39 Response to "The First Robin Hood Fan Site"

• John Toon Says: 11:24 PM

  Wow. Now that is fast work (cynical hat on: there's no way a) that wasn't ready to go online before Saturday, b) the Beeb aren't behind it, or behind the site owners in some way). I wish I could knock up a fan programme guide that nice in the space of a weekend...

  


• John Toon Says: 11:25 PM

  (Thomas Edison pat. pend. self-promoting hat on: the 'Fun at the Funeral Parlour Fan Programme Guide' was in fact knocked up in a weekend, but it definitely doesn't look that nice. And it isn't strictly finished yet.)

  


• Jonathan Says: 11:33 PM

  At the risk of turning this site in to a Robin critique... (and of being labelled an RTD hater! It wouldn't surprise me...)
  
  Sorry to say I was pretty unimpressed with the first episode. There were lots of the usual pedantic 'let's write a witty letter to Points of View' things (people looked far too clean and white-toothed, and brightly-clothed for me, those were very quiet horses in the first scene to creep up on Alan-a-Dale like that) and some bizarre editing, especially in the fight scene in the strange barn with wonderful inexplicably expensive drapes early on. (Why dig a trench? Get the bloody walls on first, mate!)
  
  But worst bit for me (apart from the fact that Robin Hood lived in Yorkshire, not Nottinghamshire, but never let geography get in the way of a Tourist Board) was the 'arrow' sound effect when 'Loxley' came up on screen. I thought he'd been shot!
  
  I hope your episode is better - lots of setting up in this one and I don't envy the writer!

  


• Martin Hoscik Says: 4:09 AM

  John Toon - the domain is owned by these people:
  
  http://www.filmcellworld.co.uk/commerce/
  
  and was bought on: 04-Apr-2006
  
  Some of the pages were created ahead of transmission. The jigsaw one for example was created Thu, Oct 5, 2006 20:18:19
  
  I don't think it's a BBC site bit the involvement of a company makes me think it's not quite a 'fan site'.

  


• LJC Says: 6:24 AM

  Believe me--you can knock up a fan website in 3 hours. Erm... at least, I can.
  
  (ask me how quickly my Torchwood site went up. Seriously.)
  
  Then again, I'm a freak.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 8:43 AM

  It's made by the Richard Armitage fans, who already had something similar just for him. I know them of old. Foz has sent them a nice message, but that's the extent of BBC involvement. My mind has now finally boggled. What, did you think the BBC were paying people to write fan fiction and enthuse about tight medieval trousers? It's nice work if you can get it.
  
  Jonathan: why don't the Daleks just shoot the Doctor?

  


• John Toon Says: 10:16 AM

  I sit corrected re: Beeb involvement. Just shows my cynical hat isn't always right, which is a nice thought. I just immediately leaped to the conclusion that a site so rippling with pictures and info must surely have inside help - Richard Armitage fans would, however, explain it. Not my intention to detract in any way from the hard work and ability of the site owners themselves, who as I say have put together a very nice programme guide indeed.

  


• Eli Says: 12:34 PM

  Hi, firstly thanks to Paul for putting the link to the RobinHood2006 site on here. Sorry to disappoint but I have zilch to do with the BBC. I'm a massive Richard Armitage fan and run a fan site about him and the RH site sort of developed from there. Its great fun and the RH fandom is I'm discovering a nice place to inhabit. The site is purely a fansite, and has been up about 7 weeks and is very much a work in progress.
  Thanks for taking a look.
  
  Oh and I enjoyed the first episode and surprisngly enough Mr Armitage was not my favourite thing in it. Overall I thought it was a good fun swashbuckling romp. Did what it said on the tin.

  


• Simon Cooper Says: 2:44 PM

  I wanted to like 'Robin Hood', but unfortunately it was one of the worst things I've seen on TV in a long time.
  
  Magic boomerang swords.
  
  That backfilp bit that reminded me of the Boom! Boom! Boom! bit in "Battlefield" (Not a good thing.)
  
  The arrow captions.
  
  Keith Allen trying to be Alan Rickman and failing. (Not that any of the other actors were much better.)
  
  Painfully crowbared in anti-Bush comments.
  
  No one looks like they're from the 12th century. The worst offender being the Priest's daughter, who looked like she'd fallen out of an Essex nighclub, and was nearly falling out of her dress.
  
  It'll be interesting to see how the ratings hold up for episodes two onwards.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 3:33 PM

  Simon, please bear in mind that to my ears this conversation resembles a spirited debate about the attractiveness of my wife. How do I start to be involved in that conversation other than emotionally? Especially when most of the points raised are entirely subjective. If you tell me that you don't like the line of her chin, am I going to go and tell her to do something about it? Or am I just going to feel hurt on her behalf, and brood on how it's a very nice chin and how much I love it. There are other places you can go to talk about her, without me having to patiently listen. And yes, I did walk into the street and start proclaiming about my wife's beauty. I think I'm allowed to do that. I think it is indeed a responsibility of mine that I should do that. And I mean every word. It'll be easier next year, when there's a certain two-parter out there, and it's my own beauty that's at issue. I can, to a small extent, explain where I got these scars. But not entirely. However, when that time comes round, I think perhaps the idea of knocking on my door and telling me to put a bag over my head might make even the most dedicated citizen of our shared community pause.

  


• John Toon Says: 9:03 PM

  We've got to try it more than once (Robin Hood, not Paul's wife - here the analogy ends...) - it's the Difficult First Episode. Series these days always seem to need a couple of episodes to settle in, and around the third episode or so you get a better idea of the real quality of the show. New 'Doctor Who' - bit shaky at first, but by the third episode I think most fans were won over. 'Hyperdrive' - started shit, continued to be shit. You've just got to stick with it to find out.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 8:41 AM

  Amen to that, John. Thank you for continuing to try my wife.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 12:18 PM

  Sorry, all, that I've had to turn on comment moderation. Some brave fellow posted some abuse under cover of anonymity. I'll try and clear messages as soon as humanly possible, and intend to switch it off again when things have calmed down a bit.

  


• Caroline Symcox Says: 12:38 PM

  Metaphors are all well and good, sweetie, but I'm now feeling a little self-conscious. :) And don't feel you have to walk into the middle of the town square proclaiming my beauty - I think that's above and beyond the call of duty, and would mean I'd have to hide for a year or so...
  
  Caroline (As if you didn't know... )

  


• Skeeter Says: 1:54 PM

  Hear Hear JohnToon, and that's not just 'cause I know you ;-)
  
  Having watched both the first eps of Doctor Who (revival) and Buffy recently I am forcibly reminded that series can take time to bed down and that the first ep can often be a bit jarring. There was more than enough in the first ep of RH to make me think the same thing may happen here and to keep me watching.
  
  Paul you are defending your position against all comers with your usual style (sorry, shoe licking over with)

  


• John Toon Says: 2:34 PM

  Thank goodness you intervened, Caroline, I was just about to give Paul the satisfaction of having out-disturbed me with his TV show/wife metaphor. And the less frequently I give Paul the satisfaction (and in public, too!), the better all round, I dare say.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 4:30 PM

  John, you can give me the satisfaction any time. Skeeter, I'm trying not to defend so much as to calmly point things out, but ta! And, in case anyone is wondering, I'm not stomping on negative reviews with the moderation system, just abuse (in this case of Russell). I haven't had to block anything since that, so this may be a very short term deal.

  


• Martin Hoscik Says: 6:00 PM

  Sorry to hear you've had problematic postings.
  
  It's a shame people feel the need to spoil a good, frank but friendly discusion with abuse. :(

  


• DanProject76 Says: 6:54 PM

  I liked it but found some of it a little bit silly (Essexgirl Wench, Crazy backflips) but I shall be sticking with it because it will be good and Paul wrote some of it. Oh how nerdy fanboy can I be?
  
  I also thought there were several fine specimens of manhood in it. And by manhood I don't mean penises. I am not The Sun.

  


• Purple Says: 9:15 AM

  I watched the first episode and was left with mixed feelings. I try not to over-analyse things, especially too early, and give the show a chance to find it's feet, but I did find myself getting frustrated with some of the camera work and the very modern background music. I'm not sure that either really suited the subject material. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it, and plan to watch the following episodes.
  
  I seem to remember reading that one or two (US) shows have taken to filming later episodes first, and then going back to do the opening episode, which is so much the better because the cast and crew are more familiar with one another, and have grown in to their roles. Seems like a good idea to me!

  


• Cav Says: 10:42 PM

  I once knocked up a Roger Moore in an afternoon. It can be done.

  


• Cav Says: 10:43 PM

  Sorry that was supposed to be a Roger Moore *site*.
  
  I have never done anything slightly rude to The Man With the Golden Eyebrow!
  
  Honest!

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 8:15 AM

  It's good to hear from you, Cav. Though your avatar scares me.

  


• Cav Says: 9:28 AM

  Is it the striped tie / shirt combo. I could see how that would spark off nightmares

  


• LJC Says: 9:57 PM

  Caroline is very pretty. And that's about all I'm gonna say about that.
  
  Yes, the dyer's daughter's eye make-up was a bit less 12th century, more 21st century. And technically, she looked a bit closer to 25 than 15 (which is prolly a GOOD thing, since Robin making out with a 15 year old girl would have had Mary Whitehouse spinning like a top in her grave). And the entire scene was there pretty much to say "Look! Robin's got a Saracen sword! COOL!"
  
  That said, I'm waiting to see how the next 6 episodes grab me. I give pretty much everything I watch 6 episodes to find their footing, actors to settle into their parts, directors to find a solid look and tone for a new series, etc. And the pilot was fun--just not brilliant. It's rare to have a pilot that is utter and complete genius. And by week 6, we'll see a good glimpse of how much potential the series has, and its chances of fulfilling it.
  
  And for me, "Buffy", loved the pilot, but it was "The Pack" that kicked my ass and made me love the series--for drawing a line in the sand (eating the Principal), then gleefully stepped across it and giving the universe the finger from the other side. And it's not all that surprising that that was episode 6....

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 9:49 AM

  It's very open-minded to give something six episodes. Most anime shows get off to a slow start. Episode ones, unlike in the west, seem constructed to be low key, and shuffle the show gently through the door. I didn't like Planetes at all from the first episode, but now I'm addicted to it. And don't let me stop you elaborating about Caroline. Really. I'm sure Cav's interested. Or perhaps he's too young for girls.

  


• Anonymous Says: 6:11 PM

  I loved Planetes the manga from the start, but the anime annoyed me by having too much comedy in the first few. I want awe and splendour.
  
  As for Robin Hood well Fractal Matter are giving it 3 episodes before we do the review - partly to give it a fair hearing and also because we expect certain people's episodes to be far more to our tastes.
  
  Another vote in favour of Caroline here.
  
  One of these days I may have to get an account.
  
  Mark P

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 8:33 AM

  Oh, hello Mark. It was the lead in Planetes that I didn't like initially, but I warmed to him very quickly. You know the bit about Caroline is a metaphor, right? My wife, for our purposes in this thread, is the TV show Robin Hood. She was made in Hungary, features the handiwork of many expert craftsmen and is brought to life by Jonas Armstrong.

  


• Piers Says: 10:21 AM

  I keep thinking of Robin Hood as being your mistress rather than your wife. All the original points about the shape of her chin remain true but
  
  - She's costly
  - She lives far away
  - She spends more time with other men than with you
  
  Also, you have more than one of them. You televisual stud, you.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 12:42 PM

  That's what you keep thinking about?

  


• Anonymous Says: 1:20 PM

  You big writers with your metaphors. I was just generally voting in favour of Caroline.
  
  With Robin Hood I always have to put aside my training as a medieval historian and appreciate a good romp. From what I saw of ep 2 it was better than 1, though the fight sequences were badly choreographed - if I can spot block, thrust, block in sequence then you have a problem. Now hopefully that will improve as the cast get more used to fighting. Now for the purposes of the review being good we need a good episode 3.
  
  Planetes - in the manga yeah the lead takes a while to settle down. In the anime that additional character who is the focal character is just annoying. I understand why she's there for structural purposes, but still she grates. I have another 2 volumes or so to watch which I will get around to.
  
  Mark P

  


• Martin Hoscik Says: 1:42 PM

  I thought episode two was MUCH better.
  
  The dialogue was sharper and Gordon Kennedy brought a bit more weight to the cast which better balances the freshness of the rest.
  
  Still not convinced by Sam Troughton's delivery but Jonas seemed more relaxed in the role.

  


• Collyfriendofparrotknight Says: 2:32 PM

  Having seen episodes 1 & 2 in close succesion (thanks to video) to my way of thinking people could try to watch this without thinking of historical accuracy. If anything the model to consider when watching RH is Xena; Much aka the whiney one, is rather like Gabrielle. (Although your inside knowledge may knock this view on the head)

  


• Bodders Says: 4:50 PM

  I enjoyed most of episode two more, although at one point I did think 'oh, for Goodness sake'.
  
  That was when the sheriff was talking about training camps in the holy land and thus the need for stronger law and order here. Yes, we get the modern reference ladled on with a spoon and it's just annoying.
  
  It would be fine as entertaining hokum if only it would drop these pretensions to include some kind of message. Leave that to Spooks!

  


• John Toon Says: 8:18 PM

  Yes, your metaphorical wife didn't do anything by halves yesterday evening, Paul. Is Robin a bit heroic? No, he's very heroic. Is the Sheriff a bit evil? No, he's very evil. Is the political subtext a bit obvious? No, it's very obvious. Is Much a bit camp? No, he's very camp.
  (And on the subject of RH slash, that episode's got it pre-packaged in the whole "you tied us up and made us take our clothes off, now we'll tie you up and make you take your clothes off" scene. I've seen films like that before, and apparently so has Dominic.)
  It was just more Robin Hood than last week - good and bad.

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 8:22 PM

  Mark, I'm in love with the character whose presence you resent. Sorry! I think that love story is the most realistic romance I've seen in anime, or most other visual media. And see, you guys are getting into it now. My wife is looking more attractive to you, and I hope it's not just because of her ventures into comedy bondage.
  
  Oh dear God, I really have to kill this metaphor soon. Before she kills me.

  


• Piers Says: 7:24 PM

  Yes.
  
  Which is worrying in and of itself.

  


• SK Says: 10:01 AM

  As a matter of interest, and please don't feel I'm asking you to give out confidential or personal information, but how do repeat fees work in these digital days of three showings per week, and then repeats ad nauseum on BBC3 for the next, well, they haven't stopped showing Doctor Who series one yet? Are the contracts time-based instead of unit-based, or do you just sign over to the BBC the rights to show the episode in perpetuity?

  


• Paul Cornell Says: 11:40 PM

  That's a fair question. What happens is, you're given an initial lump sum in lieu of future royalties on such British re-broadcasts (and very generous it is too). I believe bean counting is done about when the percentages pass that sum, and one day I may start getting such royalties again. Whenever the show is sold abroad I get a few quid and an exotic statement of such sales.