Robin Hood (TV Series) Seven Poor Knights from Acre (1984) User Reviews

Seven Poor Knights from Acre

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 28 July 2020]

Richard Carpenter does not share a misty eyed view of the Knights Templar. Here he details how the more feared of the crusaders would wipe out villages full of Saracens and Jews in Palestine.

The Sheriff of Nottingham finds out that these seven brutal fighting monks have beef with Robin Hood and want to wipe out the outlaws. Despite Gisburne's objections, the Sheriff is happy for them to get on with their task. He knows these knights will finish the job.

A one eyed thief called Siward has stolen an emblem from these knights and then joins Robin Hood. The Knights Templar hold Robin responsible and after a battle they take Much hostage.

It was a good job that the actor playing Nasir was retained. He simply looks like a warrior in the action scenes. In this episode the formidable warrior monks look more than a match for the merrie men.

There are some well staged battle scenes and some nice military planning by Robin to take on the Knights.

Very Poor Templars

[BenignPillows · 7/10 · 18 May 2023]

The outlaws are attacked by a group of Knights Templar, returning from the Middle East, who think they have stolen their golden seal.

This is one of the better episodes, with some tense action and powerful visuals, especially an atmospheric funeral ceremony. On the downside, the characters make some strange decisions.

I like the Merries' early archery training scene - elegant way to combine exposition (Robin and Will discussing) with character establishment. Will trained Robin in swordfighting, but can't rival his boss' skills with the bow. Marion is actually the one who comes closest to Robin in that respect.

...and then, without warning, they're attacked. By masked men on horseback.

It's a great scene that effectively conveys the Templars' brutality and arrogance (a point Carpenter clearly wanted to make), as well as the terror and confusion of their victims. Now that's an achievement in a show where you can neither show graphic violence nor kill off main characters.

Take the "Helmet Cam POV" for example, complete with Darth Vader-ish breathing. Pretty eerie.

And there *are* stakes - each side loses a man - due to the Merries having stacked up on redshirts. That said, they could have grieved a little bit more for "James", poor sod. As if it wasn't enough that the viewers have no idea who he is.

Much is important, though, and Much has been captured. In order to rescue him, Robin, for some reason, decides to sneak into the Templars' camp in full daylight - shielded only by their funeral pyre. He is OF COURSE captured.

So, the Templars are desperate to get their seal back, and think the outlaws know where it is. Do they then interrogate Robin and Much?

No, they don't. Instead, they place Robin in a "Trial of Combat" with one of their champions. Why..? I get that the writers would prefer a cool fight scene to one of questioning and torture of beloved characters, but come up with a good excuse then, guys!

Having won the duel, Robin runs for it, and.. the Templars let him get away..?

Sure, they're arrogant and know the outlaws will come back for Much - hopefully bringing the seal to be able to bargain. And yeah, I know, they chase them later. Still, are these the ruthless soldiers that the Sheriff claimed wouldn't rest until they had hunted each and everyone down?

Anyway. The rest of the episode is more standard fare. The Merries' hunt for the seal takes them to Leaford, surprisingly - Marion's family estate, that the church confiscated. Turns out, though, that Leaford here just stands in for another generic dungeon the band have to break into.

I will say it's satisfying to see the Templars' asses thoroughly kicked, and ending up in line with the vow of poverty they took. You know, before they became bankers.

Random thoughts/obs:

-Robin and Marion don't... really have that much chemistry. Since the start of the show it's kind of dissipated. To be fair, Judi Trott seems to try, but Michael hardly ever throws her a glance. Judging by this episode, I never would have thought he was in love with her. Despite lots of sweet scenes written for them across the series, this Robin comes off more like Marion's boss.