dangermousie | Rewatching and Liveblogging Robin of Sherwood

If I were to think of something that shaped my preferences in fiction probably for the rest of my life, the BBC series Robin of Sherwood is very very near the top. I was seven when I first saw it and I was a goner. I spent the summar playing "Robin and Marian" and was fixated by the story. On a more shallow note, I wanted to have an outfit like Marian's :) They replayed it when I was 13 or so and I loved it even more. And finally, I got my hands on the DVDs a few years ago, half-excited and half full of trepidation. So many things I thought were wonderful in my childhood turned out not so when seen through adult eyes. What if this was going to be another one of them?

Luckily for me, this was not to be. I loved RoS even more as a grown-up (and yay, Mr. Mousie liked it too). But what struck me even more was how many of my fictional tastes (not to say kinks) seem to have first been discovered by me via RoS, when I didn't even know that's what I liked. Everything, from a rebel against the system (and an angry hero) and a strong heroine to hurt-comfort and men with medieval weapons and angst. I am forced to conclude this RoS was responsible for all of this :)

Oh, and yeah, it was probably also the start of my unreasonable devotion to fictional characters. Even without the excuse of emotionality of childhood, on rewatch, I cried so hard at the end of S2, Mr. Mousie had to get a kleenex box and comfort me. And I confess I never watched S3 because I don't think I ever got past the trauma. Yup, I am a wimp.

Anyway, this is a long-winded way to say that I've started rewatching RoS and plan to post my thoughts and caps on it as I go along. Oh, how I love this series! The fact that Michael Praed is one of the most handsome men I've ever laid eyes on doesn't hurt. I really really recommend it. Provided 80s-type haircuts on ladies don't bug you, this is perfect. It's my favorite take on Robin Hood in any media, and I have never yet seen (with the possible exception of Hong Gil Dong) a take that is that unflinching about hopelessness of that world and lack of glamor, and yet the necessity to fight on even when you know it's hopeless.

And we start with the butchery of Robin's village (he is no nobleman here, but a peasant), when he is a child. Just like him, we are given no reason which is a pretty good intro to a dark and chaotic and unfair world that is RoS.

First look at Much's house:

Young Robin was adorable. I bet that actor is 40 now.

Side Note: Robin's dad is a hottie. But not for long. A rebel too.

I also like RoS because it has fantasy elements but they add to the story and do not subtract (and go into interesting dichotomy between paganism and Christianity).

Credits. And our first glimpse of grown-up Robin. I am having a bit of trouble breathing. Also, long fingers!

Aha, and here we are: the aristocratic, rigid brutality. I always thought the law of taking no game from royal forests under pain of death was insane.

I love Robin's cynism about King's goodness or Much's naive belief in same. He clearly knows he does not live in a just world.

Hallo there, Guy of Gisbourne. Yup, still hate you. Though I find interesting how there is a level of insecurity in his arrogance. He needs others to acknowledge his superiority as a constant reinforcement.

I love the chase scene. Way outnumbered. And the little exchange between Guy and Robin, where Guy calls him a serf and Robin says he is a free man. So Gisbourne backhands him (mailed gloves, OW. I wonder if that's where my love of h/c was born, all those years ago) and snarls 'if I say you are a serf, you are a serf.'

Ooooh, the controlled rage emanating from Robin, which he of course can't voice. Love.

Jail=dark hole in the ground. Gotta love the Middle Ages.

YES. Will Scarlett is their cellmate. Love.

OMG. I'd forgotten that Will's wife was gangraped and then trampled to death. Yup, this version doesn't really mince words or things. And he killed them and that is why he is Scarlet. Yes.

EEE, other gang members. I totally forgot that they all met in jail.

I like how grimy this world looks.

Sheriff. Heee.

Little John! Tuck!

Baron de Belleme? I remember you and can't wait for you to bite the dust.

OMG MARIAN MARIAN MARIAN MARIAN MARIAN. I love this version's Marian so so so SO MUCH.

Robin plans a jailbreak. I love that in RoS their move to Sherwood is basically desperation and desire to hide somewhere on their part. He has no grand plan.

The Sheriff introduces "Lady Marian, My Lord" and I realize in a blinding flash where my total fixation on rebel (slave/peasant/other lower class person)/lady aristocrat OTP huge kink comes from. Yes indeed. Actually, R/M from RoS were my first ship, now that I think about it.

Proposal from Baron de Belleme. Yikes. Even if she doesn't know he is evil, seriously lady, say no. You can have super-hot peasant rebel instead.

She does :)

No, don't become a Nun. Have sexy make-outs instead!

Oh Sheriff! When his bro says Belleme is a devil-worshipper, he retorts. "But which devil? Thare are so many. But only one God. Hardly seems fair." Heeee.

PRISON BREAK OF AWESOME

Robin is trapped. But I am all for it, because that's how he meets Marian.

"Don't cry out. I won't harm you." Dammit, why don't hot rebels break into my bedroom?

LONG STARES OF HOTNESS OH YES YES YES YES

And the best part is, he makes no move towards her, he does not threaten her in any fashion. He just asks. Thank you, show, for not doing the usual cringe-worthy thing.

"Why didn't you call out? Why?" Because she wants your babies. Or should, if she has any sense.

She is all flustered. LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

"You are not afraid of me? Who are you?"
"My name is Marian."
"Marian..."
"Where will you go?"
"Sherwood"
"They will hunt you."
"Yes."
And then they talk some more, while not breaking eye contact once and it's about escaping or what not but we know what they really are saying which is "MAKE OUT MUST HAPPEN NOW." GUUUH.