Review: Robin Hood Season 2 Finale
Review and summary of Robin Hood Season 2 final episodes
A review, summary, and brief epsiode description of the final feature length episode of season two of the BBC serial Robin Hood, starring Richard Armitage
So the season finale of Britain’s most tongue in cheek, hysterically – sorry – historically inaccurate show is once more upon us.
The final two-part episode of the BBC serial sees Robin and his politically correct band travelling to the holy land to warn the king of (a) impending doom and (b) truly terrible haircuts. Okay, perhaps not that last one. This being Robin Hood, of course, nothing goes to plan and it isn’t long - with apologies to Robert Burns -before the best laid plans of merrie men start ganging agley.
Part 1: Robin's Birthday
Starting with a wonderfully non-anachronistic birthday pig for Jonas Armstrong's Robin, things become less celebratory with the arrival of the sheriff’s mercenaries, trapping our heroes in their birthday barn. Back at the castle, on discovering the sheriffs regicidal plan, Marion tries and fails to assassinate him, cumulating in the sheriff’s forcing her to accompany them to the Holy Land.
Meanwhile at the barn, Jack’s slightly contrived ‘confessing the truth on the point of death’ ritual leads to revelations amongst Robin’s men before their suicidal charge at the mercenaries. Quick thinking by Robin and Alan prevents a massacre, and our heroes escape to follow the sheriff, Gisbourne, and Marion to the Holy Land. Meeting up with friends of Jack on arrival, Robin searches for the King, unaware that the sheriff has already sent him a message painting Robin and his men in the role of royal assassins.
Part 2: The Holy Land
Episode two begins with the sheriff’s plan on the verge of success, with Robin, Marion, Jack, Alan, John, Will, and Much arrested for treason and staked out in the desert to die.
Rescue comes in the form of one of Robin’s crusader friends, who saves the gang and convinces the King to trust them, thereby foiling the Sheriff’s plan. Not to be so easily defeated, the sheriff and his men attack the King. The ensuing fight leads to a tragic loss for Robin.
The season ends, in the finest tradition of season finales everywhere, with a marriage, a death, and a parting of friends.
Overall, the second season has been the strongest so far for this series, with the writing, acting, and production all improving on season one. The finale revelations and envitable subsequent cast changes will make for an interesting start to Robin Hood season three. Good news for all female fans of the show: Guy of Gisbourne survives to fight another day. That’s the viewing figures secured for next season then.
