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