretty boring… maybe except Alan, I like his “I’m not trying to be funny…” line.
The second series never appealed much to me but I might try to watch it, only if to see the Sheriff trying to put some sense into Guy…
I’m loving it. Like I said, he gets better with every episode! I love the new costumes. The semi modern outfits they used to have on Marian weren’t to my liking at all. I love the new attitude on Guy too. I’m undecided on Tuck at this point and Kate is annoying me so far. LOL I think Isabella is gorgeous, I am just getting sick of all the crushed velvet! LOL
My main reasons for watching the show are Richard Armitage and Sam Troughton though, I can’t lie! lol I couldn’t be happier that Marian is gone.
Well, I’ve watched all the first season and just the four first episodes of season two, but I want to finish it and go on to the third. And i won’t lie, I’m just watching it because of Richard Armitage! He dos look good int that leather clothes! I LOATHE Marian, she deserved to be killed, ’cause she was too mean to Guy!
I’ve been wanting to watch Robin Hood and keep hearing the buzz but sadly I haven’t seen it yet! I heard that Toby was playing Prince John but I would NOT have recognized him in that photo!!
Whitelady,
I tend to agree about most of season one but I think those two last episodes where among the best, and they set up things for season.
My main problem with season two is that they don’t seem to know where they were going with the script. Considering Guy’s character he goes from cardboard villain to someone with a bigger depth and then to cardboard again…
Jenny,
We’re hoping to get to season three soon, I’ve already seen some clips but not whole episodes. Must say Much was annoying me a bit at the end of season two.
Luciana,
I agree, Marian really wasn’t a nice person, one more twist on the legend that maybe we could do without.
Charleybrown,
I hope you get to see it soon, even if it’s just for Richard Armitage. ;-)
However, from what I’ve seen so far Toby Stephens (another of our favourite actors) does a very good job as Prince John.
Much reminds me so much of my hubby as far as his build and his head. Like no matter HOW skinny he is in body the head will always make him look chubby. LOL. Plus they have very similar eyes. I’ve liked ST ever since I saw him in Gunpowder, Treason & Plot. Carrying that over to Robin Hood was sort of natural. His parts so far in season three have been minimal.
Hmm must look for that title then. Thanks for the tip Jenny. :-)
Whitelady, I have the exact same opinion. It’s why I’m going to jump to season 3 without any concern for the 2nd. All I want to see is the interaction between Gisborne, the Sheriff and Prince John. ;-)
Luciana, I’m with you! That Marian is a real piece of work. I was so glad when I heard she was not part of season 3.
Jenny, I enjoyed Gunpowder, Treason & Plot but I confess that I saw it mostly because of Robert Carlisle and I don’t really remember Sam Troughton… Another series to watch again! :)
I´ve never seen Robin Hood bc it’s not my cup of tea! :)
But i’m a huge fan of Toby Stephens, so i sat to watch these, only the episode he is been so far.
I loved it! He is the bad guy, but a very deliciuous and funny one. He reminded me of Alan Rickman in the Robin Hood film ( the one with Kevin Costner)
I hope you enjoy it too!
Oh Madrigal I so love Alan Rickman in that movie!! I can’t wait to see the Toby Stephens episodes! ;-)
I have wanted to watch and like this show, but I just can’t. I don’t really mind taking some liberties with historical fiction, but this show is obviously meant for a younger crowd (teenagers) and not adults. I really liked the past Robin of Sherwood series with its serious and myth aspects and hoped that there would be a recreation in the same manner. This show is utterly disappointing unless you want to watch some hot British fellows (and even then I can’t really bring myself to watch it).
Admittedly, the viewers of BBC’s “Robin Hood” are legion – attesting to the public’s hunger for heroes. The Robin Hood legend is a favorite of mine, however this version never captured me. The show is fundamentally unbalanced. Please don’t draw your bows — but, Jonas Armstrong is just not believable as Robin Hood. I don’t see any band of men (merry or otherwise) following his character into outlawry and danger. Further, his performance is overshadowed by some really good, bad guys.
The writers keep piling new costumes, plot twists, and fight sequences (now verging on corny) onto an ever tottering plot. If the production were strong, the Merry Men and the Malefactors could be dressed in burlap and fight with wooden swords – and still be riveting.
Frankly, I’m looking forward to Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood,” with Russell Crowe as the lead. Now, he’s got some edge to his sword! As a director, Mister Scott puts the same level of intelligence and guts into his films, as Richard Armitage puts into his characters.