Robin Hood 1x03 "Who Shot the Sheriff?"

Alright, here we go! Our first "normal" episode of Robin Hood now that the two-part premiere is out of the way. It's been awhile since I've seen this one because it's not one of the ones I tend to rewatch that often, so I'm looking forward to see how my opinions on it may have changed. Let's get into it.

Thoughts While Watching:

• We open up with Robin talking to a villager, a miller, whose son works at the castle and he's offering him money so Joderic, the tax collector, doesn't evict him. Robin hangs around to watch his wife's face when she hears the news and Much gives him a hard time about it because they're still pushing this idea that Robin only ever does anything for glory and praise. Okay.
• Joderic seems like a decent enough guy for a tax collector. He's been at the job for years, including under Edward, and he warns Robin to leave him alone but in a friendly way. It seems like he genuinely doesn't want Robin to get caught and he knows the sheriff's guards are following him. Robin convinces him to take the stolen money to pay off the miller's debt and he reluctantly agrees. Then Robin asks him to pretend it's all his idea because he doesn't like this reputation he's earned for only doing good deeds for the praise.
• The miller and his wife are named Owen and Kate and their son is Matthew. Good to know. I hate when I can't keep the names straight.
• Poor Joderic. Rest in peace. I forgot he died this early into the episode. And Robin's being blamed for his murder.
• Opening credits followed by a dramatic chase through the forest because Robin's trying to get the killer. Except it's not the killer. I remember that much.
• Introduction of the Nightwatchman! Will knows what's up: "The Nightwatchman? Been around for years. Maybe you were off on a crusade." I love you, Will. Never change.
• It's revealed that the Nightwatchman is talked about in all the villages and has been seen at the castle, always at night. The Nightwatchman leaves food and medicine, has never hurt anyone, but the sheriff has ordered that "he" should be killed on sight. And remember, Will points out "he" has been around for years. I think this is all important to note because by the fourth or fifth episode (I forget which), Guy will ignore all of this and claim that the Nightwatchman is a lackey of Robin Hood which has pissed me off since the episode first aired. Marian has made a name for herself making a difference for years while Robin was at war. Now that he's suddenly back it's assumed that she works for him? Screw that.
• The sheriff is way too pleased at the rumor that Robin's a murderer. Guy's suggestion that they take it out on the villagers is so stupid, but then again, it's Guy's idea so I don't expect wisdom. Marian's quick to point out the stupidity of hurting the same people who witnessed and reported the crime, the same people who blamed Robin Hood for the murder in the first place, and the sheriff agrees with her. Guy's face here is priceless.
• What's this other dude's name again? He's quick to point out the political advantage of the rumor. Guy can't stand to lose so he insists upon being given the resources to hunt the murderer down. The competition is on.
• Poor Marian. She obviously knew and cared about Joderic. She also knows and cares about Joe, the retired guard who's back at work, and who is the only guard we'll ever see with a soul. Yeah, I remember that he's the killer. I said what I said.
• Robin shoots Marian in the ass, but playfully. It's kinda cute actually.
• Marian admits that she believed Robin killed Joderic. No wonder she was being cold to him and she's right back to blaming Robin and calling him stupid. Robin places the blame on the Nightwatchman, not realizing that he's talking to "him" right now and Marian gets defensive.
• Robin: "I need you to look in the castle." Marian: *scoffs* "I need you to not tell me what to do." YES. Robin: "I must clear my name." Marian: "What about catching the killer? Is that not more important than your name?" Good point, Marian. Maybe I was giving him too much credit. Robin: "If people do not trust me, then what good can I do?" Another good point.
• Guy is bringing out his inner Ramsay with this dog hunt crap and being super cocky with the current master at arms. Cool. 
• Interesting that in this scene Marian is asking to stay at the castle and Guy is telling her it's not permitted and she has to convince him to let her stay. Oh how the turn tables in season two.
• Thanks for letting us know that there are dogs coming, Will. We had no idea what all the barking was about. I, for one, thought it was chickens. Thanks for clearing that up.
• This dog hunt tactic is fairly effective actually. Why didn't they do this more often? Robin's gang can't keep running forever. Chase them with dogs everyday and they would've been bound to catch them eventually.
• The sheriff is such a miserable, sadistic fuck. 
• Matthew was just an innocent child. I feel bad for Joe and I do think that he actually has a conscience and a soul, unlike the rest of the sadistic guards, but Joe still deserved to die. I feel so bad for the mom. I would've killed myself. 
• Guy actually does a good job here at pretending to give a shit during Matthew's funeral speech.
• And after the "pretty deaths" and other killings, Guy actually seems upset that three more people died. Interesting. Does he care?
• Marian, watch yourself. You're right, obviously, but be careful. The sheriff knows exactly what she's saying and knows she's smarter than the others give her credit for.
• LMAO at Much complaining about wanting cheese and Roy complaining about Much complaining about wanting cheese. I love the relationship between Roy and Much.
• These people turned on Robin hard and fast. I feel really bad for Kate though. 
• The tags! Will made the tags!
• So Joe obviously knows that he's the one who killed Joderic and Matthew, so this little speech here is obviously partially out of his own guilt at mistakenly shooting Matthew, but who does he think is responsible for the rest of the deaths? 
• "Well, do you want clever or really clever?" I love Allan.
• The scene with Joe and Marian talking about her feelings for Robin is cute.
• The "pillow talk" scene with Robin and the sheriff is great. "Robin, does it go with my dress?" Why does he give the sheriff a tag though? What good comes out of it?
• Another classic scene, two great scenes back to back. Robin hiding out in Marian's bed. I love it. Marian is practically admitting her feelings for Robin here. It's sweet.
• Roy: "You got the sheriff to call off the dogs? How?" Robin: "Pillow talk." Allan: "You've been in bed with the sheriff?" Classic. Love it. The slash writes itself.
• Roy: "Well, if it's as good as saving the sheriff's life, I'm with Cheese Boy." I love you, Roy. I still miss you.
• Much: "It's not fair. I love you, but no one gives me any food." A moment later. "I change my mind. I do not love you. Now can I eat?" I love Much. He's the best. 
• Robin's plan definitely got that guard killed. And the deputy. His plan required the murderer to attempt to kill people so he would be able to find him and hunt him down, which means Robin knew that somebody was likely going to be shot and he should've realized the sheriff wouldn't allow it to be him.
• The Nightwatchman is revealed! Dun dun dun. It's Marian. Good thing that Guy and the sheriff aren't as good as Robin because it only took him less than one episode to figure out who it was. It'll take them two seasons.
• And Marian reveals that she figured out who the killer is and it's not who she originally suspected. Except it is. It's both of them. She was right about both. She's awesome at this detective stuff. 
• Joe admits to Joderic and Matthew, which he is guilty of, but he doesn't even try to deny the other murders that he didn't commit. Why not?
• Joe: "I shot the sheriff." Sheriff: "No, you shot the deputy, my look-a-like." Guy: *kills him* OMG...this show. 
• How is Robin so sure that he didn't kill the rest? I mean, he's right, but how is he so sure? Joe didn't deny them when accused. He didn't have a reason to kill them, sure, so that logic is sound, but he didn't have a reason for Matthew either. It was an accident with him, so they could've all been accidents.
• And Guy kills the master at arms. He had it coming. There's no one here to root for really.
• Oh, fuck Robin. Telling Marian she doesn't need to be the Nightwatchman anymore because he's here now. Shut up.
• What right does Robin have to reopen the mill?
• Here we go again with the whole is Robin doing this for glory or love or just because he's a good person thing? I'm already tired of it. Cute Much and Marian bonding scene though.

Final Thoughts:

This episode has some fantastic lines in it and some absolutely classic scenes. I'm not sure why I haven't rewatched it more often. Actually, I do kind of know why. A big part of it is because it's not a Djaq episode and those tend to be the ones I rewatch the most because she's my absolute all time fave, but I did love Roy too so I should rewatch these ones more often. Overall, this was a great episode and I forgot how much I loved this one. It's fun and I like seeing this version of the gang (Robin, Much, Will, Allan, John, and Roy) having their one and only normal episode as a gang, because last episode they were still getting set up and forming the gang and next episode...well, the next one broke my heart and shattered it to pieces.