Robot of Sherwood

I think some of you take this show a little too seriously. Was this episode any more ridiculous than half of the Sylvester McCoy episodes? I mean really...a giant killer candy man?

I think Peter Capaldi is doing a great job with the scripts he's being dealt. To be honest, I stopped watching this show as the Doctor got younger and younger. On top of that, Matt Smith's A.D.D., touchy-feely- kissy shtick was starting to make me nauseous. The Doctor isn't supposed to dish out hugs and kisses. It's just unnatural.

Anyway, regarding "Robots", I was secretly hoping the Sheriff (Ben Miller) would be taken over by the Master, especially since he looked exactly like Anthony Ainley. With Peter Capaldi's voice and mannerisms mimicking Tom Baker's, I think all this show needs now is new K-9 and it can be as addictive as it was in the late 70's.

I don't normally critique individual mid-series episodes of Dr Who but I absolutely loved this episode. I've seen almost every TV and cinematic representation of Robin Hood going back to Errol Flynn and this adventure paid due homage to all that history, condensing most of Hood's best-known stories into its 50 minute time-frame (the "Little John"-type encounter on the log over the river, the archery contest set up to trap Robin by the Sheriff of Nottingham and even climaxing in a sword-fight between them, which if not exactly up there in the Flynn/Rathbone class, still paid its due respects).

Underlying the story were subtle questions about the need for heroes and the power of legends, with the Doctor denying the efficacy of both until he realises by the end that the same fate awaits the remembrance of his own exploits in the future. Sensing a rival for Clara's attention (affection?) in Robin, whose fictional dreamboat he's always been, the Doctor is immediately querulous and doubting of his Lincoln Green attired rival. Several quick-fire exchanges take place between them with Clara usually having the last word until they both man-up to take on the nefarious Sheriff and his robotic henchmen.

Cleverly, the plot doesn't allow the inevitable alien-presence to overpower the story and there's another cryptic reference to the promised land to hold the viewer's attention until the series closer. Capaldi is now completely in character and relishing his role, Coleman, her puppy love now replaced by qualified respect is very good too. Perhaps it would have been nice to see more of Robin's Merry Men (Little John, for one, barely gets a line) but this overdue combination of the Doctor and Robin Hood already has the look of the series high-spot.

To start with, I won't go into the heavy duty review like the others have. Simply put it is a bit of camp fun with a beautiful message at the end and that does not have to be a bad thing. The other seasons of Doctor Who have all had the heavy and light episodes. It is merely a case of greater extremes. As for peoples issues with the Robin Hood factor, it was lovely to see this apparent dolt/legend/hero/outlaw/normal man just trying to live his life and find his love and how he parallels the Doctor. The final dialogue between the Doctor and Robin, I think, sums up not only the episode but all of Doctor Who, and much more beside.

This was still good. Worst episode so far this season, but it's still pretty good. I hope the season gets better.

Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Fighting aliens. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with the Doctor, Clara and friends. Dungeons they escape, behave like children would, Robin Hood! Robin Hood! Robin Hood!

He fought the wicked robots and the wicked sheriff too, who was keen on taking Clara for his queen. They were a merry bunch but they wound up you know Who? He thought they were robotic Lincoln green.

Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Fighting aliens. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with the Doctor, Clara and friends. Dungeons they escape, behave like children would, Robin Hood! Robin Hood! Robin Hood!