Ok, here it is - my review of Seasons One and Two of the BBC Robin Hood TV series (2006).
I was not expecting to like this series, mainly because I can't imagine anyone but Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland as Robin and Marian.
And I knew the costumes weren't period correct.
They were more like modern with a splash of medieval...or possibly medieval with a splash of modern. I'm not sure which. Either way, my inner costume geek was horrified in the extreme.
And I knew the costumes weren't period correct.
They were more like modern with a splash of medieval...or possibly medieval with a splash of modern. I'm not sure which. Either way, my inner costume geek was horrified in the extreme.
But, to my great surprise and utter astonishment, I enjoyed it.
Ok, I'll be honest - I really, really enjoyed it.
As in, I watched season one in just a few days and season two as quickly as I could get it from the library.
Robin was a bit of a rouge, and that's how it should be. Never at a loss for words or arrows. I wasn't sure I liked him at first, but I grew to like him as I went through the series. The same with Marian. I didn't really like her costumes, although they weren't entirely devoid of inspiring details, but how can you not like a girl who wears dagger hair ornaments...and isn't afraid to use them?!
The Sheriff of Nottingham was cruel, heartless...and actually rather funny, for someone who is cruel and heartless. Dark humor, to be sure, but he made me laugh a lot.
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| Maid Marian & Robin Hood |
As did Robin's Merry Men, Much in particular.
And now we come to my favorite part of the series, and the reason I decided to watch it in the first place - Sir Guy of Gisborne.
be. still. my. beating. heart.
*swoon*
Yes, he's one of the bad guys, but what a bad guy!!
Yes, he's one of the bad guys, but what a bad guy!!
I must confess that I'm rather partial to bad guys in the first place (not because they're bad - they're just so much more interesting), but when you take someone like Richard Armitage and turn him into a villain...wow.
Awesome stuff.
Awesome stuff.
Especially riding horseback. =)
True, the all black leather look he sports made me rather expect to see him to hop on a motorcycle and zoom off at any moment...
But I can forgive him that.
His Sir Guy is so full of passion and you can see that he has a softer side.
I confess, I was totally rooting for him and Marian, not Marian and Robin.
Which brings me to my rant...
I was so mad at Marian for leading Guy on the way she did, making him believe that she loved him when she really loved Robin, just to get information. I know, I know, she was only trying to help Robin, but...
Guy was so passionately in love with her, and she trampled all over his heart. I was pretty much ready to punch her and *spoiler warning* I wasn't entirely sorry when she died. And no, I did not hate Guy for doing what he did...well, not much. I don't think he even meant to kill her, although he was passionate enough to be capable of killing her simply so Robin couldn't have her. No, I think that really and truly was an accident. The look of surprise, shock and grief on his face spoke volumes. Oh, and I'll give Marian this - it was a good death. She knew how to die. And it added an interesting twist to the usual Robin Hood story. *end spoiler*
Guy was so passionately in love with her, and she trampled all over his heart. I was pretty much ready to punch her and *spoiler warning* I wasn't entirely sorry when she died. And no, I did not hate Guy for doing what he did...well, not much. I don't think he even meant to kill her, although he was passionate enough to be capable of killing her simply so Robin couldn't have her. No, I think that really and truly was an accident. The look of surprise, shock and grief on his face spoke volumes. Oh, and I'll give Marian this - it was a good death. She knew how to die. And it added an interesting twist to the usual Robin Hood story. *end spoiler*
I don't want this rant to get out of hand, so I'll end it now, while I'm able;)
The plots were interesting and varied. The dialog was good, with lots of truly funny lines. That always wins points with me - real funny, as opposed to dumb funny.
There was hardly any of what I consider to be inappropriate content in the series. There were a few things, mostly implied rather than shown and some spoken. Quite a few of the women's costumes weren't all that modest and there were a few shirtless guy moments...no pun intended. I don't know that I'd want my brother to watch the series, because of the women's costumes. And, although not nearly as gruesome as I thought it might be, there were a few parts that were too gross for me...but I'm easily grossed out.
In conclusion, I enjoyed Seasons One and Two of Robin Hood very much. I'm not sorry I watched them.
Yes, the lack of period costumes bugs me, but if I need exquisitely beautiful medieval/fantasy costumes for inspiration, I'll watch Lord of the Rings. They don't get any better than that.
And there you have my review of Robin Hood.
Happy Trails, y'all!
