Robin Hood and his motley crew have definitely trespassed the boundary of lawlessness. They've transcended from mere bandits to full-fledged outlaws, leaving their old lives behind. Their new path could decide the fate of Sherwood, especially with the recent episode of the MGM+ adaptation, "Bound by Love, Divided by Lies," managing to weave the political intrigue into the Sheriff's hunt for Robert Locksley. Thanks to some unintentionally comical Clark Kent/Superman-style mistaken identity shenanigans, everyone from the Sheriff to Marian is piecing together the puzzle and figuring out Robin Hood's true identity, which is bound to complicate matters further. At one point, Queen Eleanor describes Rob as "the Prince of Thieves," just for the sheer delight of fan service.
It was about time that these two disparate narrative threads were tied together, as it had become absurd that Rob's crimes – stealing money for his own bounty, bankrupting Hereford Abbey, and then freeing the Millers – were going unnoticed, especially given the political implications of the Sheriff's costly response. With William Marshall, Queen Eleanor's aide, having witnessed the latter raid, Eleanor decides to personally visit Nottingham to investigate the whole affair.
The Sheriff is attempting to manage the crisis by forcing Saxon leaders into helping him apprehend what he believes to be a solely Saxon band of outlaws – a fair assumption, albeit almost correct – but one that downplays Rob's growing role as a symbol of rebellion. Naturally, he doesn't want to admit any such thing in front of Eleanor and remains oblivious to Robin Hood's true identity as Robert Locksley.
What immediately stands out about Eleanor's presence is her keen awareness and keen eye for detail; she sees right through the Bishop's nonsense and grasps the situation immediately. Eleanor, of course, has her own plan. She wants to frame Nottingham's outlaw issues as a serious disaster to lure her husband, King Henry II, back from France, where she can keep an eye on his health and work towards installing her preferred son, Prince Richard, on the throne. To this end, she proposes that all local rulers sign a writ pledging their allegiance to the crown, which seems like a win-win for them since they get to prove their loyalty while also receiving some much-needed support to deal with Robin Hood.
However, the Sheriff doesn't see it this way. As a cousin of Henry II, he doesn't love the idea of him being ousted, which he's certain is Eleanor's ultimate plan. He also doesn't want to admit that, as the steward of the Midlands, he has allowed the situation to get completely out of control and needs a bailout.
In the concluding chapter of Robin Hood's Episode 6, Marian's journey to reunite with her beloved Rob takes a dramatic turn as she accompanies the Queen back to Nottingham and boldly sneaks away to the Locksley estate, her heart filled with hope and a secret agenda. Her ultimate aim is to execute the second phase of Eleanor's master plan - a clandestine meeting with Robin Hood, a meeting that will unleash chaos in Sherwood and entice King Henry II back to England, thus leaving the French throne unguarded and paving the way for a potential assassination attempt.
Despite the obvious similarities between Rob and Robin Hood - the very traits that make him seem like a natural fit for the outlaw's identity - Marian seems to have a blind spot, unable to connect the dots. Comically so, she even dares to press Eleanor to grant Rob clemency if she can arrange the meeting, unaware that her plan is already foiled by Robin Hood himself, who requests Eleanor to release Marian from her service.
Eleanor's plan, though, is rife with intrigue. She needs Robin Hood's increased frequency of attacks to lure her husband home, leaving the throne vulnerable, ultimately leading to the king's demise. Her endgame is clear.
But nature abhors a vacuum, and the Sheriff stands firm, refusing to sign the writ and burning it right in front of Eleanor, despite the accusations of treason. Priscilla, on the other hand, seduces William Marshall, presumably for some long-term counter-spy maneuver. While I still find myself wishing Priscilla had a more substantial purpose than merely sleeping her way to relevance (a sentiment perhaps shared by her father), we are where we are.
Regardless, there are still twists and turns in store for Sherwood. Marian remains in the dark about her lover's true identity, even though her father hints at his role in her brother's death. And while Eleanor's efforts to consolidate power in the region have failed, having emboldened Robin Hood and his Merry Men to wreak havoc, there is still much to play for in Sherwood. I hope the next episode's shenanigans are even more thrilling and unpredictable.
