Lost In Translation: S3, Ep 3
Personally I thought this ep was a return to form - although in fairness, after last week I don't suppose it would be that hard to do something better. *g* Great fight scenes, terrific lines for, and well-delivered by, Joe Armstrong plus some cute scenes with Sam Troughton, David Harewood's chesticles...heck, I even found Robin bearable... :¬} And I'm liking Kate more and more... Lots of fascinating stuff re the religious life at the time, too: I don't think that's been explored in much depth before. Anyway, here we go again with the annoying pointy stuff; as ever, please forgive mis-remembered lines, etc, and the fact that this review will tend to be a bit Allancentric. :¬)
* Ooh, good opening scene! :¬D Although...David Hayman is a fine actor, and I'm sure the costume is authentic, but... am I the only one shouting "No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" here?
* The Sheriff re Prince John having Guy: "It's anyone's guess what he's doing with him." Oh, but I think the RH slash fans might: expect fic any time soon... ;¬)
* Am a bit puzzled as to why Much, previously shown as being very devout in his Christian faith, doesn't recognise the "It's better to give than to receive" speech.
* ~sniggers childishly at the berets worn by the Abbot's men~
* Oh god, I'd forgotten just how good Keith Allen can be.
* I'm not missing Gisborne - (a) because I know where he is, (b) because it gives Keith a chance to shine, (c) it's part of the storyline, and (d) it's not permanent. *vbg*
* Um - did I mishear the Abbot when he said that Pope Celestine I (though how did they know he'd be the first one at that time? *vbg*) was the current Pope? Celestine I was pope from 422 CE until 432 CE. ETA: I misheard; the Abbot says Celestine III. This is actually an interesting point, because this would therefore date this ep as taking place prior to 1198 as Celestine's papacy was between 1191 and 1198.
* Yay! Kirklees! :¬D ~ I have no idea why I just did that... O.o
* Might it be significant that Allan doesn't take part in the argument re attacking the abbey? Probably not, but...
* Ah, toilet humour and poo - welcome back! We've missed you since S1. We even get "comedy poop" - (c) Rosie - and a fart sound effect. I laughed. I am not ashamed.
* Another interesting observation by Rosie that the language being used by the Abbot and Tuck is more sophisticated than that used elsewhere. Perhaps to show the feudal differences/superiority of their class over the "ordinary" (non-clergy) people?
* Someone once commented on Queen Eleanor's obvious nicotine addiction, but is the Abbot on 100 fags a day?!
* Allan's clearly not a religious man - he describes it all as "mumbo-jumbo"...even though the expression wasn't yet known. *g*
* Allan's "After all we've done for you!" speech is nagging at me. It reminded me of a similar situation and a similar speech from Ray Winstone's Will Scarlet in Robin of Sherwood, but for the life of me I can't remember which episode it was.
* "Joe, please don't stand like that" #4: Now he's doing "I'm a little teapot, short and stout..." O.o
* Interesting plot device. Translating the Bible into English meant that the English were no longer at the mercy of those who'd interpret the meaning of the Latin version to keep the ordinary people in their place; it gave them the power to think for themselves about Biblical teachings...which is also what someone else says, later! :¬}
* Allan's expression when Much goes to Kate is beautiful, as is his "Be careful!" You care about him more than you’re letting on, mate. ;¬)
* ...Though I do have my doubts regarding his relationship advice: "Don't just stand there gawping, this time! Tell her she's perfect - women like that sort of thing..." Oh Allan, you're such a romantic...
* ~melts at Much's declaration and Kate's reaction~ Kate's right, though in theory she's no room to talk, but...
* Great line for Tuck: "You start it, and I'll harmonise!" ~tries not to think of “You ‘um it, son, I’ll play it...” from the old PG Tips ads~
* Abbot: "Divine inspiration?" Vesey: "Oh, don't give him the credit: this was all me!"
* Oh dear god...can't help staring at Tuck's chesticles! :¬D ...although by the looks of it, neither can an outlaw who shall for now remain nameless... ;¬)
* Digging up bones for relics was common - still doesn't make it any less gruesome! :¬D
* Oh Allan, you make such a delicious monk... :¬)
* There's some nice curtain material on show in the cloaks being worn by the Abbot's men at the St Barnabus' Day service.
* The shadow of "St Luke"'s hand falling across the Abbot is very effective.
* Oh my days - Allan's single-handed fight against the Sheriff's men!! I am now feeling a little turned on...
* Another day, another inspiring speech...which again I think has been nicked from elsewhere. Ah, yes...it appears to be a slightly revised version of one of Russell Crowe's in Gladiator. Or so Google says... ;¬)
* What is this with tying good-looking, strapping young men to stakes?! And did Much really just say "We're toast!"?
* Why did the extra with the long beard step back away from Keith so abruptly?
* ~bless! at Much trying to blow out the flames~
* Yay at the Abbot! "Spawn of Satan" indeed! :¬)
* Much: "I will never look at a pig on a spit the same way again."
* Nice ending for the Abbot. :¬)