Director: Matthew Evans
Cast: Jonas Armstrong (Robin), Lucy Griffiths (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), Michael Elwyn (Sir Edward) & Sara Stewart (Davina/Rose)
The Sheriff's sister arrives at Nottingham Castle, prompting the capture of Robin and the destruction of Marian's home…The adventures of Robin Hood continue for another series, despite the first run being widely criticized for its anachronistic attitude and flimsy shoehorning of political parallels between the 12th-Century's Crusades and the 21st-Century's War On Terror.
Sister Hood makes it immediately clear that lessons haven’t been learned from series 1, with another swishing arrow sound effect heralding the legend we're in "Sherwood Forest", witnessing Robin (Jonas Armstrong) and his merry men (sorry, "gang") robbing a devious-looking lady of her riches. It's business as usual.
The after-shocks of last year's finale are only moderately felt, primarily when jilted fiancé Guy of Gisbourne (Richard Armitage) burns down former-fiancée Marian's home. Ooh, the rotter! To be fair, Armitage is still the only actor successfully counteracting the show's inherent breezy nonsense with something approaching real malice.
Keith Allen is quite good fun as the Sheriff, but too often his pantomime, nasty uncle attitude robs the show of what it so desperately needs: a bit of real nastiness. Help seemed to be at hand with the introduction of Davina (Sugar Rush's Sara Stewart), the devious-looking lady from the teaser, who is revealed to be the Sheriff's sister.
Davina's arrival is just the kind of seductive, faintly-incestuous undertone Robin Hood needs, but all hope Stewart would become the Evil-Lyn to Allen's Skeletor, is flushed away by the episode's end. It's a real shame, as Sara Stewart showed plenty of promise as a sort of dominatrix, snake-obsessed version of Penny Smith.
While the overall feeling behind series 2's premiere is one of humdrum continuation, writer Dominic Minghella does find the time to iron out a few kinks in Hood's armour. A big problem last year was coming up with a reason Robin doesn't just twang an arrow into the Sheriff's neck from behind some bushes. Sister Hood finds a workable solution, by revealing King John has vowed to decimate the county of Nottinghamshire if the Sheriff should die an unnatural death. As reasons go, it'll do.
Minghella also gives the outlaws a nifty new camp, which is a better hidden area for them to retreat to and plausibly avoid soldiers. Djaq (Anjali Jay) has also been allowed to let her hair down (literally), meaning she's less androgynous-looking.
There's also some set-up for a few continuing plots for series 2, as the Sheriff outlines his plot to assassinate King Richard when he returns from the Crusades, with the help of his Black Knights. Elsewhere, Gisbourne successfully manipulated Allan-a-Dale (Joe Armstrong) into becoming a traitor in the outlaw's midst…
And yet, for the few attempts to paste over some series 1 cracks, Robin Hood still doesn't have the desired punch. Jonas Armstrong is likable, but lacks a commanding presence as Robin -- and his outlaws are annoying scallywags, not well-trained freedom fighters. Above all, despite some gorgeous scenery and atmospheric sets, the vibe of the show is too consciously modern and hip, with an eye on the American market. The 80s ITV series may be plodding and visually murky by comparison, but there was authenticity and atmosphere sadly lacking from the BBC version.
Last year's dark, muddy opening titles have wisely been given a lick of paint, but now come with a patronizing summary of the show! Frankly, if you're watching Robin Hood and you need the premise explaining to you… well, you're beyond help!
However, Sister Hood wasn't a total, brainless failure. If you're prepared to accept the inherent faults with casting and overall style, Robin Hood is a fair amount of fun at times. Keith Allen and Richard Armitage are generally entertaining to watch, Lucy Griffiths is easy on the eye as Marian, and this episode had a wonderful snake-pit finale – with the Sheriff taunting a captured Robin with all the glee of a particularly stupid Bond villain.
Sister Hood was a reasonable start to series 2, but not the reinvention necessary to do justice to this enduring legend.
6 October 2007
BBC1, 7.30 pm
