Warning: spoilers for Robin Hood episode 2 ahead.
The first two episodes of Robin Hood have dropped on MGM+ at the same time, and we’re already reeling from a shockingly brutal death.
Rob (Jack Patten) absconds into Sherwood Forest after butting heads with the Earl of Huntingdon (Steve Waddington) – who also just happened to be responsible for getting Rob’s father killed – and meets the Sheriff of Nottingham’s (Sean Bean) head of guards.
“These aren’t cheap tricks” – Why Robin Hood’s episode cliffhangers are just that good
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“They’re all designed to bring you back, but they’re designed in such a way that they’re an organic part of the narrative,” English tells me. “I mean, they’re not just cheap writer tricks.
“Each cliffhanger is about moving Rob’s character to the next level of what we know about Robin Hood. You know, that’s the thing. That’s how he becomes the Outlaw, that’s how that name is acquired. As you’re moving through the series, what it’s really doing is building up the mythology. As we get to the latter part of the season, we get a fully formed version of Robin Hood and really understand how he got there.”
And this is what English and co-creator John Glenn have achieved so well. By reinventing the Robin Hood origin story, viewers have a fully-realized young man with a lot of problems. He’s relatable, almost one of us. Everything that happens to him is something thrust upon him rather than sought out.
“It’s episode 2 for me, my favorite,” English says, and with the surprise level of brutality, it’s easy to see why. Rob’s reputation and safety are once again called into question, with the stakes being well and truly raised.
But what about Glenn? “Episode 6 is such a great cliffhanger. I love the end of that episode.”
Having seen it, I know that this is another solid choice (honestly, there’s not really a bad one). But you’re going to have to wait another four weeks for the full reveal.
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