||SPOILERS|| A so-so episode that tried to compensate for the temporary loss of Richard Armitage (away filming Spooks, I assume) by replacing him with scenery-chewing tax-collector Rufus (Coronation Street's Bill Ward), who arrives in Nottingham and promises the hardup Sheriff (Keith Allen) that he'll terrorize the local villagers to ensure their taxes are paid. But, as is Robin Hood's ridiculousness at times, Rufus fails to understand that destroying villager's workshops where they make pottery is ultimately detrimental to his plans, as they can't sell goods to make any money. Oh well, he's all about the big visual gesture.I'm not sure what to say about "Sins Of The Father". It just is what it is; a mildly entertaining episode with another smirking villain to dispatch, as the Sheriff cackles insanely from the safety of his castle and Kevin Eldon guest-stars as a slimy accountant called Scrope (pitching his performance as something straight from Blackadder.) Rufus himself got more character development in 45-minutes than, say, Little John (Gordon Kennedy) has had over two years, which helped sustain interest. Turns out Rufus' father was killed by the Sheriff when he was 17 years old and Rufus ultimately has a plan to teach his dad's killer a lesson. Only, there's a twist in the tail that Rufus' own son Edmund1 (Liam Boyle) uncovers once he's been kidnapped by Robin's (Jonas Armstrong) gang and taught the error of his ways by the sanctimonious Tuck (David Harewood).
"Sins Of The Father" is also the episode that sees Kate become a part of the gang, although she's initially angry when forced into Robin's protection, after Rufus threatens to tell the Sheriff she's colluding with outlaws. Of course, she softens to the charms of the forest way of life and camaraderie, so signs up for more by the episode's conclusion. I know a lot of people have issues with Kate (who isn't the most amenable character), but I'm interested in seeing this rough diamond get polished. Most amusingly, the series is finding good humour in toying with our expectations of which outlaw will land Kate as his girlfriend –- Robin's barely had a look in (too busy grieving over Marian), so Much (Sam Troughton) is the one who's totally besotted, but now Allan (Joe Armstrong) has become competition after being imperilled with Kate in a barn.
Overall, this episode began to thrive as it went along, but it ultimately felt too bit flat and silly. The climactic sequence was especially laughable (with Robin shooting Rufus, despite him being shielded by a crowd, by launching a CGI arrow high into the air to miraculously find its target2), but there were a few decent moments and developments, and Bill Ward clearly enjoyed himself –- even if he did just reprise his Coronation Street villain with facial dirt.
18 April 2009
BBC1, 6.10pm
Writer: Holly Perkins
Director: Alex Pillai
Cast: Jonas Armstrong (Robin), David Harewood (Tuck), Keith Allen (The Sheriff), Gordon Kennedy (Little John), Sam Troughton (Much), Joe Armstrong (Allan-a-Dale), Joanne Froggatt (Kate), Bill Ward (Rufus), Teresa Banham (Rebecca), Kevin Eldon (Scrope), Liam Boyle (Edmund) & Zsigmond Maier (Butcher)
1. Another Blackadder allusion, I wonder?
2. The cartoon-y abilities of Robin Hood in this series are another bugbear of mine, beyond the repetitive music ("dum, dum, dum... dum-dum-dum-dum!".)
