(aka The Angel of Death)
This seems to be the shortest episode so far and seems to have the thinnest plot accordingly. That's not to say the plot is bad, just there's not too much too it. This feels more like a CiN special or a short story, since it is filled with Robin Hood fanwank, a bunch of Robin Hood cliches, and a couple of stunts that appeared on Mythbusters a few months ago.
It appears that the merry men are going stirr crazy from the lack of anyone going into the forrests to be ambushed and robbed and have gone distinctly peculiar. When two unarmed men finally appear in the trees, our heroes dress up as a wierd bunch of dryad krynoid fertility symbols and run around screaming, terrifying the poor travellers witless. All in all, it's rather embarrassing - especially when we find out that the two are Will Scarlett's brother and father. Of course, I twigged right away because I saw the other episode with them in it just the day, but the significance of this should not be overlooked.
Yes, Will finally has an episode about him!
I know! Unbelievable!
The problem with Will was that, since the character's traits of being Robin's best friend/rival have been scattered to other characters, he's been left the teen demographic. He hardly gets any dialogue, or action, but apart from being clever and lusting after Djaq, he does nothing but look pretty - BUT NOT TONIGHT, JOSIAH-FIEND!!
Dan and Luke Scarlett have missed the last series of Robin Hood and, not quite getting the fact the eldest son is now a committed outlaw and adrenaline junkie, want him back down on the farm. It takes no time at all for everyone to realize Will's determination to stay in the gang is so he doesn't "back down to the Sherrif" like his dad did back when he had two hands. Robin suggests a "take your parent to work" day and show him that spreading joy, money, food and anachronisms throughout the town is a responsible job.
Unfortunately, when they arrive some of the populace are showing signs of eating Gordon Ramsey's leftovers and collapsing in agony. No sooner has Dan confirmed that, whatever ailment afflicts them, it isn't "the pestilence" (after all, the Terrileptils won't arrive for five hundred years or so) than Marion makes a public service announcement that an area of Nottingham town called Pitt Street is now under quarantine because "the pestilence" has arrived. Wow, good think I got fired from there when I did - narrow escape.
Dan strides up to the Sherrif as he hands out fridge magnets telling people to turn the other cheek to all those trapped behind the barricades begging for food water or medicine, and tells him to shove this crap up his arse as it is NOT the plague. The Sherrif declares Dan is hysterical and panicking and quickly reminds us all of his new Tough On Absolutely Fucking Everything policy and has Dan stabbed through the heart without another thought.
Will, bug-eyed with horror, needs to be held back by both Little John and Robin (which, thankfully, isn't emphasized with any crap "Ooh, grief makes him super human strong" - the implication is, along with most of this episode, that Will is Death on Wheels without his self restraint), and quickly ditches them to send his shattered brother to safety. Our boy Will is off to kill the Sherrif - and if Nottingham gets nuked, well, life's a bitch and then you die.
Robin does not realize he is stuck in some kind of Four to Doomsday remake with him as the Fifth Doctor surrounded by untrustworthy wild card companions, so as Will heads off to end civilization and Allan pops out to sell Robin out to Guy... again... he, Much, Djaq and Little John smuggle themselves into the quarantine zone and find themselves being told not to interfere by a sinister, bug-eyed git whose name is Joseph. I suspect his last name is Chatham, judging by his insistance on not getting his hands dirty in all this poverty and plague, complaining at his unrecognized genius, and feverntly wishing for the death of the chav scum that covers the beautiful land of England. Hell, five seconds with him has even Much calling him a complete looney and avoiding him in favor for the plague.
"YOU DON'T RESPECT ME, DO YOU ROBIN?! I HAVE A DEGREE FROM CAMBRIDGE!!"
Back at the castle, Marion discovers the Night Watchman made a visit to Pitt Street the other night. But she doesn't do that nowadays... Has some split personality taken over her soul?! No, guess it's some bastard pretending to be the Night Watchman who has poisoned the whole street. Furious, she smuggles herself out of the castle and into quarantine, past Guy who is struggling to comprehend the emotional zietgiest he went through when he was drowning. Looks like the Nihilistic Bastard has been replaced by the Pitiful Loser we all loved from the first series. Good for him. As Guy provides Marion's dad with some food as a reward for her reading the riot act at the start of the episode, Marion meets up with Robin and they do a little groping.
Meanwhile, Chatham is making notes and the sickening realization comes to light: now the Sherrif has no cash for mercenaries, or indestructible armor for his men, he's decided to avoid bloodshed and use biological warfare to wipe out King Richard and his army. While I do appreciate the fact the story arc hasn't been forgotten, this kind of cynical mass slaughter is definitely the nastiest thing in the show so far. Will one of Pitt Street's occupants develop immunity, start wearing a mask and call himself V?
No?
Oh well, forget I said that. Chatham realizes that Djaq is smart and thus she and the other Merry Men must die before they interrupt his control experiment, and thus provides then with good old chicken soup and some disturbing biblical quotes. However, Marion and Robin realize the truth and narrowly save the lot of them. Chatham gleefully explains he has created the ultimate undetectable, incurable poison... well, not so much 'created' but more 'found some mushrooms and lied to everyone about his genius' which proves without doubt he is a Chatham. He then escapes to safety after texting the professionals to allow him past the barricade.
But, since he is a Chatham, he has made a long litany of mistakes, and it says a lot when Little John of all people knows how to cure your toxic death weapon and soon Djaq is pouring nightshade down everyone's throats, the two poisons cancelling each other out. Pitt Street is saved... yeah... great.
What's this? Will, now calling himself Son of Mine, Batmans his way into the castle, effortlessly ducking arrows, and belting the shit out of everyone. A great sequence which, like the whole season so far, shows how much damage both sides can do if they let themselves loose. Proving himself not to be stupid, Will easily discovers the poison plot and finds a vial of "Justice in a Bottle".
The Sherrif's become slightly paranoid of late - reasonable enough since he has been spending time with a nutter who poisons people in his socialist jihad - and tells Chatham to piss off when he turns up demanding they use the poison to purge the weak, the uncultured, the chav, the scum and those who do not have a degree. The Sherrif grins and points out that social group is the one that he can beat the shit out of all by himself, and Operation Obscure Marco Polo Reference needs the poison more.
And then he enjoys some wine that Son of Mine has thoughtfully provided.
Oh, as we say, shit.
Will - still working with a speed unheard of since Derek Jacobi opened a fob watch and outthought and outmaneuvered ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE - bumps into Djaq as she and the others arrive with the cure, and instantly flings her into a dungeon and locks her in there to ensure the Sherrif isn't cured in the half hour or so he now has to live. And considering that, you know, him and Djaq... this is serious, people.
Realizing that "the quiet one" of the gang has gone ape shit, Robin tells the others that they will have to take him down and even Much can't back up his master at the suggestion of slaughtering each other. Realizing that his gang is falling apart faster than a leper with Parkinson's disease, Robin swigs from the vial of poison to test Will's newfound Utter Bastardness - after all, if he can condemn everyone in Nottingham to death, he can watch Robin die in agony in front of him.
Will quickly realizes he's not really in a clearer state of mind to make such decisions and agrees to get the cure. But, ahah! Robin is in no danger - I assumed, he just sucked on a bit of nightshade earlier to be cured for just this sort of emergency, but he was just miming. A cruel trick, really, but as I keep saying this is New, Tough Nottingham and we don't have time for pussy footing around. Mind you, I was worried in this, since Robin Hood traditionally was killed by poison, albeit disguised as medicine.
Robin turns up to find the Sherrif and Chatham writhing in agony and the former agrees to abandon the plan to kill the King in return for a cure - and shouts "SHUT UP!!" at Chatham when he protests his brilliant poison which he created all by himself and is incurable and he has a degree... Robin grabs the dying Sherrif and gets him to shout out to the populace the truth of the plague. But before he can confess any further, our black-clad Adam Spencer doppleganger drops dead!
Will arrives and, after the traditional "You bastard, I thought you were dying!", provides the Sherrif with the nightshade cure. However, since he's now cured he sure as hell isn't going to abandon his evil plans and summons the guards. The Merry Men flee (presumably taking Chatham's notebook with them or else the poison angle can still be used by Vasey) but Chatham loses whatever braincells aren't already used up by absinthe and tries to skewer Robin with a sword, screaming that there IS no cure, because if there WAS a cure, then he hasn't found the ultimate weapon and his name won't live for a thousand years and his insane class-war against the chav scum can never be won!
Towards the end of this tirade, Chatham accidentally manages to knock both himself and Robin out of the window and they end up clinging to the flags below the window. Proving himself even more stupid than ever, Chatham ignores Robin's offer of a helping hand and tries to climb up him... only to pull off the outlaw's boot and plummet with it to his death.
Mythbuster's brain-damagingly annoying Pirate special proved it is absolutely impossible to slice vertically through a sail with a knife and safely descend to the ground. However, this isn't a sail. So I suppose Robin might have got away with it, and he does, effortlessly escaping with his Merry Men to the applause of Nottingham in what resembles a medieval Chaser stunt...
What's Allan done this week? Well, his first three betrayals were kinda forgiveable - but this, this is beyond the pale as he tells Guy about Robin unveiling the whole conspiracy by sending a chain letter to his pal Roger. Since Guy needs the status quo to remain just that, Allan condemns the whole of England to suffer. Yeah, this really is beyond a joke. I'm not being funny but any brownie points Allan had vanished at this point.
But how long before Robin twigs that every time he gives the inquisitive Allan A Dale a job, Guy of Guisborne is ready and waiting and sabotaging their efforts? According to the next time trailer, very soon.
Thank god there's not stringing this out. Rock on!
RIDICULOUS ANACHRONISMS:
The outlaws' camoflague outfits and BBCWales-level make up art.
Will creating his own hologram of his late dad.
Instant cures with no sideeffects that need only to be tasted.
2.5 HE WHO TRUSTS CAN NEVER BE BETRAYED. OR CAN HE?
(aka Ducking and Diving)
This episode is brillinat! Bree-ly-yunt! I demand anyone writing or working on some thirteen-episode drama season watch this because this, ladies and gentlemen is how it is done. Like the previous one, this episode is slight and traditional, allowing all the character development to rise to the surface and make this episode IMPORTANT.
All the regular cast get a moment to shine - Much's disgust at the sheer idea of treachery; Little John proving once again he's more a healer than a hurter; Djaq's off-forgotten love triangle with her knowing exactly what's up with Allan but still going straight to Will when he's in trouble; Will proving once again he HAS a personality, history and character and woe betide any that forget it; Marion has to abandon subtlety and flirt like a hooker; and of course the Sherrif of Nottingham is a total bastard who can work a crowd of medieval to the point they can count to ten.
Guy of Guisborne meanwhile, continues to develop. In pretty much all versions of the Robin Hood legend, Guy is just a bad guy whose obsession with Marion proves his downfall and hampers his ability to harm the Merry Men (as well as seriously pissing Robin off). However, what we have here is a Guy who has gotten over Marion - an idea, in its own way, as revolutionary as a Dalek with legs - and established that he is not some mere stooge of the Sherrif, but something much more fomidable.
Vasey still has the edge however, no fear of that. But while he is still a frighteningly nasty villain (whose sheer love of what an arsehole he is makes you cheer him on), the fact is, he's shown as a tad predictable. When Matilda the Wise Woman (aptly played by Peter Davison's wife from The Complete Guide to Parenting) defies him, the only thing we wonder is exactly HOW the Sherrif is going to break her (and if you suffer the Next Time adds, even that is ruined). We don't doubt for a moment, however, that he's going to torture her in an incredible cruel manner and have lots of fun doing it.
Guy, meanwhile, is not an open book. He's shown to be intelligent, cunning, practical and rough - in just one line of dialogue, as he explains that he has brought Matilda to the Sherrif because all the OTHER wise women turn to HER for advice, we realize this guy isn't the easily-manipulated broody teenager he once was. The scene where he gleefully makes Marion jump through metaphorical hoops trying to explain her disobedience and thus trick her into admitting it shows us this guy should no longer be underestimated. After all, has the Sherrif been able to turn one of the Merry Men against Robin of their own free will? Nope (threatening to murder your mother isn't quite the same). With all the emphasis on Guy being the Sherrif's most loyal servant (with Guy knowing the Sherrif doesn't care) makes me wonder what would happen if he turned on his employer...
The slight plot of the episode revolves around Matilda - an all round wise woman and professional midwife who is a foul mouthed, very competant and intelligent woman with strong morals. You've got to like her, and when she greets Robin like a mum whose son's just back from uni, it's easy to forget she's not actually his mother. The fact she's so likable is a clear contrast to Blight, the obsequious and clearly stupid personal physician of the Sherrif. In fact, I found it hard to believe Vasey could be stupid enough to put this guy in charge of his health, as everything we see and hear supports the idea that Blight is a complete moron and a total shit as well. Even Chatham the Poisoner last ep wasn't so outright irritating and obnoxious (even Blight's beard is pretentious) and I damn well hope the next DVD box set has "deleted scenes: Blight is repeatedly dunked until drowning" as an easter egg.
Of course, the Sherrif's rep is struggling here. Five episodes, and we've watched the most powerful and evil guy be reduced from de facto dictator of Nottingham planning a bloody coup to desperately being forced to shout at a midwife to help cure a guy because he knows some incredibly obvious information. Why didn't he get this learned man to write down the info in case of emergency? The dude doesn't come across as smart enough to prevent this anyway, and it has to be bad luck that the one crusader willing to defect to the Black Knights has an allergy to bee stings. And was stung by a bee. The Sherrif's little witch tirade is as nasty as ever (and manages to be even more cynical than The Simpson's "If she's innocent, she'll go to heaven, so we're just doing her a favor") but it's good to see our rational villain wonder if Matilda actually IS a witch. And, like I always say, pissing off witches is NEVER a good move...
MATILDA DISCOVERS TOO LATE THAT THE ATKINS DIET LEAVES HER THE SAME WEIGHT AS A DUCK, AND THUS AUTOMATICALLY IS REVEALED TO BE A WITCH.
Is the continual weakening of the Sherrif the reason Allan's continued his double-dealing two-facedness? I was prepared to note that, but Allan's ep reveals this isn't the case. Of course, he first accepted on the simple premise of "I will say anything in order to get the hell out of here", and the second episode was clearly Allan trying to show he was up for the deal (no burning bridges). His betrayal of the black diamond scheme similarly was not his main intentation when he walked in. But betraying Roger of Stoke, ruining Robin's master plan to defeat the Sherrif was too far... and, as Guy notes, if Allan was expecting Roger to survive this, then he's plain nuts.
Since Allan has only been selling out Robin for two episodes, the fact Robin twigs it here both gives the idea of a traitor good screen time and stops everyone looking like complete morons (ref Torchwood and the Estate Agent sensing things in the darkness of Cardiff story arc). Out of the gang, it's not difficult to work out the traitor. Robin is in the clear, Much has proved numerous times to be made of sterner stuff, Djaq could not be mistaken for a man at the inn, Will's latest psycho rage proves he's not going to side with the Sherrif ever, and Little John is not the type to relay detailed information to anyone. Allan, however, has form from last series and has been regularly seen turning up bruised, with mission going wrong, and cash in his pocket.
So, Robin's strategy - blaming Will, but making everyone believe their leader thinks they are innocent, while luring the guilty party into a trap - is pretty good, especially as he is dragged into sorting out a witch-ducking, capturing the noble that knows too much and deliver a baby (Allan jinxes it again, since his excuses earlier in A Clue: No about such an event were just tempting fate) all in the same day. Robin's faith in his gang tested is clearly making him more ruthless, as he is willing to slaughter our bee-allergic crusader or cut out his tongue. We're also reminded that while our hero is disgusted by killing and violence... he's still VERY good at it, and like Will could wipe out hundreds if he wanted to.
Thus Allan is caught out - and, to be fair, he is clearly shown calling quits on the whole deal and not just because suspicion has fallen on him - and Robin catches him. Yet we still don't know why Allan used that logo to the Sherrif, a kind of P in Dalek font, or maybe a sideways A...
The confrontation scene is just too cool for me to summarize:
ROBIN: I need to talk to my spy.
ALLAN: What was up with Will? You banished Will!
ROBIN: It was an act - only [the waitress] knew who was guilty. And I knew the spy would want to come here before me to cover his tracks. For all I knew, it could have been Will standing there. But it's not, is it? It's you.
ALLAN: Robin, it was over. You ask her. I made a decision.
ROBIN: Then what's this?
ALLAN: No, I was giving it back.
ROBIN: So you betray me - you betray yourself - you betray your King - for what? For a few silver coins*? What have you told Guisborne, Allan?
ALLAN: Er, nothing really.
ROBIN: Does he know about the camp?
ALLAN: No!
ROBIN: Does he know about Marion?
ALLAN: No!
ROBIN: More lies?
ALLAN: No!! This was the last time, I promise. And I was wrong... But he captured me, Robin! He tortured me! I had no choice!
ROBIN: EVERYTHING IS A CHOICE! EVERYTHING WE DO!
ALLAN: That's easy for YOU to say, though, isn't it? Huh? You get the glory, you get the girl! Everyone loves you! Then, when the King comes back, you'll lands, property, a wife, everything! What will I have?!? You
always in in sun, Robin - and I'm always in the shade.
ROBIN: Is that meant to be an excuse?!
ALLAN: Give me another chance. Please. I wouldn't have let Guisborne hurt any of us. I would never have told him anything like that!
ROBIN: Harmless lies, innocent betrayals, they don't exist, Allan!
ALLAN: Robin, I've changed! How can I get you to believe that?
ROBIN: You can't. And the funny thing is, you might be telling the truth.
ALLAN: I am!
ROBIN: And how am I supposed to believe you any more?
ALLAN: Robin, I swear to you on my life-- don't kill me... please...
ROBIN: You're lucky I've left you with a life to swear upon. Never, never let me set eyes upon you again.
I wonder just what Blake's 7 would have been like if the regulars there were capable of such mercy (and Blake certainly wasn't). Of course, Robin doesn't live in a world of mind wipes and programming, but it's still a damning indictment that over 200, 300 years of civilization don't improve humanity... but I think that's exactly what Terry Nation and Chris Boucher were saying.
The ep leaves a few loose threads. The Sherrif is still searching for his crusader, and Matilda has given Locksley good reason to think she's a witch (although we could be fair and assume that Locksley's inhabitants don't trust a word the Sherrif says, and his claims she IS a witch are the best way to convince everyone she isn't - plus there's a clever outlaw who owes her his life, so her impossible escape is quite simple when you think about it.)
Yes, sir. A good episode.
* thank god they didn't do the "thirty pieces of silver" gag...
RIDICULOUS ANACHRONISMS
- Matilda's language is surprisingly PG13
- Rosa doesn't mind a big hairy MALE outlaw delivering her baby, and no WAY is that baby under three weeks old
- the numeracy skills of Locksley folk
- where the hell did they get the scuba gear from?!
10 comments:
Ooh, clearly getting impatient. Just as well I put some of the Goodies VHSes in that parcel.
Heh, and Joseph did make me think about Chatham during his ethnic-cleansing monologue..
Will creating his own hologram of his late dad.
Oh, yeah, forgot about that bit... it was pretty zarking ridiculous.
And, yes, Allan's betrayal of Roger of Stoke is a BIG thing in the series. In fact, I'd say it's the most referenced event throughout the rest of the season.
Ooh, clearly getting impatient.
If it was just me, I could wait, but my parents are hardcore fans and the lack of any decent TV means they need a new episode every day! Gazooks! It'll be Monday before it arrives in the post...
Mind you, the ep 4 I downloaded has Spanish subtitles, which is supremely distracting.
Heh, and Joseph did make me think about Chatham during his ethnic-cleansing monologue..
How brilliant was the Sherrif's retort, though? "But I like them, because they do what they're told!"
Oh, yeah, forgot about that bit... it was pretty zarking ridiculous.
I just wonder how many future people in the forrest are going to be terrified by the "ghost"?
And, yes, Allan's betrayal of Roger of Stoke is a BIG thing in the series. In fact, I'd say it's the most referenced event throughout the rest of the season.
Looking through the next ep now, I was wondering if Allan's betrayal was motivating on the increasing weakness of the Sherrif. A guy who in the first episode was just weeks away from a bloody revolution is now unable to find out the info on where Richard is going to land - the bad guys are in such dire straits, maybe Allan thinks they cannot gain by any info he gives them.
OTOH, as Djaq points out, maybe he is a complete fucking idiot just like his brother?
Meantime, the New Improved Guy impresses the hell out of me. He's no longer a frustrated Travis-style guard dog, but something almost Avonish in his cunning and backstabbingness. His scenes with Marion, well, no dead horse being flogged there.
God I love this show.
I thought you'd like that episode (because I thought it was brilliant) but even so hadn't expected quite so high an accolade. I thought the dunking scene was one of the best moments for both unbelievable cruelty from Vasey and for Robin's slick [if improbable] rescues.
And can't agree more about the handling of the traitor plotline - I remember thinking "Great, episode 10 at the earliest before Robin works it out" after the Roger of Stoke thing but NO! Man, I must have confused this show with Lost for a moment.
What really impressed me is that Alan's betrayal is both understandable and unforgiveable - I thought the revelation that he was kidding himself into thinking that Roger would actually be okay was quite pitiful. He's shown to be a character who loves nothing more than talking people around, but he ends up talking himself around into thinking that he isn't doing anything wrong.
Blight probably IS the one thing in the episode that doesn't really convince. Setting aside the fact that he's a doctor who has the same name as the plague of the day his incompetence was so great you couldn't imagine anyone but peasants using him...
I thought you'd like that episode (because I thought it was brilliant) but even so hadn't expected quite so high an accolade.
It's hard to explain. It was a great episode but it had the 'zing' that rises it beyond the others...
I thought the dunking scene was one of the best moments for both unbelievable cruelty from Vasey and for Robin's slick [if improbable] rescues.
What's interesting is that, while Vasey was a cruel bastard, the dunking scene is pretty much how it was done in real life, which is disturbing in itself. Of course, Vasey was REALLY cruel because (assuming the peasants believe him), then even saying "She's not a witch" could have saved Matilda from a mob. He pretty much screwed her over the moment he denounced her.
Which leads to the brilliant bit I forgot to mention - Guy telling Marion not to speak up for Matilda not because it would spoil things, but because she could easily be called a witch herself. How could I have forgotten that?
And can't agree more about the handling of the traitor plotline - I remember thinking "Great, episode 10 at the earliest before Robin works it out" after the Roger of Stoke thing but NO! Man, I must have confused this show with Lost for a moment.
Lucky escape all round, huh?
What really impressed me is that Alan's betrayal is both understandable and unforgiveable - I thought the revelation that he was kidding himself into thinking that Roger would actually be okay was quite pitiful. He's shown to be a character who loves nothing more than talking people around, but he ends up talking himself around into thinking that he isn't doing anything wrong.
And it's clear he HAS to convince himself he's got a cunning plan/is justified because he clearly couldn't live with himself. It's all there in the scene where he slags off his late arsehole of a brother and Djaq easily sees what he's really up to...
Blight probably IS the one thing in the episode that doesn't really convince. Setting aside the fact that he's a doctor who has the same name as the plague of the day his incompetence was so great you couldn't imagine anyone but peasants using him...
Has Vasey killed off all the decent male doctors? (He clearly wouldn't have a female one by choice...)
Just seen For England and Show Me The Money... I see what you mean about keeping the crap ones at the start of the run. It just goes out of control.
Beyond superlatives! Finally an adaptation of RH equals the version I saw as a child!
What's interesting is that, while Vasey was a cruel bastard, the dunking scene is pretty much how it was done in real life, which is disturbing in itself.
Well, yeah, they didn't have to add anything to the practice to make it more objectionable. I was just thinking of the sickening excitement he showed during that scene..
Which leads to the brilliant bit I forgot to mention - Guy telling Marion not to speak up for Matilda not because it would spoil things, but because she could easily be called a witch herself. How could I have forgotten that?
I have to say that I've really been bowled over by the characterisation of Guy - in most versions he's such a dull character..
And it's clear he HAS to convince himself he's got a cunning plan/is justified because he clearly couldn't live with himself. It's all there in the scene where he slags off his late arsehole of a brother and Djaq easily sees what he's really up to...
Aw, man, I forgot about the scene where Djaq begs him to fess up without ever actually saying she knows... I need to watch this ep again. SO MANY GREAT SCENES!
Has Vasey killed off all the decent male doctors? (He clearly wouldn't have a female one by choice...)
Could be... maybe Blight was a friend of Pitt's and he assumed they were of similar quality? (In case you don't recall, Pitt was the Doctor in last year's season final, who ended up very skewered)
Just seen For England and Show Me The Money... I see what you mean about keeping the crap ones at the start of the run. It just goes out of control.
Not good with remembering the titles - I only remember Lardner's Ring (Incidentally, probably my favourite) and Treasure of the Nation because they're both named after plot points.
Anyway, I work on the assumption you mean Episode 6 (Brilliant!) and 7 (Erm, haven't seen but it's safe to assume it is quite awesome)
I hoped that Denis Lawson would be a recurring villain because his character was so cool, but he turned out just to be the 'third wheel of the week'. Sigh.
Beyond superlatives! Finally an adaptation of RH equals the version I saw as a child!
Would that be the one with Avon as the Sheriff that you rave about so oft?
Well, yeah, they didn't have to add anything to the practice to make it more objectionable. I was just thinking of the sickening excitement he showed during that scene..
It strikes me that he might have got a nostalgia buzz from it. Witch dunking was perfectly legal and moral murder, so his childhood was probably full of such scenes. I mean, he seems to want to have a picnic rather than his "orgy of pain" kinkiness in season one.
I have to say that I've really been bowled over by the characterisation of Guy - in most versions he's such a dull character..
Of course, he normally gets shoved into the background by the Sherrif and Prince John. Without the latter, and without the albatross of Marion-induced cluenessness, we have a character that could quite easily become the main villain or even the main hero (if Jonas decided to quit).
Aw, man, I forgot about the scene where Djaq begs him to fess up without ever actually saying she knows... I need to watch this ep again. SO MANY GREAT SCENES!
Too true.
Could be... maybe Blight was a friend of Pitt's and he assumed they were of similar quality? (In case you don't recall, Pitt was the Doctor in last year's season final, who ended up very skewered)
And he didn't seem to be a particularly good doctor anyway...
Anyway, I work on the assumption you mean Episode 6 (Brilliant!) and 7 (Erm, haven't seen but it's safe to assume it is quite awesome)
Yes, indeed. The Sherrif Strikes Back is basically the theme for both episodes, with some major shit occuring in the latter (no doubt you already know).
I hoped that Denis Lawson would be a recurring villain because his character was so cool, but he turned out just to be the 'third wheel of the week'. Sigh.
I know. The way he breezed in just as Guy cuts his lossess made me suspect that the Sherrif WAS going to be killed (or written out) and Wincester would take over.
OTOH, the character isn't particularly deep or noteworthy. He's basically the Sherrif on speed, taking those "Yeah, Middle Ages, Whatever" tablets and not even trying to talk like anyone old fashioned. DL is brilliant, but it's quite clear he has no real personality. He's just evil and clever (but complacent). His scenes with Marion's dad are a bit of a stretch, since they imply he's been pretending to be the guy's best friend for twenty years or so, endlessly waiting for a chance to stab in the back.
I can only think the part was written as "generic badass mofo" and Denis got lucky. Could have been anyone playing the part... Steven Fry maybe...
Would that be the one with Avon as the Sheriff that you rave about so oft?
Yeah. The true tragedy is I know that if you ever see it, it'll never live up to my hype. But it's still good.
Oh, got your parcel today. Thanks for all the empty CD cases, but the DVD had a few mismarked files. Like the one named FG Star Wars ep was the one where he sues a doctor for giving him a prostate exam.
Oh, and Warmonger was brilliant. A pissed off Frank Woodley as Morbius, David Segal as Borusa and Andrew Sach's Professor Chronotis as Savar... you could do that professionally...
It strikes me that he might have got a nostalgia buzz from it. Witch dunking was perfectly legal and moral murder, so his childhood was probably full of such scenes.
Hehe... that's such a cute way of looking at that scene!
Of course, he normally gets shoved into the background by the Sherrif and Prince John. Without the latter,
He'll be in it eventually, I'm sure. Probably not for too many episodes but he'll be in there somewhere.
and without the albatross of Marion-induced cluenessness, we have a character that could quite easily become the main villain or even the main hero (if Jonas decided to quit).
Hmm, extremely radical recast. Take THAT Robin of Sherwood!
My mum would love that development, though, as she dislikes Robin but thinks Guy is absolutely gorgeous.
And he didn't seem to be a particularly good doctor anyway...
Well, he knew how to fake a death which is probably pretty impressive for 12th Century..
Yes, indeed. The Sherrif Strikes Back is basically the theme for both episodes, with some major shit occuring in the latter (no doubt you already know).
Yeah, everything in that ep is pretty much referenced afterwards.
DL is brilliant, but it's quite clear he has no real personality. He's just evil and clever (but complacent).
Wait... you're right! The coolness of the character came entirely from the actor rather than the script!
Reminds of me of when I read a review of the Prestige (great film) and the critic pointed out that all the characters are two-dimensional in pretty much every aspect to carry the plot - but, you know, with Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson in the parts I never had a chance of realising it.
His scenes with Marion's dad are a bit of a stretch, since they imply he's been pretending to be the guy's best friend for twenty years or so, endlessly waiting for a chance to stab in the back.
... damn it, you're right again. I hope Lawson doesn't become a conman. He would wreak havoc!
Could have been anyone playing the part... Steven Fry maybe...
Try to imagine any of those scenes.
And then try not to piss yourself laughing.
Yeah. The true tragedy is I know that if you ever see it, it'll never live up to my hype. But it's still good.
And on that note I watched the entire episode of Star Cops and didn't mind it at all.
(Had that gay-arse theme song stuck in my head for days, though. WHY DIDN'T IT STOP WITH THE OPENING CREDITS?!?)
Oh, got your parcel today. Thanks for all the empty CD cases,
They were an after-thought.
but the DVD had a few mismarked files. Like the one named FG Star Wars ep was the one where he sues a doctor for giving him a prostate exam.
Aww, Christ. Due to some confusion in the online community involving lengthy breaks in FG seasons, BOTH those episodes were labelled 6.01. Could have sworn I checked it but these things happen.
Oh, and Warmonger was brilliant. A pissed off Frank Woodley as Morbius, David Segal as Borusa and Andrew Sach's Professor Chronotis as Savar... you could do that professionally...
Heh, wasn't sure what you'd make of that. The idea was to do the whole book, but I'm not sure the gags of voice-over guy pointing out all the stupid things in the story, inappropriate voices for all the characters, and the general crapness of Warmonger could carry however many hours it would end up being.
But glad you liked it.
Hehe... that's such a cute way of looking at that scene!
I've never seen him like that. He even wants Guy and the peasants to join in the fun with a countdown!
He'll be in it eventually, I'm sure. Probably not for too many episodes but he'll be in there somewhere.
Hmm. But will he be the totally clueless dreamer, the corrupt bastard, or a guy with genuinely bad press? And I admit, deep down, I want them to get the guy from Maid Marion, just to see the expression on Vasey's face as "NOTTINHAM!!!" is screamed at him...
Hmm, extremely radical recast. Take THAT Robin of Sherwood!
Yeah, I still don't understand how that works...
My mum would love that development, though, as she dislikes Robin but thinks Guy is absolutely gorgeous.
Well, maybe if they gave ROBIN totally pointless scenes of taking off his clothes just so he could put THE EXACT SAME CLOTHES back on like they did with Guy...
Well, he knew how to fake a death which is probably pretty impressive for 12th Century..
Well, actually, checking the episode, Djaq says that Pitt actually poisoned Marion and intended her to die. But Pitt was so useless he gave her the one poison she could possibly survive.
Yeah, everything in that ep is pretty much referenced afterwards.
Except for Much's homemade burglar alarm... slapstick ahoy!
Wait... you're right! The coolness of the character came entirely from the actor rather than the script!
Pretty much. If he'd played it differently, he could have been a very stupid, ruthless toad, and not changed a single line of dialogue.
... damn it, you're right again. I hope Lawson doesn't become a conman. He would wreak havoc!
He might not even be dead in Jekyll...
Try to imagine any of those scenes.
And then try not to piss yourself laughing.
Exactly my point.
And on that note I watched the entire episode of Star Cops and didn't mind it at all.
I watched it again, in one go. It's not the outright torture I assumed (though there is a scene that made me feel physically ill - it was when Nathan's on the station and the whole room spins around him), but it is INCREDIBLY badly written. I still don't know the names for half the people, and the space station computer calls the station two different names.
However, I thought it was worth getting another episode.
(Had that gay-arse theme song stuck in my head for days, though. WHY DIDN'T IT STOP WITH THE OPENING CREDITS?!?)
Worse, it started before the episode was over...
They were an after-thought.
Seriously, though, thanks for them.
Aww, Christ. Due to some confusion in the online community involving lengthy breaks in FG seasons, BOTH those episodes were labelled 6.01. Could have sworn I checked it but these things happen.
Ah, it's OK. I was more annoyed I'd already seen the episode than the fact it was the wrong one.
Heh, wasn't sure what you'd make of that. The idea was to do the whole book, but I'm not sure the gags of voice-over guy pointing out all the stupid things in the story, inappropriate voices for all the characters, and the general crapness of Warmonger could carry however many hours it would end up being.
The only problems were sometimes you couldn't turn your voice on a dime during the dialogue only bits, and the notable hesitation to whenever you do the script.
But glad you liked it.
Hell yeah. Maybe you could read out Charles Daniel's novelization of An Unearthly Child next...
And I admit, deep down, I want them to get the guy from Maid Marion, just to see the expression on Vasey's face as "NOTTINHAM!!!" is screamed at him...
Heh, that guy was awesome. He also played Richard in one episode, didn't he?
Yeah, I still don't understand how that works...
Haven't seen Robin of Sherwood, but another guy called Robin shows up and presumably the Merry Men go "Well, he's got the right name at least.." and hire him on the spot.
Well, maybe if they gave ROBIN totally pointless scenes of taking off his clothes just so he could put THE EXACT SAME CLOTHES back on like they did with Guy...
He has multiple sets of the ribbed leather ensemble. And why not - it's a good look!
Have you seen that hilarious bit where the Sheriff says "And for God's sake why don't you change your clothes once in a while?"
Well, actually, checking the episode, Djaq says that Pitt actually poisoned Marion and intended her to die. But Pitt was so useless he gave her the one poison she could possibly survive.
...man, he sucks.
Except for Much's homemade burglar alarm... slapstick ahoy!
..great, now I DO want that ep..
He might not even be dead in Jekyll...
OR in Hornblower...
I watched it again, in one go. It's not the outright torture I assumed (though there is a scene that made me feel physically ill - it was when Nathan's on the station and the whole room spins around him)
I was surprised by how well they depicted zero-gravity - I don't know why the spinning was seen as necessary, though. It's quite popular with directors and weightless craft for some reason..
but it is INCREDIBLY badly written.
I didn't think it was that bad... though there are certainly big problems. The one that struck me most was that we get the setup for the first case (the 'drowning') but no resolution, and then there's no setup BEFORE the conclusion to the second case.
I think Chris was trying to overcome that by having a clear parallel of the two cases having the same method and motive, which I found quite a neat idea but didn't quite come across.
I still don't know the names for half the people,
Okay here we go:
Nathan Spring, obviously
Black American dude = Daniel Thereoux
Nathan's gf = Leigh
Australian chick in it for a couple of minutes = Pal Kenzy (?)
Earthbound D. with crap haircut = Harry Lincoln
German applicant for Nathan's job = Hans Diter
German chancellor = Mina Mueller
Finnish politician everyone hates: Hendvorgson
I admit one of those I'm fairly sure can only be found in the credits. The big surprises:
Nathan's commander has no name in the credits, but is referred to as 'Gordon' at one point. And...
The murderer has no name at all. Despite being Thereoux's apparent best-friend and the killer he is known only as 'Controller'. I can surely not be the only one to find that REALLY weird?
and the space station computer calls the station two different names.
Really? I though it was just The International Space Station..
However, I thought it was worth getting another episode.
Apparently Graeme Harper directs some eps mid-season.
Worse, it started before the episode was over...
Fun StarCops-theme trivia:
*Came #29 in an SFX list of "Worst things about Science Fiction"
*Is sung by the lead-singer of The Moody Blues
*Chris Boucher fucking hates it
*The producer chose it because he believed the song would lure in the casual viewers who hated sci-fi.
Seriously, though, thanks for them.
I figured you were low when those Jekyll eps showed up inside on those free-discs from the paper cases..
The only problems were sometimes you couldn't turn your voice on a dime during the dialogue only bits, and the notable hesitation to whenever you do the script.
Yeah, I listened back and there was a bit where Borusa and Morbius were talking and the voices almost blended into one. It's quite hard to do..
Hell yeah. Maybe you could read out Charles Daniel's novelization of An Unearthly Child next...
Ooh, something with jokes in it already! That is an idea..
Heh, that guy was awesome. He also played Richard in one episode, didn't he?
Yeah, that surprisingly adult ep where the gang realize the system is too big for them to change.
Haven't seen Robin of Sherwood, but another guy called Robin shows up and presumably the Merry Men go "Well, he's got the right name at least.." and hire him on the spot.
Guess so. But I note that there's a clear set up if Robin were to leave or die - the gang is under orders to continue without him, and that they can assume his name if needed to keep up the fight.
Have you seen that hilarious bit where the Sheriff says "And for God's sake why don't you change your clothes once in a while?"
Not yet...
..great, now I DO want that ep..
Got a disc with eps 1-7 (mind you, ep 4 has Spanish subtitles...)
OR in Hornblower...
But it's implied he was killed in the deulling since his opponnent survived to lead the Irish rebellion...
I didn't think it was that bad...
The plot is a good idea, and Mr Boucher thinks so as well as it forms the entire backbone of Match of the Day (assuming you can find it under the Death Watch remake with androids replacing professional killers).
though there are certainly big problems. The one that struck me most was that we get the setup for the first case (the 'drowning') but no resolution, and then there's no setup BEFORE the conclusion to the second case.
Yeah, we hear from Brian a wife we never see is acting suspiciously and then the whole case is sorted out... right... OK.
I think Chris was trying to overcome that by having a clear parallel of the two cases having the same method and motive, which I found quite a neat idea but didn't quite come across.
Apparently the Earth stuff is supposed to look COMPLETELY different to the stuff in space, but the producers calmly told him to fuck off and made it as is.
Nathan Spring, obviously
Black American dude = Daniel Thereoux
Nathan's gf = Leigh
Gf? Do you mean Brian?
Australian chick in it for a couple of minutes = Pal Kenzy (?)
She's a regular apparently.
Earthbound D. with crap haircut = Harry Lincoln
Ok...
German applicant for Nathan's job = Hans Diter
I don't remember him...
German chancellor = Mina Mueller
Finnish politician everyone hates: HendvorgsonNathan's commander has no name in the credits, but is referred to as 'Gordon' at one point. And...
The murderer has no name at all.
I KNOW!
Despite being Thereoux's apparent best-friend and the killer he is known only as 'Controller'. I can surely not be the only one to find that REALLY weird?
I couldn't find his name at all, hence my description "wisecracking Avonvila wannabe"...
Apparently Graeme Harper directs some eps mid-season.
Ooh.
Fun StarCops-theme trivia:
*Came #29 in an SFX list of "Worst things about Science Fiction"
What came first?
*Is sung by the lead-singer of The Moody Blues
Must explain why it's so catchy...
*Chris Boucher fucking hates it
Which is pretty damning...
*The producer chose it because he believed the song would lure in the casual viewers who hated sci-fi.
Yeah... but showing them astronauts grooving in space, that wouldn't put them off.
I figured you were low when those Jekyll eps showed up inside on those free-discs from the paper cases..
You noticed that, huh?
Yeah, I listened back and there was a bit where Borusa and Morbius were talking and the voices almost blended into one. It's quite hard to do..
I guess it's easier when the cast are not nearasdammit identical old men in frocks...
Ooh, something with jokes in it already! That is an idea..
Well, out of my stuff, The Penumbra Cell has hardly any jokes and Mental Anarchy, while funny, isn't particularly good...
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