Not Your Friend

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I think Herne’s Son is an excellent starting episode for series three. The transition from series two to series three is handled well. The introduction of a successor to Loxley is credible. I know Adam Bell and The Betrayal were filmed first, so by the time they filmed Herne’s Son the cast knew and liked Jason and it shows.



Showing the tragic ending of series two and smoothly melding it with the beginning of series three makes for an exciting start. 



We are reacquainted with our old enemies, the Sheriff of Nottingham, a sulky Guy of Gisburne and a surly Abbot Hugo. We find out what has happened to Marion since Loxley’s death. He’d said to her: “You must care. Then I can’t die, can I?” But she wasn’t able to keep the outlaws together. She went back to her father and was pardoned by the King, but the other outlaws had to fend for themselves. They’re understandably resentful of her and her father because of this. It’s noble of Nasir to risk his life to rescue Sir Richard. I suppose it must have been because he is Marion’s father and Nasir’s still fond of her.



Owen of Clun is a nasty piece of work who enjoys watching men fight to the death. He’s a butch brute of a man who gives me the creeps. I like Robert’s fight with him. Robert teases the bigger, clumsier man and beats him.  Jason is physically convincing in this fight and in all the fights to come. Despite the near-fatal ducking by Tuck, Robert takes on Little John, Will Scarlett and Nasir and equals all three.  I enjoy the three fights.



Robert of Huntingdon is a confident and mischievous young man. He’s still treated as a boy by his father but shows that he can take on responsibility in this episode. He has authority when he needs it, such as in Edward’s village and confronting Will’s brother, Amos.  He makes a serious decision to become “Herne’s Son” and commits himself to champion the villagers and to bring the outlaws together.  Though by the end of this episode he is still able to return to his old life if he wanted to.



Would Robert have returned to Sherwood if he hadn’t met Marion? I don’t know. From his conversation with John Robert shows that he is aware of injustice and would like to do something about it but hasn’t the nerve or enough motivation to throw away his future. So maybe Marion was the catalyst for him joining the outlaws rather than the only reason?



It’s good to see how Robert wins over the outlaws one by one. As Clive pointed out in one of the interviews this mirrored how Jason won the cast over one by one. During their escapade in Clun Castle I think you can see some affection towards Robert from the other outlaws. They accept him taking command and planning the escapade in Clun Castle. He gets help once inside from the quick-witted outlaws when he’s fighting Nasir and when he takes Owen hostage. Robert shows his leadership qualities in getting them all out. He stays till last.



I think when Gulnar says “Now, my lord!” to Owen just before the portcullis comes down, that it’s intentional on Gulnar’s part. He seems to have taken a bit of a fancy to Marion himself and may have resented Owen.   



Marion’s attitude to Robert is interesting. She’s quite cold to him. I think she finds him a bit presumptuous and wants to make it clear to him that although she’s grateful he can’t expect any favours.



Overall I thought this episode was an excellent start to series three. It’s full of action and drama with some humour.  The characters are all convincing and the introduction of a nobleman as Herne’s Son is made credible by the story and the actors.

I’m enjoying these re-watches even though I know the episodes so well. The familiar music, Jason …

I think The Sheriff of Nottingham is one of many people’s favourites: the delightfully camp Philip Mark and the not so bad at camping himself Sheriff, Gisburne turning coat and sucking up to Mark, but getting his comeuppance, Nasir and Sarak’s swordfights.

I like the insight we’re given into Nasir’s past. I like the way Robin gets the back story from Nasir and tells him: “You’re one of us. We will be with you.” I like the way Nasir responds to Robin. Nasir has quite a lot to say in this episode from the beginning when he joins the others in making fun of Much.

The episode also shows a dilemma for the villagers. The outlaws will help the villagers but the villagers are helpless against reprisals from authority. Some of the villagers will think that they are better off without the outlaws’ help. The Sheriff hasn’t taken revenge against the villagers too far because, as he told Gisburne in an earlier episode, the serfs are his serfs and they work his land. But Philip Mark will kill as many people as it takes for Robin to surrender or be handed in.

Whenever I watch the episode I say to John: “Wait! Let Much put the stone back in place.” But of course they have to be caught. I like the dawning of understanding on Gisburne’s face when he figures out what the stone and passage means.  

I think the scene with the captured Sheriff is good, when Much asks the Sheriff why the Sheriff hates them. The Sheriff has some good points to make. The difference between what the outlaws do in reality and what they stand for. Let’s face it: they do use violence, steal and kill, for however good a reason. “Dispossessed, doomed.” That’s true and makes me sad. I like the black humour Robin brings to the situation and Jason’s lovely smirky smile.

One has to feel a bit sorry for the Sheriff when he gamely tries to claim credit for helping capture the outlaws but ends up in the dungeon. I hope he had the straw changed for the old man afterwards but I doubt it!

I wonder if Robin had any chance of hitting “Sarak” with the crossbow? One knows though that Nasir must have survived the fight against Sarak, but not be sure who it is that turns up in Sarak’s clothes. Then there’s a good old dustup with the townspeople enjoying seeing Gisburne take a bashing from Robin and ending up in the horse trough. Edward and Marion do a good job of capturing D’Giscar (? spelling)

One thing that doesn’t ring true for me is when Gisburne and the Sheriff are talking after the latest abortive attempt to catch the outlaws. Gisburne talks about the Sheriff’s obsession with Robin Hood. Certainly in the third series I think Gisburne comes over as more obsessed than the Sheriff. What do you think?

I love the second to last scene between Robin and Marion. So sweet when they touch noses. And Jason’s dimples!

I enjoy the ending with the Sheriff lounging in his chair with a triumphant toothy smile on his face. All is well! We have the incompetent Sheriff and the bungling Gisburne back.

The Hunter's Horn

This story is set post-series three. It is an adventure with supernatural and magical elements and hints of romance.
Disclaimer: the characters are the creation of Richard Carpenter.

A HUGE thank you to my awesome beta, herne24!