Robot of Sherwood Spoiler-Free Review
Note: While this review refrains from mentioning plot specifics, read on at your discretion.
If Into the Dalek questioned whether the Doctor was a good man, Robot of Sherwood asks is the Doctor a hero? And who else than an encounter with the one and only Robin Hood to try and shed some light on the matter?
Clara is responsible for this particular little excursion asking the Doctor to take her to Sherwood Forest to see the folklore outlaw she loved as a child. Of course Twelve is having none of it believing Robin Hood to be just a myth, but he is shocked to discover the man himself on arrival. This leads them on a adventure featuring the band of Merry Men, one nasty Sheriff and… Robot knights that can fire lasers out of their faces. Yes, this is very much a Doctor Who take on an old classic.
Mark Gatiss is one of New Who’s most divisive recurring writers so it’s no surprise that his latest story will probably split fans down the middle again. This episode is a different beast to the first two being a much more light-hearted affair that is largely played for laughs. It may come as a welcome relief to those looking for more levity, but for anyone sold on the “into darkness” vibe so far it’ll seem like a jarring tonal shift.
Capaldi’s Doctor so far has been portrayed as a much colder incarnation. Here, while still prickly, he gets to let his hair down a bit and have more fun with the role. From the start Capaldi seems to be channelling more of Jon Pertwee’s third incarnation as a man of action. This is highlighted no better than the Doctor’s first encounter with Robin that ends in a rousing sword versus spoon fight. But if you think that sounds too silly, really, that should tell you all you need to know about the episode.
A large part of the story sees Robin and the Doctor forced to work together and while it starts off fun with some humorous bickering, it eventually starts to get wearisome and some of the jokes misfire. Capaldi handles the ensuing antics well enough, but the problem is it does feel as though it’s a bit of a turn against the harder-edged Time Lord we’ve seen so far. This story might have suited Matt Smith’s Doctor better.
Due to circumstances in the story Jenna Coleman gets to take more of a charge than usual. A particular highlight is her dinner ‘date’ with the Sheriff who has eyes on making her his new consort. She also gets to enjoy plenty of amusing ‘fangirling’ moments with Robin.
Tom Riley and Ben Miller lead the guest cast as Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham, respectively. Riley brings a suitably twinkly-eyed charm to the role, while Miller is his usual brand of sarcastic, if a bit more subdued that usual (He does look a bit like Anthony Ainley’s Master though, which is a plus). As for Robin’s Merry Men, they are really just background.
There’s a fair bit of action with plenty of explosions, an archery contest, and a good old-fashioned final sword duel. New to Who director Paul Murphy handles it all competently, even if it’s not as striking as Ben Wheatley’s work over the past couple of weeks.
To conclude, it’s a fun romp, but little more. There are some nice thematic ideas here but sadly they’re only really touched on. It’s an entertaining enough way to pass 45-minutes, but it probably won’t be remembered for much more.
Doctor Who TV Verdict: 7/10
