- Knotted
Knickers and Devishly handsome men.
- At
least I'm consistent.
- We
can't kill her off once and not kill her off again.
- Give
us our happy ending.
- Take
Inspiration from the Angels.
- Did
she jump or was she pushed.
- Call
that engaging?
- Everything
back in it's box.
- How
expressive are those eyebrows.
- Intro blog.
April 29th 2008
If I seem to be a little
bit glum it's because after waiting weeks and weeks and weeks, forever
actually, for Series 2 to reach Australia, the first 12 weeks have gone
so quickly that we're staring in the face of week 13 and we all know
what's gonna happen there, don't we? Plus another blasted
eternal waiting period for Series 3 to go to air so I suppose with all
the angst we're gonna create amongst ourselves, we'll be nervous wrecks
waiting to see the outcome and it'll be, is Marian back in - or
what?? Instead of just waiting patiently and seeing what is
going to happen, we'll all have our knickers in a knot and with all the
suspense, mystery and tension created by all the innuendo the corridor
predators would have us believe, I still firmly reckon all this
nonsense for our benefits has been brought about to throw us so far off
the track we'll never know what to expect when the third season does
eventually make it to air. Another reason nobody is any the
wiser is because all the Cast and Crew - everybody concerned with the
production of the show, has been firmly bound and gagged for fear of
leaking any information. The only little minutest tidbits
have been per favour of Gordon Kennedy and Richard Armitage and the
silly form letters being distributed as a result of our letters of
complaints to the corridor prowlers recommending we all give Series 3 a
chance. Obviously they know something and are determined we
are not going to find out as I've already said, until Series 3 goes to
air. I don't mind the suspense at all providing Marian is
back in the show by the third episode having recovered her ordeal in
the Holy Land if in actual fact, there is really anything for her to
recover from or alternatively, we have been led to believe all this was
the result of the nightmare/illusion - whatever - I want the legend
back on track for the happy ending as it should be.
And there's not much
doubt that we are being severely punished in the meantime..
Ah Well! I seriously hope and trust when that does happen, we
will all be extremely pleased with the shock and/or surprise they have
in store for us. And here again, none of us have hesitated in
making our points of view glaringly obvious that we want Marian back
safe and sound, fit and well and looking forward to her upcoming
marriage to Robin sooner rather than later and that the last 15 minutes
of Series 2 was only a mirage/illusion sequence and I no longer care
how it is brought about, I just hope and pray they really have
considered our concerns about how much damage their decision to write
her out did cause all the fans of the world or at least, in the 50
countries this version has been sold to. It was a totally
unnecessary decision to take because it should never have happened the
way they saw fit to end it with an entire season to go.
Speaking of the dashingly
handsome Richard Armitage aka the dastardly evil Guy of Gisborne, did
you all read the lovely letter he wrote which was posted on our site,
explaining his concerns
over having to "rap knuckles" as he tactfully put it perhaps, because
of an over-zealous fan or fans who could possibly spoil all the
wonderful fan bases set up to support our favourite actors and
actresses? And as Richard also says, quite rightly it would
be a shame if any of these fan bases stopped being fun for us all
because of the brilliant rapport that has been created by the fans
worldwide. I myself, am restricted in what I can do, how far
I can walk because of serious spinal problems and I love being a part
of JAF as I've met so many wonderfully, funny, exciting people all over
the world and I wouldn't want that lost to me because it has made such
a difference to my daily routine. It would break my heart not
to be able to access something as fantastic as we all know we have on
the JAF especially as it is so brilliantly and capably run by Katie and
Lucky, without prejudice and all the friends I've made from lovely,
sensible young teenagers to us more mature people men and women
alike. To lose that now would be - heartbreaking...?
But, if there are some
people who don't know or care how offensive their behaviour is and how
it can affect the very Stars we hope to be able to see on the Red
Carpet and other special occasions, those who seek to stalk and hassle
and embarrass the Stars as has been recently reported, then is it any
wonder our Jonas' fans were disappointed last Sunday Night when he
didn't appear for the presentation of an Award which he was expected to
present. Who can blame him? And who are the ones
left feeling disappointed and upset because of this fanatical,
obsessive and rather disgusting behaviour. By bringing
attention to themselves the way they have, it will become necessary for
the Celebrities to be protected by Security Minders and Police to keep
these people from disrupting these functions before they do go too far
and spoil everything for everyone. Not only that, if these
people are not bright enough to realise the damage they can cause by
bringing themselves to the notice of the Police and Minders then they
deserve all they will get and they'll discover the hard way, they will
not be permitted to attend any functions where they can become public
nuisances but of course that will disappoint the genuine fans who only
want to wish their heroes well. So, to add to Richard's
timely and friendly warning, wake up to yourselves before you are
banned from approaching any Celebrity or you will find yourselves being
ordered to move on or be charged and presented with a restraining
order. I'd say at a guess that Richard has a fabulous fanbase
too as he takes the time and trouble to keep his fans up-dated with his
latest working projects but he did say he does not have personal
contact with any of the fans nor would he have enough time to answer
each one personally so to anybody thinking of stalking or obsessing
over the Stars, think what you would be losing if Richard feels it
necessary to disassociate himself from the fans for heaven's sake!
There always has to be an
idiot somewhere, doesn't there? And in saying all this, there is
another matter in which it would pay these people to wake up to
themselves. There has been a comment that some of us
disrespect Richard by referring to Guy of Gisborne as
"Gizzy"! I believe I started that expression
anyway! Guy of Gisborne is a known sadistic, brutal, nasty
man, someone not worthy of trust or respect and that is a testament to
Richard's brilliant portrayal of, rather than an insult to Richard
himself - Grow up! - it's meant to be more of an endearment to Richard
than acceptance of Guy of Gisborne's brutal behaviour. What
next!
I am happy and
proud to say, the above does not apply to anyone on the JAF
site. We love and adore our Boss, but there's room to love
and respect others we admire very much too.
[top >>>]
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April 16th 2008
It's happened again, I
have received an identical letter to the first one I wrote way back at
the end of December voicing the first of many objections to the way in
which Series 2 ended and as we know now, so did millions of others
amongst the devoted Robin Hood Fandom. Rather than go into
too much detail, I have vented (?) my extreme anger and disappointment
yet again (Ho Hum!) on my Sherwood Reveries blog and I don't mind
telling you, I have very mixed feelings when the said letter ended once
again that BBC hopes we'll give Series 3 a chance and believe me, if I
had more faith in the BBC, I would willingly believe the writers only
appeared to "kill" Marian off to end this confounded
over-done three-way triangle and prevent Gisborne from "sniffing around
me like a spaniel" - I think that was the expression she used when she
asked her father to protect her from the Gisbornes of this world,
weren't they, so many episodes ago?
At one stage during my whingeing and long-winded whining about this
sorry state of affairs, I was contacted by someone who advised me to
get hold of a book which would give me a few clues as to what might
happen in Series 3 and also to look through each episode and study them
because she believed herself there were plenty to be found - it's a bit
hard to explain here but I have been studying the individual episodes
thoroughly as a lot of the storylines apparently haven't strayed too
far from original legend and as she stated, could, or just might be
leading to where she personally thought, we're all missing the point
along the way. Personally, after the end of S2/13, which we
still haven't seen in Western Australia yet, this lady may be on to
something because I am picking up bits and pieces that might, just
might put the pieces into place. I know what I hope for by
way of a happy ending and I doubt very much that it differs from too
many amongst us but I cannot rule out the BBC's asking us to give
Series 3 a chance even though I don't know whether I can trust them or
not.
After a lifetime so far of believing in the BBC's ability to produce -
put it this way - how often have the BBC ever failed at delivering a
very good show in how many years since the inception of the
BBC? I want to believe they are not deliberately going to
fail now and the reasons we're invited to give Series 3 a chance has to
have a certain kind of relevance where Robin Hood is concerned if for
no other reason than popular viewing audience opinions and the
shock/horror result of Series 2 ending. How many times have
we been assured the BBC are taking our complaints and concerns into
consideration? They would be well and truly aware of the
controversy caused over the final few minutes of that ending as they
obviously underestimated the impact it would have on people everywhere
and that alone astonishes us all as Robin Hood would undoubtedly be the
single most popular story of legend ever told over the hundreds of
years since the balladeers started singing of Robin's escapades way
back in the 12th Century. Okay so Robin has fought and won
more battles than any other hero who ever might/might not have existed
in their time, robbed from the rich to give to the poor - he certainly
did more for his King and Country, or so the Scriptwriters would have
us believe with all their many, varied stories and this is one of the
reasons why I am so insistent this particular version be brought back
in line with the legend.
More than anything else, I want Marian back in the story because and
you've heard this before, she was Robin's one and only true love and
after 2 brilliant series which entertained us as the best version to
date with its brilliant cast of tried and untried actors, Robin was not
perfect as was always portrayed in in the past, he had his flaws like
normal people and that's what appealed to all the fans most of all, it
wasn't just that the good guys were good - so were the baddies too and
oh brother! Didn't we love them all and why not? As
I keep on saying, there's too much violence in the world today and it
is influencing youngsters to go astray whereas a programme as good and
as wholesome as this Robin Hood was what we all looked forward to
eagerly every week. It was the ultimate in family
entertainment and we wouldn't miss it for the world.
God! I must be driving you all mad with my incessant raving
on about it but I really couldn't give a damn because I was brought up
in a very loving family home where my parents were the bosses and if my
sister and I didn't do as we were told, we got our bums smacked and as
we grew older, we were punished in other ways by not being allowed do
what we wanted, and that wasn't all that often because by the time we
had our Driver's Licenses (and had the use of Dad's car 29 out of 31
days a month), we knew if we overstepped our curfew, we were grounded -
Mum would give in to us but there was no way of getting around Father -
we ran up against a brick wall every time we tried to con Dad, believe
me yet he was never unfair, even though we thought so at the time.
What I'm getting at here is that because we were made to behave and our
parents were always in control, there was nowhere near the trouble with
growing children that there is today and it's heartbreaking to see so
many resorting to violence and using drugs, out of control, so it was
extremely refreshing that this brilliant programme of Robin Hood
offered us all hope of returning to another time when family
entertainment was the most important times of our lives and we were
better off as a result. Nearly all the programmes available
today are over-the-top violence, too much foul-language and out of the
mouths of babes too, too much blood and guts as to encourage all this
violence, too much explicit sex. Kids today grow up far too
fast as it is with all that goes on around them so is it any wonder
there is all this trouble and unrest.
Even the wonderful actors of this show have all expressed their delight
at being in a position to be able to play the heroes of their day as
they did in their own childhood, they express themselves so adequately
it was like their dreams had come true and didn't they love
it. And we all love them too and of course, no one in their
right minds would ever deny being less than interested or impressed
with the eye candy we have before us week by week, a very lovely
heroine, drop dead gorgeous hero, brilliant and very funny gang of
outlaws, Hell! Even the baddies are gorgeous but not when the
Sheriff takes his shirt off - Ugh - especially while the hero doesn't
...
Sidetracked meself again
- can't trust anyone, eh? I was going to suggest that if
anybody is down in the dumps (again) then look no further than a
wonderfully funny take on the never-ending series of Robin Hood by our
very own Armstrong Angel, Walkerbaby. Go to Response from BBC
- finally, Page 2 under Preview of Coming Seasons. I had
trouble finding it as I tried to quote from it before and
couldn't/didn't at the time. In Season 30 Lt John dies of
boredom but nobody noticed because his character had been played for
quite a few years by a cardboard cutout. And in Season 40 the
fight which covered an entire Season was abandoned by Robin and
Gisborne because of their haemorrhoids and arthritis. It's
very cleverly written and very funny. And it's often items
like this that can change a glum situation for you.
So! We are not far away from the new season's filming
schedule and I have no doubts - those of us who are still interested -
(and I hope we all are - aren't we?) we're all anxious to find out
whether the family based show we were originally promised
will show any prospects of heading where we all would prefer it to go
to a fine finish for Robin and Marian.
[top >>>]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
11th April 2008
"Robin Hood is a returning drama series that we hope will be
entertaining families for years to come. In order to achieve
this we need to make difficult decisions to ensure the series' survives
and that there's room to introduce new characters and new
storylines". There would be a lot more Armstrong Angels and
fans who would be a darn sight happier if we could believe in, and have
faith and trust in the production management teams if we received
honest, satisfactory answers from them following our letters of
complaint and concerns over that and other equally silly remarks made
by those responsible for derailing this wonderful adaptation of Robin
Hood.
In the first place, may I point out that there has already been many
characters and storylines introduced throughout the first two seasons
of the current version who have thrilled and delighted the Fanbases in
all countries so far, and that could well be attributed to the fact
that the show has - or had up until now - so many devoted followers
each and every week. We were promised and delivered an
absolutely fantastic show for the entire family which included every
imaginable category we could wish for and it was thoroughly brilliant
with the enthusiasm as something to be seen to be believed. The leading
paragraph alone in this blog, is of the greatest concern at this time
because of the serious damage and terrible mistake of killing off the
heroine which broke hearts everywhere in order to take what is
absolutely and totally unnecessary, so-called difficult decisions
because of the many alternative solutions which exist to correcting the
damage that was created by this terrible decision in the first
place.
I would point out too that the fans were not responsible in giving
Marian such a big part, more so than in previous adaptations and Miss
Lucy Griffiths rose to the occasion, exceeding all expectations
brilliantly.. So, please don't punish us by removing her from
the equasion, the production and management teams alone, saw fit to
introduce her character to the extent that even the Church introducing
her to Robin Hood over 400 years ago as his one and only true love,
could not have foreseen the problems which have arisen by you now
removing her so drastically and cruelly, after building up their
beautiful love story without proper ending just to introduce "new" and
"unnecessary" storylines?? The comment "we can't kill her off
once and not kill her again" doesn't wash - sorry! That has
got to be the most, the silliest comment of all!
The general Fanbases globally are very strongly of the opinion and
cannot see where these difficult decisions taken, will be of benefit
nor will they ensure the continuity of the series for no other reason
than the production team and management seem intent on taking this
story where it has never been before. They appear to have
backed themselves into a corner over misguided decisions in promoting
an evil villain of their own creation, and oh boy! didn't
they make him so frighteningly evil? And now they expect
everybody to sympathise with the evil sod because he has destroyed one
half of the best love stories ever told and must suffer with his
guilt. Don't expect us to care if he lives or dies because he
has killed our hero's only sweetheart! And, are we to
understand now that the hero will carry on relegated into a secondary
part to this psychotic murderer because of his extreme guilt and
obsessive "love" over the heroine who didn't return his affections
anyway especially if the hero carries the Title Role still?
So if the present version which started out with such promise and
enthusiasm is anything to go by, how come the scriptwriters of years
gone by with Erroll Flynn as Robin Hood in his day, 1938-9, the
present-day Much, whose real-life Grandfather also played the lead role
in 1953 and Richard Greene with no less than 143 episodes (not
necessarily monotonous either) along with the irreplaceable (??) Kevin
Costner in that lack-lustre version with his Maid Marian has
entertained us all these years when the current Scriptwriters stuffed
up after only 15 minutes before the end of the 26th episode?
How disappointing was this as even though the story had to go darker as
it progressed, was that sufficient excuse to warrant the most sadistic,
brutal killer running the heroine through with his sword?
Wounding her in an apparent cliff-hanger, perhaps, or even that damned
nightmare sequence which brings her back to Robin with the start of
Series 3, but even then, that's far too long to expect the children of
the family show to be remain heartbroken between filming
schedules.
And for the unimaginative people who couldn't come up with anything
better than they're proposing now, heaven help the legend when this lot
unleash their difficult decisions on the unsuspecting mob who have
believed in all the beloved stories of Robin Hood's Legend of the
past. This is not the time during this adaptation to be
changing the story to suit their deviation in elevating the evil
villain they themselves created, over Robin Hood, the hero and Marian,
his only true love and the most popular opinion is the world majority
couldn't give a damn about the villain at the expense and happiness of
Robin and Marian. Can we make ourselves any clearer on this
subject?
Meanwhile, it is quite obvious we're never going to be any the wiser as
to whether our concerns have been taken on board and/or considered
until the show goes to air so we're going to feel tortured until such
time as we know Marian is restored to her rightful place at Robin's
side especially in view of the fact we are all of the opinion that Lucy
Griffiths has been unfairly treated over the entire shemozzle. I really
wish I could say I feel confident with what the BBC propose to do, but
unfortunately` I am really fearful their apparent intentions especially
where the hero and the villain are concerned, have me terrified for the
ongoing success of this current adaptation.
[top >>>]
8th April 2008
Talk about an ongoing American soap opera where a show is influenced
and organised to suit popular public opinion, depending whether or not
the producers have killed off the right (or wrong) hero or villain,
flavour of the week style, this unfortunately, seems the way the
Producers and writers of the beloved legend are intent on taking what
began as the most popular version of Robin Hood, following the shock
ending of the second Series. This can be remedied easily and
nobody will ever complain that the heroine has survived not one attempt
to kill her off, but two. How good would that be? I
will never ever understand why a show so eagerly anticipated on a
weekly basis, can be derailed so tragically in the last few minutes at
the end of the second series, two-thirds of the way to finalising what
should have been one of the greatest classics of all time.
There isn't much point in going into detail again, about the show
containing every emotion felt, every message of understanding quoted,
the hopes and expectations of the production team and the millions of
viewers who hope for better things in the war-torn, crazy world we live
in today, the multi-culturalism we know today. Here in
Australia, my friend and I often sit having dinner and watching all the
people passing by, and it's a beautiful sight to see. We see
Asian people, young and elderly holding hands, quite openly displaying
affection to each other, people from India, Africa, Muslim men and
women, obviously released from the problems and horrors they may have
experienced in their former countries, with their gorgeous kids playing
happily, mixing freely with everybody, friendly, lovely happy people
intermingling and my friend, Joyce and I are never happier when we talk
to them, learn about them, have fun with them and you know
what? They are exactly the same as we are, the same hopes and
dreams for a better future for themselves and their children.
They are no different than anybody else. And this was the
message that this current version of Robin Hood started out creating -
when Robin returned from the Holy Land, he found it wasn't only "Our
Holy Land, it belonged to everyone else too". There is no
glory in war! There was so much tact and thought put into the
show with messages of hope and peace for people everywhere that it
could only have been good. I mean! If we wanted
war, bloodshed, injustice, murder, tragedy and despots plotting their
next attempts at taking over the world, we only have to turn our
televisions on and watch the news. I could quote Robin here
but at this time, it isn't appropriate and you'll know what I'm
referring to!
We were promised good family entertainment and the production team
delivered that in abundance. We had everything in a show we
could hope for - everything! And we were able to look forward
each week to the next episode because we knew then, we could rely on
the producers and the production crew and cast to give us the perfect
family based show, the best we've had in many a long year. It
had everything for the entire family and especially the kids who would
aspire to be like Robin and Marian as the older generation had in their
day - I know all my friends and relatives did as we were growing
up. We basically grew up with the legend and while there have
been many different versions since the beginning of film and
television, so there has been many adaptations too. Richard
Greene for instance, not necessarily considered the most popular Robin
Hood, actually made 143 episodes and the few I saw were of 2 hours'
duration, full length in other words. 143 episodes no less, so why is
it so difficult now after 26 episodes only, has this version been
allowed to go way off track? It is wonderful how all the
characters were given better roles to play, to be able to see them
develop extremely well into their characters as to be so
believable. To bring Lady Marian into a bigger, better role
than has previously been in evidence and what a wonderful role she
plays in her part, was a brilliant idea on the part of the producers so
why kill her off so soon - and two attempts no less? There
just doesn't seem to be any legitimate good reason for doing
so. The second season was expected to become a bit "darker"
as everyone keeps saying: but the plotlines as it turned out, could
have been handled far better than the shock ending that's left the fans
worldwide hanging in the balance, especially as the shock and horror of
that ending (not to mention all the innuendo that is flying around the
gossip sections and message boards), could have been more tactfully
done to protect the youngsters amongst the viewing audience.
It is strongly rumoured that the BBC in its (highly questionable)
wisdom has seen fit to lift the family rating of the show to a much,
much darker level by killing the heroine off to make way for some
(questionable) methods of introducing new characters and new storylines
with more than a hint of being seen to favour one of the villians,
whilst seemingly relegating the Hero to a lesser role and in that
alone, it should be pointed out to the BBC the Hero is Robin Hood and
the programme just by a strange coincidence just happens to be Robin
Hood also, so why are they now taking this unnecessary line of risking
the credibility of the show with only one series to go to
completion? Has the BBC, the best in the world at what it
does and produces, allowed itself to become embroiled in a petty like
and dislike game of public opinion over their own choice of brilliant
cast that it can be influenced to favour one actor over another?
And even though, with every letter received acknowledging our
complaints and concerns, we are assured our letters are submitted to
the entire board for proper consideration, are they, have they really
considered our opinions and fears, or are they planning on arrogantly
going where this legend has never been taken before? I can't
see the BBC risking this situation but I also have never come across
such a predicament where something like this has become an issue ever
before. So like everyone else who loves Robin Hood and Lady
Marian's beautiful romance (and may I point out again that Robin and
Marian were each other's only true love), we, the fans of the world,
would sincerely hope the BBC and Tiger Aspect would honour their
original promise to bring us our family entertainment and the happy
ending we are desperate for in this version at least as there are
several opportunities to restore Marian to her rightful place at
Robin's side. You've left things too late to do what you have
in mind now BBC. Do the right thing and bring Robin and
Marian to their happy ending and restore Robin Hood to its proper place
in legend. You cannot kill a good heroine off - you should
know that by now - you tried it twice and by rights, you should know
you shouldn't be allowed get away with it the second time either ...
[*standing ovation for
Judy* - Lucky]
[top >>>]
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2nd April 2008
For a short while there, I was concerned that interest was waning a
little bit in this current Robin Hood and who could blame anyone for
feeling this way when you consider the lack of information received,
and the idiocy of the inept correspondence in answer to our
complaints. But once again, I am very happy to be
wrong! How could I ever have doubted the sincerity of those
of us who love this Robin Hood as much as I do, and who feel as
strongly with the shocking decision made in disposing so callously of,
I am going to say, The Greatest Love Story ever told on Screen and
Television. And that, I do really believe, this has built up
beautifully as the most outstanding Love Story of all time so it is
beyond me how anyone could even consider doing what the BBC has done,
in disposing of one-half of this magnificent story.
I'm not going into all of that again as we all know the outcome and we
definitely do not approve of the decisions made, that much is more than
evident by the huge outcry created by this lousy, inappropriate
decision.
I think too, that what is sustaining us throughout all this is the
brilliant FanFiction of our own Armstrong Angels writers. The
beauty of their stories, some sad but mostly all giving us reason to
hope for better things in what is thought to be the last Season of this
adaptation, as our Beautiful Robin of Locksley doesn't plan on going
beyond a third season for reasons of being typecast in the role, which
is understandable as he, Jonas Armstrong, is a brilliant young man with
a fantastic future to look forward to as is his one and only true love,
Lady Marian, Lucy Griffiths and as the central theme of the show, they
are so totally and believably convincing as Robin and Marian that they
have made the roles their own, and it is fair to say I think many of us
see them as a real, ideally suited couple on and off the screen because
they are just so perfect together. Having made this
statement, I do not mean to take anything at all away from the entire
cast, I don't think I've ever seen anyone act so well to make their
individual roles so thoroughly authentic as this well-chosen cast of
actors have done. The fact that they have all said they're
living out their own childhood dreams coming true and doesn't it
show? It would be an impossible task to have to choose any
one of them over the other in giving out awards for performances in the
show.
Okay, so I'm getting over-emotional, but honestly, from all I've read
on this Forum and Message Boards of just about every other organisation
possible including the BBC, tell me if there is anyone who is less
emotional over this programme than I am. We all love it and
care what happens to our beloved characters and we were thrilled to
think that after 2 Series with only 1 Series remaining to completion,
we were well on the way to experiencing the wonderful prospects of the
happy ending we envisage for Robin and Marian and the Gang against the
equally brilliant and committed Bad Guys and who could be more
brilliant than our Bad Guys in Richard Armitage and Keith
Allen? Have you ever seen anything so sadistic as their evil
plots and twists, that is magic writing on the part of Dominic
Minghella and Foz Allan, who are now apparently not at fault as they
were thought to be because of the decision made by the BBC to dispense
with Lady Marian after all! The BBC alone seem to want to
derail this production with "New" storylines, introducing "New" and
unnecessary characters and why? For Heaven Sake!
Robin Hood has always been based on Children's Stories and family value
entertainment stories, why the necessity to alter that at this late
stage when there isn't enough time remaining. This is akin to
someone trying to write Jane Austen's story as a follow-on to Pride and
Prejudice and pre-empting what she might have written after her
death. That story hasn't sparked anyone's imagination
apparently but Robin Hood's adventures began in the 12th Century and
the BBC should not try and attempt to change a legend centuries
old. Besides, if they are really genuine about considering
all complaints and concerns of the fans of the show, then they wouldn't
be going where they are planning to go now. Surely, they
should understand why we look forward so much to A Happy Ever After
Wedding.
It seems as though this unfeeling, badly worded letter dispatched to
us, the unsatisfied viewing public, the letter which raised our
suspicions as to their motives, has been compiled by a staff of equally
unfeeling, unemtional men as there is no sensitivity whatsoever as we
would expect from any caring, considerate, intelligent female point of
view. And to quote Robin, the "Inch of Truth" mentality flew
out the window when that letter was written. Here now, I will
reproduce the letter I received a week ago with the little extras added
and as you will see, I was hardly amused when I answered it.
In fact, my RH converted friend was here when I read it and exploded
and she had a hell of a job pulling me down off the ceiling when I blew
a fuse, so I would ask you to read it and see if you think it makes any
more sense than it did previously.
And I quote:
Thank you for your recent email regarding my Complaints.
Forgive me but I have to ask: Is the BBC staffed strictly by
Men Only these days because the normal standard reply sent out to the
worldwide fanbase by all in the Complaints Department of the BBC, would
seem to indicate a total lack of sensitivity normally displayed by the
feminine touch. For instance and I quote: Our aim
was simply to tell the best story we could imagine and create a story
that felt engaging and surprising for the audience. The
Writers WERE telling the best stories up until the last 10-15 minutes
of Series 2, they were building up the legendary love story so
beautifully, the fans eagerly looked forward to each and every week, it
is the perfect family entertainment as we were promised right up until
15 minutes prior to Series 2's shocking ending. I hate to point out the
obvious but the writers WERE telling the best story they could imagine
and create, it WAS engaging and extremely enjoyable watching this
wonderful couple regain their love and trust of each other after 5
years apart, and the surprise was the humour also involved in their
learning to co-exist towards an inevitable happy ending. It
was a pure delight to watch Robin & Marian building their
relationship all over again, absolutely brilliantly portrayed by the
Actors. So the ending as it happened, at least BBC's
explanation of it, is ridiculous in its extreme in view of the fact
that: We felt that Robin Hood mattered most to our audience, and what
mattered most to Robin was Marian - and therein lay the most compelling
and dramatic climax to the end of Series 2. Again, explain
fully to the 8million give or take a few fans, the so-called
intelligence (not) in compellingly and dramatically killing off his
sweetheart when HE mattered most to us, the audience, and SHE mattered
most to him, his one and only true love throughout the entire legend as
retold again and again over the centuries. Why did the BBC
(and not the writers after all, apparently) see the necessity to kill
Robin Hood's only Love at the climax to end Series 2? And why
was the story that Lucy Griffiths abandoned the show to further other
opportunities, with only the 13-part episodes of Series 3 remaining to
the conclusion of this adaptation, allowed to circulate as to justify
the BBC stepping in and killing off her character two-thirds of the way
through? It now appears that the viewing fanbase worldwide
have deliberately been misled entirely as to the situation regarding
this shocking ending thereby allowing Miss Griffiths to shoulder the
blame along with the Writers, Dominic Minghella and Foz Allan who it
seems would now be entitled to a full apology from the BBC and its
minions. And to this we would say, Shame on you BBC, how
could you, the best Producers in the world today in exellence at making
Movies and Television, how can you believe what you have written by way
of suitable explanation to the Fans worldwide in letting the audience
believe it suited your purpose to allow a brilliant aspiring young
woman to shoulder the blame for taking the legend of Robin Hood where
it has never been taken before and PLEASE! Enough of the pitiful
excuses in order to introduce new characters and new
storylines. It would have been better to have finished this
current adaptation for the family first THEN introduce new
characters/storylines when you could run your imaginations wild with
your creative/artistic instincts however the obviously influential
people who seem to have swayed your ideas, want it with their preferred
stars. There is apparently already another production planned
for the Sheriff of Nottingham as a good guy with Robin Hood as the evil
guy, and as it appears you are leaning that way anyway, why not a
complete series on Sir Guy of Gisborne eventually?
To carry on: There is no telling what will happen to the rest
of Robin's friends, but that is the suspense that keeps the majority of
viewers watching the programme. Hell! We didn't
like it when Royston White fell to the Sheriff after 2 episodes in
Series 1. We didn't like it when Davina, the Sheriff's evil
sister only lasted one episode. From what's been discussed so
far, it seems there is some doubt that the majority of viewers will
carry on supporting the programme, especially if the focus is centred
more on Guy of Gisborne than Robin Hood. Again, this is Robin
Hood - not Guy of Gisborne. The BBC by its own admission
seems to think the viewing audience will favour Gisborne's actions
after he has killed the Heroine. Here again, it would appear
there is no feminine input or sensitivity displayed by the BBC.
Rest assured that Gisborne has not got away with killing Marian and
evil certainly hasn't prevailed over good. (Well! Thank God for
that)! This is something Gisborne will have to live with
forever and Series 3 will see him struggle with the consequences of
Marian's death. (He doesn't deserve to "Live Forever", he has
killed our Heroine, can't you see that?) And what happens to
him now? Who Cares? Only the BBC and the
influential people guiding the BBC into favouring Gisborne over Hood,
it seems. Marian will continue to have a huge impact on Robin
and Guy's lives and we shall see development for them both in the third
series. What? Robin's turn to win this week, Guy's
turn next week, and I suppose it's absolutely futile to us, the fans to
hope that by any small possibility or common sense imagination, we
could hope that Marian will actually be brought back into the show in
her rightful place as the Marian of this generation (and all the other
praises you heaped on her young shoulders). Please!
Get over it - she surpassed the Contingency Plan in place to replace
her had she not been right in the part. SHE SHOULD NEVER HAVE
BEEN WRITTEN OUT OF THE SHOW - SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED OFF IN
THE FIRST PLACE.
Robin Hood is a returning drama series that we hope will be
entertaining families for years to come. In order to achieve
this we need to make difficult decisions to ensure the series survives,
and that there's room to introduce new characters and new
storylines. I certainly hope this will be the case but I'm
not going to go there as after this series ends, with any amount of
luck, I might be lucky enough to meet the real Robin Hood in the
hereafter myself and that's only if he ever really did exist.
Then I'll argue the point with the Angels.
Thank you for registering my comments on the audience log, the internal
report of audience feedback which you compile daily for all programme
makers and commissioning executives within the BBC and also their
senior management ensuring that my point and all other comments are
received, circulated and considered across the BBC, but the one thing I
would dearly like to learn back from the BBC is that my comments and
complaints really and truly have been taken into consideration and the
BBC will at least be less determined to ignore my comments/complaints
and that of the other fans, in bringing this current beautiful
adaptation to it happiest and best
conclusion with the NINE wonderful tried and untried Cast of Actors who
have given their absolute best commitment to bringing this Entire
Series to the end.
End of Quote:
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20th March 2008
As you are possibly aware, there are stories which have recently come
to light regarding Lucy Griffiths and her unusual (to say the least)
departure from the current series of Robin Hood. We of the
Armstrong Angels, great and wonderful supporters of all that our
Darling Jonas says and does, lives and breathes, have by our open
discussions on the Jonas Armstrong Fansite Forum, on more than one
occasion, deeply suspected the validity of all the quaintly (and that's
an understatement) worded letters or rather, letter (singular) issued
to each and every one who so far has received any sort of weird
explanation at all. There doesn't seem to be any point into my going
into too much detail where this odd-sounding weird correspondence
originated as it apparently was made up by the powers that be, that is,
The BBC and Tiger Aspect, who I now think, must be staffed by men only,
there doesn't seem to be any sensitive female input not of the
intelligent kind at least in the silly wording of this "form" letter as
we call it.
Now, it transpires that through publication of another kind, a posting,
it would appear Lucy has autographed a photograph for a Fan and her Son
with a note included letting the proverbial cat out of the
bag. In actual fact, she didn't leave the show or desert as
we have been led to believe because of the wording of that form
letter. The powers that be in their cock-eyed wisdom, gave
the pathetic, weak-kneed excuse that after building up the incredibly
beautiful romantic story of Robin and Marian, particularly as evidenced
in the recently screened Episode 7 "Show Me The Money" (here in
Australia) where the couple very emotionally declared their love for
each other, indeed where Robin stated, almost in tears he couldn't
stand the thought that someone, someday might/would take Marian away
from him. And without actually knowing the story-lines from
hereon in, the remaining 6 episodes of Series 2 other than the last
10-15 minutes of the final episode, I have been told the stories grow
from strength to strength and get even better as the couple grow closer
together and often along very amusing lines, which is what we had come
to expect from this brilliant adaptation from the beginning, so it
really puzzles me and obviously our Armstrong Angels not to mention
approximately a reported 8,000,000 other fans besides, that with only
one more Series to go to completion, 13 only episodes remaining, why on
earth would the powers that be would create this beautiful exciting and
endearing love story which has brought us two-thirds the way through
the show only to kill the Heroine off to bring in a different other
love for Robin by their unnecessary and ridiculous ideas of taking the
legend where it has never been before.
I created some little expressions for myself which have helped me at
times, and one that has helped me most is:- Truth never hurts as long
as a lie! Think about it! Because liars
always manage to trip themselves up besides, one needs to have a good
memory to be a good liar... Lies can carry on indefinitely
hurting lots of people in the long run to the point where you cannot
tell fact from fiction and this is what seems to be occurring
now. In creating this fiction, the powers that be have made
Lucy their scapegoat, allowing the viewing fans worldwide to believe
she abandoned the show to pursue other opportunities in order to create
an imaginary situation to justify their bringing in another different
kind of love for Robin when in actual fact, there is and never was, any
genuine reason for doing so! If this is the case then the
powers that be should be lined up at the Castle wall for Archery
Practice - or public hanging (read flogging for hanging, I'm not the
Sheriff) - I don't care which - but they ought to be ashamed
of themselves for letting such a superb young actress shoulder the
brunt of their pathetic and unjustified excuses. How low can
they go? Not only that, it's been mentioned some of the cast
worked on other projects between filming scheules of Robin Hood, but
there's been no mention of whether Lucy has worked since the end of
Series 2. Have they managed to damage her credibility and her
career with their despicable concocted stories?
This is absolutely heartbreaking! It would now appear the BBC
alone felt the need for this unnecessary course of action, who knows -
pandering to the whim of a spoilt daughter, grand-daughter with ideas
of instant stardom or the opportunity of co-starring with the Gorgeous
Jonas. It seems that with all that has come to light in
recent weeks, this idea might not be as far fetched as it
seems. Whatever the reason, there is no way ever knowing the
powers that be can justify killing Marian off to introduce something
like this weird idea into the legend at this late stage of the
production, not when Jonas and Lucy have brought the couple so
thrillingly to life on screen as to be so believable, it would be easy
to think they are genuinely Robin and Marian. So much so, I
wish they were not just acting - that's how perfect and convincing they
are together. And on that basis, keeping in mind that Robin
Hood is more a childhood show than adult, it should be brought back on
track for the happy ever after, the way it was heading, for the benefit
of the heartbroken kids who saw their Heroine cut down unnecessarily
and the shock and the grief it created which has had and is still
having a dreadful effect on all of us. The only consolation
to be found from this is the beautiful stories written by our own
budding authors and what's more, with every one of their stories as
written, it is oh-so-easy to imagine the fabulous cast exactly as
depicted in every indivual story.
At one stage, I was as angry with the show's writers as everybody else,
but I've had a complete change of heart now that the BBC claim artistic
licence or whatever in order to justify changing the story to their way
of thinking. Dominic Minghella and Foz Allan have written
brilliant story-lines all throughout and now we're halfway through
Series 2 in Australia, each episode while appearing as though it might
be "silly," has turned out to be abso-bloody-lutely
marvellous. In our discussions after each episode has ended,
we are of the opinion the show goes from strength to strength and is
more impressive and exciting than the previous episode. Jonas
is more fantastic and gorgeous, Lucy gets lovelier by the minute, the
entire cast are absolutely brilliant, even Much isn't driving me as
nutty with his whingeing any more, especially after the Gang pelted him
with their food for his constant complaining - that was funny. And of
course, let's not forget the Sheriff, Gisborne and Allan - they all
play their parts better than ever as the Series progresses.
It's a pity that with Series 3, it is coming to an end! And
with the end of Series 3 approaching, the artistic and creative, cruel
and irresponsible, inconsiderate BBC can do whatever they like with the
legend - they can write their own story however they like only they
should leave this adaptation in the hands of Dominic and Foz to bring
it to conclusion exactly the way they were doing until the BBC
interfered and now risk ruining the show for everybody concerned.
There are Nine wonderful, brilliant, talented actors in this
production, all deeply committed to its excellence, some untried
newcomers, some established and they've all played their parts in a
more than satisfying manner which has delighted us all to the extent
that we would hope and trust this would become the classic, best-told
story of the legend of Robin Hood yet. It had every
possibility of being the greatest adaptation to date, but will Series 3
the way it's been planned now, see it flop? There is not
enough time left to take the legend where the BBC plans to take it
now. They should admit they have led us astray by
claiming Lucy abandoned the show, they should re-instate Marian to
Robin for a happy ever after ending, and mend the kids' hearts by
having her re-appear as if from an illusion of the Gang's incarceration
in the desert. Not only the kidlets' hearts either, all our
hearts....... Please, BBC, show us all that you really do consider our
complaints and concerns amongst yourselves at Senior Management and
Executive level as you claim, show us you actually read and consider
our opinions and stop insisting on this alternative story, which hasn't
got the time-frame remaining to succeed at this late stage even though
it is not and never was a part of Robin Hood's legend. Marian
is and was his only love and you can't change that to suit any occasion
of your own making after 400 years.
I'd have been prepared to give Series 3 a chance as they asked, but I
have serious doubts now. If and that's a big IF, the BBC
still insist on carrying out this line of action by changing tactics at
this late stage then God help us all. Their reason for this
change now is not warranted and I would personally like the BBC to
redeem itself by having the decency to apologise to Lucy and bringing
Lady Marian back where she should rightfully be - by Robin's side, and
one thing I hope will never happen - I don't want the current version
of Robin Hood sitting on a shelf, forgotten, in a video store
somewhere. That would be unacceptable.
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11th March 2008
DISCLAIMER:
This is a copy of a letter received and copied by me from the BBC.
All the comments in brackets are mine, and like everyone else, my
disappointment at this turn of events, is very evident.
Well! Here's a howdy-do! (from The Mikado), a fine
howdy-do! News (?) if that is what you can call it, has come
to hand and we've yet to discover whose hand, or whether it is actually
genuine, but it seems that after all the complaints lodged to the BBC,
Tiger Aspect and everybody else concerned with the Production of Robin
Hood, both Worldwide and within The Armstrong Angels, we (as in the
minority group of fans) are now being led to believe that it was NOT
Lucy Griffiths' decision to leave what we at first believed to be the
most thrilling, action-packed, swashbuckling and romantic version of
Robin Hood - and it is the most thrilling, action-packed and all the
above-mentioned still, the BBC in their questionable wisdom, stated to
me personally in more than one letter in answer to at least three of
mine that - and I quote: I understand you are distraught at the news
the character Marion was killed at the end of Series 2 and I note you
feel it will have devastated fans around the world. (Mari-o-n, didn't
even spell her name right). I'm sorry you were disappointed
by Marian's death (got it right that time though) in the final episode
of Robin Hood. Our aim was simply to tell the best story we
could imagine (If that's the case they don't display much imagination
then, do they?) and create a story that felt engaging and surprising
for the audience (engaging - the heroine was killed!
Surprising! Try absolute shock/horror, completely
devastating!) (and if you think that was strange, read on
then - it's borderline ridiculous!) We felt that Robin Hood
mattered most to our audience and what mattered most to Robin was
Marian (so we're supposed to think that is creative or artistic writing
at its best or sufficient reason to justify killing her off - He's
reunited with his True Love, Marian and for 25 episodes, a beautiful
romance is being rekindled after his time away fighting in the Crusades
- the ideal relationship/partnership so in the 26th episode, knowing
the Series has (after a lengthy wait to be approved) only 13 more
episodes to reach its conclusion, so they think they can justify
killing Robin's one and only love for some inane, obscure reason and it
won't upset fans worldwide, and wait for it) ... and therein lay the
most compelling and dramatic climax to the end of Series 2.
(compelling, dramatic climax - I don't think so - try totally
unnecessary, unwarranted, uncalled for, ridiculous). To
continue:
Rest assured that Sir Guy of Gisborne has not got away with killing
Marian and evil certainly hasn't prevailed over good.
(Well! Yippee! So now do we have to tolerate Guy's
evil conscience bothering him for the 13 remaining episodes - I don't
think so - this is Robin Hood, you twerps - not Guy of
Gisborne).. This is something that SGoG will have to live
with forever (how about a trial for the murder of Marian for starters,
- forever - what's wrong with a trial and being condemned for all his
other heinous crimes - forever - you've got to be kidding!) and Series
3 will see him struggle with the consequence of Marian's
death. (Now that to me, seems to suggest the entire Series 3
is more GoG than Robin Hood. Please don't misunderstand me,
I'm not attacking Richard Armitage here - I have become a great admirer
of his and he is absolutely brilliant as the evil, brooding GoG, but my
wholehearted support is for my hero Jonas Armstrong who as we know,
just happens to be Robin Hood, the story of and Legendary Hero of
British Folklore and the love of his life, Lady Marian).
Again:-
Robin Hood is a returning drama series that we hope will be
entertaining families for years to come. In order to achieve
this we need to make difficult decisions to ensure the series survives,
(What difficult decisions? - if they hadn't stuffed up there'd be no
difficult decisions to make! Easy! and while I'm on
this tack, who else has been promised a part in Lucy's unfillable
shoes?) and that there's room to introduce new characters and new
storylines. The show is made with such passion by everyone
involved in the production, so we really hope you will give Series 3 a
chance. (The difficult decisions would never have arisen as a
problem for them if they'd adhered to maintaining the family
entertainment show they envisaged initially in keeping in accordance
more with the legend, and we always knew and enjoyed the passion
exhibited by the Cast and Crew. But the bit about
entertaining families for years to come - I doubt it - not when they
knock their credibility by killing off one of the two main leads in
favour of pursuing other artistic decisions, when in actual fact there
was no need whatsoever to deviate from any of the existing stories
written into the Robin Hood we know and have all grown up with). Then
it goes on:
Nevertheless, I appreciate the strength of your views on this
matter. Accordingly, I would like to assure you that I have
registered your comments on our audience log. This is the
internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all
programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also
their senior management. It ensure that your points and all
other comments we receive, are circulated and considered abross the
BBC. End Quote: (Strength of my views - I haven't
even started yet! I took exception to this silly letter, one
which I am sure others like me received and I wrote back and my anger
and contempt showed with the result I got another letter from BBC from
yet another person reiterating the same stupid rubbish by way of
unsatisfactory explanation - so we wonder when it's all going to end).
So now it transpires that our lovely Heroine has been put in the
unenviable position of carrying the brunt of TPTB's apparent inability
to tell the truth. TPTB shamefully allowed the Fans of the
World including our Armstrong Angels, to believe Lucy Griffiths had
deserted - abandoned the show for her own starry eyed purpose of
exploring "Other opportunities". Yet Lucy herself has been
praised by one and all TPTB as the Marian for this generation, no one
will or could ever directly replace Marian as portrayed by
Lucy, Allan & Minghella had a contingency plan to
replace her if she didn't meet their standards and praised her to the
skies when she surpassed their expectations. So the next
question has to be, if this be the case, WHY do they need to create a
"Different Other Love" for Robin when there was never any intelligent
reason for killing Marian off in the first place and at the risk of
driving everybody around the bend with my incessant suggestions and
solutions, WHY won't TPTB take my bloody advice and refer to the
Armstrong Angels' FanFic section because amongst our brilliant writers,
there are any amount of perfect solutions written in there that would
bring Marian back to Robin following the illusion created by the Gang
being tied up in the Desert by the blasted King and that's another bone
of contention too:
The King, Richard the Lionheart, and this is supposed to be
fact/history apparently, was King of England for 10 years but spent
over 9 years out of the country fighting in the Crusades so in my
opinion, it's a pity he was ever included in the legend of Robin
Hood. He wasn't worth fighting for.
And if the BBC do compile an internal report on audience feedback for
all programme makers, senior management and executives, can we safely
assume that our complaints and concerns are really being
considered? Or is this another put off from them, because to
my way of thinking, there's 8Million viewers (??) give or take a few,
The Angels number almost 3,000 members now, and assuming they receive
stacks and stacks of mail per day, they give the impression nobody in
the BBC MailRoom would have seen the floorboards clearly for the best
part of some time. Supposing the majority of those
letters express the devastating emotions of the all those who objected
so strongly to Marian's demise and all the nonsense we've been led to
believe since, I would imagine there wouldn't be a lot of spare room at
the BBC these days. Not to accommodate a bunch of unfunny
clowns! This is just my opinion, but I think they owe Lucy
Griffiths one hell of an apology plus re-instatement without any
further possibililty of ruining all her chances of becoming one of
England's greatest Actresses - it's the least they can do.
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6th March 2008
Hi y'all! it's gettin' around to that time of week again and
I'm gonna start bragging once more how we've got a double dose of
Jonasjoy here in the Sunny West of the land down under. I
can't help it! I did try on behalf of my Yank friends by
nagging BBCA to programme Robin Hood a.s.a.p so's we could all watch it
together - Honest! I did! and I'm still making a nuisance of myself
writing to all and sundry any time at all when I spit the dummy over
some of TPTB's dumb remarks - doesn't take much to set me off steaming
and screaming at all their intrigue and secrecy. And only
just a short while ago, I was crying at the beautiful ending of yet
another Armstrong Angels story. I had high hopes this story
would end the way I wanted so I became broken-hearted yet
again. When is it ever going to stop? We ought to
line all the offenders who've spoilt this adaptation, up against the
Castle wall and have Robin and the gang - Nah! Damnit! have
the entire Cast, including Gizzy and "Baldy" too, and use them as
target practice until they re-write the Series 2 ending
properly. (Matilda called the Sheriff "Baldy",
Ep.5. She looked a bit worried when he identified himself
though).
Back to the business at hand - bragging! On Sunday Night I
taped Ducking and Diving, Episode 5 of Series 2 and for quite a while
now when I've seen any advertising or publicity of Robin Hood, and
admittedly, it isn't much because I don't know why, it's been recently
announced the Series has been sold to 50 Countries, and yet there
appears to be an extreme lack of publicity for the Series and the
Cast. I get the distinct impression there's something very
fishy - something is not right - it has been touted as the best ever
production, has a new and very exciting Cast, excellent
story-lines but there is nowhere near enough publicity or advertising
to recommend it - WHY? I'll be damned if I can work out why
... This weekend for instance, all the programmes were announced;
6.30pm, 8.15pm, (some bloody 15 minute Puppet show, would you
believe)? 8.30pm, 9.30pm and I was left wondering why on earth the
7.30pm time slot was not even mentioned - Robin Hood.
Nothing! Teachers has recently started again too, but at
12.25am - most people are in bed asleep at that time of on a Monday
night/Tuesday morning. (Excepting a mug like me who adores Jonas and
doesn't know how to set my new VCR anyway).
All right! This time perhaps - I have an awful habit of side-tracking
myself, haven't I? Bragging! I don't know why but I
get the feeling that the storylines on more than one occasion would
appear to be quite silly and I am always very pleasantly surprised that
I am totally wrong. Even though people everywhere were made
aware of the final episode of S2, and I'd actually read up on the
individual episodes but until each episode was screened, I had no idea
what to expect and I was absolutely wrapt that they are so very, very
good, especially now that we here in Australia have just seen
Ep.5. The writing is so good, the acting is nothing short of
brilliant (as we've come to expect), that I feel better about
following on after the tragedy of losing Marian (mind you, like fans
worldwide, I'd be happier if she re-appears as I keep on saying; in an
illusion of Robin being tied up in the desert. Anyway, I have
to say that I am thoroughly enjoying Season 2 and I think it is just
because we are all so shocked and angry at the direction in which Dom
took Ep.13 to its conclusion in S2, that I can almost - (I said almost)
- allow for the "fact" (?) that he was left stranded by the departure
of our Heroine. I'm not making excuses for him!
Don't get me wrong, I adore Lucy and want the best for her as she is
THE BEST Marian ever - of our time, - absolutely the best!
But I am really concerned her hasty decision to depart the show might
have seen her shoot herself in the foot and for me, this will be the
greatest tragedy. I sincerely hope this isn't the
case. There's nothing more I'd love to see than for Jonas and
Lucy to become top of the Movie and Television Industry in England then
perhaps to see them conquer Hollywood too all in good time.
They are beautiful young people with loads of talent and ability and
are destined, I believe, to become the greatest stars in their chosen
careers.
Having said all that, I'm now gonna watch Ep.5 (for the fifth time but
who's counting) Hey! Remember my workmate from last
week? She asked to see another ep. but mind you if she hadn't
asked, I had planned to let her walk home (all 8 miles), after we had
had our dinner, so now she's up-to-date and has seen all of Series 2 so
far. And tomorrow I have to take my car in to be fixed (after
the housebrick incident). Her Majesty, Naida, Dowager Empress
of Burbank has kindly offered to support me if by any chance the Body
and Fender shop people give me a hard time. AaH!
That's the wonderful Armstrong Angels for you....
And: I solemnly promise to keep hounding the Beeb and BBCA to
screen Series 3 simultaneously so as we can all talk about it together
rather than stuff it up with Major Spoilers for one another if they be
so cruel as to ignore my polite requests.
(Whew)! Then perhaps, my requests might take on
some impolite suggestions ..........??
Do you know, I think I've just realised why I'm so adamant about Robin
& Marian having a H.E.A. apart from the fact that they should
anyway, after building up their romance for 25 eps to ruin it in the
26th ep. By the end of Series 3, we'll have seen Robin
dressed in the same shabby clothes he's worn throughout all 39
episodes. I want to see him all dressed up in beautiful clothes just
once as the Noble he is, and that would have to be at their Wedding
when "everything is back in its box".
2nd March 2008
Well! I definitely won't be apologising today for my passion and anger
as following on from my lovely weekend away last weekend, this weekend
I got an unpleasant surprise when I went to drive my car away from
home. Some delightful little stinker has put a housebrick
through the passenger side window and shattered that to smithereens,
not to mention the severe damage to the panel work under the
window. While the car is insured, I'm only the poor silly
victim who still has to pay $300 excess on my policy, because I haven't
a clue who has done this. Heaven help the person if I find
out though! (I've kept the housebrick and these Units where I
live, are covered by surveillance cameras). Pity I'm not in
contact with my ex-husband - the one thing he was extremely good at was
panel-beating and spray painting motor vehicles. Can't have
it every way now, can I?
In the meantime, I have been driving a former work colleague absolutely
nuts yakking on relentlessly about Robin Hood - well! ( Be Honest,
Jude)! It's Jonas I never stop ranting on about - there's no
one in the world today half as perfect as all us Armstrong Angels think
he is now, is there? He's gorgeous .... Hey, I now
I should have issued a warning regarding major spoilers - I do
apologise, but I'm inclined to believe that thanks per medium of
YouTube, most of us are more than likely aware of the disastrous ending
and terrible mistake the Writers made bringing that ending to us right
on the Christmas Period, which was not their fault - it just happened
that way - but while I was aware of Series 2 finish, I have been
pleasantly surprised by the four episodes of Series 2 so far.
They are what we have come to expect as a follow on from Series 1 and
just as entertaining - sure - there's some glaringly obvious bloopers
as there was in the first series, but they are easily overlooked
because of the family value entertainment we've come to expect of this
current adaptation and of course, the best added bonus is our Jonas and
he looks just, just (what is it Much says): He looks so
........
I've settled down a little bit now to the emotions of the situation
that arose following those episodes on 29 December, especially now
since Lucky and Katie have forwarded "What we expect in Series 3" and
some of the Armstrong Angels extremely thoughtful and well written
stories to the Writers and I'm ever so hopeful they will actually read
and consider what the Fans want after the furore they
created. I'm like a broken record (and I've wrecked my
soapbox anyway) but I keep promoting two of our brilliant writers - and
there are plenty of exceptionally good writers too, but if Marian or
rather, Lucy's plans didn't exactly become realistic due to the
Hollywood Writers' Strike, she hopefully will reconsider finishing
Series 3 (it really wouldn't hurt her to after all and is by far, the
most popular opinion of the worldwide Fansite of Robin Hood that she
honour her commitment). I haven't recovered from the starry eyed and
rather pathetic excuse to her quitting over her extreme working
conditions and kissing Jonas for 15 minutes at a time (the poor girl -
I feel so sorry for her). I have always lived by one of my
own expressions where working is concerned and it's this - No one likes
having to work for a living but most of us have to as a necessity and
if you can make it pleasant, then that's half the battle won.
I have other little expressions of philosophy that keep me afloat too
but for all the good advice I have given to everyone else, I'm often
quite pathetic at practicing what I preach.
Anyway, back to the business at hand. Armstrong Angels
brilliant young creative writers. Supposing Robin wakes up in
S3/Ep.1 and discovers Marian's death is only a dreadful figment of his
imagination having been tied up in the desert by that dastardly
villain, the evil Sheriff and his black-hearted sidekick ( I have come
to love the way the Sheriff takes every opportunity of making Gisborne
out to be dim-witted lately - it cracks me up no end). Rosa17
(aka Amanda) has written Stand By Me and if you haven't read it in Fan
Fiction then please consider reading it as it carries on perfectly in
explaining the illusion only of her death and restoring her to Robin as
it should be, then they can carry on with the humour, romance,
swashbuckling - let's not forget the swashbuckling adventures towards a
conclusive happy ever after and we still get our Classic of all time
for all the generations to come of the most popular and best adaptation
of the Adventures of Jonas - ahem! - I mean, of Robin Hood - (you lie
through your eye-teeth, Nashy)!
Then, If Lucy absolutely, definitely wont see out her obligations (and
she'd gain even more satisfaction towards the success of her own career
if she does return to completion) then eb11sb (aka Louise Bennett) has
"a different kind of love" for Robin and that is also a perfect
alternative to an acceptable ending. It is well researched
and gives us everything we looked forward to in the success of this
version of the beloved Legend of Robin Hood. It gives us the return of
some terrific guests from previous episodes, it is so-so good that I
hope you all consider reading, in this case, Coeur de Anglais, Hide
& Seek and Learning to Live. It takes nothing away
from Robin's grieving for Marian (over a 2 1/2 year period, and he
falls for this other girl without consciously realising it until near
the end of the series - there! I've just stuffed up another
spoiler.
And that my good friends is where I leave it tonight as I am ever more
hopeful than I've been over the past few weeks. I have
stressed - vehemently - that we do not want our hero dying at the end,
especially not while the villains survive - I want them carted off in
chains to be tried and condemned and sent to the Tower of London
- if it's built by the end of the 12th Century (??) (It's too
blinking easy to break into Notts Castle - anybody can get in there
undetected (says she, tongue in cheek) and guess what else?
My former colleague in the 2nd paragraph has converted to being a fan
of Robin/Jonas or I wonder if she just said that to shut me up -
Nah! She's not that clever!!! She did however,
comment on his very expressive eyebrows ...
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24th February 2008
I make no apology whatsoever to anyone for the fact that I am very
passionate and often emotional over the things I care most about. I am
also very loyal and having been born under the sign of Cancer the Crab,
tend to retreat into my shell when I'm hurting or betrayed by the
people I trust, which, fortunately, isn't very often. Those who know me
well, know what a nutcase I can be, what to expect from my sense of
humour and I in turn, would never set out to hurt anyone especially
those dear to me. There is a reason for my explanation which will
become evident at a later date. Having got that out of the
way, I'll continue:
Over this past weekend I travelled South to Margaret River in Western
Australia to attend the 24th Annual Concert held at the Leeuwin Winery
Estate starring two well-known Australian Opera Singers.
These concerts are extremely popular and well attended by many who go
there just for the pleasure of having a lovely weekend away from the
usual hum-drum every day existence and like the lady who tapped me on
the shoulder inviting me to have a glass of wine with her, she didn't
even know who the performers were. Needless to say, I didn't have a
drink with her because I was driving and drink-driving here in W.A. is
frowned upon and can warrant a very heavy penalty, even prison
sentences if lives are endangered. We talked during
intermission where she asked me about the two Singers and eventually
the conversation got around to my love of all things Robin
Hood. So I asked the obvious - had she seen the current
series and did she like it, especially Robin Hood himself, to which she
replied she hadn't seen it and wasn't even aware it was currently
showing. Naturally, I elaborated further gushing what a wonderful
production it has become and how all the fans were anxious to see each
Series as it becomes available. And obviously, without giving
too much away or any major spoilers, I may have convinced her to at
least watch the show when she returns home.
My own sister had told me that Leeuwin Concerts attracted people like
this lady for no other reason than it is a lovely way to spend a
weekend and I could understand her not knowing who the invited
performers were as she and her husband had been there before not
knowing what entertainment was on the cards, I mean, in the past, the
guest performers have included Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Dame Kiri
Te Kanawa, Shirley Bassey, Julio Iglesias, Bryn Terfel, Michael
Crawford, Diana Ross and Tom Jones, just to name a few, but I am sure
that when I got through explaining about Robin Hood, I feel certain she
will at least watch the show now, I certainly hope so as I feel not
enough people are aware of the current adaptation because of the lack
of advertising on behalf of the BBC and TigerAspect worldwide. I make
sure those I speak to are aware of this fantastic family viewing
entertainment and that the production is soon to begin filming the
third series.
So far, we here in W.A. have just seen Episode 3 of Series 2 and while
in the very rare trailers we are shown, it occasionally seems as though
there could be a rather silly storyline to look forward to, but in
actual fact I'm happy to say, this is not the case and I have
discovered each episode is very witty, well written and thoroughly
enjoyable - it has everything exciting a family of perhaps two or three
generations would all sit down to together as promised by the
Script-writers, who have voiced the expectations that they hope in
time, the current adaptation of Robin Hood will become an all time
classic, hopefully, even the best ever as while there is a relatively
unknown cast starring in this version of the popular English legend
millions of people around the world are familiar with, these young
newcomers have proved to be outstanding and very likely to become the
biggest television and screen stars of all time. The two leading actors
playing the parts of Robin and Marian, Jonas Armstrong and Lucy
Griffiths are brilliant and it is generally considered they have very
bright futures to look forward to in the very near future.
Since Jonas came under notice of Fans worldwide, I for one, believe his
expressive eyebrows alone could win him any amount of awards.
He is definitely destined to rise to the top - an extremely talented
and handsome young man. Lucy too is sure to become one of the
great and beautiful classic actors in her own time too. This
has, up to date for us here in Australia, every possibility of being
the best production of Robin Hood ever and as I mentioned, Jonas and
Lucy truly are the Robin and Marian of this generation.
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