Through the Opera Glasses - 31 - Season 3 of Robin Hood at Last

After an agony of waiting, BBC's Robin Hood finally began broadcasting across the pond on BBC America and BBC Canada.












I freely admit I've already watched the entire season 3 on You Tube. When it was first broadcast in the UK in the spring, kindly souls uploaded it for those of us who were frothing at the bit to get a look at Sir Guy.












The season 3 uploads disappeared from You Tube as the North American broadcast neared.











But there's nothing like being able to watch the full episode on TV, as opposed to the tiny version in ten-minute segments on You Tube. However, I am eternally grateful to those angels who allowed me to see it when it first aired. *kiss*

Things have gotten a lot darker in Nottingham since our heroes and villains returned from the Holy Land. Gisborne has a lot of mental sorting out to do after taking Lady Marian's life at the end of season 2.

"Frankly, I sort of despise him for what he did," the actor says. "But it's also interesting when a character can start to take responsibility for his actions and have an opinion of himself, almost as if he is stepping outside his body, and that's really what Gisborne does this season: He steps out of his old shell and starts to become somebody new because of that action." - John Crook, No more Mr. Nice Guy











Robin is understandably out for revenge.











The sheriff puts Much through the mill when Prince John demands more tax money.











Guy is not so easily bullied now that he's looked into his own abyss.












Not so easy being sheriff, is it, Vasey?












Robin's band acquires Friar Tuck and villager Kate.















Little John and Allen a Dale soldier on despite their own sorrows.

What becomes of Guy when his father figure turns his back on him? You'll have to catch the next episode to find out.





Shelley Munro says I haven't seen series 2 yet. I am behind!

VA Bookworm says When BBC America wasn't getting around to showing season 3, I downloaded the episodes off the net :o)

Through the Opera Glasses - 15 - It's Authentic Historical Costumes For Me, Or Nothing

I'm a huge historical fan, both in books and in film & television. When I worked on my own student films, I was a real stickler for authenticity, even on my no-budget budget.

So it's almost physically painful when I watch a show based in an actual time period that tries to 'modern up' the look. Unfortunately, the costume designer for the first two seasons of BBC's Robin Hood did just that.

Frances Tempest was a big fan of making Lady Marian look like a 2000's chick.

WHY?!?















What the heck is this? It does not evoke medieval to me in any way, shape or form.


















This is about the best costume Ms. Tempest gave us for Lady Marian.


















Robin Hood wasn't too bad - she kept his costume fairly simple.













The Sheriff of Nottingham didn't fare too badly - I always liked his ceremonial ermine costume.













But if there was something that made my teeth grind in frustration during every episode, it was this hideous swirling detail on Sir Guy's shoulders.












This was a fantastic scene between Lady Marian and Guy of Gisbourne - but there it is again! That shoulder swirl detailing. *clutching my head*


















As long as it was covered up by his leather cloak, I could handle Guy's costume. The leather tunic wasn't bad if not for that 1980's rock star vibe.

But this season, Ms. Tempest was replaced as costume designer by Howard Burden.

Let the bells ring throughout the land!














See? It's not so hard to give a medieval woman a medieval gown.













Sir Guy's sister has arrived on the scene, along with a new look for Gisbourne.













Sir Guy is not the man he was when we last saw him in season 2.












It's fascinating to note that Guy has acquired a more armoured look, as he is an emotional wreck for season 3.













I love the simple tunic and leather wrist guards.













And he seems to have traded in those trademark leather pants for this pair of more textured pants. I like the rugged feel to this new look.













Thank you, Howard Burden for Sir Guy's magnificent new costume. Season 3 is now airing in the UK, and I'm still waiting to see it over here in Canada. But I've seen segments thanks to YouTube!

And no more teeth grinding for me.

Nikki says You look into so much detailing. :)

Kim Richardson says I love Robin Hood! It's been awhile since I've seen anything on it!

Ms Snarky Pants says I drive my poor hubby crazy when I pick movies apart. hehehe

Wordless Wednesday - 61

Tagged - I'm It! - 21

So, first, the rules:

a. Link to the person who tagged you. That's Christine d'Abo over at ...fantasies unleashed.
b. Post the rules on your blog. Et voila - the rules.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.


1 - I'm trapped in Sherwood Forest - please don't rescue me!


My very favorite thing - a love triangle, between Sir Guy of Gisborne, Marion and Robin Hood.












Robin of Locksley played by Jonas Armstrong







Gisborne played by Richard Armitage







2 - I've been waiting 35 years for Prince Caspian to be released.

I'm nearly out of my mind! When it comes to waiting for movies to come out that I'm dying to see, I'm worse than a kid waiting for Christmas Eve.




This looks awesome.










Prince Caspian played by Ben Barnes


















3 - I love swords. But not just any swords. I love medieval two-handed longswords wielded by hulking warriors.






Shown above is a replica William Wallace claymore sword.



This is a replica Viking sword.








4 - I love sword fights. Yeah, baby.




Gerard Butler as Beowulf in Beowulf and Grendel








Ciaran Hinds as Brian de Bois-Guilbert fights Steven Waddington as Ivanhoe in the 1997 miniseries Ivanhoe. This fight rocks.







Liam Neeson as Rob Roy fights Tim Roth as Archibald Cunningham in Rob Roy
This sword fight is one of the best - if not the best.


5 - I love my large husband.







6 - I adore romantic paintings with knights and beautiful medieval maidens.




Like La Belle Dame Sans Merci by Frank Dicksee






And Chivalry, also by Frank Dicksee

















And God Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton














And now - a-tagging I will go, a-tagging I will go...

Heather
Karina
Marcia
No Nonsense Girl
The Teach
Toni