AAWF wrote:

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Strange attraction to the dark side? Oh, yes, definitely. Here's my list - not in order of preference, that would be impossible:

Errand of Mercy

The Wanderer

The Doctor

The Debt

Trapped

I'm not sure if all those episodes can be described as having more adult themes, but most of them do have the atmosphere of menace, at least in some scenes.

Anna

Oh, yes! Right after I hit the Post button, I though of "Errand of Mercy." And actually, the opening episode is also quite dark and adult. We really don't get our first comic hints until "The Moneylender."

I guess what set me off was the constant references I was finding to the whole series as a "lighthearted romp" and to Richard Greene's Robin as a hail-fellow-well-met avuncular figure, when there was so much more depth to the way he was written and performed. And I never saw him as a "favorite uncle"; I had a crush on Richard Greene even at the tender age of 5, and I still find him very sexy as I view the old episodes.

AAWF wrote:

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Well said, Grammar Hammer! I was also very annoyed by the references you mention. The authors of those reviews probably watched only a few episodes, not the whole series (or they are repeating what they read elsewhere). I believe (and I'm sure I said it somewhere in the magazine) that Richard Greene's Robin was probably the deepest and most complex Robin Hood character ever created on film. And - yes, Richard Greene had the looks of a Romantic hero, extremely handsome and charismatic. His Robin was more a good guy than a rogue; to me, he made the impression of someone who was naturally very sensitive and emotionally vulnerable, but got toughened up by life experiences. I think this may also be true of Richard Greene himself.

I was going to add "The Coming of Robin Hood" to my list of episodes, but I didn't want to make it too long. I can think of more episodes with dark moments - "Maid Marian", "My Brother's Keeper", "The Double"…

I just re-watched "The Double" last night, and I was even more impressed at Greene's abilities. When he is playing Luke, he completely alters his body language, and I love the way he never looks anyone in the eye. He just has that sideways squint that is so different from Robin's lustrous, straight-ahead gaze and open face. Even in the rear views, when you see him walking, there is a clear difference between Luke's gait and Robin's.

At any rate, I think this just proves our point that The Adventures was so much more than a kiddie adventure show, and Richard Greene was much more than just a pretty face.

LucyC324 wrote:

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Hello Anna and Grammar Hammer,

I've enjoyed reading your exchanges on what may be considered the "darker episodes". I would like to echo your thoughts, assessments and sentiments.
I've always been impressed with Richard Greene's acting abilities which spans both humor and drama. His portrayal of Robin Hood is always based on resorting to "wit over violence", he was never a champion of using violence, he defends not offends. That's always an important message to send.

I'm in agreement of the lists you both have compiled and I would like to add the following episodes:

Queen Eleanor,
Checkmate
The Intruders
The Black Patch
The Bride of Robin Hood
Isabella

Regards,
Lucy

Lucy-

I like your list, but I don't see anything on it as particularly dark. And you'll probably kill me for this, but I loathe "The Bride of Robin Hood."

And to Anna: I'd have to take "The Wanderer" off the "dark" list. Although it's certainly one of my favorites, nothing with Joseph's final line in it could be considered "dark." In fact, Joseph's optimism is why I chose the line for my signature.