TV is the New Reading

‘Robin Hood’ adventure series well worth a look

The first season was fantastic.

Jonas Armstrong plays the lovable rogue title character of “Robin Hood,” airing Saturdays on BBC America, who terrorizes the aristocracy on behalf of his poor countrymen – and has a grand time in the process.

The show is written with modern sensibilities and as much updating as the legend will support – which, as it turns out, is quite a lot.

For instance, while Maid Marian, played by Lucy Griffiths, is a proper courtly lady by day, by night she’s as much a freedom-fighter as Robin Hood himself. She has to be to hold off the advances of Sir Guy of Gisborne, the wicked sheriff’s second-in-command played by Richard Armitage, and the machinations of the Sheriff of Nottingham himself, played with dark comedy by Keith Allen.

Despite her subversive bent and Robin’s winsome ways, she’s no swooning damsel in distress either. Despite their being thrown together in adventure after adventure through the 13 magnificent episodes of season one, Robin hasn’t entirely won her heart – although in all fairness she’s grown quite fond.

He’s got his own agenda anyway. Returned from the Third Crusade to discover his lands in ruinous shambles and parceled out to weak tenants unable to meet the usurious taxes laid upon them by a ruthless sheriff in service to a corrupt and oblivious prince, Robin decides to act. He and Much – his emancipated servant and somewhat ridiculous best friend – gather a band of Merry Men and hide out in Sherwood Forest, planning raids on the sheriff’s stores and other worthies while becoming legend through the countryside.

The reason this show works as well as it does – apart from the glorious scenery and deeply written character development – is the fact that the Sheriff of Nottingham is a subtle foil to Robin’s agile cleverness. Robin doesn’t always come out ahead in his exploits and the sheriff is no bungling fool. In fact, if he weren’t so self-servingly corrupt he’s clever and sympathetic enough to be the hero of the piece.

Sadly, however, he is evil – there’s a plot afoot to assassinate King Richard – and Sir Guy of Gisborne is so single-mindedly set on marriage with Maid Marian (so as to expand and consolidate his estates, naturally – not because he’s even so especially drawn to her) that one can’t help cheering for Robin all the way through the impressive swordfights and the whizbang special effects of gunpowder and camera’s-eye arrow flights.

“Robin Hood” returns for a second season Saturdays at 8 p.m. on BBC America. If you’re a fan of quality adventures, you’ll absolutely want to check it out.

Features Editor Terry J. Aman compiles the Best Bets for The Minot Daily News.

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