Robin Hood 107: "Brothers in Arms"

In which the Gisbourne sets a trap for a spy in Nottingham Castle, a family member causes trouble, Marian kicks ass, an offer of marriage is made and a snake gets his comeuppance.

Two new characters move along the action in this episode, together with the Sheriff and Gisbourne's usual plotting to catch Robin: 

Carpetbagger Lucky George

• Lucky George, a slithery character in league with the Sheriff who visits villages ahead of the Taxman and offers the villagers pennies in exchange for their valuables, so they'll have cash to pay their taxes. Valuables Robin and his men of course later relieve him of (and return to their owners) as he passes through Sherwood.
• Tom, Allan's brother, a no-good conman and thief who starts off the episode trying to defend himself from angry villagers by claiming he's one of Robin's men and Robin will defend him (this to Robin's face, so rather amusing scene for all involved, except Tom).

Suspecting there's a spy in Nottingham helping Robin, the Sheriff orders Gisbourne to set a trap to flush out the spy (misleading information about a chest of silver traveling through the forest with no guards, told only to his sergeant so he could set it up).

Spoilers below!

Oh my! This is not a great episode for Robin and his men, or Marian for that matter!

Guy's ever-pressing attentions and gifts are getting on Robin's nerves and his jealousy finally flares up, particularly when he sees Marian wearing a silver necklace he realizes belongs to a Locksley villager who gave to her daughter as a wedding gift (Gisbourne, as the new lord of Locksley manor took it from her as payment to allow her wedding to take place). Marian asks him to return it to the girl, but this gets her in trouble with Guy when he realizes she's not wearing it.

Allan's brother Tom and his men have been given an opportunity to join Robin's gang in hopes that they will prove trustworthy. However when they set out on their own to prove to Robin what they can go they screw up royally by trying to rob a noble house: Knighton Manor! Marian, dressed as the Nightwatchman, beats them off as they're attacking her father (she was about to head out to steal the silver, as she was present when Gisbourne gave the order to the sergeant).

Best thing about this scene? Marian can kick ass!!! She gives Tom and co. quite a beating before Robin appears to intervene, impressing her father when he realizes that she is quite capable of defending herself.

Don't mess with the Nightwatchman!

Tom and his buddies further screw up another chance by stealing clothes, horses and gear from the gang and leaving Sherwood... but on their way out they happen upon Lucky George and try to steal from him, but get caught by the Sheriff's guards (assigned to him since earlier in the episode Robin robbed him blind) and taken to Nottingham. Allan argues against going to rescue him as it's clearly a trap, but Robin says family is family. Unfortunately they arrive too late as the Sheriff moved up the execution by an hour to foil any rescue attempt and prove to the people that Robin can't protect his men. 

Back to Gisbourne's trap, since she couldn't go for the silver Marian told Robin about the chest of silver, who arrives to find just a chest of rocks. This proves to Gisbourne and the Sheriff there is a spy, the latter figures it must be his sergeant as he's the one he gave the orders to, and orders him tortured and killed. When he sees the Locksley villager wearing the necklace he gave Marian neck and forces her to tell him Robin gave it to her he realizes Marian is the one who betrayed him. He tells the Sheriff who eggs him on to punish her. Robin is able to warn her (villager told him) in time for her to get home and try to delay Gisbourne long enough for Robin to get the necklace back (it's among Tom's affairs as he stole it from Lucky George to whom Gisbourne had given it after again taking it from the girl). Gisbourne is very menacing and scary, in part because he comes to believe she's been leading him on all this time to help Robin.

"The only reason you paid me any attention was to feed information to my enemy."

As Marian, tries to defend herself, pretends to look for the necklace everywhere in her room and finds herself about to tell him the truth and attack him verbally as he has her pushed up against the window... all of the sudden finds something in her hand: the necklace! Robin's made it just in time to give it to her, and stays to the side unseen.

"The truth is this country is being choked to death. The truth is honest people are being forced to lie and cheat and steal. (...) And I have something to show you. Feel it, it is real (as she puts the necklace in his hands). And you owe me an apology."

Sadly this tangible proof is insufficient as the Sheriff won't be convinced enough of her innocence. The only way he can protect her is as Lady Gisbourne... She accepts the marriage offer (no choice is there?), but only on the day King Richard returns to England. Sadly exchanges a look with Robin outside her window as his heart slowly breaks. Quite an contrast with an earlier exchange at that same window, when Robin came for information, tried to go in for a kiss and got amusingly rebuffed by Marian.

Gently rebuffing...

Heartbreaking apology...

Straight from Sherwood (or not!)

• Gisbourne's pursuit of Marian for marriage
• Marian being Robin's "inside" source of information for the Sheriff and Gisbourne's plans

Note: The notes for this post were taken when I started the series rewatch last summer, but got carried away with the episodes and never stopped and looked back to finish polishing the posts and adding photos, so posting them now. 😅