Sorry to be so late again. This week has been insanely busy.
Somewhere in London, a craftsman slaves away over some mysterious object. A man enters behind him, and expresses congratulations on a job well done. Before stabbing him in the back. The plan which is being carried out can have no witnesses.
Later, in Sherwood forest, the gang is alerted to a royal coach driving towards Nottingham, with King Richard's insignia on it. They follow it, and are shocked when Lord Sheridan, keeper of King Richard's crown, declares to all of Nottingham that King Richard is dead.
Loudest of all in lamenting is Prince John, who throws himself down on the coffin in desperate weeping. However, his weeping is short lived, for someone, of course, must be crowned as a new king, and Lord Sheridan has convieniently brought the royal crown with him. The Archbishop is reluctant to believe that King Richard is dead, and perform the coronation, but when he sees the body with his own eyes, he has no choice.
Robin Hood cannot believe that King Richard is dead. He refuses to believe it, until he has seen the body for himself, so late that night, the gang sneaks into the crypt of Kirkless Abbey, and opens the casket. It is Kate who realizes what Robin doesn't, at first glance. The body is made out of wax.
Just then, they hear Prince John riding into the courtyard, and have no choice but to hide in a pair of coffins. As they wait in silence, Prince John comes and takes out his frustration with the real king on the wax model, pounding it's face in. Then he orders some guards to burn it, and leave no evidence. By the time people realize there is no body, he will already be king.
Robin and the gang are too late to stop the wax model from being ruined, but Robin gets another idea. To prevent Prince John from becoming king, all he has to do is steal the crown...
The Good:
The 'waxwork of the king' thing was very clever, and Prince John gave another amazing performance. I really wish he was a regular, because Toby Stevens just lights up every scene he's in. I'd even give up Kate if he stayed!
The Archbishop was very good, as well as Lord Sheridan who reminded me a little of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The Izzy/Gizzy situation took a very interesting turn this week, as Guy was on the run, and most definately out of PJ's favor. Isabella, on the other hand, is alternately in and out of PJ's good side, because of various situations. At first Guy comes and threatens to kill her (marvelously acted scene). He holds a sword to her throat, but just can't seem to bring himself to do it. Then they agree to a tenuous alliance, where Izzy will speak to PJ about pardoning her brother. Her only condition is an apology. Of course, if Guy were to apologize he would be admitting something he did wrong. And he can't to that, so she poisons him instead, and ties him up to show Prince John.
All of this was very well acted by Lara Pulver and Richard Armitage. Despite the fact that Izzy seems to be switching sides every five minutes, Lara does a great job of making this credible.
As cheesy as the motion sensative ropes in the dungeon were, I have to admit, they were kinda cool. Watching Robin crawl carfully through them on the way to the crown and then just bust through all of them on the way out was comical.
The final scene in the church, with Guy, Robin, and Prince John in a stand off, was pretty cool. Gizzy having to choose between shooting Izzy or PJ before Robin shot him was interesting, and Izzy diving in front of PJ to save his life was well thought of. Earned her the Sheriff spot, it did.
The Bad:
Allan and Much had more to say this week, but if they're going to turn Much into pure comic relief, and Allan into a brainless idiot, I'd rather they just stopped talking. Kate continues to be annoying, and holds the show record for getting into trouble. Has there been a single episode where she wasn't captured, wounded, or otherwise troublesome? I truly can't remember one. If the writers are trying to get us to like Kate, by having her stand up and tell Much and Allan to stop protecting her, it's not working. Why should they stop protecting her when it's obvious she can't take care of herself?
Oh, and by the way, Much's only crime was aceeding to Lord Sheridan's demands becasue he had a knife at Kate's throat. Just like he would have done if it had been Robin, or Tuck, or Allan, or LJ. Kate acts like it was something special for her, and yet, it's no more than would be expected from a member of Robin's gang. They don't let bad guys kill their friends. Now, of course, Robin, Tuck, Allan, and Little John wouldn't have let themselves get in that position anyway.
With the Allan rescue, I felt that him blowing the scam thing, was way way way out of character. This is Allan we're talking about! If he talked in his sleep he would lie then. Sure, he has become more honest lately, but that's no reason to think that he's become some niave idiot. When he 'saved' Kate, he could have easily called her his sister, or something like that, without blurting out 'you ruined the plan!' Oh, really, there's a plan? However, her chewing him out for it, was not exactally what I had in mind, since she was the one in trouble. I maintain that Allan rescued her because of a brotherly affection for her, not out of jealousy. That makes him right, and Kate wrong, and all is right in the world.
The whole, 'we'll blind them with our shiny shields so that they think we're King Richard thing was lame. Couldn't they come up with anything better? So cheesy. However, I think I need to remember what show it is that I'm watching.
The Ugly:
Allan and Much fighting about Kate! Seriously? I wanted to gag. And then Kate tells them to cut it out. *strangled cry of rage*
Kate is really useless for anything other than being a liablity and love interest. She has to be the most bland annoying character this show has ever had. I feel quite sorry for that actress.
In Summary:
This episode was ok, but didn't hold up to analysis. I enjoyed it more than average, but it was nothing great.
Next week we get Isabella as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and meet her husband, Squire Thornton. Oh, and it looks like she tries to kill her brother. That should be interesting.
~Paige
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Allan and Kate: The Next Will and Djaq? or The Day I Became a Cynic
Let me start off my post with a story, which may, at first, seem to have nothing to do with the title. I'm going to talk about one of my favorite couples from seasons 1&2, Will and Djaq.
What made me like them so much, you ask? There really wasn't ever much to it. Their entire love story was done behind the action, so that only those who were really watching would pick up on it's development. A lot of the credit for making small things count has to go to Harry Lloyd and Anjali Jay, two fantastic actors; able to infuse so much energy into small movements or glances that it actually became a credible romance.
It was one of the few subtle things the writers did in the first two seasons, and it's possible that they just plain forgot about it. And if that's the case, I wish they'd forget about more things, because their love story was sweet, genuine, and beautiful. By the end of season two, I had been a follower of their story for quite some time, and adored every small second of it.
That was my position when I started to see screen shots from episode 12, the first half of the season finale. And one of the pictures showed Will and Djaq kissing. To say the least, I was very excited, and yet at the same time, nervous. I was excited that my precious couple was finally going to get some screen time publicly declare their love, but I was nervous too. I was nervous because this couple was special to me, and I didn't want their story ruined. Something about what I was hearing just didn't seem right.
I comforted myself, reminding myself of what an amazing job the writers had done keeping Will and Djaq in character throughout the story. Surely this would be no different? I tried to think through a way for what I was seeing in the screen shots to come about in a way that didn't compromise the characters, but I wasn't having any luck. 'Well, duh!' I told myself. 'These writers get paid to do this. Obviously they can think of better ideas than me.
Alas, I was wrong, and that was the day that I stopped believing in the writers of this show. I trusted them, and they let me down. That, compounded by the fact that two weeks later Marian was murdered.
The writers took my special couple, even more special than Robin and Marian because they got less screen time, and destroyed them. It was like letting a baby play with a beautiful glass Christmas ornament, and watching it be shattered to a million pieces. Goodbye characterization!
Now, don't get me wrong, I would still rather have the 'barn scene' than nothing at all. Harry and Anjali did the absolute best they could with the lines they were given, and I still enjoy watching it, but I can't help but think of what that scene could have been, had it been more true to the characters. (What happens between them after 'the scene' is a different story. Every time I watch them in the Holy Land I want to throw up, but I won't get into that here.)
My point in bringing this up is in the light of Allan and Kate. A couple which has gained quite a following in quite a short time. (More due, I think, to Joe Armstrong being amazing, than Kate. He only has lines when he's talking to or about her so Allan fans are desperate.) And I'll admit, I'm not as opposed to this couple as I was at the beginning of the season. Could this be, as some have suggested, because Kate has less lines and thus, has less opportunities to annoy me? It could be. However, I do see the attraction.
The problem is, it's almost episode 8. Last I checked, there are only 13 episodes in a UK season (who's idea was that, anyway?). Then there is the small issue with the fact that all this couple has going is one good scene of dialog and a few more scenes of Allan being worried. That's it?
Well, you might be saying, you just went to all the trouble of telling us that Will and Djaq didn't exactly hog the screen, and yet their love story was sweet. But here's the thing. Will was a quiet young carpenter, not to mention the youngest member of the gang, who probably suffered from homesickness occasionally. He liked Djaq, but I think was slightly in awe of her. Djaq was very smart, and witty, not to mention the first girl he had ever had feelings for (probably). He was shy!
Djaq was also on the quieter side. She was one of the gang, but she was never one to waste words. So being the two quietest members of the gang (except Little John, but he doesn't count) it makes some amount of sense for their relationship to be quiet, shy, and very much in the background.
That doesn't hold true for Allan or Kate. Allan has never been someone to hide what he thinks, or be quiet about anything. If he thinks something, he says it. Also, from what we've seen of Allan on this show, he's not one to be 'in awe' of anyone. He's not shy around girls, he's a flirt. It would be completely unlike Allan to have a quiet, shy affection for someone. If he liked Kate, he'd tell her, and everyone else for that matter. The only possible exception was Djaq. Allan did like her, and yet was not overly obvious about it. I believe part of this was because he knew of Will's feelings, and didn't want to get in the way, but I also think his relationship with Djaq was special in a way. He really respected her as a person, and as a member of the gang, not just some girl.
Kate, from what we've seen this season, is very apt to speak her mind. Too apt, in fact. At this point she seems to be pretty smitten with Robin, so paying attention to Allan isn't exactly high on her priority list. Oh, and as far as gaining Allan's respect goes, how has she done that again? She's done nothing (alright, not quite nothing. But close.) to really help the gang. She is constantly getting captured, and she runs like a robot. Yes, I know, I'm missing a few things, but Kate's faults are too numerous for the rest of this post to hold.
So here we are, with six episodes left, we still have to get over the whole Robin/Kate lump, and there is supposed to be a credible couple in Allan and Kate? Sorry, but not this season. Unless the writers are geniuses. Which we all know they aren't. Much and Eve had a great relationship going with just one episode, but these are new writers who are even more incompetent than those ones.
I resent the fact that the writers couldn't just make up their mind as far as who to put her with (assuming they had to put her with somebody at all). All of the wishy-washying has wasted valuable screen time which could have been used to give Allan and Much a personality outside of Kate.
So do I like Allan and Kate as a couple? Not really. I'd rather just give Allan the time to develop his own character, rather than a love interest. There were some very interesting threads of his character that were left hanging last season, and thanks to Kate (ok, I mean the writers. I'd better put blame where blame is due.) we haven't gotten to explore that at all.
I'll always think fondly of the scene they had together in the butcher shop. They had potential then. Unfortunately, after that, the storyline has been dropped.
Kate and Allan can't be the next Will and Djaq. They can't have the sweet 'first love' type of relationship that Will and Djaq had. The dynamic just isn't there. If the writers try to force things, we'll just get more contrived love confessions (though I'm sure Joe Armstrong would be brilliant) and more ruined characters.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Why Robin and Marian Were Made For Each Other
As someone who has watched, and rewatched, and rewatched, the first two series of Robin Hood, I feel that I've come to a fairly good understanding of the characters. Anyone who grows to love a fictional character, whether it's a book, TV show, or movie, knows what I mean. 90% of the world's female population would cry out in horror, if Elizabeth Bennet ended up falling Mr. Wickham, and spurning Mr. Darcy.
We know those characters, and we know how they're supposed to act.
The same thing has happened for me with Robin Hood. It may have something to do with the fact that as an author myself, my imagination is very willing to fill in the blanks that the writers leave out. Despite the fact that the writers didn't care much for consistency, I still have a picture in my mind of what these characters are. When the writers act in ways that change that image, I blame them, not the character.
Now, back to my point. I know these characters. And because I do, I know that Marian was the only girl who could possibly keep Robin under control.
Much like a parent knows the weakness' in their children, I'm well aware of Robin's weakness regarding girls. He knows that they like him, and since his ego is rather large, he doesn't mind. As a matter of fact, he enjoys it. Even the Sheriff has commented on Robin's desire to be loved. However, when we get things easily, they are that much less valuable.
Back in season 1 Robin was charming, and just about everything else he can be, and yet Marian shows him nothing but disdain for the first three episodes. And even beyond.
What is Robin's reaction? He doesn't give up and go find one of the other Nottingham girls to sweep off their feet. He tries harder.
Now, I'm not suggesting that girls should deliberately toy with a man's feelings (nothing of what I say should be taken as romantic advice. It's just character analyzing) What I am saying is that because Marian's approval was withheld from Robin, he tried all the harder to get it. It was in his nature.
The result was that when he eventually did win her approval, and of course, love, it meant something more to him than just a passing fancy.
Marian was disillusioned by Robin when he left her to fight in the Holy Land. As she said in episode one, his charms ceased to work on her. He would never again win her approval through empty compliments or flattery. Her opinion had to be influenced by something deeper. Something that Robin could only show when he was really trying.
Before Robin could earn Marian's love, he had to gain back her respect.
And he did! All of season 1 established that. They worked together, and even though Marian put a hard face on it, she began to appreciate not only his looks and charms, but who he really was.
On the flip side, while Robin was trying so hard to win Marian's love, he found himself truly loving her back. He wanted her to love him, not simply out of his obsession with love or because she was pretty, but because he had genuine feelings for her. Genuine feelings which originated from a deeper understanding of her, as they worked together.
He began to appreciate aspects of her personality that he was only just discovering. Her bravery. Her intelligence. Her loyalty.
And so, when they finally shared their first on screen kiss in the final episode of season one, it was as people who understood one another, respected one another, and truly loved one another.
During season 2 there is a noticeable lack of flirting on Robin's part. Why is this? Because Robin knows Marian, and of course because he loves her too, he knows that she will not settle for anything other than his best behavior. Since her feelings for him are not based on his own actions alone, but on a conscious decision on her part, she could always withdraw them. Marian is never a slave of her love for Robin.
If Robin had proven unworthy of her a second time, she would have displayed the traits that Robin knew her to possess. Her pride, and her resolve. Her trust would most likely never have been gained again.
Robin's love for Marian in season 2 was a love that went deeper than mere physical attraction, but was secured by each person's complete understanding of the other.
They were complete equals. Robin had no need to flirt with anyone else. He had worked hard to earn Marian's love, and her love completed him. They were two halves of the same circle. They completed each other.
That was why Robin and Marian's relationship was so special. If you contrast it with Robin and Isabella's short lived tryst, you can see the difference. The reason Robin and Marian's love lasted was because they had a deep understanding and love for one another, while Robin and Isabella's relationship never went farther than physical attraction and (in my opinion) selfish manipulation.
That is why I found Robin's answer to Isabella's question last episode so fitting. Who is Marian? What answer could he give? She was Marian. She was everything intangible that Isabella and Kate can never be.
She was the Marian to his Robin Hood. The way the story has been told for hundreds of years, has never been as true as with this 'modernized retelling'.
~Paige
*obviously these are just my opinions. If you're anti-Robin/Marian, then you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I just think your opinion is wrong. :) Just kidding.
We know those characters, and we know how they're supposed to act.
The same thing has happened for me with Robin Hood. It may have something to do with the fact that as an author myself, my imagination is very willing to fill in the blanks that the writers leave out. Despite the fact that the writers didn't care much for consistency, I still have a picture in my mind of what these characters are. When the writers act in ways that change that image, I blame them, not the character.
Now, back to my point. I know these characters. And because I do, I know that Marian was the only girl who could possibly keep Robin under control.
Much like a parent knows the weakness' in their children, I'm well aware of Robin's weakness regarding girls. He knows that they like him, and since his ego is rather large, he doesn't mind. As a matter of fact, he enjoys it. Even the Sheriff has commented on Robin's desire to be loved. However, when we get things easily, they are that much less valuable.
Back in season 1 Robin was charming, and just about everything else he can be, and yet Marian shows him nothing but disdain for the first three episodes. And even beyond.
What is Robin's reaction? He doesn't give up and go find one of the other Nottingham girls to sweep off their feet. He tries harder.
Now, I'm not suggesting that girls should deliberately toy with a man's feelings (nothing of what I say should be taken as romantic advice. It's just character analyzing) What I am saying is that because Marian's approval was withheld from Robin, he tried all the harder to get it. It was in his nature.
The result was that when he eventually did win her approval, and of course, love, it meant something more to him than just a passing fancy.
Marian was disillusioned by Robin when he left her to fight in the Holy Land. As she said in episode one, his charms ceased to work on her. He would never again win her approval through empty compliments or flattery. Her opinion had to be influenced by something deeper. Something that Robin could only show when he was really trying.
Before Robin could earn Marian's love, he had to gain back her respect.
And he did! All of season 1 established that. They worked together, and even though Marian put a hard face on it, she began to appreciate not only his looks and charms, but who he really was.
On the flip side, while Robin was trying so hard to win Marian's love, he found himself truly loving her back. He wanted her to love him, not simply out of his obsession with love or because she was pretty, but because he had genuine feelings for her. Genuine feelings which originated from a deeper understanding of her, as they worked together.
He began to appreciate aspects of her personality that he was only just discovering. Her bravery. Her intelligence. Her loyalty.
And so, when they finally shared their first on screen kiss in the final episode of season one, it was as people who understood one another, respected one another, and truly loved one another.
During season 2 there is a noticeable lack of flirting on Robin's part. Why is this? Because Robin knows Marian, and of course because he loves her too, he knows that she will not settle for anything other than his best behavior. Since her feelings for him are not based on his own actions alone, but on a conscious decision on her part, she could always withdraw them. Marian is never a slave of her love for Robin.
If Robin had proven unworthy of her a second time, she would have displayed the traits that Robin knew her to possess. Her pride, and her resolve. Her trust would most likely never have been gained again.
Robin's love for Marian in season 2 was a love that went deeper than mere physical attraction, but was secured by each person's complete understanding of the other.
They were complete equals. Robin had no need to flirt with anyone else. He had worked hard to earn Marian's love, and her love completed him. They were two halves of the same circle. They completed each other.
That was why Robin and Marian's relationship was so special. If you contrast it with Robin and Isabella's short lived tryst, you can see the difference. The reason Robin and Marian's love lasted was because they had a deep understanding and love for one another, while Robin and Isabella's relationship never went farther than physical attraction and (in my opinion) selfish manipulation.
That is why I found Robin's answer to Isabella's question last episode so fitting. Who is Marian? What answer could he give? She was Marian. She was everything intangible that Isabella and Kate can never be.
She was the Marian to his Robin Hood. The way the story has been told for hundreds of years, has never been as true as with this 'modernized retelling'.
~Paige
*obviously these are just my opinions. If you're anti-Robin/Marian, then you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I just think your opinion is wrong. :) Just kidding.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Episode 7: Too Hot To Handle
A wave of intense heat has swept over Nottinghamshire. The gang is doing all they can to alleviate the suffering of the villagers, while Robin himself pays secret house calls on Isabella. He stops by to bring her some fresh strawberries, coincidentally during one of Prince John's visits. Despite their secrecy, the Prince spies their clandestine meeting, begins making his plans of revenge.
After Robin leaves, Prince John asks Isabella to accompany him to the castle, where he takes her down to the dungeons to show her how his new plan will work. Underneath Nottingham castle is the spring which feeds the wells of the whole area. He has ordered his soldiers to block it up, depriving every village in the area of water. He will then take his personal supply of water to the villages, and quench their thirst, in an effort to win their loyalty and love.
Unfortunately for him, the outlaws, desperate to get water for the thirsty people, decide to take matters into their own hands by stealing a few barrels of Prince John's water supply. As they are giving out the water to Locksely village, Robin receives a message from Isabella telling him to meet her in the meadow. When Robin leaves to meet her, Prince John happens to ride into town to benevolently supply the villagers with water. When he discovers that the outlaws have gotten there first, with one of his own water barrels, he is enrages, and decides that he will no longer give out the water, he will charge for it.
Robin, meanwhile, is meeting with Isabella who tells him of Prince John's plan. They set off for Nottingham to release the water, before all of the villages die of thirst. They are not alone, though. Prince John told Gisbourne of the secret meeting he saw between Robin and Isabella, and told him to follow Isabella when she left the castle. He sneaks up behind them as they walk through the forest, and quickly locks a chain around each of their wrists'. Instead of killing them both, as he had been told, he offers Isabella one last chance to right her wrongs by killing Robin Hood. If she does, he will lie to Prince John, telling him that he was wrong about what he saw, but if she doesn't...
The Good:
Very well written episode! Izzy's character proved to share many of the same faults with her brother. Her character grows more complex each week, and I may be able to fully enjoy her now that her relationship with Robin seems to be over.
Prince John was excellent again, and Toby Stevens did a great job adding a few new angles to the Prince's character. Not only his he arrogant and obsessed with being loved, but he is also very insecure. I thought this was very well brought out this episode. Just how he said the line, "If you won't love me, then by God, you'll fear me!" was very stirring, and I even felt a little bit of compassion for him at the time.
There were several very well choreographed fights this episode, where you were never quite sure who was fighting whom, as well as some nice dialog between Much and Robin. This episode definitely struck a good balance between action, character tension, and emotion. The next few episodes should hold some very interesting developments, regarding the fallout between Robin and Izzy, and Izzy, PJ, and Gizzy. On the baddie side of things, any trust they might have had in each other has been shattered, and the story could go any number of directions from here.
Last but most importantly, Marian was mentioned multiple times this episode. Jonas did a spectacular job backing up the dialog with facial expressions that could be interpreted many different ways, depending upon your perspective watching the show. We got to see into Robin's head a little bit, when he told Isabella that he 'just wants to forget'. The relationship between Robin and Izzy was IMHO (on Robin's side) just an attempt to forget Marian. I think that what Robin realized today is that he can't forget her. A realization which I am very thankful for. All of this episode, even though Marian was not discussed constantly, Jonas was able to convey with his face, a certain sadness that he has been hiding the last few episodes. It was good to see. They even played Marian's tune a few times. Ahhh...
The Bad:
The gang didn't have much to do again, this episode. After the next episode, Prince John will be leaving, and then maybe they'll have some more to do.
They are hinting at a romance between Robin and Kate again. Ugg. Robin doesn't need a relationship right now, he needs to be focused on what he's trying to accomplish. Especially with so many twists still left to come this season.
The Ugly:
It's two weeks till the next episode. *crying*
In Summary:
The more I reflect on this episode, the more things I remember liking about it. There were some very good moments, and I hope to see the intricacies of these relationships further explored in later episodes. I'm also looking forward to what the Sheriff has up his sleeve when he returns.
We are Robin Hood!
~Paige
After Robin leaves, Prince John asks Isabella to accompany him to the castle, where he takes her down to the dungeons to show her how his new plan will work. Underneath Nottingham castle is the spring which feeds the wells of the whole area. He has ordered his soldiers to block it up, depriving every village in the area of water. He will then take his personal supply of water to the villages, and quench their thirst, in an effort to win their loyalty and love.
Unfortunately for him, the outlaws, desperate to get water for the thirsty people, decide to take matters into their own hands by stealing a few barrels of Prince John's water supply. As they are giving out the water to Locksely village, Robin receives a message from Isabella telling him to meet her in the meadow. When Robin leaves to meet her, Prince John happens to ride into town to benevolently supply the villagers with water. When he discovers that the outlaws have gotten there first, with one of his own water barrels, he is enrages, and decides that he will no longer give out the water, he will charge for it.
Robin, meanwhile, is meeting with Isabella who tells him of Prince John's plan. They set off for Nottingham to release the water, before all of the villages die of thirst. They are not alone, though. Prince John told Gisbourne of the secret meeting he saw between Robin and Isabella, and told him to follow Isabella when she left the castle. He sneaks up behind them as they walk through the forest, and quickly locks a chain around each of their wrists'. Instead of killing them both, as he had been told, he offers Isabella one last chance to right her wrongs by killing Robin Hood. If she does, he will lie to Prince John, telling him that he was wrong about what he saw, but if she doesn't...
The Good:
Very well written episode! Izzy's character proved to share many of the same faults with her brother. Her character grows more complex each week, and I may be able to fully enjoy her now that her relationship with Robin seems to be over.
Prince John was excellent again, and Toby Stevens did a great job adding a few new angles to the Prince's character. Not only his he arrogant and obsessed with being loved, but he is also very insecure. I thought this was very well brought out this episode. Just how he said the line, "If you won't love me, then by God, you'll fear me!" was very stirring, and I even felt a little bit of compassion for him at the time.
There were several very well choreographed fights this episode, where you were never quite sure who was fighting whom, as well as some nice dialog between Much and Robin. This episode definitely struck a good balance between action, character tension, and emotion. The next few episodes should hold some very interesting developments, regarding the fallout between Robin and Izzy, and Izzy, PJ, and Gizzy. On the baddie side of things, any trust they might have had in each other has been shattered, and the story could go any number of directions from here.
Last but most importantly, Marian was mentioned multiple times this episode. Jonas did a spectacular job backing up the dialog with facial expressions that could be interpreted many different ways, depending upon your perspective watching the show. We got to see into Robin's head a little bit, when he told Isabella that he 'just wants to forget'. The relationship between Robin and Izzy was IMHO (on Robin's side) just an attempt to forget Marian. I think that what Robin realized today is that he can't forget her. A realization which I am very thankful for. All of this episode, even though Marian was not discussed constantly, Jonas was able to convey with his face, a certain sadness that he has been hiding the last few episodes. It was good to see. They even played Marian's tune a few times. Ahhh...
The Bad:
The gang didn't have much to do again, this episode. After the next episode, Prince John will be leaving, and then maybe they'll have some more to do.
They are hinting at a romance between Robin and Kate again. Ugg. Robin doesn't need a relationship right now, he needs to be focused on what he's trying to accomplish. Especially with so many twists still left to come this season.
The Ugly:
It's two weeks till the next episode. *crying*
In Summary:
The more I reflect on this episode, the more things I remember liking about it. There were some very good moments, and I hope to see the intricacies of these relationships further explored in later episodes. I'm also looking forward to what the Sheriff has up his sleeve when he returns.
We are Robin Hood!
~Paige
Monday, May 4, 2009
Episode 6: Do You Love Me?
Sir Guy of Gisbourne is yanked from his bed, and a troubled sleep, to be hauled before Prince John who is on his way to Nottingham. "Do you love me, Gisbourne?" he asks. If the answer is really 'yes', Prince John demands that Gisbourne prove it. By killing the Sheriff.
Gisbourne's first attempt fails due to the unexpected appearance of his sister, Isabella, in the hall where he and the Sheriff had been talking. And Prince John arrives before he can complete the mission.
Back in Sherwood, the outlaws are plotting a way to steal the money which Prince John is using to buy the loyalty of nobles all across the land. Without the money to do this, Prince John's hold on the throne of England will weaken considerably. They ambush a guarded coach passing through Sherwood forest, with the help of some men from Locksely, and in the fighting Kate is wounded by and knife in the stomach. It is only after this that they discover they have only captured a decoy, Prince John's personal physician.
With help from the physician, Tuck is able to save Kate's life. And with his help, they also concoct another plan to steal the gold from inside the castle itself.
The Good:
I cannot say enough good things about Toby Stephen's Prince John. He really lit up the screen with not only his dazzling performance, but also the well written character. He is absolutely insane! Possibly even beyond the Sheriff, and that's saying something. Despite being an egotistical maniac, it's hard not to absolutely adore him. He really brings a freshness to the screen, and the story in general. Overall, I'd say that he has exceeded expectations, and those were fairly high going in.
Benjamin, the physician was also very well played. I think the guest stars have really been a high point for the series.
Sir Guy and the Sheriff were brilliant this episode. With each being asked to kill the other in order to prove their loyalty to Prince John, it provides for some very interesting non verbal exchanges. Their antics while trying to eliminate the other, and their suspicions of one another were quite comical. And the climactic fight scene (ok, it was unrealistic, but I like it) was very dramatic and well played by both actors. It's rather funny, when the most emotionally impacting scene for a few episodes would be one involving the two main villains. Who would have thought that I felt like crying when Sir Guy apparently 'killed' the Sheriff? With so many familiar characters gone, I guess I have to cling to whatever ones they've left us. Oh, and Guy gets a medal for being the first one to mention Marian by name since episode one.
Just thought I'd also mention that the fight scenes and costumes have been very good this year. Does anyone else find it ironic that now Allan is back in the gang, he finally gets his black leather?
Isabella was very well done, again, this episode. I found her interactions with Prince John to be superb. However, the character has gone a bit sour for me, for a reason I'll mention in one of the following sections.
Kate was better, although she didn't say much, which could have something to do with it. Allan and Much are both obviously smitten, however, there has not been much time spent on developing a triangle here.
The Bad:
Hmm. Not to much to complain about here.
The only thing is, that it seems like some of the characters are not being given enough to do. All Allan did the whole episode was some cool fighting with two swords, and worry himself to death over Kate's injury. All the action seemed to be in the castle, with PJ, Izzy, Gizzy, and the Sheriff.
I'm also not enjoying the Much/Kate/Allan thing they are setting up (though not very well). What I liked about Djaq (and even Marian, to some extent) was the fact that all the lads seemed to treat them like equals. Though Djaq was never injured (that I can remember) they were never silly about her. Or at least not much. And they seemed to have more confidence in her abilities than they have in Kate's. When Djaq infiltrated the 'casino' thing in episode two of season two, nobody doubted that she could do it. There doesn't seem to be the same dynamic with Kate.
The Ugly:
Ok, so I've saved the worst for last. *deep breath*
WHAT WHERE THEY THINKING!
Robin and Isabella kissing, in her second episode, without even a small hint of a sign that Robin remembers that not two long ago the LOVE OF HIS LIFE died. That scene tainted the whole episode for me. Guy, not Robin, is the one still tortured about Marian's death.
There is no doubt that Isabella and Robin have chemistry, but it can never replace the sweetness that Robin and Marian had in their relationship. Plus, knowing that Jonas is leaving at the end of the season, makes me seriously doubt the wisdom of giving him a new love interest. Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but one of the things that I like about Robin and Marian's relationship was the fact that it was built on a very good understanding of one another. They were friends first. Isabella's only been around for two episodes! Their not friends, or even good acquaintances. Plus there's the fact that nearly everyone in the Internet world thinks there is more to Isabella than meets the eye.
Handled tactfully, this could have worked. The actors are great together. But tact seems to be the one thing (ok, one of the things) these writers can't handle. Robin just comes off as a cad.
In Summary:
This show gets so many things right, and yet still manages to miss the most important thing of all. Without the outlaws, this show would not exist, and yet they seem to begrudge them even the small bit of screen time they have.
Marketing for this season touted it as being more 'action filled' and that is certainly true. But there are only 42 minutes to work with every week, and when the action increased, something had to go. That, unfortunately, has been the gang's personalities, and almost all emotionally charged scenes.
There were some brilliant parallels to last seasons finale in this episode (Prince John asking Guy to prove his love by killing the Sheriff, Kate being stabbed in the stomach, etc.) that could have been good 'human' moments, but they were glossed over, or unintentional, being noticed only by those as obsessive as me.
I miss last season. I miss Djaq's independent intelligence. I miss Will's passionate heart. But most of all, I miss the spirit which Marian brought with her. The show is drifting without them.
~Paige
Gisbourne's first attempt fails due to the unexpected appearance of his sister, Isabella, in the hall where he and the Sheriff had been talking. And Prince John arrives before he can complete the mission.
Back in Sherwood, the outlaws are plotting a way to steal the money which Prince John is using to buy the loyalty of nobles all across the land. Without the money to do this, Prince John's hold on the throne of England will weaken considerably. They ambush a guarded coach passing through Sherwood forest, with the help of some men from Locksely, and in the fighting Kate is wounded by and knife in the stomach. It is only after this that they discover they have only captured a decoy, Prince John's personal physician.
With help from the physician, Tuck is able to save Kate's life. And with his help, they also concoct another plan to steal the gold from inside the castle itself.
The Good:
I cannot say enough good things about Toby Stephen's Prince John. He really lit up the screen with not only his dazzling performance, but also the well written character. He is absolutely insane! Possibly even beyond the Sheriff, and that's saying something. Despite being an egotistical maniac, it's hard not to absolutely adore him. He really brings a freshness to the screen, and the story in general. Overall, I'd say that he has exceeded expectations, and those were fairly high going in.
Benjamin, the physician was also very well played. I think the guest stars have really been a high point for the series.
Sir Guy and the Sheriff were brilliant this episode. With each being asked to kill the other in order to prove their loyalty to Prince John, it provides for some very interesting non verbal exchanges. Their antics while trying to eliminate the other, and their suspicions of one another were quite comical. And the climactic fight scene (ok, it was unrealistic, but I like it) was very dramatic and well played by both actors. It's rather funny, when the most emotionally impacting scene for a few episodes would be one involving the two main villains. Who would have thought that I felt like crying when Sir Guy apparently 'killed' the Sheriff? With so many familiar characters gone, I guess I have to cling to whatever ones they've left us. Oh, and Guy gets a medal for being the first one to mention Marian by name since episode one.
Just thought I'd also mention that the fight scenes and costumes have been very good this year. Does anyone else find it ironic that now Allan is back in the gang, he finally gets his black leather?
Isabella was very well done, again, this episode. I found her interactions with Prince John to be superb. However, the character has gone a bit sour for me, for a reason I'll mention in one of the following sections.
Kate was better, although she didn't say much, which could have something to do with it. Allan and Much are both obviously smitten, however, there has not been much time spent on developing a triangle here.
The Bad:
Hmm. Not to much to complain about here.
The only thing is, that it seems like some of the characters are not being given enough to do. All Allan did the whole episode was some cool fighting with two swords, and worry himself to death over Kate's injury. All the action seemed to be in the castle, with PJ, Izzy, Gizzy, and the Sheriff.
I'm also not enjoying the Much/Kate/Allan thing they are setting up (though not very well). What I liked about Djaq (and even Marian, to some extent) was the fact that all the lads seemed to treat them like equals. Though Djaq was never injured (that I can remember) they were never silly about her. Or at least not much. And they seemed to have more confidence in her abilities than they have in Kate's. When Djaq infiltrated the 'casino' thing in episode two of season two, nobody doubted that she could do it. There doesn't seem to be the same dynamic with Kate.
The Ugly:
Ok, so I've saved the worst for last. *deep breath*
WHAT WHERE THEY THINKING!
Robin and Isabella kissing, in her second episode, without even a small hint of a sign that Robin remembers that not two long ago the LOVE OF HIS LIFE died. That scene tainted the whole episode for me. Guy, not Robin, is the one still tortured about Marian's death.
There is no doubt that Isabella and Robin have chemistry, but it can never replace the sweetness that Robin and Marian had in their relationship. Plus, knowing that Jonas is leaving at the end of the season, makes me seriously doubt the wisdom of giving him a new love interest. Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but one of the things that I like about Robin and Marian's relationship was the fact that it was built on a very good understanding of one another. They were friends first. Isabella's only been around for two episodes! Their not friends, or even good acquaintances. Plus there's the fact that nearly everyone in the Internet world thinks there is more to Isabella than meets the eye.
Handled tactfully, this could have worked. The actors are great together. But tact seems to be the one thing (ok, one of the things) these writers can't handle. Robin just comes off as a cad.
In Summary:
This show gets so many things right, and yet still manages to miss the most important thing of all. Without the outlaws, this show would not exist, and yet they seem to begrudge them even the small bit of screen time they have.
Marketing for this season touted it as being more 'action filled' and that is certainly true. But there are only 42 minutes to work with every week, and when the action increased, something had to go. That, unfortunately, has been the gang's personalities, and almost all emotionally charged scenes.
There were some brilliant parallels to last seasons finale in this episode (Prince John asking Guy to prove his love by killing the Sheriff, Kate being stabbed in the stomach, etc.) that could have been good 'human' moments, but they were glossed over, or unintentional, being noticed only by those as obsessive as me.
I miss last season. I miss Djaq's independent intelligence. I miss Will's passionate heart. But most of all, I miss the spirit which Marian brought with her. The show is drifting without them.
~Paige
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