Robin Hood 113: "A Clue: No"

In which the Sheriff and Gisbourne corner Robin and his men forcing a violent standoff... while everyone else prepares for the return of the King.

And that's just the first 5 minutes! More violent than usual as Robin changes his methods out of despair from the previous episode's ending (this one picks up exactly where the previous left off). Standoff saved at the last minute by the reappearance of Will and Alan who decided not to abscond with Gisbourne's riches.

Do not mess with this Robin...

Spoilers below!

But wonders of wonders, Marian's alive! She only appeared to be dead thanks to a potion the treacherous doctor gave her... and Robin takes her home to Knighton to heal. Where her wedding to Gisbourne awaits the King's arrival the next day, and her father urges Robin to let it happen (since there's nothing he can do to stop it), and instead join him and some of the nobles in Nottingham to protect the King from the Sheriff (they think he's plotting an assassination). Even Much urges Robin to do the honorable thing and save the King so England will be right again. And Marian confronts Guy about having gone to the Holy Land to kill the King, and believes him when he denies it. She seems determined to believe there is good in him, that he has just been lacking love in his life... and since there is no way she can go back on her word, she will marry him. Much to Robin's frustration.

"Marian: This is goodbye Robin. It's time for us to both grow up and accept our lot in life. 

Robin: Are you marrying him? 

Marian: I am marrying him. 

Robin: Very well. 

Marian: Pardon? 

Robin: You said grow up. I'm growing up."

Little do they all know the King is NOT returning! The Sheriff has hired an imposter as a way of rooting out the nobles who are against him. And it works, as Marion's father Edward has gathered with some of the nobles at Nottingham to testify against the Sheriff... But not Robin, he's neither here nor there. Instead he plans to leave Locksley and Nottinghamshire for good. And while his men join Edward, Much backs out at the last moment to rush back to Locksley to stop the wedding. On the way he runs into the arriving cavalcade and realizes the king is an imposter! He makes it to the Church just in time, and his story about the imposter King make Marion realize Guy has been lying to her. He still tries to pressure her into marrying him as the only means to protect her father who is at that moment walking into the Sheriff's trap... She almost gives in... and then lands a solid (and satisfying!) right hook on his jaw and runs out of the Church, to be swept away by Robin on his horse as they and Much rush off to save the others in Nottingham.

In the end all are saved (well except the poor nobles who went in to give evidence against the Sheriff before Robin arrived and broke up that party), make a joyful exit. 😎

See you next year! 😉

Straight from Sherwood (or not!)

• Return of King Richard (except not!)
• Marian's forced wedding to Gisbourne, which is also attempted in several other versions of the tales... (including the infamous attempt by Nottingham in RH Prince of Thieves)

Season 1 is done!!! Will continue the rewatch and blogging of it in summer 2019. 😁