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[[File:robinofsherwoodcast_3978.jpg|frame]]
{{quote|''The hooded man will come to the forest and meet with Herne the Hunter, to become his son and do his bidding.''}}
A 1980s retelling of the [[Robin Hood]] legend, with a large dose of Celtic mysticism. In this version, Robin is [[The Chosen One]], the spiritual son of pagan forest-god Herne the Hunter. Notable for being the first version to get away from the green-tights-and-hat-with-a-feather image in favour of something a band of 12th century outlaws might actually wear, and for introducing the idea of a Saracen outlaw.▼
▲A 1980s retelling of the [[Robin Hood]] legend (originally airing from 28 April 1984 to 28 June 1986), with a large dose of Celtic mysticism. In this version, Robin is [[The Chosen One]], the spiritual son of pagan forest-god Herne the Hunter. Notable for being the first version to get away from the green-tights-and-hat-with-a-feather image in favour of something a band of 12th century outlaws might actually wear, and for introducing the idea of a Saracen outlaw.
Also notable for portraying [[Richard the Lion Heart|King Richard]] as just as bad as Prince John, although that didn't catch on as much. Unique<ref>Though the 2011 film takes a similar approach in that it has two different noblemen Robert of Locksleys.</ref> in that it had ''two'' different Robins -- one a woodsman, the other a nobleman {{spoiler|who took on the job after the first was killed}} -- allowing it to cover the two different versions of Robin found in the various (contradictory) tales. The original, played by Michael Praed, appeared in the first two series; Jason Connery played his replacement in the third and final series. There were plans for a fourth series but the production company ran out of money; there were several attempts up until 2010 to revive it, including plans for a movie and several attempts to pitch a new series to ITV, none of which came to anything (and the recent death of writer Richard Carpenter has likely put an end to such plans for good).▼
▲Also notable for portraying [[Richard the Lion Heart|King Richard]] as just as bad as Prince John, although that didn't catch on as much. Unique<ref>Though the 2011 film takes a similar approach in that it has two different noblemen Robert of Locksleys.</ref> in that it had ''two'' different Robins -- one a woodsman, the other a nobleman {{spoiler|who took on the job after the first was killed}} -- allowing it to cover the two different versions of Robin found in the various (contradictory) tales. The original, played by Michael Praed, appeared in the first two series; Jason Connery (son of [[Sean Connery|Sean]]) played his replacement in the third and final series. There were plans for a fourth series but the production company ran out of money; there were several attempts up until 2010 to revive it, including plans for a movie and several attempts to pitch a new series to ITV, none of which came to anything (and the
Also known for putting Irish music group Clannad on the map (apart from their theme from ''Harry's Game'').▼
▲Also known for putting Irish music group [[Clannad (band)|Clannad]] on the map (apart from their theme from ''Harry's Game'').
----
{{tropelist}}
* [[Action Girl]]: Maid Marion, Isadora.
* [[All Myths Are True]]: Primarily a weird mix of [[Celtic Mythology]] and Christian folklore. There are also episodes drawing from [[Norse Mythology]] and [[King Arthur|Arthurian legend]], with another episode [[Crossover|featuring]] another legendary English outlaw named Adam Bell.
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* [[Arbitrary Scepticism]]: In the episode ''The Swords of Wayland'', the outlaws scoff at the idea of demons terrorizing a village, even though they had come up against evil spells and Satanic rituals in the past.
* [[Arc Words]]: "Nothing's forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten."
* [[Ascended Extra]]: The series did not plan on introducing a Saracen member of Robin's team.
* [[Attempted Rape]]: Prince John and Marion. It veers into [[Black Comedy Rape]] as Marion stalls for time by suggesting a game of "conquest", in which she gets to verbally and physically abuse him as he tries to seduce her.
* [[Author Appeal]]: At the same time that Richard Carpenter deserves credit for giving Marion back her street-cred (she was quite the [[Badass]] in the old ballads, before Hollywood got hold of her and turned her into a [[
** Likewise, most evil villains usually had a sultry concubine in tow.
* [[Bar Brawl]]: A couple of times.
* [[Bathe Her and Bring Her
* [[Big Brother Instinct]]: Nasir toward Marion. It's really very sweet.
* [[Big No]]: Robin's foster-father when the mill is burnt down.
* [[Bittersweet Ending]]
* [[Blonde, Brunette, Redhead]]: There were three memorable female characters in the show: Isadora (blonde), Meg (brunette), and of course, Marion (redhead).
* [[Boisterous Bruiser]]: King Richard.
* [[Book Ends]]: The first and last episode of the first season each involve an important scene among the circle of standing stones.
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* [[Bumbling Sidekick]]: Much for the good guys, Guy for the bad guys.
* [[Chewing the Scenery]]: Delightfully done by John Rhys-Davies as King Richard in Series 1 Episode 6. Then again, with his voice and presence, could he do any different?
{{quote|
'BE SILENT IN OUR PRESENCE!!'
'I've heard the stories of you and the Sheriff using this forest -- MY FOREST -- as your battleground'. }}
* [[The Complainer Is Always Wrong]]: Subverted with Will Scarlet. He's mistrustful and antagonistic toward King Richard -- and he's right to be.
* [[Contrived Coincidence]]: The Sheriff's nephew Martin is kidnapped at the ''exact same time'' as Much, resulting in Robin and the Sheriff agreeing to an exchange of prisoners: "your half-wit for my brat."
* [[Cool Sword]]: Albion
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* [[Did Not Get the Girl]]: The second Robin, after Marion opts to become a nun.
* [[Disappeared Dad]]: Marion's father. {{spoiler|She thinks he died in Palestine, but he was actually a prisoner of the King's enemies}}.
* [[
* [[Dressing
{{quote|
'''Robin in guard uniform:''' On the villain's shoulders. }}
* [[Dual-Wielding]]: Nasir.
* [[The Dung Ages]]: Nearly every peasant character is filthy, with Robin of Loxley a notable exception. The nobility isn't that much better off; Sir Guy of
* [[Enemy Mine]]: The Sheriff temporarily teams up with Robin in ''The Sheriff of Nottingham''.
* [[Evil Sorcerer]]: Baron de Belleme.
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* [[Heterosexual Life Partners]]: All the outlaws, but particularly John and Will.
* [[Her Heart Will Go On]]: The inevitable fate of Marion once Michael Praed left the show.
* [[Hey, It's That Guy!]]: Several familiar faces turn up, including [[The Vicar of Dibley|David Horton]], [[Midsomer Murders|Inspector Barnaby]], [[Poirot|Chief Inspector Japp]] and [[Miranda|Miranda's mum!]].
* [[Hoist
** The Sheriff ropes in Robin and the outlaws to rescue his kidnapped nephew Martin (who he's only interested in due to his lands and fortune) only to find that a few days with the outlaws is enough to destroy Martin's adulation of his [[Evil Uncle]] and decide that he's never going to see him again.
* [[Hypnotize the Princess]]: Gulner does this to Marion in ''Herne's Son''.
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* [[Inadequate Inheritor]]: Isadora is considered this by her father on account of her being a girl. Though he calls in Robin to be his [[Spiritual Successor]] as the guardian of Caerleon, Robin declines and points out Isadora as a much better option.
* [[Ironic Name]]: The elderly protector of [[King Arthur|Caerleon and the Round Table]] is a man called Lord Agrivaine, said to be the latest in a long line of Agrivaines dating back to the time of Camelot. Anyone who knows their Arthurian mythology will know that the original Agrivaine would have been the ''last'' person willing to guard the Round Table.
* [[It Is Pronounced "Tro
* [[Kill the God]]: In ''Lord of the Trees'' Gisborne tries to kill Herne.
* [[Killed Off for Real]]: {{spoiler|Robin himself. Luckily, Herne has a replacement lined up.}}
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* [[Really Dead Montage]]: {{spoiler|The first Robin gets one of these as the remaining outlaws shoot fiery arrows into the sky and recall their first moments with him}}.
* [[Redemption Equals Death]]: Adam Bell
* [[Red Shirt]]: Every so often an episode would open with [[Remember the New Guy?|a brand-new outlaw]] established among the core group. Their job was to die before the 45 minutes were up.
* [[Remember the New Guy?]]: In one of the final episodes we are introduced to the Sheriff's nephew Martin. Though we've never seen him before, he's apparently been living in Castle Nottingham for the past two years.
* [[Richard the Lion Heart]]: As played by John Rhys-Davies.
* [[Rightful King Returns]]: [[Deconstructed]] mercilessly when King Richard comes back from the Crusades -- and all Richard Carpenter had to do was accurately depict the historical events surrounding his return.
* [[Royal We]]: King Richard.
* [[Satan]]: The two-part episode ''The Swords of Wayland'' involve a group of evil nuns trying to release Lucifer out of hell. Seriously.
* [[Secret Underground Passage]]: The outlaws use the Sheriff's to break into the castle in ''The Sheriff of Nottingham''.
* [[Shirtless Scene]]: Nasir and the two Robins.
* [[Shown Their Work]]: This troper was deeply impressed that the writers not only knew the name of the late 12th c. Earl of Huntingdon but that he was a member of the Scottish royal family. BTW David of Huntingdon's eldest son
** According to the [[DVD Commentary]], one left-handed extra whose scene required her to write in a ledger was asked to write with her right hand considering the stigma against left-handed people in those days.
** They also demonstrate a surprisingly-accurate view of England in the middle ages (save for the obviously fantastic bits), up to and including the incorporation of historical ephemera (like the fact that King Richard once forced his noblemen to bid on their titles at an auction in Nottingham). Most of their take upon the Robin Hood legend is also well-rooted in oft-times obscure earlier versions.
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* [[Title Theme Tune]]: Almost: "Robin... Robin... The hooded man." Repeat. ''[[Ear Worm|Endlessly]]''.
* [[Too Happy to Live]]: A non-fatal variation, though it's played straight in almost every other respect: Robin and Marion confess their love and prepare to marry, the outlaws and the villagers steal back the grain that was taken from them by the Sheriff, everyone is getting ready for the celebrations that night... and then on returning to Wickham they discover that all the women and children have been taken, the rescued grain has been burnt and the wedding has to be postponed {{spoiler|and eventually cancelled when Marion is lead to believe that Robin has died}}.
* [[Town
* [[Training the Peaceful Villagers]]: ''The Swords of Wayland.''
* [[Trust Password]]: In a sense. The new Robin is trying to muster the group again, but Will Scarlet says gloomily that they've lost the fire that they had with the old.
{{quote|
(Scarlet looks thoroughly spooked)
'''Scarlet:''' What did you say?
'''Robert:''' You heard me.
'''Scarlet:''' No ... it wasn't you I heard. }}
* [[Twang! "Hello."]]
* [[Ungrateful Bastard]]: The serfs on more than one occasion.
** Little John calls Robin this (half
* [[The Unpronounceable]]: Nasir's full name. ''He'' can say it just fine, but it leaves the other outlaws dumbfounded.
* [[The Un-Smile]]: The barber in the Sheriff's nightmare. Terrifying.
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:TV Series]]
[[Category:British Series]]
[[Category:Action Adventure Series]]
[[Category:
▲[[Category:Trope]]
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