In an article for TechRadar, Jasmine Valentine eloquently discusses the perceived discrepancy between the purportedly grounded sex scenes in Robin Hood and their unconventional nature. I concur that this observation is insightful and indicative of a larger issue beyond the realm of sexual encounters. This sentiment is particularly apparent in Episode 5, as the show's attempt to be "grounded" in reality tends to detract from the thrill of Robin Hood's legendary status.
For me, a Robin Hood series should not aspire to be a historical docudrama. The show's efforts to mimic the gravitas of prestigious dramas feel somewhat forced, and the writing lacks the sophistication required to pull it off. This is where the sex scene debate comes into play. Priscilla's repeated appearances this season, serving little more than a narrative function to try and assert some agency through her body, are testament to this. While women's agency in this setting is inherently limited, the show's approach feels more like a contrivance than a genuine exploration of the subject.
The seriousness surrounding the manhunt for Robin also feels a bit absurd. The Sheriff, enlisting aid from the earls of Leicester and Warwick, refers to Robin as a "dangerous beast" and attempts to imbue the forest outlaws with a mythic aura that feels exaggerated. The political realities are undeniable: Rob and his merry men robbed the Bishop of Hereford's gold, which means there's no money for the bounty on his capture. And this problem won't be solved by a vengeful Earl of Huntingdon rushing into the forest to avenge his son's death. The Sheriff thus keeps Rob's involvement in the heist under wraps, neglecting to explain how he'll pay for the services of those involved in the manhunt, indulging in wishful thinking about the recovery of the abbey's stolen fortune.
Rob is keen to bury the stolen gold, which makes sense. A bunch of itinerant Saxons throwing coins around would draw attention, and if any were captured with bags of it on them, their guilt would be evident. Besides, the heist was more of a symbolic gesture than a way for the thieves to enrich themselves – a point Spragart fails to grasp. By the same logic, Rob also wants to disband the newly-formed Merry Men to avoid becoming an easy target for the giant hunting party roaming the forests.
Despite some reluctance, this is eventually agreed upon, with Rob taking shelter in a cave with a wolf while Spragart and Little John head towards Nottingham. The Miller siblings – with Henry surviving his injuries but still not in good health – return to their village to rejoin their family. The oak tree beneath which the money is buried serves as a convenient meeting point for future adventures.
The news of the manhunt travels swiftly and unceasingly in the fifth episode of "Robin Hood," reaching Marian in Westminster with the shocking news of her brother's demise at the hands of an outlaw. I find it hard to believe she hasn't divined that her tormented Saxon beau is the culprit. But Marian has other matters to attend to. As was all too apparent, Marian's presence at court is a calculated move by Queen Eleanor, who seeks to govern the land in her husband's absence and install her preferred prince, Richard, on the throne. However, Henry II is a cousin of the Sheriff of Nottingham, who will support Prince John's ascension unless he can be somehow blackmailed or silenced. This necessitates an insider familiar with both the sheriff and his daughter, Priscilla, and adept at navigating the complex politics of the Midlands—a cultural crucible between the north and south of England. The term "combustible" is apt, as becomes evident as "Go Back to Them" unfolds, with the separated Merry Men gradually finding their way back to each other under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Spragart predictably flaunts his wealth and draws attention to himself, while Friar Tuck's sermonizing makes him wistful for the brief time spent with his new friends. Upon returning home, the Millers are almost immediately ratted out by the husband of their cousin Isabel and promptly arrested by the Sheriff's soldiers, who burn all the village's crops as punishment for harboring them. While some of this works better than others, I appreciate the idea of peasant locals as snitches, as this kind of backstabbing cowardice thrives in oppressive circumstances. However, Friar Tuck's lofty claims of found family are difficult to buy into given his recent acquaintance with the others, and Rob's feverish dream of his father inspiring him to become an outlaw feels a bit forced. It would have been better if we had spent an episode or two with the Merry Men carrying out a few heists and becoming closer, rather than retiring after their first job.
Regardless, the gang finds themselves reconvening under the oak tree, minus the Millers but joined by Isabel herself. It's time for a rescue mission, where "Robin Hood" truly shines, giving each member of the Merry Men something relevant to do. With the help of a distraction, disguises, a few arrows, and a carriage, the gang is able to not only rescue the Millers but also recruit Milange, the serving boy who was arrested in the previous episode for defending Priscilla with a knife.
While the mission is a success, it only builds more infamy for the outlaws and stokes their pursuers' flames, especially since Priscilla gets shot in the hand with an arrow. Now she, the Sheriff, and the Earl of Huntingdon are determined to bring Rob to justice, and folding Marian back into that dynamic, especially with Rob potentially developing an alternative romantic connection with Ralph, is only going to cause more trouble. I hope that the show develops a bit more excitement along the way and doesn't get bogged down by its own seriousness.
