A New Obsession ^_^ >>------ >
So I am completely and totally hooked on the BBC Robin Hood series. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Now before I get completely criticized- yes, it definitely could have benefited from a bigger budget, as the costumes are a bizarre blend of period and modern(its almost like the costume designer really wanted to do a steam punk robin hood but then was told no, so they just kinda stuck some in when nobody was looking) and the fight scenes would have benefited from some real choreography, but putting aside the issues that arise due to a lack o funds, the show really has everything that I love in a story.
The characters are adorable and idealistic, the romance is sweet but not constantly thrown in your face or hyper-sexualized, and the plot -while often cheesy and exactly what you would expect from a Robin Hood action/comedy series- occasionally throws in some completely unexpected twists that show that there are writers who still are willing to come up with something different sometimes! An impressive feat for a show that honestly, based on its premise, probably could have gotten away with the cliches that it occasionally defied. The humor is also an interesting mix of campy and witty, a combination that I have always been rather partial to. ^_^
For a more indepth review by me follow me into SPOILER LAND!!!! Nothing to drastic, I am not going to give away any major plot points, but I will be getting in depth with the characters so somethings might slip out. ^_^
So a little bit about this world and why I love it so!
First off, while there are some definite historical issues (which, I know usually I am such a stickler about things like this) I largely feel that they picked their battles intelligently. The costuming is period enough that you know where you are and get a general feel for the era, and if you just let it go early that some things are a bit off it really can be pretty easily overlooked, save the ocasional outfit (IE Guy of Guisborn's faux leather coat). One thing that I actually really liked about the costumes and the sets is that the overall look and feel is MUCH more gritty than you would normally see in any sort of period piece. While there is a clear distinction between classes and clothing styles, the nobles are not constantly covered in pristine brocades and satins! It really gives a much stronger sense of what life was like in this time period in a way that I feel is very unusual, and frankly, quite fantastic. In the first episode when Robin returns to Locksley, he is being treated with the clear deferance of a noble (as he is the Earl of Huntingdon, a common interpretation of the Robin Hood mythos) and it is established that he is in position of a prosperous estate and a powerful title, however the estate isn't a giant looming castle, there is only ONE of those, which of course is the center of power for the entire Nottinghamshire. When Robin gets himself outlawed by the END of the episode (oh like you didn't see that coming) his lands, titles, etc. of course are all forfieted to be given to those who are loyal to the government, because shockingly enough, in the 12th century YOU DIDN"T JUST LEAVE A CASTLE TO SIT AROUND AND ROT!!!!
This darker grittier set up also makes certain things about the show fit in quite nicely, and it really draws attention to the blatent opulence displayed by the Sheriff, it really shows just HOW greedy and wasteful a corrupt leader could be, and the sort of drastic impact it had in a world where money was not something that people had in abundance. This sort of deference to the historical context, and other little things like the fact that the bounty on Robin is 20 pounds, enough to feed an entire villiage for a month in that time, as opposed to 500 gold pieces or something equally exuberant, just makes me smile so much! (for you fellow history nerds- yes the pound (short for pound sterling) is an accurate term and did in fact exist in 12th century england, it is the oldest currently existing currency ^_^)
Speaking of the Sheriff- OMG I adored what they did with this character. At first I was a bit concerned, seeing as how he is fairly manic in his ways and a bit of an outspoken villain character. I was really worried that they were setting the stage for another I am sooooo evil because I am completely insecure and jump at my own shadow sort of Sheriff, which while it can work well- A la Alan Rickman- its been done and takes a lot to sustain well. But No! As the show progresses, you realize that this isn't someone who is posturing because being evil keeps the minions in line- this is someone who truly just IS that mean, that sadistic, and completely secure in his own power, and his ability to deal with any threat that may arise to it. It was FANTASTIC! I love it! Because suddenly his crazy manic behavior isn't something that discredits the idea that he could maintain control for a long period of time, it is something that he gets away with because you don't draw attention to yourself in a world ruled by this guy, because he isn't afraid of anything, and he just doesn't care. This also allows them to take some new directions with Robin's character, that while I feel a lot of people might fine Robin's character somewhat off putting from what they are used to, I think its an interesting look at a man struggling to find his own sense of morality.
So lets talk about Robin for a bit. I love Robin. Love what they did with the character, and actually feel that most of the issues I have read about in terms of critic complaints actually are good choices when you consider the world that they are looking to establish and not just comparing the character to the Robin's we have seen before.
One of the biggest complaints- OMG he is way too young! He is supposed to be all old and battle hardened from the crusades blah blah blah. OK first off- I was EXCITED to see such a young cast for a period show, because guess what, its actually a LOT closer to what you would have had during that time period! In this version, Robin followed the King to the Holy Land at 19-20, returned 5 years later. So he is supposed to be 24/25 years old. This is the 12th century people! You would have been going off to war at 19 as a full adult male. Boys of 14 would probably have been going too, and they would be the "young men". Also, in a lot of ways it fits to have Robin still young enough to be idealistic. He is fighting for the good of the people because he is too rash an impulsive to play the political game, and because he has the morality to feel the need to do SOMETHING. When you are still young (And young in that age means you had better be well under 30) there is that sense of invincibility that would allow for the sort of bravado that the Robin Hood character calls for. In this story, its not about vengeance or about a war weary soldier who Fights because it is what he knows or his honor calls him to serve England or whatever, its about being old enough to see that there is evil in the world, and being young enough to think that you can save it. I find this new dynamic compelling, and it fits in with a lot of the themes that they run with throughout the course of the show.
Of course, in true fashion, Robin is a flirt, a bit reckless, deeply passionate, intelligent but sometimes dense as a woodblock, and of course impressively self-assured. (In other words everything I personally am completely in love with). While Robin is usually good humored, teasing, and more often then not rather boyishly enthusiastic about his exploits, they give the character moments of astute intuition and genuine maturity, that make it believable that this is a person who actually knows what he is doing. Most of the time.
The other major character are also distinct in their characterization, and really bring something to a show with a very limited cast. (Also, Robin's gang of outlaws is extremely small when compared to other Robin Hood stories where there seem to be a gang of faceless minion archers who fill out the ranks of the merry men. ) While I do wonder if the lack of outlaw characters has more to do with limited funds, it sometimes, perhaps even inadvertently, draws attention to how few people want to stick out their necks for their fellow man. One of my favorite things about this show is that the villagers are often extremely fickle, praising Robin Hood one moment but then turning on him if he is unable to do more for them. Very few of the peasants that Robin fights for (save the Locksley tenants who retain their loyalty to their former master quite admirably) are willing to risk aiding his cause, much less join his band. The band is comprised of most of the major figures from the 16th century adaptations of the Robin Hood myth, Little John, Will Scarlett, Alan-a-Dale, and Much, one of Robins former servants, who was traditionally one of the most famous characters in the original tales but who is often cut out of the more modern interpretations often in favor of a Moorish character filling the role of the Friend/Servant. (IE Morgan Freeman) This version does have a Saracen character, interestingly however it is a female character who disguises herself as a boy to protect herself. While all the traditional characters are present, many of the personalities go against the characterizations that have become popularized in the 20th century.
Lady Marian (since she is 21 she has grown past being Maid Marian in this universe, although she is surprisingly still unmarried even though she is a fully grown woman, something that is commented on throughout the show as being very uncommon, YAY for more historical consideration! ) is an interestingly portrayed character. Marian in some ways represents the choice that Robin did not make- the person who attempts to effect change by working largely within the system. Where Robin is impulsive and rash, Marian plays a careful game, controlling most of her actions and schemes, though she occasionally gets into trouble when her idealism overrules her sense and self-control. While the clear influence of feminism makes itself apparent in her blatant outspokenness and ability to fight in her own right, the character is complex and creative enough that I am willing to smile and accept, and the dynamic between her and Robin is charming.
Sir Guy of Guisborn, the Sheriff's second in command, is set up as the Foil to Robin, and acts as his competition for Marian's affection. Guy's character is one that grew more complex as the show progressed and I was interested to see how they managed to make him vile enough to be in league with the Sheriff while still making you feel for him as a character in spite of his many failings.
All in all I find the characters engaging and the large helping of teasing banter is something that I have always found captivating.
In terms of themes, I think this is the other reason I have come to love this show in spite of its shortcomings.
I have always been fond of shows and books that have messages- that have themes that are explored through different events and circumstances that really test the idea that there isn't always an easy answer to what is right or wrong.
There are a lot of themes in this show that are sometimes right at the forefront, and sometimes hidden in the mostly episodic structure of the show.
One of the themes that they explore is the idea of religion, and its importance in the world. In a rare fit, I was plesantly suprised with their dealing of the topic. They manage to highlight the problems with religious persecution, and the trouble with mixing religion and politics with their dealings with the crusades (admittedly some of the characters are a bit progressive for 12th century but they do show some deference to the time period in the handling of the subject and at least will create some justification within the plot for these more modern views) . However, the show does not downplay religion or blame faith itself, instead focusing on the need to be accepting of other faiths or opinions due to the importance that faith can have in a persons life.
One of the biggest themes that is explored in the show is the idea of choices, that we constantly must make them and that choices are not in fact things that we only deal with on a large scale Choices are a constant, and we are not guided simply by the huge dramatic choices that we are faced with, but by all of the choices that we make in every situation we are faced with.
There are lots of other fun themes, but I think I will write a seperate "Themes in Robin Hood" post since I can go on and on and on about themes and reflections on them.
For those of you (If any) who are still reading, in general, this show does have a lot to offer. It is by no means perfect, and if you are looking for something flashy and polished you will probably be dissapointed. However, if you want something that will make you smile, and (if you pay attention) might make you think as well, I would recommend this show. In spite of its failings I think it will quite possibly join the ranks of my favorite shows.
(Other of my favorite shows if you want to judge my taste for compatability:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Firefly
Chuck
How I Met Your Mother
House
White Collar
Sports Night
NCIS
The Tudors
Big Bang Theory
Heroes (although it really never matched the greatness of season 1)
Psych
Also in a fun bit of nerdiness, I finally have the inspiration and motivation to make more costumes! YAY for sewing ^_^
Now before I get completely criticized- yes, it definitely could have benefited from a bigger budget, as the costumes are a bizarre blend of period and modern(its almost like the costume designer really wanted to do a steam punk robin hood but then was told no, so they just kinda stuck some in when nobody was looking) and the fight scenes would have benefited from some real choreography, but putting aside the issues that arise due to a lack o funds, the show really has everything that I love in a story.
The characters are adorable and idealistic, the romance is sweet but not constantly thrown in your face or hyper-sexualized, and the plot -while often cheesy and exactly what you would expect from a Robin Hood action/comedy series- occasionally throws in some completely unexpected twists that show that there are writers who still are willing to come up with something different sometimes! An impressive feat for a show that honestly, based on its premise, probably could have gotten away with the cliches that it occasionally defied. The humor is also an interesting mix of campy and witty, a combination that I have always been rather partial to. ^_^
For a more indepth review by me follow me into SPOILER LAND!!!! Nothing to drastic, I am not going to give away any major plot points, but I will be getting in depth with the characters so somethings might slip out. ^_^
So a little bit about this world and why I love it so!
First off, while there are some definite historical issues (which, I know usually I am such a stickler about things like this) I largely feel that they picked their battles intelligently. The costuming is period enough that you know where you are and get a general feel for the era, and if you just let it go early that some things are a bit off it really can be pretty easily overlooked, save the ocasional outfit (IE Guy of Guisborn's faux leather coat). One thing that I actually really liked about the costumes and the sets is that the overall look and feel is MUCH more gritty than you would normally see in any sort of period piece. While there is a clear distinction between classes and clothing styles, the nobles are not constantly covered in pristine brocades and satins! It really gives a much stronger sense of what life was like in this time period in a way that I feel is very unusual, and frankly, quite fantastic. In the first episode when Robin returns to Locksley, he is being treated with the clear deferance of a noble (as he is the Earl of Huntingdon, a common interpretation of the Robin Hood mythos) and it is established that he is in position of a prosperous estate and a powerful title, however the estate isn't a giant looming castle, there is only ONE of those, which of course is the center of power for the entire Nottinghamshire. When Robin gets himself outlawed by the END of the episode (oh like you didn't see that coming) his lands, titles, etc. of course are all forfieted to be given to those who are loyal to the government, because shockingly enough, in the 12th century YOU DIDN"T JUST LEAVE A CASTLE TO SIT AROUND AND ROT!!!!
This darker grittier set up also makes certain things about the show fit in quite nicely, and it really draws attention to the blatent opulence displayed by the Sheriff, it really shows just HOW greedy and wasteful a corrupt leader could be, and the sort of drastic impact it had in a world where money was not something that people had in abundance. This sort of deference to the historical context, and other little things like the fact that the bounty on Robin is 20 pounds, enough to feed an entire villiage for a month in that time, as opposed to 500 gold pieces or something equally exuberant, just makes me smile so much! (for you fellow history nerds- yes the pound (short for pound sterling) is an accurate term and did in fact exist in 12th century england, it is the oldest currently existing currency ^_^)
Speaking of the Sheriff- OMG I adored what they did with this character. At first I was a bit concerned, seeing as how he is fairly manic in his ways and a bit of an outspoken villain character. I was really worried that they were setting the stage for another I am sooooo evil because I am completely insecure and jump at my own shadow sort of Sheriff, which while it can work well- A la Alan Rickman- its been done and takes a lot to sustain well. But No! As the show progresses, you realize that this isn't someone who is posturing because being evil keeps the minions in line- this is someone who truly just IS that mean, that sadistic, and completely secure in his own power, and his ability to deal with any threat that may arise to it. It was FANTASTIC! I love it! Because suddenly his crazy manic behavior isn't something that discredits the idea that he could maintain control for a long period of time, it is something that he gets away with because you don't draw attention to yourself in a world ruled by this guy, because he isn't afraid of anything, and he just doesn't care. This also allows them to take some new directions with Robin's character, that while I feel a lot of people might fine Robin's character somewhat off putting from what they are used to, I think its an interesting look at a man struggling to find his own sense of morality.
So lets talk about Robin for a bit. I love Robin. Love what they did with the character, and actually feel that most of the issues I have read about in terms of critic complaints actually are good choices when you consider the world that they are looking to establish and not just comparing the character to the Robin's we have seen before.
One of the biggest complaints- OMG he is way too young! He is supposed to be all old and battle hardened from the crusades blah blah blah. OK first off- I was EXCITED to see such a young cast for a period show, because guess what, its actually a LOT closer to what you would have had during that time period! In this version, Robin followed the King to the Holy Land at 19-20, returned 5 years later. So he is supposed to be 24/25 years old. This is the 12th century people! You would have been going off to war at 19 as a full adult male. Boys of 14 would probably have been going too, and they would be the "young men". Also, in a lot of ways it fits to have Robin still young enough to be idealistic. He is fighting for the good of the people because he is too rash an impulsive to play the political game, and because he has the morality to feel the need to do SOMETHING. When you are still young (And young in that age means you had better be well under 30) there is that sense of invincibility that would allow for the sort of bravado that the Robin Hood character calls for. In this story, its not about vengeance or about a war weary soldier who Fights because it is what he knows or his honor calls him to serve England or whatever, its about being old enough to see that there is evil in the world, and being young enough to think that you can save it. I find this new dynamic compelling, and it fits in with a lot of the themes that they run with throughout the course of the show.
Of course, in true fashion, Robin is a flirt, a bit reckless, deeply passionate, intelligent but sometimes dense as a woodblock, and of course impressively self-assured. (In other words everything I personally am completely in love with). While Robin is usually good humored, teasing, and more often then not rather boyishly enthusiastic about his exploits, they give the character moments of astute intuition and genuine maturity, that make it believable that this is a person who actually knows what he is doing. Most of the time.
The other major character are also distinct in their characterization, and really bring something to a show with a very limited cast. (Also, Robin's gang of outlaws is extremely small when compared to other Robin Hood stories where there seem to be a gang of faceless minion archers who fill out the ranks of the merry men. ) While I do wonder if the lack of outlaw characters has more to do with limited funds, it sometimes, perhaps even inadvertently, draws attention to how few people want to stick out their necks for their fellow man. One of my favorite things about this show is that the villagers are often extremely fickle, praising Robin Hood one moment but then turning on him if he is unable to do more for them. Very few of the peasants that Robin fights for (save the Locksley tenants who retain their loyalty to their former master quite admirably) are willing to risk aiding his cause, much less join his band. The band is comprised of most of the major figures from the 16th century adaptations of the Robin Hood myth, Little John, Will Scarlett, Alan-a-Dale, and Much, one of Robins former servants, who was traditionally one of the most famous characters in the original tales but who is often cut out of the more modern interpretations often in favor of a Moorish character filling the role of the Friend/Servant. (IE Morgan Freeman) This version does have a Saracen character, interestingly however it is a female character who disguises herself as a boy to protect herself. While all the traditional characters are present, many of the personalities go against the characterizations that have become popularized in the 20th century.
Lady Marian (since she is 21 she has grown past being Maid Marian in this universe, although she is surprisingly still unmarried even though she is a fully grown woman, something that is commented on throughout the show as being very uncommon, YAY for more historical consideration! ) is an interestingly portrayed character. Marian in some ways represents the choice that Robin did not make- the person who attempts to effect change by working largely within the system. Where Robin is impulsive and rash, Marian plays a careful game, controlling most of her actions and schemes, though she occasionally gets into trouble when her idealism overrules her sense and self-control. While the clear influence of feminism makes itself apparent in her blatant outspokenness and ability to fight in her own right, the character is complex and creative enough that I am willing to smile and accept, and the dynamic between her and Robin is charming.
Sir Guy of Guisborn, the Sheriff's second in command, is set up as the Foil to Robin, and acts as his competition for Marian's affection. Guy's character is one that grew more complex as the show progressed and I was interested to see how they managed to make him vile enough to be in league with the Sheriff while still making you feel for him as a character in spite of his many failings.
All in all I find the characters engaging and the large helping of teasing banter is something that I have always found captivating.
In terms of themes, I think this is the other reason I have come to love this show in spite of its shortcomings.
I have always been fond of shows and books that have messages- that have themes that are explored through different events and circumstances that really test the idea that there isn't always an easy answer to what is right or wrong.
There are a lot of themes in this show that are sometimes right at the forefront, and sometimes hidden in the mostly episodic structure of the show.
One of the themes that they explore is the idea of religion, and its importance in the world. In a rare fit, I was plesantly suprised with their dealing of the topic. They manage to highlight the problems with religious persecution, and the trouble with mixing religion and politics with their dealings with the crusades (admittedly some of the characters are a bit progressive for 12th century but they do show some deference to the time period in the handling of the subject and at least will create some justification within the plot for these more modern views) . However, the show does not downplay religion or blame faith itself, instead focusing on the need to be accepting of other faiths or opinions due to the importance that faith can have in a persons life.
One of the biggest themes that is explored in the show is the idea of choices, that we constantly must make them and that choices are not in fact things that we only deal with on a large scale Choices are a constant, and we are not guided simply by the huge dramatic choices that we are faced with, but by all of the choices that we make in every situation we are faced with.
There are lots of other fun themes, but I think I will write a seperate "Themes in Robin Hood" post since I can go on and on and on about themes and reflections on them.
For those of you (If any) who are still reading, in general, this show does have a lot to offer. It is by no means perfect, and if you are looking for something flashy and polished you will probably be dissapointed. However, if you want something that will make you smile, and (if you pay attention) might make you think as well, I would recommend this show. In spite of its failings I think it will quite possibly join the ranks of my favorite shows.
(Other of my favorite shows if you want to judge my taste for compatability:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Firefly
Chuck
How I Met Your Mother
House
White Collar
Sports Night
NCIS
The Tudors
Big Bang Theory
Heroes (although it really never matched the greatness of season 1)
Psych
Also in a fun bit of nerdiness, I finally have the inspiration and motivation to make more costumes! YAY for sewing ^_^