Robot of Sherwood (TV story): Difference between revisions

Meanwhile, in a nearby village, [[Knight (Robot of Sherwood)|helmeted knights]] are taking away villagers. In one house, Master [[Quayle]] is pleading for the knights not to take his young female ward. She tries calming him, but Quayle yells that he'd tear out the [[Sheriff of Nottingham]]'s black heart if he was there. As if the mention of his name summoned him, the Sheriff appears; he goes over the treasure that the knights have collected, tossing aside a ruby and leaving only gold. Quayle asks that he be taken instead of the girl, but the Sheriff dismisses the idea as labour is needed at the castle; Quayle then spits in his face. The Sheriff says he will live to regret that, immediately correcting himself to say, "Actually, no. You won't." He then abruptly plunges a sword into Quayle's abdomen, killing him straight away. The knights take the girl away screaming.

Robin takes the Doctor and Clara to his campsite, where he introduces his group: [[Will Scarlett]], [[Friar Tuck]], [[Alan-a-Dale]], [[Walter (Robot of Sherwood)|Walter]], and [[Little John|John Little]]. As a prank, Robin reveals that contrary to belief, John is actually very small. An excited Clara calls the group the Merry Men, which Robin decides to use as their name. While they talk, the Doctor performs tests to verify or disprove the reality of the situation. He takes a hair strand, confirming it's real. He examines a sandal from Friar Tuck, and a sample of Alan's blood; it seems real, but riddled with diseases that will kill Alan in half a year.

Deep in the castle, one of the peasants falls down from exhaustion. The young female ward taken earlier goes over and helps him stand. A knight comes over and declares that the peasant's work capacity has been broken down, and he is no longer useful. They then proceed to disintegrate him, much to the girl's horror.

Back in their cell, the Doctor and Robin call for the guard, each asking that the other be executed; the Doctor wants to see if Robin's head will keep laughing after decapitation. Clara snaps at them, saying there ''isn't'' a guard. Clara asks them to explain their plans in turn; Robin wishes to bide his time, while the Doctor doesn't have a plan since the Sheriff took his [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]]. An annoyed Clara points out that the sonic is always taken whenever they're imprisoned. A guard comes in, revealing he has been assigned to listen at the door to find out who the true ringleader is, so the Sheriff can conduct an interrogation. Robin and the Doctor both proudly state the Sheriff will never get information out of them, but the guard unchains Clara instead. Clara looks at them, asking; "seriously?"

They decide to uproot the posts and, at a [[blacksmith]]'s forge, break their chains before locating the spacecraft inside the castle. The Doctor checks the computer, learning it's a [[29th century]] ship set to reach "[[Heaven (afterlife)|the Promised Land]]". The Doctor shows Robin photos from books, stories and television shows that follow his adventures, believing him to be a robot used as a hero to boost public morale. Robin is left angered at the accusation of collusion with the Sheriff, who then arrives with Clara. The Doctor attempts to pass off his new idea as truth as the knights fire at Robin; however, Clara shields him. Robin takes Clara and jumps into the moat through a hole blasted by the knights.

The Sheriff pities the loss of Clara, while the Doctor watches Robin emerge from the moat with her in his arms. The Doctor tells the Sheriff that he knows what's going on. The Sheriff states while the plan belongs to the robot knights, he wishes to rule omnipotent from the skyship. However, when the Doctor attempts to warn him that there isn't enough gold yet to ensure safe travel, the Sheriff shushes the Doctor and points behind him. The moment the Doctor turns to look, a knight knocks him out.

Robin explains that Clara told him all about the Doctor's travels, something the Doctor says she shouldn't have; Robin explains that Clara couldn't help herself, as the Doctor is her hero. Both the Doctor and Robin admit that they're not heroes, but if they continue pretending to be, others may be heroes in their name. They then bid each other farewell, but before the Doctor enters the TARDIS, Robin tells him they are equally just as real. Inside the TARDIS, Clara goads the Doctor to admit that he likes Robin. The Doctor says he's leaving Robin a gift...

As the TARDIS dematerialises, Robin looks at a picture of Maid Marian in his locket. Once the TARDIS finishes vanishing, the young female ward is seen standing there — she is revealed to be Marian. Overjoyed, Robin hugs her and races to where the TARDIS was, shouting praise for the Doctor and shooting an arrow to the sky.