Richard Armitage is wonderful as Sir Guy and gets to use his full range of dead-eyed stares here. There is also a lengthy fight sequence with Robin that breathes some old-fashioned mano a mano fisticuffs into the mix.
Jonas Armstrong is a likeable lead, but little more at this stage. It's always difficult playing a pure-hearted hero, so it was nice to see some bitterness and hatred bubbling to the surface in this episode. I hope the writers begin to concentrate on making his relationship with Marian more expressive soon, as Robin's jealousy at Guy and Marian's engagement just seems like sour grapes and not a genuine knife through the heart. If we're going to be denied a proper sense of Robin and Marian's love (beyond doe-eyes and sneaked kisses), then perhaps a flashback to their situation pre-Crusades is called for?
The camaraderie between the outlaws is now more noticeable and enjoyable to watch, although Little John (Kennedy) is proving to be a collossal waste of space. Somebody give that guy a personality, please! I know John is supposed to be an untalkative giant, but it's just not working. Gordon Kennedy isn't even particularly gigantic, so he comes across as just a grouchy middle-aged man amidst all the twentysomethings. He exists to lift heavy items and punch people at the moment. It's even more shameful because episode two created a backstory for Little John that has been ignored ever since!
Overall, the new revelations concerning Sir Guy's actions in the Middle East and the interesting acid sub-plot compensates for the episode's shortcomings elsewhere. I'm growing tired of the ease the outlaws enter Nottingham Castle, even though I understand why plausability has to be stretched like this each week. But it still bothers me.
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