Posts
More Robin Goodness
Robin Hood himself, from Sherwood Forest, has established an enthusiastic blog about the new series, from the perspective of someone who clearly knows his Lincoln Green:
http://newrobin.blogspot.com/
Here's historical romance author Margaret Moore weighing in with some in-depth insight into the new show's characters:
http://margaretmoore.blogspot.com/2006/09/beauty-and-beast-and-bbc.html
Those two courtesy of the Robin forum. And here are the new novelisations, including one for my episode, and by such luminaries as Jac Rayner, available in both book and audio book form:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405903201/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/202-8359893-9185414?ie=UTF8
It's a good time to start getting into the show. Cheerio.
http://newrobin.blogspot.com/
Here's historical romance author Margaret Moore weighing in with some in-depth insight into the new show's characters:
http://margaretmoore.blogspot.com/2006/09/beauty-and-beast-and-bbc.html
Those two courtesy of the Robin forum. And here are the new novelisations, including one for my episode, and by such luminaries as Jac Rayner, available in both book and audio book form:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405903201/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/202-8359893-9185414?ie=UTF8
It's a good time to start getting into the show. Cheerio.
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Hi Paul,
Thanks for the "up".
I'm certainly enjoying the new series, as I think the vast majority are. But of course opinions will vary. People are very possesive about Robin, as I well know from just running my "fun" blogs about him!
On monday morning Radio Nottingham have asked me to chat on air about the subject. Having made it clear I don't approach the subject from an academic historical perspective it shoul be interesting.
Looking forward to tomorrow's episode. AND of course the new Dr Who spinoff "Torchwood".
Cheers for now
Robin.
As Robin said, opinions will vary. I think the local TV programmes were surprised not everyone has been enamoured with the new series. But it's certainly got its share of action. Robin's skills are more suited to the X-men then Sherwood Forest.
Just caught up on Episodes one and two and love it. I love that we have all of this family entertainment I can see with my kids. Try watching US tv with kids and you're stuck with not a lot of options (i.e., "dancing with the stars"). Can't wait to see your episode! Congrats!
-Erik
I tend to relate to people online according to their avatars, and, Robin, yours is so vastly friendly that I can only imagine you and the outlaws sitting down in front of the telly in a leafy glade. I hope you all enjoy it this evening.
Hey Paul
Really enjoyed the ep. Some very nice character interplay and a great build-up of tension. My most favourite ep so far, well done!
Hi Paul,
just wanted to leave a short comment that I really enjoyed tonight's episode a lot. Great action, great story, great dialogue. And finally we get to see the true evil side of Guy. I'm gushing a bit, but that's because I've only just finished watching it. Thanks for a really brilliant episode!
Closer2Red
Thanks very much. We had some people over and made a night of it. Some of our friends bought me some green tights, and I did wear them, but on my head. I very much appreciate the good reviews, on Robin here's page, in various other places online, and in The Guardian yesterday.
First episode to make me sit up, take notice of the series as something more than "let's update an old icon to fill the Who slot on a Saturday". Good amount of bite to what's been a romp so far.
Hi,Paul,
Best episode so far.Congratulations.I hope you're responsible for a few more scripts
Tasha
Yes, very well done Paul. Jo and I were at my parents' in Sussex over the weekend, so didn't get to see RH properly (i.e. see it and hear it!), but I watched the repeat today and the story and script were certainly the best so far. Very amusing to find that Marian's been out-Robinning Robin. Couple of unfortunate production/direction moments, but that would be a production/direction matter.
I'm delighted to say my mother's realised who the real male interest is for the lady viewers - she's definitely a fan of Richard Armitage.
I do have one question though - for the scene where Marian first quizzes Joe Lacey, did you script what the Sheriff would say in the background?
Definitely a step up from the previous 2 episodes.
But I want to see more of Robin buckling his swash!
Swordfights, sliding down things like in episode 2, crazy archery skills. I just want more of it.
I also want to see how much of my suggestion at Bristol as to solving your plot point in your second episode makes it! ;)
Thanks, all. My other episode is Nine, which I'll make a big noise about in the run up to it. John: no, the background speech wasn't written by me. I didn't think about how long it would have to go on. The political bits aren't how I feel at all, but, you know, it's a team game. I can't remember what I asked, Rob. I was looking for inspiration from all and sundry at that point. (Don't tell us!) I wonder if it gets solved your way?
Definitely the best episode of the series so far. Tell me, were you responsible for that puntastic "didn't shoot the sheriff, shot his deputy" line? :-)
--Simon.
Well, I know you're a supporter of Mr Blair's policies, so it surprised me no end to hear the Sheriff say "War on terror" twice, probably the least subtle political bit so far. It stood out when the rest of your episode kept the political stuff so mercifully reined in. I thought perhaps they'd just told Keith Allen to ad lib it.
I think that line was an idea of script editor Jenny White, though I can't be sure. And like I say, team game, the politics are part of the format of the show. I doubt even Keith could ad lib to that length so precisely!
Why are they a part of the show though? The references are so clumsy and blatant and unsubtle that if the series was trying for realism in any other respect it would be off-putting. As it is it's set in the Xena/Hercules version of 12th century England, so the awfulness is equally spread around.
I didn't watch the second episode but suffered through the third out of respect for you Paul, but I won't be back. I hate those people who watch series just so they can complain about them (see any DW forum for plenty of examples) so I'll spend that time doing something i'll enjoy instead.
Yes, this episode overall was much better - more realistic, 3-dimensional characters and actual deaths! No surprise to see someone so acquainted with comics write a good 'what motivates the man in the mask' plot.
However, it was still the occasional political lines which really annoyed me and as others have mentioned jar so much and stick out like a sore thumb. It really didn't matter that they were in the background this time, they're so noticeable.
I do not know if I will stick with the rest of it which I quite enjoy, for the couple of times each episode I want to throw things at the TV. Broadly speaking, I'm probably in agreement with the politics of the show so I can't imagine how much it would annoy someone who wasn't.
Hi Paul
I wasn't too impressed with the first two episodes of the new series, and wasn't going to bother with watching any more. However, I caught "Who Shot The Sheriff" (nice reversal on the song btw) tonight as there was nothing else on, and I was completely won over. For the first time the whole thing seemed to gel. Apart from the annoyingly quiet whispered dialogue, the whole show kept my interest, the characters seemed to have purpose to them and interacted well, while there was enough plot to go round without the whole feeling either cramped or stretched to breaking point.
I hope that the rest of the series is at least this good and that the show as a whole is settling down after an extremely lacklustre start.
Thomas
We're back in the realm of people commenting on the attractiveness of my wife again. (For those who haven't been following, that's my metaphor about dealing with people who criticise the work of others on a show I've written for.) I've found this to be a painful dilemma: I've decided that I just can't in all honesty block posts that politely criticise the show. (Though I've happily blocked a few that were just insulting.) But I feel terrible about my colleagues possibly reading them here. I must emphasise that I don't agree with you, and feel myself to be criticised along with the team. The difference in personnel between an episode credited to me and one credited to Dominic is miniscule. He's the showrunner, he's responsible for loads of the good things that you responded to in this episode. I do try and stay out here in front of the curtain, but I have a hard time doing it if it's at the expense of my colleagues. I'm still not going to block such posts, but perhaps we could all agree that Robin is done and dusted as a subject now, and move on? I do appreciate the kind words about my work, please don't think I'm throwing those back in your face. But I'm happy with the praise I've got and can stand doing without any more. So, comics, eh?
Hi Paul!
Fantastic 3rd episode!
Great script!
Loved the interaction between the characters!
And finally some proper killing took place (thanks to his Evilness Sir Guy!!!)!!!
Well done!
That sounds fair enough Paul - as Simon mentions, watching a show just to criticise makes some forums very annoying. There is an 'off' switch after all and no one is forced to watch!
I certainly do not want to turn in to an Internet whiner either so won't be doing any more in future. So, here's to conversations which make you feel less uncomfortable!
Hey I've got a couple of questions for ya...(if they're stuff you'd rather not answer then accept my apologies and don't!)
Have you had the readthrough for your DW eps yet? How did it go?
When(roughly)are your eps being filmed (as in have they been done yet?)
Ta muchly!
Skeets
I managed to see episode 2 before 3, so I was able to get my costuming and arrow shot complaints mostly out of my system for Paul's ep ;)
Really did enjoy it, few of the lines had us laughing.
I'll keep watching, even if it is only to drool over Robin.
Thanks all, and I look forward to the review, Sabrina! Skeeter: no problem with the questions, but the answers are: no, and I don't know, except quite soon now! That wasn't much help, was it?
Hey don't worry 'bout it!