Do You Love Me? - Robin Hood 3x06
Oh dear, that was just a fantastic episode...
1) That has to be the best opening of any episode ever - Guy writhing about half naked in bed. I nearly choked!
2) Guy is having bad dreams, which is exactly what we can expect from someone being plagued by their demons Orestes-style. Yay! The thing is, this, and a reference while talking to the Sheriff later, clearly show that he's still obsessed with Marian...
3) ... which is more than can be said for Robin! I really do like Isabella - she has a pleasing way about her most of the time (though maybe a couple of her lines fell slightly flat? Must watch more to see), and she looks enough like Guy to be convincing as his sister. But Robin falling for her so quickly? It bothers me because it so undermines his relationship with Marian, which was always one of the central points of the series. When season 3 started, it was clear how much he still loved and wanted to avenge her, so what's changed? Has the little ring-burying ritual in the forest put her from his mind completely now? He was always a man-whore flirt, but at least when it was at the beginning, before his serious relationship with Marian began, there was no betrayal taking place. Does he genuinely have feelings for Isabella? Already? Even if not, is he already ready to enjoy flirtation with another woman? It's just not ringing true to me... but I expect this will be explored more next week if the trailer is anything to go by.
4) Now then, I must talk about Prince John. Toby Stephen's portrayal was just perfect, I thought - he had a proper threatening undertone to his madness, just like all mad rulers should.
5) And he just wants people to love him - now who was the last person you heard that said about? Well, I'll tell you - it was Robin, way back in 1x03 (Who Shot the Sheriff?). This could be a very interesting juxtaposition - I very very much hope they explore it, because self-referential scripting is one of those things I adore in long-running series :)
6) I'm feeling very sorry for the villagers of Locksley though (this is my Medieval Economy point for the day!) - first their only signs of industry were destroyed by Ruthless Rufus, and now Prince John burns their church down. Guy isn't going to have very much to his name if it keeps going like this - he really should try putting some life back into the village if he wants to keep it as a growing concern!
7) I found Kate a bit less annoying in this episode, I think. I'm glad the braid is staying away! And watching Much and Allan worrying about her together sort of made them closer, rather than emophasising the attraction to her. Does that make sense? A bit like when Allan and Will simultaneously declared their love for Djaq and looked at each other and just accepted it.
8) The bit where Much and Allan looked at each other over Kate when they first realised she'd been injured was just classic. I don't suppose anyone would be kind enough to give me a link to a screencap of that moment? It was perfect :)
9) And this was another one where Much ended up going off with Allan on his own, notably when Robin sent them away while he was chatting Isabella up. As they walked away, almost with a skip in their step, I almost thought they were going to link arms or hold hands!
10) The bit near the beginning where Much told them about Prince John's guards in the forest, and Much declared that he didn't know how many there were - 'I can't actually count!' - was absolutely adorable! A classic Much moment. How lovely :D
11) I have to say, I loved the physician. What a great character! He was pleasingly self-serving, while being nice and friendly too, and it was great to see someone who knew better than Tuck putting him in his place!
12) As you can see, I'm still not completely OK with Tuck being around - I think his personality is a little too forceful. And how is it that in Medieval times everyone had potions that could do anything?? I know it's traditional (think of the potion that brings about the appearance of death in Romeo and Juliet), but still!
13) Back to Guy now! He was looking especially menacing in this episode, which was nice. I loved the bit where he saw the Sheriff coming out from talking to Prince John, and they gave him some new menacing music (not his signature tune, which no longer appears to be associated just with him - regrettably) - very atmospheric.
14) I was delighted to hear the Sheriff talking to Guy about their 'relationship'! He's right, they really haven't been as close as they used to be lately. I think I'm warming to the Sheriff more than usual at the moment, perhaps because he's been in such dire straits trying to meet his special tax and so forth. So I was rather willing Guy not to stab him, as he was clearly going to. But I loved the sexual meta-narrative to that scene - right up to the bit where Isabella walked in and asked if she was interrupting something!
15) The bit in Locksley where they were amusingly failing to kill each other was also brilliant! That little wave - so sweet!
16) I'm wondering whether all those overt references to the Sheriff's relationship with Guy (which later on was cast as a 'faether/son' relationship, though for reference I'm a classicist and so don't think even this precludes a sexual relationship between them!) had another meaning though. As he was 'dying', the Sheriff said 'Don't trust him... Everything was not as it seemed' (or something like that - I'm terrible at picking up quotes on the first few watchings!). I wonder what's been going on... but I'm happy wondering and speculating and not knowing, for the time being. So refreshing to be watching something that is new and has the power to surprise!
17) I have to say, the fight between Guy and the Sheriff was the most impressive and nail-biting combat scenes I've seen in a long time. I was on the egde of my seat. It was even better than the epic fist fight in The Prisoner of Zenda (the Stewart Granger/James Mason one). I had so much emotion invested in Guy's survival that the bit where he went over the edge resulted in a a big intake of breath, and when he finally stabbed the Sheriff I was so relieved. I'd just like to thank the makers of Robin Hood for giving me all this pleasure!
18) But the Sheriff isn't dead, I gather? If not, it's a bit careless moving your hands about when you're pretending to be a corpse! I do wonder what's going to happen, but again am happy not knowing. Yay for the thought of future surprises! But Guy must have thought he was dead at least - the fight was utterly convincing (and Guy's no good at feigning things!), and he must have got close enough to the corpse to pull that tooth out as a present for Prince John...
And while I'm talking about Robin Hood, I'd just like to welcome epea_pteroenta to the fandom! ;)
1) That has to be the best opening of any episode ever - Guy writhing about half naked in bed. I nearly choked!
2) Guy is having bad dreams, which is exactly what we can expect from someone being plagued by their demons Orestes-style. Yay! The thing is, this, and a reference while talking to the Sheriff later, clearly show that he's still obsessed with Marian...
3) ... which is more than can be said for Robin! I really do like Isabella - she has a pleasing way about her most of the time (though maybe a couple of her lines fell slightly flat? Must watch more to see), and she looks enough like Guy to be convincing as his sister. But Robin falling for her so quickly? It bothers me because it so undermines his relationship with Marian, which was always one of the central points of the series. When season 3 started, it was clear how much he still loved and wanted to avenge her, so what's changed? Has the little ring-burying ritual in the forest put her from his mind completely now? He was always a man-whore flirt, but at least when it was at the beginning, before his serious relationship with Marian began, there was no betrayal taking place. Does he genuinely have feelings for Isabella? Already? Even if not, is he already ready to enjoy flirtation with another woman? It's just not ringing true to me... but I expect this will be explored more next week if the trailer is anything to go by.
4) Now then, I must talk about Prince John. Toby Stephen's portrayal was just perfect, I thought - he had a proper threatening undertone to his madness, just like all mad rulers should.
5) And he just wants people to love him - now who was the last person you heard that said about? Well, I'll tell you - it was Robin, way back in 1x03 (Who Shot the Sheriff?). This could be a very interesting juxtaposition - I very very much hope they explore it, because self-referential scripting is one of those things I adore in long-running series :)
6) I'm feeling very sorry for the villagers of Locksley though (this is my Medieval Economy point for the day!) - first their only signs of industry were destroyed by Ruthless Rufus, and now Prince John burns their church down. Guy isn't going to have very much to his name if it keeps going like this - he really should try putting some life back into the village if he wants to keep it as a growing concern!
7) I found Kate a bit less annoying in this episode, I think. I'm glad the braid is staying away! And watching Much and Allan worrying about her together sort of made them closer, rather than emophasising the attraction to her. Does that make sense? A bit like when Allan and Will simultaneously declared their love for Djaq and looked at each other and just accepted it.
8) The bit where Much and Allan looked at each other over Kate when they first realised she'd been injured was just classic. I don't suppose anyone would be kind enough to give me a link to a screencap of that moment? It was perfect :)
9) And this was another one where Much ended up going off with Allan on his own, notably when Robin sent them away while he was chatting Isabella up. As they walked away, almost with a skip in their step, I almost thought they were going to link arms or hold hands!
10) The bit near the beginning where Much told them about Prince John's guards in the forest, and Much declared that he didn't know how many there were - 'I can't actually count!' - was absolutely adorable! A classic Much moment. How lovely :D
11) I have to say, I loved the physician. What a great character! He was pleasingly self-serving, while being nice and friendly too, and it was great to see someone who knew better than Tuck putting him in his place!
12) As you can see, I'm still not completely OK with Tuck being around - I think his personality is a little too forceful. And how is it that in Medieval times everyone had potions that could do anything?? I know it's traditional (think of the potion that brings about the appearance of death in Romeo and Juliet), but still!
13) Back to Guy now! He was looking especially menacing in this episode, which was nice. I loved the bit where he saw the Sheriff coming out from talking to Prince John, and they gave him some new menacing music (not his signature tune, which no longer appears to be associated just with him - regrettably) - very atmospheric.
14) I was delighted to hear the Sheriff talking to Guy about their 'relationship'! He's right, they really haven't been as close as they used to be lately. I think I'm warming to the Sheriff more than usual at the moment, perhaps because he's been in such dire straits trying to meet his special tax and so forth. So I was rather willing Guy not to stab him, as he was clearly going to. But I loved the sexual meta-narrative to that scene - right up to the bit where Isabella walked in and asked if she was interrupting something!
15) The bit in Locksley where they were amusingly failing to kill each other was also brilliant! That little wave - so sweet!
16) I'm wondering whether all those overt references to the Sheriff's relationship with Guy (which later on was cast as a 'faether/son' relationship, though for reference I'm a classicist and so don't think even this precludes a sexual relationship between them!) had another meaning though. As he was 'dying', the Sheriff said 'Don't trust him... Everything was not as it seemed' (or something like that - I'm terrible at picking up quotes on the first few watchings!). I wonder what's been going on... but I'm happy wondering and speculating and not knowing, for the time being. So refreshing to be watching something that is new and has the power to surprise!
17) I have to say, the fight between Guy and the Sheriff was the most impressive and nail-biting combat scenes I've seen in a long time. I was on the egde of my seat. It was even better than the epic fist fight in The Prisoner of Zenda (the Stewart Granger/James Mason one). I had so much emotion invested in Guy's survival that the bit where he went over the edge resulted in a a big intake of breath, and when he finally stabbed the Sheriff I was so relieved. I'd just like to thank the makers of Robin Hood for giving me all this pleasure!
18) But the Sheriff isn't dead, I gather? If not, it's a bit careless moving your hands about when you're pretending to be a corpse! I do wonder what's going to happen, but again am happy not knowing. Yay for the thought of future surprises! But Guy must have thought he was dead at least - the fight was utterly convincing (and Guy's no good at feigning things!), and he must have got close enough to the corpse to pull that tooth out as a present for Prince John...
And while I'm talking about Robin Hood, I'd just like to welcome epea_pteroenta to the fandom! ;)