# UK Dopers: the Robin Hood BBC TV series from a couple of years ago - how was it regarded? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946 "2010-05-10T18:35:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/21 "2010-05-10T21:35:30Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > The Duchesses of Hazzard Street, surely šŸ˜ƒ Thatā€™s a horrid insinuation to make about good olā€™ Bo and Luke! ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/22 "2010-05-10T21:50:51Z")
Iā€™ve not watched season three as Iā€™d heard it was not great, with half the cast getting killed off. What I liked about it, and Merlin as well, is that it was something i could watch with my 11 year olds that did not involve Hannah Montana or Selena Gomez! and you knowā€¦Richard Armitage ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/23 "2010-05-10T22:34:15Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > Thatā€™s a horrid insinuation to make about good olā€™ Bo and Luke! Iā€™m imagining the British version \*I say Luke, letā€™s go for a spin in the General Lee Esq. Spiffing idea Bo, Iā€™ll have the chauffeur drive her round to the front door!\* ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/24 "2010-05-11T08:13:25Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Iā€™m imagining the British version > > \*I say Luke, letā€™s go for a spin in the General Lee Esq. > > Spiffing idea Bo, Iā€™ll have the chauffeur drive her round to the front door!\* Thatā€™s right. Because we all wear spats. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/25 "2010-05-11T08:58:42Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > IIRC, it actually gets rather dark at the end of Season 2. From what I hear that was a great deal of the problem with series 3, big character problems after they killed off Marian for admittedly no reason other than shock value, and introduce The Scrappy Kate and GodModeSue ā€˜Archerā€™. I never got that far with it, I have to admit. @ **WordMan** , Iā€™ve not seen it, but the ads for _Merlin_ seem to gear it far more towards the children/family demographic. Definitely appears bit more light and airy, itā€™s generally been received a lot better than _Robin Hood_. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/26 "2010-05-11T11:26:42Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > @ **WordMan** , Iā€™ve not seen it, but the ads for _Merlin_ seem to gear it far more towards the children/family demographic. Definitely appears bit more light and airy, itā€™s generally been received a lot better than _Robin Hood_. Cool - my wife is checking out the library for the DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/27 "2010-05-11T12:06:01Z")
My favourite series was Robin of Sherwood,(I believe) that had Clannad doing the theme song and Jason Connery in the title role. Apart from the realism I found the whole ā€œnature magicā€ mysticism well cool. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/28 "2010-05-11T12:32:25Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Cool - my wife is checking out the library for the DVD. Like _Robin Hood_ a bit of the appeal is squee over the leads. Hereā€™s a few overviews of the series, youā€™ll probably know if you like the sound of it. Itā€™s in the same kind of BBC special effects mould as _Doctor Who_. > [@](#): > > To judge by the first episode, in which Merlin arrives in Camelot, the series certainly has its big and noisy moments. Its high-definition look was deemed impressive enough to justify a public premiere at the IMAX cinema in London. The central performances augur well, and the series has already been licensed to NBC for US broadcast. Itā€™s almost unheard of for a big American broadcaster to buy an untested show sight unseen. > **[TLS](http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4779531.ece)** > > Times Literary Supplement > [@](#): > > Set in the same timeless period that encompasses everything from Xena, Hercules and Sinbad all the way through to the Middle Ages, Merlin is pretty much ā€˜Merlin and Arthur: The High School Daysā€™, in which Arthurā€™s a jock and Merlinā€™s a nerd and the two have to learn from each and become friends ā€“ presumably by breaking into the Principalā€™s office from time to time. > > Along the way, we meet the familiar figures from future legends ā€“ Guinevere, Morgana, Uther Pendragon ā€“ before they grew into good/evil people we know so well. And Merlin has to learn to hide his powers from a distrusting world. Sounds a bit Smallville, too, doesnā€™t it? > > Despite this inauspicious foundation and the Welsh-washing that forces even Torchwoodā€™s Eve Myles to turn English, Merlin isnā€™t too bad. It has some nice effects, especially the dragon in the dungeon; thereā€™s a thronging multitude of decent actors in the supporting cast, including Anthony Head and Richard Wilson; and the guest cast list is pretty decent, too. > > The bigger problem, apart from some unnecessary singing for Eve Mylesā€™ character, is that itā€™s pretty bloodless. Yes, people die, but not especially nastily and no one ever seems to find the bodies. Thereā€™s not much fire in anyoneā€™s bellies, and Arthur has more than a touch of ā€œyou know, Iā€™m a proper actor. I canā€™t believe Iā€™m in this rubbishā€ at times. > > Basically, itā€™s just Saturday tea time telly, nicely put together, but with a touch of the ā€œmade by committeeā€ about it. Itā€™s fun, nothing too exceptional, doesnā€™t have too much depth and doesnā€™t really add anything to the legends. > **[Review: Merlin 1Ɨ1](https://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2008/09/review_merlin_1x1.php)** > > A review of the first episode of Merlin ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/29 "2010-05-11T13:11:50Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Well, that was thoughtfully dismissive; thank you for taking the time. :rolleyes:. What?!?! It was a perfectly reasonable observation - it was a kids show and played well to that demographic. Jeez, man, lighten up. [Edit - saw your later apology. No worries.] ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/30 "2010-05-11T13:46:14Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > What?!?! > > It was a perfectly reasonable observation - it was a kids show and played well to that demographic. Jeez, man, lighten up. > > [Edit - saw your later apology. No worries.] Yeah - \*\*WotNotā€™s \*\*context helped. Apparently, given its Saturday evening position, relationship to Doctor Who and the revival of family viewing, UKā€™ers automatically processed it as ā€œolder kid/family show.ā€ We didnā€™t have that context, which is one reason I started the OPā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Charley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/31 "2010-05-11T15:23:44Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > My favourite series was Robin of Sherwood,(I believe) that had Clannad doing the theme song and Jason Connery in the title role. Jason Connery? How dare you?! Splitter! Michael Praed will always be Robin of Sherwood to me. (Seriously, I stopped watching in a sulk when they changed, and Iā€™m not sure Iā€™m out of it yet). It may have been a happy co-inciding of the show and my early adolescence, but this version is my favourite of all the Robins. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/32 "2010-05-12T15:31:12Z")
> [@Charley](#): > > Jason Connery? How dare you?! Splitter! Michael Praed will always be Robin of Sherwood to me. (Seriously, I stopped watching in a sulk when they changed, and Iā€™m not sure Iā€™m out of it yet). It may have been a happy co-inciding of the show and my early adolescence, but this version is my favourite of all the Robins. Actually I agree with you but am ashamed to say that I couldnā€™t remember M.P.s name and time constraints prevented me from looking it up. I will of course get my coat. ---
**Author:** ![Sri\_Theo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/33 "2010-05-12T15:44:50Z")
Merlin is actually really fun- the reviews posted by Mr Kobayashi donā€™t capture how witty it can be, and how good the relationships between all the characters are. I would recommend it highly for anyone looking for something light hearted. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/34 "2010-05-12T16:17:41Z")
I only watched the first season. But I liked it well enough (I think I even bought the DVDs when they were on sale.) It was terribly corny though. There was an epsiode where Ninjas invade Sherwood Forest, and my husband and I made it a game to spot the Nike shoes on some of the stuntmen. Also you could tell they didnā€™t have a huge budget. They had 3 villages which were obviously the same set filmed from different angles. I heard Seasons 2 and 3 were worse, so I didnā€™t bother watching them. But Season 1 was fun. BTW, Iā€™m an American and watched in on BBC America. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Urban\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@The\_Urban\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Urban_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946/35 "2010-05-17T02:14:29Z")
Not a patch on _[Maid Marian and her Merry Men](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096642/quotes)_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-the-robin-hood-bbc-tv-series-from-a-couple-of-years-ago-how-was-it-regarded/538946.md?page=1)