TVSquad

(S01E11) Before I start on this week's episode, I want to point out that I've been a fan of Robin Hood since it started on the BBC almost three months ago.

Sure, it hasn't always been knockout television, but there's been a slant of originality to the casting, design and overall theme.

The only real thing to let it down has been the bog-standard plotting, which I've mentioned several times in my reviews here on TV Squad.


However, there's really only one word to describe what was wrong with this week's episode, 'Dead Man Walking' -- everything.

Once again, I sat in disbelief as the writers and producers trundled out yet another plot involving one of Robin's men being held captive in Nottingham Castle by the Sheriff, as the band of Merrie Men hatched a plot to rescue him. Yawn.

This week, it was the turn of Little John, captured when he attempted to save his estranged wife and son from imprisonment as a result of non-payment of taxes.

It was so dull that I can't even bring myself to recount some of the plot.

Seriously folks, it was a pretty turgid affair, completely devoid of plot and unworthy of Saturday night entertainment. I defy anyone to disagree with me.

You could go back over any one of the reviews I've written in the past twelve weeks and it would read exactly the same as before: Robin's men get captured, Robin and his men sneak into the castle, the Sheriff hatches a dastardly plot to kill someone, Robin and his men escape in the nick of time -- cue corny Star Trek-style end credit freeze-frame scene with everyone patting each other on the back and laughing.

The story barely touched upon the developing relationship between Marian and Gisburne, although it managed to provide a semblance of humour when Robin (dressed as one of the Sheriff's soldiers) happened upon Mutch and Djaq, then pretended to threaten them before they realised who he was.

I'm looking forward to this series coming to an end, then I won't have to keep reviewing the same drivel every week.