Robin Hood 2.08 - Get Carter

[kat_lair]

Wooo, knives! He kills people for fun. Fun and money. And because he looks ridiculously hot when doing it, clearly. Well, the Sheriff seems to think so.

“Why don’t you ever kiss my ring?” *chokes* AHAHAHAA, OMG!!! I can’t believe they got away with that!!! KEITH ALLEN, ILU.

Marian clearly slept in the day they were doing the camouflage lessions, because wtf, why is she wearing a turquoise top that is going to stick out like a sore thumb?

Much in action is so stupidly hot once more. It makes me very happy. In my pants.

Carter killing guards (seriously, this must be the most high-risk occupation in all of Nottingham – how are they recruiting more men when the chances of getting killed by our own employer are even higher than getting killed by Robin Hood?) is omg so hot. Yes, I’m going to be very shallow about him. Mainly because I can’t find any depth to his character at all. Haha the other outlaws are fanboying Carter something hardcore.  Aaaand Robin was totally watching him walk away, there.

It’s not exactly domestic bliss for Robin and Marian, is it? Although there seems to be a serious trend of some rope-play showing up…

Much being suspicious is cool… I like him being all smart and confident. It was about time writers stopped using him as an easy comic relief. 

Sheriff is so bastardly. Toying with Guy’s feelings... He seems very invested in making sure Guy stops pining after Marian (though I’m pretty sure her legs are much better than the Sheriff’s…. um. Bad mental place.)

“I’ll give you a kiss… If Hood is dead, I’ll give you two!” haha, they are totally upping the subtext between these two. \o/

Djaq is all aaaawkward getting stuck in the middle of Robin and Marian’s little spat.

Yay for John being paternal. Awwwww…. I loved that scene between him and Marian. I think the two of them could really become good friends. 

Ooooh! Carter is taking them out one by one. Nice, if obvious, horror movie camera work there, complete with suspenseful music.

Haha Carter tied Will and Djaq together. And interestingly, Much and Marian too. And he assumes it’s Much, not Marian Robin worries about. “Your little sidekick from the Holy Land.” And the glance that give Robin’s weakness away is for both Much and Marian. I love the parallels drawn between the two and their respective relationships with Robin.

Sigh. I see what they tried to do with Marian’s sudden thirst for violence, but it just doesn’t work for me… It feels too artificial and unlike last episode, I’m not identifying with Marian’s feelings at all.

“Why don’t you go cook?”
“What, because I’m a woman?
“No because I’m hungry!”
Wtf, has Marian taken over Much’s cooking duties now?

Ooooh Allan, being roughed up by Guy again and pretending he doesn’t like it.

That is one stupidly weak knot Robin is tying there. No way is Carter going to stay put…

Notice Will with a baby in the background. Someone give that man more babies to cuddle!

I’m not sure Robin is the right person to talk Carter out of his sociopathy, because okay, Robin isn’t going around killing people in cold-blood, but he’s not exactly the most balanced person either when it comes to war trauma. Just remember that incident with Gisbourne and a hot poker last season.

Allan! Of course Allan is helping Marian, he’s completely her bitch now. Except when he’s Guy’s bitch. Or Robin’s. Or… Hold on, is there anyone here, whose bitch Allan isn’t? God, when did that man turn into such a needy sub?

Haha but he’s still clearly hardcore enough to attack nuns! It’s probably wrong that I found that scene hugely amusing.

*smacks Robin* I told you so, you moron. World’s worst knot! Of course Carter escaped that. Jesus, someone give this boy some tips in tying people up.

Every time Much draws a sword out, I get a little shiver. Oh Much, why aren’t the village girls flocking to you like bees to honey, I will never understand.

Come up with some new names, writers, honestly! Everyone’s brother is called Thomas, for fuck’s sake.

Yay for sword fighting and yay for Robin getting his ass kicked, and um, for Robin getting held in a headlock (what, it’s a good look on him, don’t tell me you don’t agree)

I’m mainly focussing on the pretty in this scene, because omg, the acting is so second grade it hurts my soul a little bit. And that hugging and crying is just not convincing at all, leaves me cold.

“Do as you’re told!” I sort of wanted Guy to smack Allan around a bit. But then that’s nothing new.

Did Robin just wink at Much?? He really, really did! \o/

God this story of Carter and Thomas is not stirring one genuine feeling *sighs*

“That doesn’t concern you.” Much you are so fucking hot when you’re assertive. Pls to be ordering people around more, m’kay?

 

And then… *explodes with JOY! PURE, UNADULTERATED JOY*

Okay, I’m a bit hazy on the exact dialogue here, because I was riveted to the screen, too busy squeeing to actually type up verbatim notes.

Much: “You never held me like you held him […]You never listened to my story.”
Robin: “I was there. Your story is my story.”

Much: “You never listen to me.”
Robin: “That’s not true.”
Much: “I said I recognised him from the Holy Land. You didn’t believe me […] Anything Marian says, you listen to.”

Robin: “Stop. Old friend, you have a special place in my heart.”

Robin: “Do I need to say it?”
Much: “No. No you don’t.”

YES YES, FUCK IT, YOU REALLY NEED TO SAY IT!!! OMG BE STILL MY MUCH/ROBIN FANGIRL HEART! I want this clip on youtube yesterday!

THANK YOU GODDESS OF SLASHERS FOR GIVING US THE FIRST GENUINE MUCH/ROBIN SCENE OF THE SEASON! \o/\o/\o/

Right, right, I’m going to talk about this more later. On with the rest of the episode first.

 

Oh Robin you cannot believe her! Marian is so obviously insincere about staying in the camp that an infant wouldn’t believe her.

Seriously, how stupid are the guards. Every time Robin’s men just walk in with just their hoods over their heads and no one recognises them. Surely there should be like medieval versions of mugshots being circulated? 

Much’s face when they have to leave Robin in the Sheriff’s room… *bakes hundred of cookies to feed him*

“Come home to me.”  God, Guy’s emoting is a bit OTT here, but otherwise the scenes between him and Marian continue to be more interesting than anything going on between her and Robin. 

Oooh, fake (???) kissing! \o/

Robin: “Kneel!”
Sheriff: “Make me!”
Robin: *knees Sheriff in the groin*
Hee!!

Oh Marian, you cocktease! I bet Guy is going to go and take all his frustrations out on Allan now… 

The fight scenes are exhilarating. Carter’s acting less so. 

Wtf, hand holding? *gags*

Next time: A Jester! The actor’s name deserts me completely (help me out?), but omg yes!” And for fuck’s sake, no marriage proposals, please.

 

***

 

Okay, okay., I’m going to have to talk about that Much/Robin scene some more. Warning for rambly second rate meta.

Firstly, let me just get this out of my system: ajkgalkghawraksdsfadsfjlkdfjk THEIR LOVE IS SO TRUE OMG.

*deep breaths*

This season has been seriously devoid of any meaningful Much/Robin interaction. Much has been used a comic relief in almost every episode and I don’t think anyone in the entire fandom (slasher or not) has found that nearly as amusing as writers though it would be. For this reason I’m overjoyed to see this new confident Much, who takes charge and talks back.

The extra glimpses into his and Robin’s experiences during the war are absolutely fascinating (and whet my appetite for more Holy Land fic). Much is clearly not over it and neither is Robin, because how can you ever be. Robin is right, something like that changes you, but I think it’s a testament to Much’s character, that out of all of them, he’s perhaps least changed by the experience. It takes something extraordinary to go though that and to come out with such purity of heart.  

Still, it’s clear that neither of them has had time to really process their experiences during the war. There was no time; they were practically thrown from one battle to another straightaway. And the fact that Much realises that maybe they need to take the time to talk about it… I think it’s not so much that he himself needs to talk about things, but that he wants Robin to do it. I don’t think Much has forgotten how out of control Robin got with Guy last season, and that happening again if the right trigger is pushed is not out of the question.

I loved how Much openly challenged Robin’s protestation to his “you never listen to me” because everything he said is true; Robin does dismiss Much too easily. And it’s really, really interesting how Much draw Marian into the argument. It wasn’t petty jealousy either, but a valid point. And not something Robin denied.

Still… When Robin asked if he needed to say it, I really wanted Much to say yes, to not give Robin the easy way out. Much carries his heart on his sleeve every fucking day when it comes to his feelings for Robin. Robin hides his behind jokes and slaps on the back and “but you know what you mean to me”.

And as for my own heart… It’s breaking ever so slowly, because slash-goggles aside, I don’t think Robin’s love for Much is quite the same or as all-consuming as his for Robin. Much would lay down his life for Robin, no hesitation and no regrets.

And at the end of the day, I’m afraid that’s exactly how it will go down for them two.

Comments

[halfapint.livejournal.com]

I'm not the only one who didn't find the Carter's brother storyline un-heartwrenching? *dances briefly* Seriously, man, waaay too convienent. Plus I sat there wondering why the writers don't like blokes who go by Thomas. Or Tom. Tom was probably short for Thomas, I reckon.

AAAH MUCH STOOD UP FOR HIMSELF. This is exactly what I yelled in that last bit, because my parents were in the room and would be all "O_O wtf?!" if I squealed about slash. And that conversation will NEVER happen dammit! I think deep down, Robin does care for Much a lot, but doesn't understand what utter devotion Much has because he's never needed to return it. Robin is Much's life. We need him to leave, even if only briefly, or be caught or SOMETHING just to get Robin to show some REAL EMOTION towards the guy. REALLY NEED THAT.

HAHAHA Allan rugby tackled a nun. *highly amused* I wonder what the punishment for attacking a nun was...? Also, fallout from Marian coming back and not being silent and stuff? Seriously, what will Guy do to Allan for that? He can't be that stupid.

I don't think Allan is Much's bitch. And possibly not Will's. But that's about it. ^_^;;

[snowflakeshona.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on a lot of this

"That is one stupidly weak knot Robin is tying there. No way is Carter going to stay put…" I was thinking that when I was watching it. And was not surprised when he escaped. Will should have known.

“That doesn’t concern you.” Much you are so fucking hot when you’re assertive. Pls to be ordering people around more, m’kay?" I love Much, brilliant guy!

"Oh Marian, you cocktease! I bet Guy is going to go and take all his frustrations out on Allan now… " Now that's a scene I would like to see!

Robin: “Do I need to say it?”
Much: “No. No you don’t.” - YES HE DOES! He does need to say it. I wanted to see MAJOR Much/Robin shipping.

Overall, I liked this episode, but Robin is still annoying me... And the proposal in the next ep - someone pass me a bucket!

[zeitheist.livejournal.com]

Much being suspicious is cool… I like him being all smart and confident. - IAWTC. I'd just like to reiterate my call for more Much-in-charge!fic.

Yay for John being paternal. Awwwww…. I loved that scene between him and Marian. I think the two of them could really become good friends. - What I love about John is that he's like the father figure to the rest of the gang. So I do agree, he could become really great friends with Marian. (Also: "this gang can only have one leader". He's so wise).

Jesus, someone give this boy some tips in tying people up. - *leer*

Yay for sword fighting and yay for Robin getting his ass kicked, and um, for Robin getting held in a headlock (what, it’s a good look on him, don’t tell me you don’t agree) - oh yes. Robin is so hot when he's being held down by somebody else and-- sorry, where was I going with that thought?

Much you are so fucking hot when you’re assertive. Pls to be ordering people around more, m’kay? - again: porn!

The actor’s name deserts me completely (help me out?), but omg yes!” And for fuck’s sake, no marriage proposals, please. - I think he's the actor from The Catherine Tate Show, but I forget his name. I may have to Wikipedia it, if I'm right. And also: I AGREE. NO MARRIAGE PROPOSALS. >:[

I don’t think Robin’s love for Much is quite the same or as all-consuming as his for Robin. Much would lay down his life for Robin, no hesitation and no regrets. - sadly, I think you're right. I think that, if Much were ever to leave or die, Robin could replace his love with other people's. Robin craves attention, and the fact is, he doesn't have to get that from Much. Whereas Much loves Robin, and if Robin were to die, we all know what would happen to Much. :(

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Carter had a potential to be an interesting character but then it all fell flat, what with a ridiculously stereotypical storyline. And if the guys has been moulding himself into a cold-blooded killer for years, it's going to take a bit more than a few phrases from Robin to have a change of heart. Also, I find the idea of Robin giving emotional support to anyone pretty laughable.

The Much/Robin scene was made of pure utter WIN. We've been gagging for something like this for so long.

I know what you're saying about Much leaving, it seems to have become a favourite fanfic trope too. However, I'm afraid for Robin it's truly going to be a case of not appreciating what he has until it's gone.

Guy is very blind when it comes to Marian I think, in some ways anyway. It will serve his delusions to let the lie slide.

[halfapint.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Oh Beeb, why did you do it?

;_; DUDE totally not thinking about the implications of that. And yet I am. Much so cannot die. I would cry too much. Maybe nearly die, I could live with (and so much YAY H/C fic would result~) but I just want to slap Robin round the head at the moment. -_-;;

I think this has something to do with my utter hatred for unintelligent villains. I'm not saying Guy is stupid, but... well. He's not a genius either. I know he's a lackey but he's his own person too and why can't he see through it?! -_-;; Why is it men can't think with their brains? That's got to be the only reason for this, I SWEAR. *vaugely wishes Guy would give up and just accept teh gay* I like Guy/Marian usually but... no, NO. Not today. JUST NO.

[fyrethief.livejournal.com]

the acting is so second grade YES. So glad someone else feels this way because Carter just didn't do it for me. I actually thought the Robin/Carter scenes were the weakest points of the episode, and as that's what the episode was all about, that's not good.

All the Robin/Much in this = absolute love.

Much you are so fucking hot when you’re assertive. Pls to be ordering people around more, m’kay? I second that!

And at the end of the day, I’m afraid that’s exactly how it will go down for them two. No, don't say this! Now I'm sad that Much will die! He can't die! *flails*

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I'm really happy we got a Much/Robin scene at all. Realistically, I don't think there was much else the writers could have included there without completely stepping out the boundaries of canon. But yeah, really wanted to hear Robin actually verbalise what Much means to him.

Not looking forward to any smushy Robin/Marian. My slashy tendencies aside, that pairing doesn't really work for me at all.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

dom!Much pushes approximately 5823083 of my buttons. Hard. But also, I just like to seem competent in any situation. Because competency is hot.

I loved that John went after Marian. It was another addition to his character, to have that extra glimpse revealed.

Haha, once more most of your conclusions can be summarised with one word: PORN! I approve.

Aha, yes! I was racking my brain as to where I'd seen that pretty guy in make-up before, but yeah he's the one from Catherine Tate Show. Anyway: jester - a medieval version of pretty goth boy in make-up, y/n?

Prospect of Robin/Marian wedding fills me with despair. Rationally I know that that's probably where the whole series will end, but... fuck. Do not want.

if Much were ever to leave or die, Robin could replace his love with other people's. Robin craves attention, and the fact is, he doesn't have to get that from Much. - Agreed. This is the painful truth and I think on some level Much knows this. God, my hear *clutches chest*

[ginnystar.livejournal.com]

It's been an entire year and Much is no closer to resolution than when he was in the bath and crying and all those memories of war and blood and death were washing up, overwhelming him and oh God Much is so damn wonderful and heartbreaking. Add that to the fact that Much so much depends on Robin- his love for Robin is so bloody big. Practically everything he does, it's all for Robin and all he does is accept it and never questions and Much can't help himself he still wants Robin's acknowledgement and :( I can't keep writing, I'll never stop.

So, yeah.

CARTER. HOW HOT. Paul Bettany-alike, and therefore, wonderful and attractive and YAI.

Sheriff, oh how I love you. You have to mention Marian to get Guy to pay attention, and it really pisses you orf. Gawdammit, you want Guy and you want him now! XD

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

the Robin/Carter scenes were the weakest points of the episode - as long as they were fighting it was good, but as soon as the emoting started... *sigh*

No, don't say this! Now I'm sad that Much will die! He can't die! *flails* - I AM CONFLICTED. Because from a story-telling and characterisation pov, this would be an awesome and brave thing for the writers to do. However... *whimpers* I don't want him to die! Muuuuuuuuch! *clings*

[shy-nerthuserce.livejournal.com]

The name you're looking for is Matthew Horne. :¬) (Or at least I hope so, now that I've said it! *G*)

[zeitheist.livejournal.com]

dom!Much pushes approximately 5823083 of my buttons. Hard. - dom!Much has broken all my buttons. They're all sticky, and won't push anymore. :(

Haha, once more most of your conclusions can be summarised with one word: PORN! I approve. - I am super-aware of this. I am going to blame it on you. YOU CORRUPTED ME. *sobs*

I recognised him from the voice. His name is Mathew Horne, (he "confirmed on his Myspace page" that he was going to be in Robin Hood LMAO), and according to Wikipedia, he's colourblind. (??!) I think Wikipedia's full of shit, personally.

Anyway: jester - a medieval version of pretty goth boy in make-up, y/n? - hahahaha yeah. It's just A BOY IN MAKEUP. No wonder people liked jesters back then.

Rationally I know that that's probably where the whole series will end, but... fuck. Do not want. - the thing is, Marian and Robin are both so unsuited to marriage, I almost want to see it happen just for the lulz. It's like a car wreck -- you can't look away!

This is the painful truth and I think on some level Much knows this. - *wails and clutches Much closer to bosom*

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

It's been an entire year and Much is no closer to resolution than when he was in the bath and crying - Jesus god, yes! There wasn't any time, it's all just been pushed to the background to fester until something is going to snap.

Carter was indeed very pleasing to look at, even if his character left me otherwise cold.

Haha yeah, Sheriff's jealousy of Marian is increasingly obvious. As are his dirty, dirty thoughts about Guy.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Aha! Thank you! I will take your word for it!

[ginnystar.livejournal.com]

GAH, can't you just see fic where Robin consistently brushes off Much's attempts to talk until Much goes all commanding and grabs Robin by the wrist with a very quiet "No, Robin." <3

SHERIFF/GUY BECAME CANON. True fact.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

dom!Much has broken all my buttons. They're all sticky, and won't push anymore. :( HAHAHA OMG GIRL, YOU ARE FILTHY! *iz proud*

I am super-aware of this. I am going to blame it on you. YOU CORRUPTED ME. *sobs* - yeah, yeah, see above.

Matthew Horne - that's right, he was in Teachers (which I loved). Also amused that he's from Nottingham.

hahahaha yeah. It's just A BOY IN MAKEUP. No wonder people liked jesters back then. - it's the deliberate fucking with gender stereotypes - that shit is always hot.

Marian and Robin are both so unsuited to marriage, I almost want to see it happen just for the lulz. It's like a car wreck -- you can't look away! - but it's a car wreck with three victims: Robin, Marian and Much.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Maybe nearly die, I could live with (and so much YAY H/C fic would result~) - I'm in full support of this.

[fyrethief.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yes, indeed. It just didn't make sense that Carter would be won over by Robin so quickly, so easily.

It would be pretty awesome in one way, but I don't know if the awesomeness is enough to weigh out the fact that Much would actually have to die. It can happen in fic -- I don't mind, but in canon... At any rate, if they DO kill him off, I want there to be more tension/more of a build up first. (If there's Robin/Much tension in the next episode, I am going to get WORRIED.)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

STOP BAITING ME WITH COMMENT FIC, BITCH!

SHERIFF/GUY BECAME CANON. True fact. - TRUER FAX HAVE NEVER BEEN. Except I'm entirely convinced that Keith Allen has played that role like Sheriff/Guy is canon from the very beginning.

[telynmurali.livejournal.com]

I agree with so much in this post, I can't extract bits of it to squee over. Except this...

And as for my own heart… It’s breaking ever so slowly, because slash-goggles aside, I don’t think Robin’s love for Much is quite the same or as all-consuming as his for Robin. Much would lay down his life for Robin, no hesitation and no regrets.

So true. This is what's killing me about RH, despite all the other wonderfulness of the new season. Robin/Much is basically the hook that got me into the show in the first place. I have no idea what my feeling about it is going to be once my OTP is dead. (The ridiculous het handholding and marriage proposals are screwing with me too. I signed up for fanfic100 for Robin/Much, I wish RH would stop getting in the way of it.)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I have totally like freaked myself out now with the possibility that Much is going to end up sacrificing his life for Robin's.

If there's Robin/Much tension in the next episode, I am going to get WORRIED. - yes, because it's a well established pattern in this show that if you argue with someone you love, they're going to die.

[zeitheist.livejournal.com]

:D I'D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY FOR THIS AWARD, etc.

it's the deliberate fucking with gender stereotypes - that shit is always hot. - eg. WILL IN A DRESS.

but it's a car wreck with three victims: Robin, Marian and Much. - damn, I forgot about that. Robin and Marian I don't care too much about, but oh, Much. *clutches him*

[ginnystar.livejournal.com]

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO. And I bet it would totally go porny at the end. With smexy tree!porn. YOU KNOW IT.

Keith Allan loves it- he plays it up so much. <3 And with Richard Armitige mentioning the whole subtext thing... EEE! It's awesome. Guy's totally his whipped bitch.

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Robin/Much is basically the hook that got me into the show in the first place. - After the first episode (which arguable was pretty bad), Much/Robin was the reason I stayed with the series. At the end of the day, it's my OTP for the show even if it breaks my heart.

I'm totally looking forward to those fics, btw!

[telynmurali.livejournal.com]

Must post the link to my little damn table at some point, at least when I've written a few more. :)