Post by Lucy of Ravenscar on Apr 25, 2020 13:25:33 GMT
Robin of Sherwood: Series 3, Episode 4
The Inheritance
Original Transmission Date: 26th April 1986
Written by Anthony Horowitz
Story
We see a large round wooden table in a decrepit and dusty room. A young woman deals out four tarot cards for her elderly father, and turns over the first one: Death. The old man says he knows it is coming for him. The second is The Hanged Man, which he interprets as betrayal, referring to their old steward, Mortimer. We see, in the centre of the card, Mortimer telling someone that there's treasure in the castle, just waiting to be taken. The third card is The Tower, representing violence and destruction, and an image of a man on a horse, rearing away from flames, appears. The final card is The Fool, and the man says that this can mean youth, strength of will, independence, adventure, but that it can have darker meanings, and we see Robin walking along, only to be shot with an arrow in the chest. The picture on the card appears, looking a little like Robin, and the old man says, "The Hooded Man".
It's obviously a warm day, and most of the outlaws are lying by the river. Much uses his slingshot to hit a bird, while John tells him that it's the summer solstice, and that Midsummer's Eve is three days away. He says that in Hathersage they celebrated with banquets and games, and tries to get the others interested in doing something, but all they want to do is sit in the sun and relax. Tuck shows some interest in food, so John sends him off to catch one of the King's deer, and then says that they're going to have a tug o' war. When Scarlet won't get up, he throws a bucket of water over him.
Robin is off seeing Herne, who warns him that a time of trials is upon him. A power is drawing near - the King that was and the King that is to be. Herne says that this king's power is greater than his, he cannot help Robin, and that he is bound by it. When Robin protests that he serves Herne, he is told that soon he must make a choice between them.
The young woman, now dressed in men's clothes, is walking through the woods when she is accosted by two men. She says she's looking for Robin Hood, but they attack; she deals with one but the other has her pinned down, when Tuck shoots him in the back.
In a tavern two men are having an arm wrestling contest, and we see Mortimer in the crowd. He approaches the winner, a man with an eyepatch, along with his companion Skulley, a man of short stature, saying that he can make him rich.
The tug o' war is underway, with John versus the others, and Marion cheering them on. Tuck approaches with the young woman, saying that it is an old pagan game, winter against summer, good against evil. As she asks which is which, John lets go and the others collapse. "That one's definitely evil," replies Tuck. He introduces her as Isadora to the others, and John and Will are noticeably taken with her.
Mortimer is talking to Raven, the disreputable-looking man with the eyepatch, and Skulley, telling them about the rundown castle where he used to serve the old man and his daughter, and saying that they're the only people there. He knows there is treasure, as the old man said there was nothing more precious in England, but he has never seen it. Raven agrees to steal it, and split it with him.
Isadora has asked Robin for help, but he's confused since she's told him about an empty castle that her father won't leave, and bandits coming to steal something that isn't there. Scarlet and John approach, Will quickly hiding the flowers in his hand, saying that she's in trouble so they should help. Robin says that they can't cross England on those terms. Frustrated at her lack of clarity, he refuses to help.
That night, Isadora silently wakes Robin, telling him they have to go. To his protests she shows him a ring, which he connects to her father being Lord Agrivaine, and he immediately agrees to come with her. He goes to wake the others up, but she says her father only sent for him, so they leave, but Much wakes and sees them.
The next morning, Scarlet and Tuck argue about Robin's disappearance, until Marion frustratedly tells them to be quiet, stating that they'll find them.
Walking through the woods, Robin mentions that the ring belonged to his father. Hearing noises behind them he gets Isadora to carry on walking and climbs a tree. He jumps down on the person following them, only to discover that it's Much, who asks where they're going. Robin tells him they're heading to Caerleon, and Much insists on going with them.
The outlaws have been searching for Isadora and their missing friends, and Nasir has found tracks indicating that Much has joined the other two. He also found an arrow, which frustrates Scarlet, "Oh, that's wonderful, that is. An arrow! I got enough arrows of me own!" Nasir points out that it's a sign and Marion realises it is to tell them to follow, so they all agree to walk to Caerleon, even though it's some distance away.
Raven and his group of bandits ride out for Caerleon Castle. When they get to Caerleon village, where there is a Midsummer celebration taking place, Raven prepares to attack. He tells Mortimer that they're soldiers, for instance Skulley used to be a page to a knight chevalier before he cut the man's throat to follow Raven. They fought in the Crusades for three years, and now they fight for themselves. They attack the village, burning and killing, to Mortimer's horror.
Arriving at the castle, Isadora takes Robin to her father, his godfather, who says he last saw him when he was being wet-nursed. He knows that he is Robin i' the Hood and a wolfshead, and tells him that there is a priceless treasure in the castle, one which has been guarded by the line of Agrivaine for seven hundred years. As he has no son, only a daughter, Robin will inherit it. Robin asks what the treasure is, but Agrivaine says he will have to defend the castle before he will find out.
The bandits ride away from the burning village.
Much explores the castle, hearing voices as if at a celebration. The sound ceases as he comes into a room with a table set with plates and goblets, all covered in a thick layer of dust.
Walking around the castle walls, Robin plans the defence against the bandits that Isadora assures him will be arriving later that day. He decides to let them through the outer gate and block the inner one so they can deal with them in between. He at first dismisses Isadora as someone who could fight, but she angrily points out that this is her home, and should be her inheritance, and that he doesn't even know what he's protecting.
The other outlaws arrive in Caerleon village in the aftermath of the attack, and ask directions to the castle, saying they'll come back and help. The old woman they talk to says the bandits won't come back, that the King that was, the King that is to be will deal with them.
Robin and Much put bundles of sticks in front of the inner gate and cover them with pitch, then Isadora calls to tell them that the bandits are coming. Robin stands in front of the gate as they approach and tells them to leave. Raven attacks and Robin jumps over the sticks, just as Much sets them alight with a flaming arrow. Raven's horse rears, and Isadora, Much and Robin start shooting at the bandits, pinning them down. However, some manage to make their way to the battlements, and Robin has to defend himself, injuring his arm in the process. The bandits beat a hasty retreat, still under attack, and Isadora shoots Mortimer in the arm before he gets away. She is delighted that they've seen them off but Robin warns that they'll be back.
A little way from the castle the bandits have stopped to regroup. Raven is furious with Mortimer, yanking the arrow painfully out of his arm as he says, "Six men killed and three men wounded, and you told me the castle was undefended!" He tells Skulley to go back to the village, pick up a woman or a child and bring them back there.
In the woods, the other outlaws are lost and Nasir is trying to find the trail. Marion goes off to get water at the river, but is captured by Skulley. She manages to shout for help, and the outlaws run after the small group of bandits who are horseback. Nasir manages to kill two of them with his throwing knives, but they cannot catch them and have to follow on foot. With Marion a hostage, Raven orders his men back to the castle.
Much spots the bandits riding up, and then they all see that Marion is with them. Raven tells them to open the gate or they'll kill her; Isadora is reluctant, saying that Raven will kill Robin if he goes down there, but he says he can't let Marion die.
The other outlaws run through the woods, Tuck saying he'll catch them up as he takes a breather.
Robin opens the gate, but as he walks towards the bandits Isadora appears and, calling him a traitor, shoots him in the chest. He falls into the shallow water below the walkway, as Marion tries to get to him and Skulley laughs.
Inside the castle Raven threatens to kill Agrivaine if he doesn't tell him where the treasure is, then tells Mortimer that he has to find out. Marion is imprisoned with Isadora and Much, and screams at Isadora that she's killed Robin, hitting out at her. Isadora tries to stop her, shouting that Robin isn't dead, that it's all a ruse that they planned, and Marion finally accepts it.
Robin opens his eyes and gets up, pulling the block of wood that stopped the arrow out of his tunic. He runs up a slope away from the castle, right into the place where the rest of the outlaws are standing. They look pleased and mention that he's back from the dead, and he asks to borrow a sword.
Much tells Marion about the plan - he's hung a rope over the battlements for the rest of the outlaws to climb up.
Mortimer hasn't got any information out of Agrivaine, complaining that Raven has half killed him. Raven says that there's obviously no treasure in the castle, and stabs Mortimer. He orders that the prisoners be brought to him.
It's dusk, and Will climbs the rope over the castle wall as a shooting star is seen in the sky, and Robin notes that it's Midsummer's Eve. Scarlet kills one of the bandits at the top of the wall then throws a large rock onto another one below.
Raven threatens Agrivaine that he will kill the prisoners one at a time until he talks, but the old man just mumbles something about the King, and Avalon.
Scarlet makes his way to the gate and opens it for the others, and then they are attacked by the rest of the bandits.
Agrivaine mutters that soon they will come, to the confusion of Raven. He orders one of his men to kill Much.
The outlaws and the bandits are fairly evenly matched in terms of numbers, but the outlaws soon kill their opponents, apart from Skulley, who makes his way inside ahead of them. John soon dispatches him and they face Raven, who can't believe that Robin is alive. Grabbing his flail he attacks Robin and they fight until he pushes Robin down onto the table. Robin manages to get his sword up underneath him as the spiked ball of Raven's flail hits the table, glows and disintegrates. Dying, Raven says "the table" before he falls to the floor.
They all start to realise what the table is, and Robin says, "King Arthur and the round table. The King that was and the King that is to be. It's been here all the time. This castle, Caerleon-upon-Usk, had another name once. Camelot."
At the end of the room a light appears, and the misty shapes of King Arthur and his knights can just be seen. He calls to Agrivaine, and Isadora helps him towards the King, who then says, "There has been an Agrivaine at Camelot since the first Agrivaine, brother of Gawain, the knight of the round table. For it is the table that unites us. A symbol of our power now past, the emblem of our power to come. The table must be protected. Should it ever be destroyed the power that binds our knights together in the Vale of Avalon will perish with it."
King Arthur tells Agrivaine he has served well and asks who he names as his successor. He says that as he has no son, it is his godson, Robin of Sherwood, and the King asks if Robin will kneel and swear fealty. Marion and the others look concerned, but Robin says he cannot, as he serves another. Agrivaine is upset, but Robin says that he has a daughter worth any son who has served him her whole life, and should not be denied her rightful inheritance. King Arthur approves and asks Isadora if she will take the oath of fealty, to which she agrees. She kneels and the King says that the inheritance will stay in the family of Agrivaine, as in the sky above the castle there is an eclipse. Isadora looks up and Arthur and his knights have disappeared. She returns to help her father into a chair, and he dies. Robin tries to comfort her, saying that her father died knowing the table had found its rightful guardian.
It's Midsummer's Day, and the outlaws face a three day walk back to Sherwood. Robin and Marion walk hand in hand as she asks if he could have stayed in Caerleon. He asks if she would have stayed with him and she replies that she might. He suddenly points at Herne, who is waiting for them.
Comments
The tarot cards are somewhat anachronistic, but they are very nicely designed, especially The Fool looking like Robin. The little dog that looks like it's sniffing his bottom is funny though!
Robin is very trusting, letting Isadora shoot him like that, and relying on her to hit the piece of wood. Only a short while earlier he hadn't though she could help defend the castle!
I hope there were no guards near where Isadora, Marion and Much were imprisoned, as they would certainly have heard her shouting "He's not dead!" at the top of her lungs!
The effects of the shooting star and the glowing ring that Isadora shows Robin are a bit clunky, although the concept of the shooting star and the eclipse, emphasising how this is a special and magical time, is fine. It's also not clear if the glowing ring is supposed to show that it's somehow having a magical effect on Robin - he changes his mind about going with Isadora almost instantly upon seeing the ring, and I don't know how he would associate it with Agrivaine, even if he recognised it as his father's.
The way in which King Arthur and his knights are portrayed is interesting. On the VHS (and presumably on the original showing) the lower quality of the image meant that all that could be seen was a bright light. With DVDs and Blu-ray we can finally see them a little more clearly, and the shiny fabrics they're dressed in gives a great effect with the diffuse light, reminiscent of the shining armour in Excalibur (a film that must have been an inspiration to Robin of Sherwood). Arthur's headdress is unusual, but this is definitely a fantastical take on him and his knights, not a realistic one.
I'm sure Robin is only trying to comfort Isadora, saying that her father was happy when he died, but telling her not to weep only seconds after is a bit insensitive.
There are debates about where this episode fits among the other episodes, given that we see Robin and Marion hand in hand at the end, clearly acting in a romantic manner with each other. It's hard to say though, their romance may ebb and flow, at that point she had thought he was dead, then that he might stay in Caerleon, and that he might be interested in Isadora, so that could make her inclined to be more romantic with him.
Is that actually Herne we see at the end, has he travelled to Caerleon, or is it a vision?
Bloopers
At the start of the episode, after the title credits, when John is trying to persuade the others to stop lazing about, a person in what looks like a white top and blue shorts can be seen walking in the distance.
The production team were clearly valuing safety over historical accuracy, as both Robin and Scarlet can be seen with modern boot treads - Robin when he climbs the tree to jump down on Much, Scarlet when he scales the castle walls.
Now King Arthur can be seen more clearly, it's possible to see that his mouth movements do not match Hywel Bennett's dialogue.
Best moments and lines
John to Tuck when he comes back with Isadora: "We send you out to bag us some lunch and this is what you bring back. I must say, your aim's improving."
Raven gets some good one-liners, and he also gets a speech that sets him up as an interesting character with a realistic backstory.
Mortimer: "Half for you, half for me."
Raven: "Oh yes! We'll split you right down the middle!"
When Robin first confronts the bandits at the castle.
Raven: "Do you know him?"
Mortimer: "No."
Raven: "And you never will!"
Raven: "You? You're dead!"
Robin: "Am I?"
Raven: "Well, you are now!"
Raven: "We fought three years for God in the Crusades. Their holy war (spits). Three stinking lousy years in the heat and the dust and the filth, dying of thirst, starvation and disease before we even set eyes on a Saracen. They promised us a seat in heaven and they sent us to hell. So now we work for ourselves; soldiers of fortune. And this village has just had the misfortune to get in our way."
When Robin says Isadora should stay with her father during the fight.
Isadora: "No! I'll fight with you. This is my home, I've lived here all my life. It should be my inheritance, but I'm to lose it. Why? Because I'm a woman. You treat me like a fool, but you don't even know what's here."
Robin: "Well, what is here?"
Isadora: "It's been in front of your eyes and you haven't seen it. And that's how you'll fight, blindly. But I'll fight because it's rightfully mine and I know it's worth fighting for. So tell me Robin, which of the two of us does that make the fool?"
Review
This story is notable for combining two famous legends together, King Arthur and Robin Hood, and I think it does it rather well. I must admit though, I didn't understand the significance of it being set around Midsummer, which is mentioned several times, and it would have been nice if this had been clarified within the story. There are legends relating to this such as one about the round table being buried under Bossiney Mound in Cornwall. It is believed that the table will rise from the mound one night in Midsummer to herald the impending return of King Arthur and his knights. Another tradition says that King Arthur and his knights sleep in the supposedly hollow Cadbury Castle, a hill fort in Somerset, and every Midsummer's Eve Arthur leads a troop of mounted knights down the slope of the hill.
One element which bears some examining is when Herne says that Arthur's power is greater than his. This doesn't seem obvious - Herne is a god whereas Arthur is a legend, possibly based on a real man. Even the King Arthur we are presented with in this story, one who sleeps until he is needed in the future, doesn't necessarily seem more powerful than a god. However, if one compares a pagan god in a Christian society who is mostly forgotten, to a king whose legend still resonated then and through all the years since, perhaps Arthur is more powerful. There is also the element that Robin is Agrivaine's godson, thus creating a connection between them that could lead to Robin having a responsibility to take over as his heir.
The mix of myth, magic and reality in this story works very well. The realistic elements are strong, Raven for example is a straightforward, believable villain given a bit of extra colour with his cackling sidekick Skulley. Mortimer is a typical slimy character who betrays Agrivaine for profit and bites off more than he can chew. The magic is shown with Agrivaine using the tarot cards to see the future, a very good device to get into the plot in the beginning, and Raven's flail being destroyed by the table. Then there's the mythic elements, which are strung throughout the story, from John's keenness to celebrate the battle between good and evil at Midsummer, through Isadora's strong belief in her mystical inheritance and Much's encounter with the past in the dusty castle, until we reach the appearance of King Arthur himself.
Following on from Herne's Son and The Power of Albion this episode emphasises Robin's decision to take up the mantle of the Hooded Man by giving him another chance to serve a great power, but choosing Herne in the end. He also has an opportunity to show his tactical skills in defending a castle, and gets to fight alongside most of the outlaws. I also like the way he is represented by the Fool card, with Isadora calling him a fool for not knowing what he's defending, which ties in nicely with his father referring to him as an empty headed fool in Herne's Son.
Isadora is a good guest character, showing a lot of toughness in her determination to save the treasure at Caerleon. She is loyal and devoted to her father, despite the fact that he values her less as a daughter than he would as a son, and she has to prove her fighting ability to Robin, who unfairly dismisses her. It's not clear if he's used to Marion fighting together with the others at this point, but he must be aware that she can, and Isadora comes across as capable. There are some parallels between her and Marion, only daughters of noblemen who have to toughen up to survive, but I'm glad they didn't present them as a love rivals, even though there's some possibility in that direction. I wonder what Isadora does after the death of her father? It must be very lonely in Caerleon, and she needs to find a husband if she's going to carry on the line to protect it. Hopefully she'll find someone who's willing to live there, and who will believe the truth about the table.
Cast in order of appearance
Agrivaine....................Cyril Cusack
Isadora.......................Cathryn Harrison
Mortimer.....................Jeremy Sinden
Raven.........................Derrick O'Connor
Robin.........................Jason Connery
Much..........................Peter Llewellyn Williams
Little John...................Clive Mantle
Will Scarlet..................Ray Winstone
Marion........................Judi Trott
Friar Tuck....................Phil Rose
Nasir...........................Mark Ryan
Herne the Hunter..........John Abineri
Irish Villain..................Harry Jones
Skulley........................David Rappaport
Old Lady......................Olive Lucius
King Arthur..................James Woodard
Voice of King Arthur......Hywel Bennett
Series created by Richard Carpenter
Executive Producer & Story Consultant Paul Knight
Executive Producer Patrick Dromgoole
Produced by Esta Charkham
Directed by Ben Bolt
Locations
Blaise Castle Estate, Somerset - possibly used for woodland scenes.
Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire - the wall of Caerleon Castle that Will climbs.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire - the village of Caerleon, and the area where the bandits rest after their first attack.
Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire - the western end of Chepstow is used for most of the exterior of Caerleon Castle, and the wine cellar was used for the dusty room where Much hears voices (although the steps he walks down are elsewhere in the castle).
Leigh Woods, Somerset - possibly used for woodland scenes.
Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles - most of the interior of Caerleon Castle, including the area where the round table is located and where King Arthur and his knights appear.
Episode guide written by Lucy of Ravenscar.
Location information compiled from Trail of Robin of Sherwood Location Guide, and Hooded Man volume one by Andrew Orton, as well as from personal visits.