Coming Soon: Robin Hood, Series 2

By johnberesford on September 22nd, 2007 2 comments

In complete contrast with my earlier post, here’s another series set to return to our screens in the autumn. Difference is, this one proves that when the Beeb (or anyone else for that matter) does drama badly, it really sucks. The first series started strongly amid high expectation, but attracted much critical opprobrium for the poor quality of storylines and performances and saw its ratings drop significantly during the series.

With the BBC trying to whip up enthusiasm for the second outing by quoting the Daily Mail and Chris Moyles, a desperate choice of pundits if ever there was one, it’s clear they recognise their continued investment in this lame “retelling” of the Robin Hood tale is a risk, but one they feel is worthwhile. It’s true that, on average, over 6 million poor unfortunates felt they had no better choice for their Saturday night entertainment than this, but up against the tired alternatives of Saturday Night Takeaway and The X Factor that’s hardly a stunning endorsement.

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Category: BBC 1, Coming Soon..., Drama
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http://feelinglistless.blogspot.com Stu

Actually the funny thing about Robin Hood is after opening with one of the worst first episodes of anything (with the exception of Primevil) offering a very poorly structured script, too quick character introduction and unsteady tone it improved immeasurably across the series, with the introduction of the character of Jac and oddly a greater focus on character over plot and more ambitious action sequences. It also worked well in tackling contemporary themes in a dark ages setting such as the Iraq War, immigration and drugs.

This was largely because of the writing of the likes of Paul Cornell (who also wrote the ‘Human Nature/Family of Blood’ story for Doctor Who) and the direction of Graeme Harper (who also directed some of the best Who stories in the past couple of years and in the classic series). The one in which they were both involved — the next to last I think, was the best of the series. Like Torchwood, it wasn’t perfect, but there was enough surprising and moments of quality to suggest that a second series isn’t such a bad thing.
Danielle

I loved the first series of Robin Hood! It gave an alternative view to the legend. It portrayed Robin Hood, not as the completely selfless person that most of the hood portrayls have taken, it showed that maybe the man was a little bit selfish, reckless etc. I loved the alternative take, and i thought the character introductions were brilliant, i hate long winded introductions, where you eventually get bored of the characters, this one gave fast, short introductions and left you wanting more from it!
Can’t wait for the second series!!!!