Review of Robin Hood

BBC-America knows what people want to see -- great-looking male British actors, smart, tender, often witty script, multiple subtexts, something to learn about what is already familiar. All the elements are here in Robin Hood. The men are mostly young, lean, boyish, masculine. It's a homosocial world, where the guys care for each other. They have a mission--generosity ("Steals from the rich and gives to the poor")--they have each other and really love each other. A merry band is like a fraternity. They fight hard, cuddle each other when needed. Fortunately, they haven't heard of strict gender dimorphism. Then there are the wonderful subtexts: Holy Wars as a prelude to ongoing conflicts between Islam and the West; Robin (originally nobility) who has an admiring, loving vassal; Robin woos Marion, who isn't seductive; the Sheriff is hateful because he really likes his side-kick, Guy, who is a classic, dark handsome guy and is very ambivalent about the Sheriff's meanness and unexpressed feelings for him and the other guys. Marion and Robin are more about the same social problem (poverty) than each other, but she's going to lose out if she doesn't one day kiss Robin. The guys are fine, trained actors, not models turned TV sitcom players (the American way). They wear tight jackets and trousers, have clear, penetrating eyes, don't smile continually. Long hair, athleticism, guys caring about each other, people who need and, finally, the lady--in that order. A series about nine women stealing and giving? No. Beautiful!