WRITER: Debbie Oates DIRECTOR: Declan O'Dwyer
CAST: Jonas Armstrong (Robin), Lucy Grifiths (Marian), Keith Allen (Sheriff), Richard Armitage (Guy Of Gisbourne), Sam Troughton (Much), Gordon Kennedy (Little John), Harry Lloyd (Will Scarlett), Joe Armstrong (Allan A Dale), Anjali Jay (Djak), Kyndon Ogbourne (Rowan), Michael Elwyn (Edward) & Ian Burfield (Brooker)
The Sheriff begins importing Turkish slaves to work in a mine, while an archery competition at Nottingham Fair grabs Robin's attention...Sniffier critics are picking on the BBC's new Robin Hood series because of its left-wing politics and constant drawing of parallels between the Crusades and today's Middle East crisis. It's true that the writers can be heavy-handed, although I don't think it's wrong to provide some resonance with contemporary issues.
Turk 'Flu will probably upset said critics. The gist of the story is the importing of immigrants from the Middle East (not illegal, mind) to work in a dangerous mine for the Sheriff. The story also gives us one of the Robin Hood legend's most enduring plots -- an archery competition.
It's now clear Robin Hood isn't going to stray too far from its cosy family audience, which is a shame for audiences wanting something more substantial and adult. Turk 'Flu continues steps began last week to make the outlaws a more cohesive and believable group. They're still not the brotherhood they should be, but it's getting there. Sam Troughton remains the most entertaining character, while near-mute Gordon Kennedy reamins lost in the mix as Little John.
The episode is most important for introducing Anjali Jay as new character Djak -- a piece of casting that forces a racial and sexual slant into the merry (wo)men. I'm sure critics are sniffing in the tabloids, but I found Jay to be a welcome presence here and should provide some much needed spark to those dour woodland teens!
The archery competition is a little undercooked, but does highlight the impressive set design for this series. The mine is also well constructed and the CGI enchancements to Nottingham Castle are handled beautifully. If nothing else, the people in charge of production design, costumes and props are doing sterling work for this series. The production values are easily on par with US TVM's like Merlin.
In summation, Turk 'Flu is a great deal more enjoyable than its synopsis would suggest. The characters are beginning to connect more, Marian's secret life as The Nightwatchman looks more interesting, and Keith Allen continues to chew scenery with gusto.
The show isn't as witty and thrilling as it thinks it is, though. Jokes fall flat, and the excellent music is twice as exciting as anything actually happening. But, it's nowhere near as bad as some snooty critics would have you believe. Robin Hood is undemanding family fun... it just hasn't quite got the mix right to make you connect emotionally with the situations.
