Robot of Sherwood (TV story)

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
RealWorld.png

Robot of Sherwood was the third episode of the eighth series of Doctor Who produced by BBC Wales.

Synopsis

Clara is elated when offered the chance to meet the English folk hero Robin Hood, despite the Twelfth Doctor's insistence that he is nothing more than a legend. Travelling to a sun-drenched Sherwood Forest in 1190, they soon realise that something is amiss as the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham and his sinister robot knights plot to rewrite the course of history.

Can the Doctor put aside his doubts and stir up an unlikely friendship with Robin Hood?

Plot

The Doctor offers Clara the choice of their next destination. Predicting, and in spite of, the Doctor's protestations as to his existence, Clara asks to meet Robin Hood. The Doctor set course for Sherwood Forest, "1190ish".

While Clara changes her attire, the Doctor exits the TARDIS and finds a man, who claims to be Robin Hood, outside. The Doctor remains unconvinced, but Robin's attempt to take possession of the TARDIS leads to a duel on a makeshift bridge over a river. Countering Robin's sword with a spoon, the Doctor knocks his opponent into the river, only to be dragged in after him.

Cast

Crew

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.


References

  • The Doctor offers to take Clara to see the Ice Warrior hives on Mars or the Tumescent Arrows of the Half-Light. He claimed to have taken a Polaroid picture of the latter.
  • Clara says, "You can take the girl out of Blackpool.”
  • The Sheriff also expresses his desire to gain control over Derby, and London. Clara also suggests Worksop.
  • There are several instances which can be considered references to Maid Marian and her Merry Men, although the series is not mentioned by name.
    • Unlike in most instances, Little John is portrayed as being of a smaller stature rather then bigger, such as in Maid Marian.
    • Clara being taken from the cell as the Doctor and Robin Hood are arguing. In the series, Maid Marian would often take the leading role whilst the others argue.
  • Clara calls Robin Hood "Prince of Thieves", a nickname popularised by the film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
  • The Doctor has a gizmo able to take a sample and examine outrigh a specimen of human blood. He administeres such a test on Alan-a-Dale and makes a prognosis of several diseases and about six months of life expectancy.

Story notes

  • A scene in which the Sheriff of Nottingham was beheaded, revealing him to be a robot, was edited out of this episode's broadcast as it was deemed inappropriate in light of recent events in the news — namely, the beheading of two American journalists by terrorist group Islamic State. [1] The cut can clearly be seen in the finished programme, when the tapestry behind Clara and the Doctor vanishes before Robin cuts the rope and rises to the wooden gantries.
  • One of the images brought up on the computer screen is of Patrick Troughton, the actor who portrayed the Second Doctor, and also the first actor who played Robin Hood on television.
  • This episode's title is capitalised, whereas previous episodes of the season were not. The title sequence is also precluded by the cliffhanger "sting" used since The Ambassadors of Death.
  • Ben Miller (The Sheriff of Nottingham) is credited as 'Sheriff' in Radio Times.
  • The Radio Times programme listing was accompanied by a small colour head-and-shoulders shot of Jenna Coleman as Clara with her 12th century hairstyle, with the accompanying caption "Doctor Who / 7.30 p.m. Clara throws herself into the action on an adventure with Robin Hood".

Ratings

to be added

Filming locations

  • Fforest Fawr, Brecon Beacons National Park
  • Caerphilly Castle, Castle St.

Production errors

  • Despite portraying a highly competent archer, actor Ben Miller's technique was rather flawed when firing his arrows.
  • Clara closes the Tardis door when first meeting Robin Hood but when Robin and The Doctor duel its open.

Continuity

Home video releases

DVD releases

The episode will be released as part of the Complete Series 8 in November.

Blu-ray releases

to be added

External links

to be added

Footnotes