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IMHO | |
I think every episode of RoS had some memorable moments so to choose
ones favourite episodes isn't an easy task. The following five episodes
may not be the five best episodes of RoS but they are none the
less the five I've enjoyed the most.
Ah, the early days of our beloved outlaws... They were all still adjusting to each other, still trying to find their own places within the group. Only, some of them had to struggle a bit harder to fit in than others...
The main reason I like this episode are the Marion scenes. I love it how she's ready and more than willing to take her place beside the rest of them but the boys are all going: "But -- but you're a g i r l ..." With time she proves herself, of course, but I find it hilarious to watch this episode after some of the later ones because the contrast in everyone's attitude in this respect is so great.
Another thing I really liked a lot was Will who really crashed and burned in this episode. Poor Scarlet. This must also be the first and only time the Sheriff calls Gisburne, or at least his ideas, brilliant. Also, it is in this episode that the Sheriff's obsession with Robin Hood begins. And who could forget the foreshadowing words Robin spoke to Marion at the end:
"It wasn't Gisburne's life I bargained with, it was the Sheriff's. And now he will hunt me until one of us is dead."
I really love Will in this episode, and who could resist a Gisburne in love? <g>
Well, Scarlet was never shy of speaking his mind and he's nothing if not stubborn ("Why can't you admit that we were wrong?" - "Because, we were *unlucky*!") so, I guess it was only a matter of time before taking orders really got to him. But as much as I liked the Will-gone-bad, I really loved him at the end. He was just so adorable as he returned the money he'd taken from Sarah, and almost coherently told Robin that there could indeed be only one leader.
But despite of all the fun stuff this episode was really about disillusionment and lack of faith.
"We've risked our lives for them time and time again, and they turned us away - like we would've been strangers."
"Then you can see it. It's all been for *nothing*. We could've been rich - every one of us. But no. You had to believe that Herne chose you."
Things do indeed look dark in Sherwood and even another ambiguous riddle from Herne doesn't seem to do the trick this time around. Robin wants to quit, Will walks out and even Gisburne wants to get the hell out of Nottingham.
Ah yes, what about poor Gisburne? He's truly smitten in this episode, and not to a horse, either, but to a real, although not exactly suitable, girl. But that doesn't stop our blue caped knight. Oh no. He's made up his mind and there's no turning his head and so, he kidnaps the bride of his choosing, not giving any weight to the blushing girl's faint objections. ("My father will appeal to the King." - "Let him. All Jews belong to the King, you're his property. I'll buy you.") Oh Gizzy, you little romantic, you! How *could* a girl resist such wooing? That Sarah must've been made out of steel. <g> But was it just me, or did she seem just a little interested in Nasir? Hmm?
All in all, I liked this episode a lot, despite the bit silly thing with the Sheriff and the Book at the end.
The two main reasons I love this episode are Nasir and Robert de Rainault, the High Sheriff of Nottingham. Oh yeah, there's a third one as well, the Old Prisoner and his beloved Arthur :) "Feet first, it's the only way."
This is the episode with probably the most Nasir dialogue. I really liked all of his scenes but especially those he had with Sarak. And among those, the flashbacks really are my favourites. I thought they, along with the final fight between the two, were just beautifully filmed.
But the Sheriff truly steals the show this time around, and I suppose it's only appropriate since he is the one mentioned the title :) I love the Sheriff in Sherwood bits, especially the one where Robert and Will play good cop/bad cop with him. And it seems that tongues really do loosen up in the darkness, and it's confession time in Sherwood:
"I hate you for what you are, and what you stand for. There's a difference, isn't there? You're outlaws, thieves, murderers, but you stand for freedom, for justice, for the people."
He really nailed it there, didn't he? But as much as I enjoyed the Sheriff's humiliation, and he is utterly disgraced here, I couldn't help enjoying the demise of Philip Mark and the put down of Hubert de Giscard. And who can say they didn't get a kick out of that last scene where the Sheriff truly revels in his new found power? Just take a look at that satisfied, smiley face and tell me you didn't grin right along with him.
There's so much going on in this episode it's almost dizzying. First, I really enjoyed Will's little craziness ("I've got it. I know I've got it." "Why me? Why me?!?!!!") especially in contrast to Much's calm attitude.
I also liked how the early friction with the band's new leader was showcased here. Robert is not Robin even if he is Herne's son and his background sets him apart from the rest of the outlaws, including Marion in certain respects, whether he likes it or not.
But what is in the heart of this episode is, of course, Lady Margaret's confession which gives us better insight into Sir Guy and helps us understand him a bit better. It also gave a whole new twist to never ending battle between the outlaws and the Sheriff/Gisburne team.
"What have you become?"
"What you've made me."
"So like your father. So unlike the son he gave me."
But as much I liked this episode I do have one peeve: I would have *loved* to have seen how, exactly, Gisburne managed to capture Will....
Okay, first it's confession time: I really wasn't that crazy about all those pigs. The rest of the episode, however, I did like. <g>
To me, this episode was a continuation of the themes of The Cross of Saint Ciricus. It's all about family. About relationships between brothers and fathers and sons. It's also about the meaning the word itself and of our comprehension of it.
The things I liked best in this episode were the wonderful scenes between Meg and John, and John and Will. I also got a kick out of the weasly King John. And I thought it was a very nice touch to have Gisburne be the one to arrest the Earl of Huntingdon.
Here, we're also given a much better idea of just how powerful and important a family the Huntingdons truly are (one of Robert's uncles is the King of Scotland!) thus helping us understand Robert so much better, giving us an understanding of what he gave up to became the Hooded Man. We also get to meet more of Robert's relatives, although even after Gisburne I'm afraid that Edgar isn't exactly an improvement.
"Your zeal does you credit, Edgar. But I wouldn't want you for a relative."
It was also nice to see Robert and his father finally reconciled.
"Still hotheaded."
"Still your son."
Okay, I know, I said in the beginning that I was going to share five of my favourite episodes with you all, and this by everyone's count would make it six. Right. That's because this isn't actually a part of my list. The Greatest Enemy is and it isn't one of my favourite episodes. Confusing? I know, I confuse myself sometimes :) I think the reason I don't like this one is quite obvious and self-explanatory, really. But, disregarding the unfortunate ending I think this is one of, if not t h e best episode of RoS. And really, if I put aside my own preferences for a moment, the ending is a big part of what makes The Greatest Enemy such a powerful episode.
I mean, who could ever forget these:
"I'm not leaving you, if that's what you're going to say. No! I'm staying here. Here."
"I'm asking you to live because it's meant to be."
"There are so many things I want to say to you but time's caught me up and now I'll never say them - except that I've loved you from the moment I saw you and every moment since."
"Take Albion, and GO!"
"How many arrows does the man have?!"
"I am Herne the Hunter and you are a leaf driven by the wind."