OK, so I know a lot of people have a lot of not very flattering things to say about this TV series, but come on!! It's a family TV series based on a legend (and how accurate are those in any event!). So instead of trying to find historic accuracy in this, just willingly suspend your disbelief and enjoy this show for what it is - a completely anachronistic, hammy, camp, funny, jolly romp! The show doesn't try to take itself seriously, and neither should you. The makers, costume designers, everyone admits that the show is anachronistic and slightly mad and they make gentle fun of that aspect in the DVD extras and the commentaries.
I myself wasn't quite taken with it when they first started showing it on TV, but I then got the DVDs (mostly because I am a Richard Armitage fan and also because I thought I'd give it another go) and I must admit that I LOVED it!!! And not just because of Mr. Armitage smirking and sneering in black leather and guyliner (though he does looks so very hot doing it!). Guy of Gisborne is, I have to say, the most compelling character, and I think that is also a testament to Armitage's talents as an actor since he manages to portray him as a decidedly flawed individual but one who has a well of loneliness and despair somewhere deep inside and the capacity to be good, even though he can't quite reach it. You do get the feeling, and indeed, it is hinted at in Series 1, that he could almost have been like Robin Hood had circumstances been different and this is reinforced towards the end of Series 3 where Robin and Guy's past history is explored. At times you actually wanted Marian to end up with Guy rather than Robin (imagine what the purists would have said to that!). Had this show been aimed at a slightly older audience, I believe the writers would have explored the subtle sexual tension between Guy and Marian more. It will not be obvious to children, but grown ups will pick up on it.
But I liked Robin and all his mad men with their deliciously funny interactions with each other (especially Much and Alan, though I couldn't quite feel for Little John and Kate), I liked Marian, I liked her father, and I liked, nay, loved the Sheriff. Keith Allan gives a wonderful funny campy performance complete with black silk pajamas, painted toe nails and the best lines in the show. A special mention has to go to Toby Stephens for his brilliant over the top 3-episode turn as Prince John in Series 3. At times I was laughing out loud!
Jonas Armstrong and Lucy Griffiths were the right ages to play Robin and Marian. Whilst Armstrong may not fit everyone's idea of a conventionally handsome, swash-buckling hero (if anyone fits that description in the show, it is probably Guy of Gisborne!), I liked his interpretation of Robin as a young flirtatious cheeky attention loving natural leader of men who does sometimes get tired of doing the right thing all the time and has a dark side as well - quite refreshing after all those portrayals of Robin as a uni-dimensional goodie two shoes. Griffiths as Marian is strong and fiesty and really comes into her own in the second series. I particularly liked the fact that she doesn't welcome Robin back with open arms when he finally returns after 5 years (given that he had left her and his obligations back home to go fight in a pointless war).
And I have to say, I loved that the series was so light-hearted and anachronistic and over the top. In fact, I felt a little let down when they went for the more serious feel and historically accurate costumes in series 3 (no doubt to try and appease the critics).
There is plenty of good old fashioned fighting, but no real violence and no images of blood and gore, even when people get run through or shot with an arrow. Of course, this is because it is a family programme, but with 'realistic violence' becoming the norm now, I too found this to be refreshing, and could enjoy all the great high-adventure fight scenes without wincing.
Some people have objected to the subtle political messages, but I never found that to be overbearing or to ring false. One could easily sympathise with Robin turning his back on violence and needless killing after the horrors he witnessed in the holy land and the futility of it all. And I smiled at 'Brother' Tuck's non-violent resistance a la Mahatma Gandhi in series 3. Every generation has its own interpretation of Robin Hood, and I feel that the one for our times could not have been made without hinting at the political sub-text (the shows creators admit that this was actually deliberate).
I only wish they had made a 4th series exploring the slightly uneasy, love-hate, buddy relationship which was developing between Guy and Robin with its wonderfully dry wit which we glimpsed towards the end of series 3. Robin and Guy had more chemistry together than with any of the women, and I could have seen a whole series with that!
I myself wasn't quite taken with it when they first started showing it on TV, but I then got the DVDs (mostly because I am a Richard Armitage fan and also because I thought I'd give it another go) and I must admit that I LOVED it!!! And not just because of Mr. Armitage smirking and sneering in black leather and guyliner (though he does looks so very hot doing it!). Guy of Gisborne is, I have to say, the most compelling character, and I think that is also a testament to Armitage's talents as an actor since he manages to portray him as a decidedly flawed individual but one who has a well of loneliness and despair somewhere deep inside and the capacity to be good, even though he can't quite reach it. You do get the feeling, and indeed, it is hinted at in Series 1, that he could almost have been like Robin Hood had circumstances been different and this is reinforced towards the end of Series 3 where Robin and Guy's past history is explored. At times you actually wanted Marian to end up with Guy rather than Robin (imagine what the purists would have said to that!). Had this show been aimed at a slightly older audience, I believe the writers would have explored the subtle sexual tension between Guy and Marian more. It will not be obvious to children, but grown ups will pick up on it.
But I liked Robin and all his mad men with their deliciously funny interactions with each other (especially Much and Alan, though I couldn't quite feel for Little John and Kate), I liked Marian, I liked her father, and I liked, nay, loved the Sheriff. Keith Allan gives a wonderful funny campy performance complete with black silk pajamas, painted toe nails and the best lines in the show. A special mention has to go to Toby Stephens for his brilliant over the top 3-episode turn as Prince John in Series 3. At times I was laughing out loud!
Jonas Armstrong and Lucy Griffiths were the right ages to play Robin and Marian. Whilst Armstrong may not fit everyone's idea of a conventionally handsome, swash-buckling hero (if anyone fits that description in the show, it is probably Guy of Gisborne!), I liked his interpretation of Robin as a young flirtatious cheeky attention loving natural leader of men who does sometimes get tired of doing the right thing all the time and has a dark side as well - quite refreshing after all those portrayals of Robin as a uni-dimensional goodie two shoes. Griffiths as Marian is strong and fiesty and really comes into her own in the second series. I particularly liked the fact that she doesn't welcome Robin back with open arms when he finally returns after 5 years (given that he had left her and his obligations back home to go fight in a pointless war).
And I have to say, I loved that the series was so light-hearted and anachronistic and over the top. In fact, I felt a little let down when they went for the more serious feel and historically accurate costumes in series 3 (no doubt to try and appease the critics).
There is plenty of good old fashioned fighting, but no real violence and no images of blood and gore, even when people get run through or shot with an arrow. Of course, this is because it is a family programme, but with 'realistic violence' becoming the norm now, I too found this to be refreshing, and could enjoy all the great high-adventure fight scenes without wincing.
Some people have objected to the subtle political messages, but I never found that to be overbearing or to ring false. One could easily sympathise with Robin turning his back on violence and needless killing after the horrors he witnessed in the holy land and the futility of it all. And I smiled at 'Brother' Tuck's non-violent resistance a la Mahatma Gandhi in series 3. Every generation has its own interpretation of Robin Hood, and I feel that the one for our times could not have been made without hinting at the political sub-text (the shows creators admit that this was actually deliberate).
I only wish they had made a 4th series exploring the slightly uneasy, love-hate, buddy relationship which was developing between Guy and Robin with its wonderfully dry wit which we glimpsed towards the end of series 3. Robin and Guy had more chemistry together than with any of the women, and I could have seen a whole series with that!