Walkabout
Last night's Robin Hood was absolutely awesome OMGOMG...
I have so many things to say. Let's hope I don't forget any.
1) The opening scene was just so teasing. When I saw writhing about going on in the Sheriff's bed, *bad dream* totally wasn't the first thing that it occurred to me was going on. My mind immediately decided Guy was going to emerge from the covers at any moment, so I was quite disappointed when it was all just a nightmare followed by sleepwalking :(
2) I have to talk about Jasper. He was just so wonderfully horrible and nasty and awful, and the actor plays the part so well. The thing is, he's played by the guy who played the nasty Armed Response Unit guy in the first season of Life on Mars, who has *exactly* the same personality and mannerisms. OK, so this suited the RH character too, but I had this continual feeling that Gene Hunt was going to smash through a door and hit him in the face :)
3) I thought the episode was awfully well constructed. They did the impending doom thing so well. It reminded me a bit of the atmosphere at the end of 1x10, when Saladdin's assassins come along and nearly kill everyone. But here it was inflated, carried over the whole episode and endangering far more people. Genius.
4) Now then, the first character I'll consider is the Sheriff. I loved his dynamic with beggar woman (what was the character's name again? Cerys or somesuch?), and the way they were gleefully trying on outfits and working out a strategy. Especially the bit where she said she could cut one of the children's arms off, and even the *Sheriff* didn't want to go that far!
5) I was also vaguely amused by the bit where the Sheriff was almost man-raped by the first person who came across him in the forest. He could look after himself well though, couldn't he? It was quite nice to see him go off on his own and be developed as a character outside of his relations with enemies and minions.
6) While we're doing baddies, there's so much to say about Guy. I loved his sudden sense of urgency when he realised what was happening, and his attempts to keep everything together and defend the city. Is it just me, or did he seem genuinely concerned about Nottingham's survival for a while there?
7) I loved the dynamic between Robin and Guy when Marian got Robin to come along to the castle. Guy didn't want him to ask for help, but Robin (and Marian) made him. It was so sweet, and such a big thing for Guy to overcome his pride. It felt as though he had really grown up in this episode and got a sense of responsibility.
8) The sweetest thing was the relationship between Guy and Marian though. He was so desperate to save her, but he knew deep down she wouldn't consent to marry him. And yet he still proposed. I liked the bit where he shouted at her when she insisted on staying, and Marian looked genuinely quite distressed to have upset him so much (or that she was so stubborn and was going to die for it?). When he almost rode away but then changed his mind and chose to stay and die with Marian, it was so very heartwarming. The way Marian smiled up at him, finally seeing the good in him shining through and clearly glad that he had decided to stay. But the big moment for any Guy/Marian shipper was when he was stood there with his sword to protect her (and the rest of Nottingham) and she grabbed hold of his hand. Awwww! How can she go back to Robin after this?!
9) Anyway, other characters. Let's do Allan first. It was just so in-character when he was trying to persuade Jasper that Guy might be needed elsewhere and he could go with him - he must be the one with the strongest survival instincts in the show. It makes you wonder if he could ever really be true to anyone, considering that he'd be willing to try to talk himself out of any bad situation in any way possible. When it comes to him being redeemed (as surely he will be?), I suppose this will have to occur through an overriding of that survival instinct - but please please don't kill him off, because he's just too wonderful a character.
10) I've never been much of an Allan/Will shipper, but I warmed to it for the first time last night. It was strange but lovely to see Allan wanting to rejoin the gang. He wanted to rejoin if they sruvived what was happening, so it wasn't about getting out of the situation - it was purely about wanting to be back with his friends again, the friends he loves. So it was heartbreaking to see Will say no.
11) But when Allan gave Will that sword later on, and Will admitted that they were 'brothers in arms' again... oh, so sweet! Will took Allan's hand, and it lingered there for a moment, as all those memories of how they used to be flooded back into their minds. And when Allan let go and walked past him, he gave Will this lovely, secret look, and rubbed against his shoulder. They really need to be back together...
12) It was also nice to see the whole gang's reaction to Allan when he came to the camp. It was... quite mixed. Only John spoke out against him. I was surprised Much didn't have something to say, but then I think he undrestood that the ring had some significance right away.
13) Speaking of Much, I loved the bit where they had to go and he reluctantly put the goose down and told it to stay there. Aw, sweet Much and his kitchen management!
14) Much was so lovely in this episode. When Robin revealed his engagement to Marian, just when Much had been enjoying their being alone together again for once, the look on Much's face was absolutely heartbreaking. He acted it so well, and without saying any words. All those emotions were there - genuine happiness for Robin, and yet utter desperation at his own loss, at the fact that Robin preferred another, at the loss of their outlaw lifestyle. Oh, Robin, Robin, why can't you just stay with Much in the forest forever? He deserves it, dammit! treatmuchright!
15) And I loved the bit where Much suggested he could be an outlaw on his own. I didn't catch the words though - what did he say he would call himself?
16) In spite of the earlier treatmuchright grievance moment, this episode also contained one of the sweetest things Robin has said to Much in a long time. In 2x08, when he said that Much had a special place in his heart, it felt as though he was deliberately holding back and refusing to tell Much he loved him - perhaps because he knew he had to grow apart from him. But in this episode, he absolutely refused to leave Much behind when he tripped (even though this meant making Much run a lot, which I suspect he didn't like!), and his words - "I like worrying about you!" - were just lovely. There wasn't time to gauge Much's reaction properly as the action moved on, but the way he picked himself up and continued after his master suggested that he was happy with him again. Well done, Robin - it's nice to see you treating Much right!"
17) I've covered most people now, but just a quick word on John and Djaq. It was nice to see John having his own opinions (he hasn't really done this during this series very much - not like in the first series, where he could have taken leadership of the gang again if he wanted to, as 1x08 showed) - but it's starting to look as though Robin is having serious problems disciplining his troops! First Allan deciding to look after his own needs, then Will poisoning the Sheriff, then Marian acting of her own free will, and now John deciding to crusade for the poor single-handedly. I think that's the problem though - they're not troops. Djaq seems to understand the importance of discipline, but then she has seen war - and it's the same with Much. The others, however, don't have that background. This has been quite a thematic link during the series, so it's nice to see it explored continually. But what role will it play in the end? Will Much or Djaq decide to act of their own accord? Will the gang stay together?
18) Oh, and I loved the bit where the gang got all suspicious about being let into the castle, and Much said "Can't we sneak in anyway?" :)
19) It's got to a point in the series now where I'm seriously wondering what has happened to some hanging plot strands from the first series. Firstly, where on earth is Eve? We've seen Much flirting with other women and very obviously being painfully in love with Robin since then though - maybe Eve won't return? And secondly, has Djaq made any Greek fire? Because we all know she has the recipe and that Robin is somehow complicit in that. The thing is, though, that 2x03 with the Damascus steel felt very much like 2x09 with the Greek fire. How many eastern inventions can we have in one series? And if they *do* have greek fire, wouldn't that be a bit of a plot device? It could cause tension for Djaq though, who would be unwilling to give it up. *shrug* We'll just have to wait and see!
20) Quick things about the trailer for the next episode. Firstly, am I right in thinking that there was a flash of Allan and he wasn't wearing black? And secondly, Queen Eleanor (mother of Richard and John) turns up - we all know that when her sons waged war against their father together she was on *their* side, but whose side is she on now that these two brothers are at each other's throats? Robin was seen speaking to her reverently in the trailer, but I'm suspecting foul play...
I have so many things to say. Let's hope I don't forget any.
1) The opening scene was just so teasing. When I saw writhing about going on in the Sheriff's bed, *bad dream* totally wasn't the first thing that it occurred to me was going on. My mind immediately decided Guy was going to emerge from the covers at any moment, so I was quite disappointed when it was all just a nightmare followed by sleepwalking :(
2) I have to talk about Jasper. He was just so wonderfully horrible and nasty and awful, and the actor plays the part so well. The thing is, he's played by the guy who played the nasty Armed Response Unit guy in the first season of Life on Mars, who has *exactly* the same personality and mannerisms. OK, so this suited the RH character too, but I had this continual feeling that Gene Hunt was going to smash through a door and hit him in the face :)
3) I thought the episode was awfully well constructed. They did the impending doom thing so well. It reminded me a bit of the atmosphere at the end of 1x10, when Saladdin's assassins come along and nearly kill everyone. But here it was inflated, carried over the whole episode and endangering far more people. Genius.
4) Now then, the first character I'll consider is the Sheriff. I loved his dynamic with beggar woman (what was the character's name again? Cerys or somesuch?), and the way they were gleefully trying on outfits and working out a strategy. Especially the bit where she said she could cut one of the children's arms off, and even the *Sheriff* didn't want to go that far!
5) I was also vaguely amused by the bit where the Sheriff was almost man-raped by the first person who came across him in the forest. He could look after himself well though, couldn't he? It was quite nice to see him go off on his own and be developed as a character outside of his relations with enemies and minions.
6) While we're doing baddies, there's so much to say about Guy. I loved his sudden sense of urgency when he realised what was happening, and his attempts to keep everything together and defend the city. Is it just me, or did he seem genuinely concerned about Nottingham's survival for a while there?
7) I loved the dynamic between Robin and Guy when Marian got Robin to come along to the castle. Guy didn't want him to ask for help, but Robin (and Marian) made him. It was so sweet, and such a big thing for Guy to overcome his pride. It felt as though he had really grown up in this episode and got a sense of responsibility.
8) The sweetest thing was the relationship between Guy and Marian though. He was so desperate to save her, but he knew deep down she wouldn't consent to marry him. And yet he still proposed. I liked the bit where he shouted at her when she insisted on staying, and Marian looked genuinely quite distressed to have upset him so much (or that she was so stubborn and was going to die for it?). When he almost rode away but then changed his mind and chose to stay and die with Marian, it was so very heartwarming. The way Marian smiled up at him, finally seeing the good in him shining through and clearly glad that he had decided to stay. But the big moment for any Guy/Marian shipper was when he was stood there with his sword to protect her (and the rest of Nottingham) and she grabbed hold of his hand. Awwww! How can she go back to Robin after this?!
9) Anyway, other characters. Let's do Allan first. It was just so in-character when he was trying to persuade Jasper that Guy might be needed elsewhere and he could go with him - he must be the one with the strongest survival instincts in the show. It makes you wonder if he could ever really be true to anyone, considering that he'd be willing to try to talk himself out of any bad situation in any way possible. When it comes to him being redeemed (as surely he will be?), I suppose this will have to occur through an overriding of that survival instinct - but please please don't kill him off, because he's just too wonderful a character.
10) I've never been much of an Allan/Will shipper, but I warmed to it for the first time last night. It was strange but lovely to see Allan wanting to rejoin the gang. He wanted to rejoin if they sruvived what was happening, so it wasn't about getting out of the situation - it was purely about wanting to be back with his friends again, the friends he loves. So it was heartbreaking to see Will say no.
11) But when Allan gave Will that sword later on, and Will admitted that they were 'brothers in arms' again... oh, so sweet! Will took Allan's hand, and it lingered there for a moment, as all those memories of how they used to be flooded back into their minds. And when Allan let go and walked past him, he gave Will this lovely, secret look, and rubbed against his shoulder. They really need to be back together...
12) It was also nice to see the whole gang's reaction to Allan when he came to the camp. It was... quite mixed. Only John spoke out against him. I was surprised Much didn't have something to say, but then I think he undrestood that the ring had some significance right away.
13) Speaking of Much, I loved the bit where they had to go and he reluctantly put the goose down and told it to stay there. Aw, sweet Much and his kitchen management!
14) Much was so lovely in this episode. When Robin revealed his engagement to Marian, just when Much had been enjoying their being alone together again for once, the look on Much's face was absolutely heartbreaking. He acted it so well, and without saying any words. All those emotions were there - genuine happiness for Robin, and yet utter desperation at his own loss, at the fact that Robin preferred another, at the loss of their outlaw lifestyle. Oh, Robin, Robin, why can't you just stay with Much in the forest forever? He deserves it, dammit! treatmuchright!
15) And I loved the bit where Much suggested he could be an outlaw on his own. I didn't catch the words though - what did he say he would call himself?
16) In spite of the earlier treatmuchright grievance moment, this episode also contained one of the sweetest things Robin has said to Much in a long time. In 2x08, when he said that Much had a special place in his heart, it felt as though he was deliberately holding back and refusing to tell Much he loved him - perhaps because he knew he had to grow apart from him. But in this episode, he absolutely refused to leave Much behind when he tripped (even though this meant making Much run a lot, which I suspect he didn't like!), and his words - "I like worrying about you!" - were just lovely. There wasn't time to gauge Much's reaction properly as the action moved on, but the way he picked himself up and continued after his master suggested that he was happy with him again. Well done, Robin - it's nice to see you treating Much right!"
17) I've covered most people now, but just a quick word on John and Djaq. It was nice to see John having his own opinions (he hasn't really done this during this series very much - not like in the first series, where he could have taken leadership of the gang again if he wanted to, as 1x08 showed) - but it's starting to look as though Robin is having serious problems disciplining his troops! First Allan deciding to look after his own needs, then Will poisoning the Sheriff, then Marian acting of her own free will, and now John deciding to crusade for the poor single-handedly. I think that's the problem though - they're not troops. Djaq seems to understand the importance of discipline, but then she has seen war - and it's the same with Much. The others, however, don't have that background. This has been quite a thematic link during the series, so it's nice to see it explored continually. But what role will it play in the end? Will Much or Djaq decide to act of their own accord? Will the gang stay together?
18) Oh, and I loved the bit where the gang got all suspicious about being let into the castle, and Much said "Can't we sneak in anyway?" :)
19) It's got to a point in the series now where I'm seriously wondering what has happened to some hanging plot strands from the first series. Firstly, where on earth is Eve? We've seen Much flirting with other women and very obviously being painfully in love with Robin since then though - maybe Eve won't return? And secondly, has Djaq made any Greek fire? Because we all know she has the recipe and that Robin is somehow complicit in that. The thing is, though, that 2x03 with the Damascus steel felt very much like 2x09 with the Greek fire. How many eastern inventions can we have in one series? And if they *do* have greek fire, wouldn't that be a bit of a plot device? It could cause tension for Djaq though, who would be unwilling to give it up. *shrug* We'll just have to wait and see!
20) Quick things about the trailer for the next episode. Firstly, am I right in thinking that there was a flash of Allan and he wasn't wearing black? And secondly, Queen Eleanor (mother of Richard and John) turns up - we all know that when her sons waged war against their father together she was on *their* side, but whose side is she on now that these two brothers are at each other's throats? Robin was seen speaking to her reverently in the trailer, but I'm suspecting foul play...