A Good Day to Die
Encyclopedia
"A Good Day to Die" is the twelfth episode of series two of the BBC's new Robin Hood series. It was shown on Saturday 29 December 2007 as a two-hour episode, incorporating the thirteenth episode, and the second season finale, We Are Robin Hood!
awaiting them. Djaq's ingenuity manages to stave off an initial attack with a pig's head stuffed with black powder, but they soon realise that Ellingham, the mercenary leader, will wait until the starving outlaws are forced to emerge.
At the castle, Guy tells Marian that he is going away and refuses to inform her where. She is suspicious that he and the Sheriff are heading for the Holy Land and tries to find Robin at the camp to warn him, but he is not there. She tries to persuade Allan to help her, but when that also fails she knocks him out, steals his sword and takes matters into her own hands. She attempts to kill the Sheriff but is caught. Gisbourne is forced to reveal that he knew that Marian was the Nightwatchman. The Sheriff, furious, declares that Marian cannot be left behind to cause trouble and quite delightedly tells her that Robin Hood and his friends will be dead by the time they reach their destination.
Back at the barn, aware that they may not come out of the battle alive, the outlaws share secrets; a Kalila and Dimna Night, suggested by Djaq. Truths tumble out as Djaq and Will confess their love for each other, Little John speaks about his family and Much confesses that he feels unappreciated and misses the days when he and Robin were like brothers. Robin eventually admits that the reason he doesn't talk about his and Much's time in the Holy Land is that Much can handle the memories and Robin cannot
. He talks of his love for Marian.
The Sheriff and Gisbourne head for the Holy Land with Marian as their prisoner. Whilst the Sheriff and Guy sleep, Allan is restless and goes to see Marian, who is locked up in the stables. Allan takes his horse and races off back to Nettlestone to warn the gang of the Sheriff's plans. The Sheriff discovers this and alert Gisborne, telling him that Allan is of no further use to them and only the two of them will share the glory of killing King Richard. He also pays Marian a visit, furiously snarling that he doesn't intend to let her attempt on his life go unpunished.
As the outlaws prepare to face the mercenaries, Djaq and Will share a kiss. Allan shows up and convinces Ellingham that Gisbourne has sent him to collect the prisoners to be interrogated. Halfway through the scheme, Ellingham realises that he's been hoodwinked and the outlaws are forced to fight for their lives. As the outlaws manage to fight their way free, Allan informs Robin of the Sheriff and Gisborne's plan, and the fact they have a captive Marian with them.
Robin and his gang, including Allan, set off for the Holy Land in order to save Marian and ultimately England.
Throughout series 1 and 2, Much on numerous occasions, most of the time referring to Little Johns "A good day to die", has said "I hate sayings." Ironically creating a saying for himself.
When it is Muchs' turn to speak he comfronts Robin for treating him badly since returning to England. He says that when they first came back from the Holy Land they "were like brothers, brothers in arms..." The reference of 'Brothers in Arms' is used in previous episodes; episode 7 of series 1, in which Allan-A-Dale is reunited with his brother Tom, the episode is called 'Brothers In Arms'. Also in 'Walkabout' of series 2, in the scene where Allan and Will shake hands, Will says to him "Oh, looks like we're brothers in arms again after all."
We Are Robin Hood!
We Are Robin Hood is the thirteenth episode of series two of the BBC's Robin Hood series. It was aired on Saturday 29 December on BBC One as a two-hour episode, edited together with the previous instalment. It is the last episode of Series Two...
Plot
Much has arranged a birthday surprise for Robin - a party in Nettlestone barn. Unfortunately, the real surprise is the mercenariesMercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
awaiting them. Djaq's ingenuity manages to stave off an initial attack with a pig's head stuffed with black powder, but they soon realise that Ellingham, the mercenary leader, will wait until the starving outlaws are forced to emerge.
At the castle, Guy tells Marian that he is going away and refuses to inform her where. She is suspicious that he and the Sheriff are heading for the Holy Land and tries to find Robin at the camp to warn him, but he is not there. She tries to persuade Allan to help her, but when that also fails she knocks him out, steals his sword and takes matters into her own hands. She attempts to kill the Sheriff but is caught. Gisbourne is forced to reveal that he knew that Marian was the Nightwatchman. The Sheriff, furious, declares that Marian cannot be left behind to cause trouble and quite delightedly tells her that Robin Hood and his friends will be dead by the time they reach their destination.
Back at the barn, aware that they may not come out of the battle alive, the outlaws share secrets; a Kalila and Dimna Night, suggested by Djaq. Truths tumble out as Djaq and Will confess their love for each other, Little John speaks about his family and Much confesses that he feels unappreciated and misses the days when he and Robin were like brothers. Robin eventually admits that the reason he doesn't talk about his and Much's time in the Holy Land is that Much can handle the memories and Robin cannot
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumaticstress disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity,...
. He talks of his love for Marian.
The Sheriff and Gisbourne head for the Holy Land with Marian as their prisoner. Whilst the Sheriff and Guy sleep, Allan is restless and goes to see Marian, who is locked up in the stables. Allan takes his horse and races off back to Nettlestone to warn the gang of the Sheriff's plans. The Sheriff discovers this and alert Gisborne, telling him that Allan is of no further use to them and only the two of them will share the glory of killing King Richard. He also pays Marian a visit, furiously snarling that he doesn't intend to let her attempt on his life go unpunished.
As the outlaws prepare to face the mercenaries, Djaq and Will share a kiss. Allan shows up and convinces Ellingham that Gisbourne has sent him to collect the prisoners to be interrogated. Halfway through the scheme, Ellingham realises that he's been hoodwinked and the outlaws are forced to fight for their lives. As the outlaws manage to fight their way free, Allan informs Robin of the Sheriff and Gisborne's plan, and the fact they have a captive Marian with them.
Robin and his gang, including Allan, set off for the Holy Land in order to save Marian and ultimately England.
Cast
- Jonas ArmstrongJonas ArmstrongJonas Armstrong is an Irish-actor, raised in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, best known for his appearances on television in the United Kingdom, where he played the title role in the BBC One drama series Robin Hood.-Career:...
... Robin HoodRobin HoodRobin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes.... - Lucy Griffiths ... Lady MarianMaid MarianMaid Marian is the wife of the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood. Stemming from another, older tradition, she became associated with Robin Hood only in the 16th century.-History:The earliest medieval Robin Hood stories gave him no female companion...
- Keith Allen ... the Sheriff of NottinghamSheriff of NottinghamThe Sheriff of Nottingham was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Nottingham and bringing criminals to justice. For years the post has been directly appointed by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and in modern times, with the existence of the police force, the position is...
- Richard ArmitageRichard Armitage (actor)Richard Crispin Armitage is an English actor famous for his roles as John Thornton in North and South, Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood, and Lucas North in Spooks...
... Sir Guy of GisbourneGuy of GisbourneSir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. In The Ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne , he hunts Robin for the Sheriff of Nottingham, but Robin kills him and cuts off his head... - Joe ArmstrongJoe Armstrong (actor)Joe Armstrong is an English actor. He played Allan A Dale in the BBC series Robin Hood. He plays Hotspur in the forthcoming BBC production of Henry IV, Part 1 and he will appear in the film Closer to the Moon by Nae Caranfil...
... Alan-a-DaleAlan-a-DaleAlan-a-Dale is a figure in the Robin Hood legend... - Harry LloydHarry LloydHarry Lloyd is an English actor. He played Will Scarlet in the first two seasons of the BBC drama Robin Hood which began in 2006...
... Will ScarletWill ScarletWill Scarlet was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son.... - Anjali JayAnjali JayAnjali Jay is a British-Indian actress. She is best known for her role in the 2006 film Blind Dating and as Djaq on the first two seasons of the 2006 television series Robin Hood.-Biography:...
... Djaq - Sam TroughtonSam TroughtonSam Troughton is a British actor. He is the son of David Troughton and the grandson of Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton. His younger brother is Warwickshire cricketer Jim Troughton...
... MuchMuch the Miller's SonMuch the Miller's Son was, in the tales of Robin Hood, one of his Merry Men. He appears in some of the oldest ballads, A Gest of Robyn Hode and Robin Hood and the Monk, as one of the company.Generally he becomes an outlaw when he is caught poaching... - Gordon KennedyGordon Kennedy (actor)Gordon Kennedy is a Scottish actor. Kennedy grew up in Tranent, East Lothian, and attended George Watson's College in Edinburgh...
... Little JohnLittle JohnLittle John was a legendary fellow outlaw of Robin Hood, and was said to be Robin's chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men.-Folklore:He appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories... - Paul UsherPaul UsherPaul Usher is an English actor.He was educated at St John Plessington Catholic College, Bebington, and is best known for playing Barry Grant in Brookside, from the first episode until the last , and PC Des Taviner in The Bill from 2001 to 2004.He has also appeared in Liverpool...
... Ellingham
Significance of the title
When it is Little John's turn to speak, he is at first reluctant. He eventually admits that he feels guilty for leaving his wife, Alice, and their son. His habit, demonstrated in previous episodes, of saying, "It's a good day to die," stemmed from his belief that he deserved to die for his cowardice and that any day would be good enough.Throughout series 1 and 2, Much on numerous occasions, most of the time referring to Little Johns "A good day to die", has said "I hate sayings." Ironically creating a saying for himself.
When it is Muchs' turn to speak he comfronts Robin for treating him badly since returning to England. He says that when they first came back from the Holy Land they "were like brothers, brothers in arms..." The reference of 'Brothers in Arms' is used in previous episodes; episode 7 of series 1, in which Allan-A-Dale is reunited with his brother Tom, the episode is called 'Brothers In Arms'. Also in 'Walkabout' of series 2, in the scene where Allan and Will shake hands, Will says to him "Oh, looks like we're brothers in arms again after all."