| “The Return of the King” | |||||||
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| Robin Hood episode | |||||||
 Marian on her 'deathbed'. |
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 12 |
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| Written by | Dominic Minghella | ||||||
| Directed by | Matthew Evans | ||||||
| Original airdate | December 23 2006 | ||||||
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"The Return of the King" is the twelfth episode of the 2006 Robin Hood television series, made by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One. It aired on Saturday December 23, 2006. Its title punningly refers to the Tolkien book The Return of the King. It is the first part of the first series's only two-parter.
Plot
The King is returning from the Holy Land, and Guy is planning to hold Marian to her promise for her hand in marriage. Robin, determined more than ever to find evidence of Gisborne's treason (the earlier evidence having been destroyed). Robin visits the physician, Pitts, who treated Gisborne during his supposed 'illness' when nobody else was allowed to see him, and finds the truth - Pitts was eating the meals he took up to Gisborne rather than treating him. Meanwhile, Gisborne shows Marian his stately wealth. Robin tells her that he has found fresh evidence of Gisborne's treachery, but Marian states that he has 'good qualities' and is annoyed with Robin. Later, Marian informs her father that she has plans for a final trip as the Night Watchman. That night, Robin attempts to visit Marian again, but she is nowhere to be found and he realises what has happened - she has gone to steal Gisborne's gold. Marian is at the manor when Gisborne also realises what is going on and corners her behind the door of the room she is in. Just as he is breaking down the door with an axe (in a remarkable likeness to the famous scene from The Shining), Robin and the band arrive and hold Gisborne and his men to arrowpoint whilst Marian makes good her escape - but Gisborne manages to stab Marian in the belly as she leaves, something Robin does not realise until he is prepared to depart. Meanwhile, Will and Alan-a-Dale, having got away with a large amount of gold, decide to treat it as 'severance pay' and leave Robin. Robin takes Marian to the cave where the men have been hiding out, and Marian and Robin at last share their true feelings. Djaq does her best to operate but in the morning, she finds that Marian's body is 'shutting down'. Finally Djaq announces that Marian needs a proper physician. Robin runs to get Pitts, who alerts the guards as he obtains his kit. Robin and Pitts ride back to the cave, leaving a trail of bandages. Robin eventually realises this and destroys part of the trail, but after running back and informing John and Much to get their weapons ready, Pitts walks in and smugly announces his treachery - as well as the fact that Marian is dead. As Robin runs to where Marian is lying, Pitts attempts to leave but is stopped by John. Robin grieves over Marian's body as the Sheriff's taunting voice is heard...
External links
- "The Return of the King". episode guide. bbc.co.uk.
- The Return of the King at the Internet Movie Database
