Robot of Sherwood (TV story)

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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

As the Doctor scribbles down scientific calculations on his chalkboard, he offers to let Clara choose their next destination. Clara, at first hesitant, believing the Doctor to dismiss him as a historical person, excitedly asks the Doctor to take them to meet the historical outlaw, Robin Hood. Clara reveals that Robin Hood was her childhood hero and had always wanted to meet him. The Doctor explains that he is nothing but a legend, and tries to convince her to choose something else, such as Mars. Clara persuades the Doctor to listen to her. Giving in, the Doctor sets a course for Sherwood Forest, 1190.

The TARDIS materialises by a lake in Sherwood Forest. Exiting the time machine, the Doctor yells out that there are "No damsels in distress, no Bridget Castles, no such thing as Robin Hood!" Then suddenly, an arrow strikes the side of the TARDIS. A man in green tights rises out from behind a log. As the Doctor stares blank-eyed, the man winks at him. The Doctor rips the arrow out of the TARDIS as the man crosses the lake. The man demands that he give up his 'magic box.' The Doctor refuses, but Clara appears, wearing a 12th century dress. Not believing what she's seeing, she congratulates the Doctor for finding Robin Hood. The Doctor points out that he's not Robin Hood. The man unleashes his sword and challenges the Doctor to a duel. The Doctor dons a glove and unleashes...a spoon!

The two battle on the lake's walkway whilst Clara cheers them on. As the two seem evenly matched, the man counters the Doctor's next move and slices a button off his jacket. The Doctor raises his arms and seemingly gives up. As the man is about to finish him off, the Doctor tricks him and trips him up, making him fall into the lake. The man sneaks up behind the Doctor and shoves him into the lake, annoying 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.
  • The Doctor claimed to have practised swordfight with Richard the Lionheart, Cyrano de Bergerac and Errol Flynn.

Story notes

An image of Robin Hood, as portrayed by Patrick Troughton.
  • 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. However, the admission of the Sheriff that he was "half man, half engine" and the scene showing his hands in the vat of molten gold makes up for the editing gap.
  • 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.
  • Actors David Benson and Ian Hallard also appeared together in AUDIO: Invaders from Mars, which was also written by Mark Gatiss. Benson later appeared in AUDIO: Wildthyme at Large, a story which also featured Robin Hood.
  • This is the first episode since TV: Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS to have no scenes set on present-day Earth.

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