Robin Hood 2x13 "We Are Robin Hood!"

Here we are...at the season two finale. It happened too fast! The first two seasons of this show are absolutely amazing and wonderful, but then this episode is the turning point. The show made two horrible mistakes here and it will never recover from them in the third and final season. The third season is missing all of the magic that made the first two seasons so great. It almost feels like a different show in some ways, in my opinion anyway. As much as I would've loved to stop before the season two two-part finale and just go back to the beginning again, the rewatch must go on. So here we go...

Warning: This post randomly includes two bullet points with Buffy the Vampire Slayer spoilers. I give a spoiler alert right before I go into my points (I'm comparing similar aspects between the two shows), but be cautious if you haven't seen/finished Buffy, plan to watch Buffy, and you're the type of person whose eyes wander around the page.

Thoughts While Watching:

• The episode starts with everyone arriving in Acre. That means that it's been weeks since we last saw them. I've actually been to Acre and it's amazing. It's my favorite place that I've ever had the chance to visit, although there are several runner-ups that are all in Israel too. I spent a summer in Israel that was the best summer of my life. I was already a long time Robin Hood fan at the time, so when I got to Acre, I was freaking out. There are old Crusader era buildings everywhere, almost like the old part of the town is frozen in time. You can see exactly where they spent their days, how they lived while they were there, everything. I even saw one of those walls of bird cages that we get to see in this episode. I gotta go search through my pictures to find it. Absolutely amazing trip though. If you're interested in medieval history at all, I can't recommend it enough. Go to Acre! Actually, if you're interested in ancient, classical, or medieval history, I can give you a whole list of stuff you need to see in Israel. I wanna go back...
• The sheriff is working with some Saracens for his kill-the-king mission. The gang was probably on a ship right behind them because they're here now. Djaq's look is different this episode. Her outer-bra is gone and she has a shawl that she wears cloaked around her.
• "The Sheriff's House" Okay, so...he's not staying with someone? He bought a house? How long has he been staying here? How long is he planning on staying?
• Robin says, "we find Djaq's uncle's friend" and Will provides the name "Bassam" which means Djaq must have been opening up to Will about her past while on the ship. Damn, wish we would've gotten the chance to see it. Couldn't we have had an episode on the boat? You know what would have been cool? If what happened in 2x12 was actually the real season finale, leaving the season on a cliffhanger, and then season three started with a multi-episode arc of them being on the boat, being in Acre, etc. 
• Much says, "hands up, who hasn't betrayed the group?" and Will has the audacity to put his hand up. You put your hand down, boy. I've been watching this show.
• I don't know why, but I like that Djaq was the one that added "And Marian" when Robin says the mission is to find the king. I like that these girls tend to look out for each other. Marian saved Djaq in 1x08, Djaq saved Marian in 1x12, they worked together in 2x02, and here Djaq is like "hey, don't forget about Marian!" It's cute. I wish we actually got the chance to see them bond more during their time on the show, but of course we didn't and now we're about to lose them both.
• Djaq explains that the town is back in the hands of her people. Does that mean that maybe they did have Bassam under their control when they sent Lardner with the message but have since either lost control of the town or reached some kind of agreement to give it up?
• I like how Much worries about being "the enemy again," so he does know that what they did was absolutely wrong.
• This is the second time a character has said "get a grip" on this medieval show and it's just as jarring as the first time.
• A couple things about this scene in Bassam's house:
• I love how Djaq thought to cover her head when she was going to face someone that knew her from before. But she doesn't leave it covered, because in the next scene she has her shawl thing lowered.
• Bassam gives Djaq and Will a very strange look. He's already figured out that they're together and he obviously doesn't approve, at least initially. He's also probably noticed how she feels comfortable around them without being covered up and it's likely been revealed to him that she's been living with this group of English men for a long time. You gotta wonder what's going through his mind right now.
• I like how he initially doesn't trust them or want to help them until Djaq speaks up. As soon as she vouches for Robin, his resolve fades. He must really love her and care about her for him to be willing to do something that could be perceived as treason based on her word alone. But even without trusting them initially, he still invites them all in for a meal just because they're her friends. I know we only get one episode of Djaq/Bassam interaction, but I really like it. They give off a Buffy/Giles vibe. I like when works of fiction give a young woman an older male mentor/parental figure who isn't actually related to them and also isn't trying to creep on them or sleep with them. It's refreshing.
• I like how Robin sells his mission here:
• Bassam: Why should I help you?
• Robin: Because his life is in danger.
• Bassam: You want to save him so that he can continue waging war against our people?
• Robin: No. I want to take him home and make peace so he can save his own people from some very unpleasant men.
• Of course, he doesn't actually succeed in that, so all he does is save the king's life and then the king stays for nearly another season, so Bassam actually did help him save a king who wasn't ready to abandon the war.
• Do the sheriff and the Black Knights have spies set up all over the city? Or did they specifically put a spy in Bassam's house to intercept any messages?
• The sheriff's idea to add something to the message to turn the king against Robin is actually a genius idea. I'm impressed.
• Ugh...they're portraying Richard as a peace lover who just wants to make a peace treaty and (not in this episode, but in 1x10) Saladin as a warmonger who won't let it end. 
• The sheriff obviously remembers Djaq clearly because he uses her as the tip off for his fake message to the king. He specifically includes that "he travels with a Saracen woman" to make sure the king knows he means Robin. So why didn't Guy remember this in 2x02 when he literally stops to talk to Djaq and it doesn't click? Is it because he didn't spend any one on one time with her like the sheriff did?
• "Sometimes peace requires more bravery than war" is a great quote, but it seems so hollow coming from a man who has no business being here waging war in the first place.
• Marian says, "You're a decent man, Guy. You are not a killer." Um...what show have you been watching for the past two seasons?
• Guy was definitely tempted to go along with Marian's plan there for a second. Her plan was for him to kill the sheriff, she would vouch for him to the king, the king would reward him with power, and she'd willingly marry him. I think she would have actually done it too, even after learning Robin was alive. I think she was prepared to keep her word.
• Guy says here, "My lord, I've demonstrated my loyalty and now I'd like your blessing. I will still have Marian. When we return to England, I will take her by force." So, just to be clear here, because some Guy fans seem unclear...he was faced with a choice between power and Marian "willingly" or taking her "by force" and he chose the option that is definitely rape. But actually, both options are sort of rape. Marian might consent to the other option, only because she sees no other way to protect England from tyranny, but she still didn't want to and I think he knew that. They're undoing a lot of his season two character development for the sake of writing Marian off the show, but I think his relationship with Marian and obsession with her has always been toxic, even when he was helping her. 
• Side note that's only relevant to Buffy fans (spoiler alert): Guy's character arc displays some similarities to Spike's. Both started out as outright villains, both started developing feelings for a woman that turned into an obsession, both started on a path to becoming good because of their love for that woman, both made a lot of progress and character development, and then when faced with rejection, both made an absolutely terrible choice that caused them to hit rock bottom (Spike attempted to rape Buffy, Guy is planning to rape Marian and kills her in a fit of rage). Then once they hit rock bottom, they have to crawl their way back up in the last season of their shows to become heroes. But of course, getting a soul was able to wipe Spike's slate clean in a way that Guy will never get, and even before the terrible choice and hitting rock bottom and despite not having a soul, Spike was already much more of a hero before his fall than Guy could ever dream of being. But then again, Spike was also a much more horrible villain with a ton more evil deeds than Guy could ever even imagine, so Spike was more extreme on both counts. And of course, Spike actually was with Buffy for awhile and Buffy actually did come to love him back after he got the soul, so he's got that going for him whereas Guy just has a toxic and obsessive crush. They both have mommy issues too.
• Aww!!! This Djaq/Bassam scene is so sweet.
• Bassam: *after the rest of the gang has walked away* Does he understand flight, the pale one?
• Djaq: Who? *Bassam laughs and Djaq smiles at him* Yes, I think he does.
• Bassam: You have my blessing. *Djaq gets a huge smile on her face and they hug*
• Having his blessing is obviously really important to her. Now, I don't think it was so important that she would break up with Will or anyone else or would stop being friends with them if he disapproved, but knowing that she has it still matters. This could have gone so differently. There would be a lot of people in his position that would have probably turned their back on her for becoming friends with former Crusaders (and you know what, I don't think I could blame them for that if that's what they were upset about), living with a group of men, getting into a mixed-faith relationship, and it obviously being an established relationship without being a marriage. Especially given the circumstances of the war and the culture/time period, I don't think most men would be as understanding and supportive as Bassam is. But I get the sense that she's always been a little "off" or different growing up, like maybe she always had some tomboy tendencies and Bassam already knew that and loved her for it and that maybe she learned some of her open-mindedness about people from Bassam. I just think it's a really sweet moment and I'm really glad that she grew up with someone like Bassam in her life and still has his support and love. She deserves it.
• Does the gang find out that the sheriff used Djaq as the tip off for the king? I hope that she doesn't feel any guilt about it.
• Allan looks so pissed off in the background of this scene where Robin and the king are talking and they're all tied up. His face is like, "I fucking knew this king wasn't worth saving. I knew it. If this is what being a "good guy" is all about, count me out. The sheriff and Giz were right all along. Fuck this dude. And fuck you too, Robin."

• Allan's like, "I betrayed Gizzy, for this?"
• Djaq's face is so sad. She obviously figured out exactly what he planned and how horrible that method of execution would be before anyone else.
• I like how both Djaq and Will are willing and brave enough to talk back to the king. Much too, for that matter, because the king is obviously several stations above him, but at least he already knew him. 
• The sheriff told Guy he'd sing at his wedding, but that was a lie.
• Okay, I know this is supposed to come off as sweet or romantic, but I HATE this:
• Will: I'm sorry, my love. I should have made you stay with Bassam.
• Djaq: I would never leave you, Will Scarlett. *Much looks nauseated in the background*
• I'm sorry, what?! Did Will really just say "I should have made you" to Djaq?! What the FUCK is this? What is she now, some submissive, delicate, little girl who needs protecting and isn't allowed to make her own decisions anymore? FUCK THIS. Fuck this, fuck Will, fuck the writers, fuck this episode, fuck everyone being so out of character, just fuck everything. I hate this. I hate this episode. I don't even know who these people are. This isn't Will and Djaq. It's like as soon as he got into a relationship with her, he morphed back into his "It wouldn't be safe for you to join us" self from 1x05 who didn't think she could handle being part of the gang just because she's female. And Djaq, who once went out of her way and acted over the top just to prove she was just as capable as the rest of them, doesn't even seem slightly phased by Will saying that he should have made her do anything or claiming that she should have stayed behind and not gone on the mission. Fuck all of this. I'm so angry. I've always hated this line with an undying passion and my anger over it hasn't faded one ounce over time. Did the writers really have to go out of their way to destroy these two characters before writing them off the show for good? Wasn't it bad enough that they were going to write them off? They had to turn them into this first to rub salt in the wound? I'm PISSED.
• Aww...Much is so adorable. "You know I love you all. John, Djaq, Will...even you, Allan. And Robin. Master, when I was serving the king, I was serving you. When I think of England, I think of you." My poor baby!!! My ship! 
• Another interesting take on the religious views of the gang:
• Djaq: God is smiling on us!
• Will: Or Allah.
• Much: Whichever god it is, I love him.
• Allan: It's the sheriff.
• Much: There is no god.
• Much has come A LONG WAY since 1x05 when he was afraid to even say the words that he didn't believe in God to prove a point even though he prayed to God immediately afterward to let him know it was an act and believed that God could see into his heart. I think it's really sad that life has been so hard on him that he lost faith. Not because I think there's anything sad about being an atheist, there's not, but when people lose faith because life has been such shit to them, I find that heartbreaking because it's a sign that they've truly lost all hope because of everything they've suffered. It reminds me of my grandmother. She was a Catholic her whole life, went to church her whole life, prayed every night her whole life, and her life had always been extremely hard, but she never lost faith. Then, in the last year of her life, she outlived her son and it broke her. I tried comforting her by saying he was looking down on her and she said she didn't believe that anymore, she didn't think anyone was looking down on her, she didn't think she'd ever see him again or anyone else she'd lost when she died, and it broke me. Not because I even particularly believed the words myself when they left my mouth (I'm not sure what I believe exactly), but to see what losing him had done to her. Much is obviously at that point since he's not even afraid to make that statement now, even in the face of death, and wondered whether there even was a heaven during his last brush with death. The faith (not just in God, but in the goodness of others and goodness of life itself) and hope he had in season one has been crushed by the terrible reality he's found himself in over and over again. It's like he's realized that there's no great reward for being a good person, there's no one looking out for him, it's all meaningless, and everything he's been through has shown him that.
• I don't think Djaq's statement says anything really since Allah is just the Arabic word for God so I don't think it's actually evidence that she meant the Christian god, but Will specifying "or Allah" definitely means that he's open to the idea of converting. Given his decision to stay in the Holy Land at the end of the episode, I think that's probably exactly what he'll do. He won't be able to legally marry Djaq unless he does. Unless they just continue to live together and be together for the rest of their lives (or until they breakup) without marrying each other.
• If the sheriff had a spy in the king's camp, why didn't that dude just kill the king? He would've had easy access and it certainly seemed like the king trusted him since he was high enough in the ranks to be allowed in the king's tent whenever there was just a small group of them in there. It would've saved everyone quite a lot of trouble.
• Aww, John. "I want to die in the arms of my wife with my son, John, by my side."
• I love Allan:
• Allan: I'm not being funny, it's the king of England who put us here in the first place.
• Robin: *yelling, still kissing Richard's ass* The sheriff spun him a story! The moment we arrived here, we were marked men. *Allan shakes his head, like fuck dude, remove your lips from his ass already* It's not the king's fault.
  
• Allan's face here when he glares at Robin says it all. It's like he's thinking, "Then whose fault is it, you ass-kissing dipshit? I should've helped kill the king when I had the chance."
• I probably relate to Allan more than anyone else on this show. He's me. 
• Oh, now Marian's trying to have a wedding while they're all tied up dying. My eyes are rolling already, but I just want to take this opportunity to get down on my knees and thank God that they didn't have Will and Djaq do the same thing because I would have blown my brains out.
• Poor Much is sobbing in the background and those are not tears of happiness. Those are the tears of someone watching the person he loves marry someone else.
• Oh, Much! I adore you.
• Much: Now do you believe us?
• Richard: I've betrayed your loyalty. How can I repay you?
• Much: Actually, I know this is not the time, your majesty, but there is a place in Nottingham called Bonchurch. I've had my eye on it-
• John: MUCH!
• Much: Sorry, forget about it.
• John's giving orders to the gang and they immediately obey, further proving my leadership theory.
• NOOO!!!! Poor Carter. The sheriff's actually doing really well when he does the work himself. He shot the king, he killed Carter, not bad for a man who usually sits on his ass and gives orders to other people.
• Much just beheaded someone!!! Go Much!
• Oh, here it comes...the jump the shark moment. 
• Marian: Guy! *runs to the king* Stop! It's over, Guy.
• Guy: Get out of the way.
• Marian: All this time, I've been fighting for England. Do you think I'm going to let you kill England?
• Guy: Marian, GET OUT OF THE WAY! *swings sword at her, but only to scare her*
• Marian: You'll have to kill me first.
• Guy: No, we're going to get out of this. I'm going to do this thing and then I will have power beyond measure and we will be together.
• Marian: *laughs in his face like a dumbass* I would rather die than be with you, Guy of Gisborne.
• Guy: *looks genuinely shocked as though there weren't hints of this for two seasons* No...no...
• Marian: *still laughing in his face, even though he has a sword pointed at her* I'm going to marry Robin Hood. I love Robin Hood. I love Robin Hood.
• Guy: *stabs her right through with a sword in a sudden fit of rage and then looks horrified at what he just did, starts crying, runs after the sheriff*
• Guy just stabbed the show itself and doomed it to only have one more horrible season when it could have been something long lasting and amazing. Whyyyy???? No, really, I DEMAND to know why. I've heard rumors that Lucy Griffiths wanted to leave the show but then I also heard rumors that someone spread those rumors falsely to blame it on her when it was 100% the writers' fault. Were they trying to do something dark and edgy? Because this wasn't the show for that. This was a family show that was mostly light and fluffy. Nobody started watching this show for dark and edgy. What the fuck were they trying to do here? And how dare they write off their only two female characters in the same episode? I know they replaced them with two new female characters next season, but we have all these same guys (except Will and Roy, the only two who left the show) who have character development and these rich character arcs over three seasons and the girls are just interchangeable? Neither Isabella nor Kate could compare to Djaq and Marian anyway. And then they reduce Marian's death to just a catalyst for Guy's redemption story in season three? FUCK THIS. Seriously, fuck all of this. They lost the majority of their fanbase over this and they deserved it.
• No blood on her white dress LMAO
• Aww, another cute Marian/Djaq moment. "How's it looking down there? Am I beyond even Djaq's amazing talent?" I love those two and I wish they would've had more of a chance to interact with each other, especially when they were both in the gang. Even while dying, she's praising Djaq's skills. But of course, Djaq won't be able to save her this time.
• The last time they were in this scenario, Djaq was very...what's the word I'm looking for...not "cold" exactly, but very "serious business" and her bedside manner was seriously lacking. I think part of it was that she was still trying to act like a man, but also because she didn't really know Marian yet, not well anyway. It was like she put on her "I'm a physician, take me seriously" mask in 1x12 while she was working on her. She was very straightforward about telling Marian exactly what she was doing, what her chances were, and being open and honest with her about the likelihood of her dying. "Never lie to a wounded/dying man." She still genuinely cared in 1x12, don't get me wrong, and she cried when she thought Marian was dead, but her manner in treating her was noticeably different. Here, when Marian asks if she'll die when it comes out, Djaq can't even bring herself to say the words or nod or anything. She just starts crying. That's huge character development and evidence of development in the relationship between these two, even if the show didn't always show it. Djaq is now allowing herself to get emotional without thinking it makes her weak or that she'll be taken less seriously and she doesn't even try to keep up the mask. See, this is very in character for her and is totally different from the sappy, cheesy, romantic crap they have going on and the weird submissiveness thing that was going on in the desert with Will. That wasn't Djaq, but this is, even though they're both softer and more feminine sides of her. They could've wrote her being in a relationship without making her completely out of character and still had her show her romantic side without making me want to die.
• It's time for weird wedding while dying scene part two. I am glad that they actually got married before she died though. It's a sweet scene even if it is extremely unbelievable and unrealistic that she's saying wedding vows with a sword sticking out of her gut. I wonder if she's still a virgin or if something happened at some point in the forest...
• Rest in peace, Marian. And rest in peace, the actually good part of the show. I'll remember you both fondly.
• Allan looked really upset in her funeral scene. I think he was closer to Marian than anyone else in the gang was (except Robin, obviously).
• And here it comes...the WORST scene. This is what killed the show for me even more than Marian's death. This was the most shocking and appalling moment for me when I first watched it. I was screaming. I swore I'd never watch the show again (but I didn't keep that promise, mostly because I was hoping they'd undo it and bring them back). I was handling Marian's death okay. It was sad, but I was okay. Then this absolute tragedy happened. This absolute nightmare. And the fact that it happened on top of Marian leaving the show in the same episode just makes all of it even worse.
• Djaq: *hugging Much* You take care, okay?
• Will: *while hugging John* Robin. *Robin walks over* (Allan's talking to Bassam)
• Djaq: Will and I, uh...
• Robin: You're staying.
• Djaq: *some shit in Arabic I don't understand, Robin and Djaq hug*
• Robin: Come here. *pulls Will into a hug* Look after her.
• Will: Thank you. *Robin walks away, we see Will and Djaq standing in Bassam's house in their Middle Eastern clothes, Will's arm around her* Robin! *Robin turns, Will holds up his tag, Robin nods*
• That's it. That's fucking it. That's all the send off we get for two of my favorite characters. For my absolute favorite character on the whole show. And even though Allan was closer to the two of them than any of the rest of the gang, we get NO CLOSURE to the Will/Djaq/Allan love triangle OR just closure to their friendship, even though Allan had a special bond with both of them. We don't even fucking see them say goodbye. Writers...WHAT. THE. FUCK???
• And this is EXTREMELY out of character for Will who still has Luke in England and never got the chance to say goodbye to his little brother. Even if he would have had a chance to explain his decision and say goodbye, leaving him behind is still out of character. Leaving behind the people of Nottingham whom he dedicated his life to help while they're still in danger is out of character. ALL OF IT is out of character. I HATE THIS.
• They don't even give us a reason why or an explanation or anything. Did Bassam ask her to stay? Does Bassam need someone to help look after him, like is he sick or something? Is this meant to be temporary or permanent? What about Luke? Did Will ask the gang to talk to him? Are they ever planning on visiting England again or moving back someday? Did Djaq just simply want to stay? Why did both of them decide to give up on their mission? Is their new goal to work on peace in the Holy Land? WHYYYYY???????
• Allan's holding a pigeon cage though, so we know the gang and Will/Djaq still have the ability to communicate, therefore that left the door open that they could've returned. I had hope. I held out hope. I didn't lose hope until the show actually ended for good one season later. 
• I HATE this more than ANYTHING else. Writing off Will and Djaq was the WORST thing that ever happened on this show and the WORST decision possible. Doing it in the same episode that Marian died was an extra slap in the face. This episode is truly the "Seeing Red" of the Robin Hood series. 
• That's a Buffy reference to (spoiler alert) when they had Spike try to rape Buffy and killed off Tara in the same goddamn episode. And yes, I realize that "Seeing Red" was such a tragedy because of the inherent misogyny in using rape as a catalyst for Spike becoming a hero, which is the same shit this show just did with Guy killing Marian, and for the fact that they fridged a lesbian character who was in a happy relationship, which you know, they just did the same thing here with a woman of color in an interracial/mixed-faith relationship, only instead of fridging Djaq, they put her on a bus, so it's basically the same shit. God forbid a lesbian get a happy ending to their relationship where they both survive or an interracial/interfaith relationship be allowed on television for more than one episode.
• Robin quotes the Quran at King Richard, using the same quote he used in season one to represent his mission: "For every man there is a purpose which he sets up in his life, let yours be the doing of all good deeds."
• Hey, Richie, if you really want to live by the values of Robin Hood, GO THE FUCK HOME!
• The gang of four, Robin, Much, John, and Allan, set off into the sunset to go back to England. Everything sucks ass. The show is now complete shit. Catch me complaining nonstop when I review season three.

This show is NOTHING without you guys! I'll miss you both. Especially you, Djaq. You were always my favorite. And Will, I'll miss your sexy face.

Final Thoughts:

The Robin Hood that I loved died here. May it rest in peace. Season three is an abomination and I will be complaining about it nonstop. This two part season finale was an abomination too. Honestly, I've said it before, but no Djaq = no interest (except I do still love the first four episodes of the series, but I don't even rewatch them that much either). I've only watched season three all the way through twice and the second time was because my friend hadn't seen it yet and I watched it with her. I've watched seasons one and two like a hundred times. This show didn't just go downhill at this point, it literally jumped off a cliff. What happened in this episode is unforgivable and there is no way to bounce back from here. Maybe if they hadn't written off Will and Djaq they could have still saved it despite killing off Marian, maybe...but that would depend on how they handled the Guy storyline in season three. Not to mention the heinous Isabella/Robin/Kate fiasco that's coming. But they just wrote Marian, Will, and, worst of all (in my opinion) Djaq off the show all at the same time and destroyed everything. It's like they set their own show on fire. I just can't...I just can't even. 

Now for our memorial:

Rest in peace, Carter.

Rest in peace, Marian.

Rest in peace, my interest in the show since Djaq is gone now.

Rest in peace, my OTP of Allan/Djaq, that didn't even get any proper closure.

Rest in peace, Will and Djaq, because even though you aren't technically dead, you're so out of character now that you might as well be.

Rest in peace, almost everything good about the show (except Allan and Much).

Rest in peace, the Robin Hood that I know and love, you're about to turn into a shadow of your former self.

We will remember you fondly.

Well, that's it for season two. It's been fun. I'll see you in season three!

Rest in peace.