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.