The Return of Robin Hood

"There can be terrible consequences to tampering with the stuff of legend."

Writer: Paul Magrs

Format: Novel

Released: July 2022

Series: BBC Books Special 07

Featuring: Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane, Harry

Synopsis 

Gold has come to the Greenwood...

Robin Hood is disenchanted. Maid Marian has disappeared, and the legend of the Doctor has retreated into the shadows of Sherwood Forest. 

But the Doctor is back! (Although this is his first visit – time travel does strange things to a story).

And the timing couldn't be better. A new Sheriff of Nottingham is in town, out to get the Outlaws, and behind the scenes, the mythical Mother Maudlin has designs on the realm that are not of this earth...

With the Kingdom in peril, it's time for the return of the Lionheart.

Verdict

The Return of Robin Hood was a terrific novel! I am a big fan of this mini series of blending Doctor Who into famous literature and whilst Robin Hood has been done on screen pretty darn well, there’s something different and special about having it in prose. It really was a breeze of a read and I think the quick chapters and lighthearted feel really helped things. It really was a delight from start to finish. I don’t think I’ve ever actually read any of the Robin Hood prose nor watched any of the numerous TV series that the legend inspired, but of course it’s one of those things that are part of folk culture that you just know. I was really glad that Robot of Sherwood was mentioned and this particular story was actually set twenty years after it. There weren’t really any major connotations to that, but it was important to establish that Robin Hood had met the Doctor before, except of course that was the Twelfth Doctor! I thought it was fun to mention how Nottingham Castle lifted off on that occasion and the Doctor quickly deduced that this was to come in his future. It was also a nice touch that even for the Fourth Doctor, the name Clara Oswald sounded familiar. I liked that and it ties in very nicely with her Impossible Girl story arc. On this occasion, we had the delightful trio of the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry on a quick diverted adventure between Revenge of the Cybermen and Terror of the Zygons. The Brigadier could wait! That was fun stuff and I loved how Sarah and Harry reacted to the incredulity of encountering Robin Hood. The Doctor took it in his stride which was a lot to different to how his future self would deal with encountering legend! The Doctor actually referring to himself and Robin as legends was cheeky fun and great characterisation of the fourth incarnation. I loved the story and its simplicity, with Marian initially needing saving from the castle and then moving directions in having Harry left behind as the Doctor and Sarah sought out an old friend! Reverting back to The Crusade and the Doctor trying to convince Richard the Lionheart to return to his homeland and take his rightful thrown was marvellous. It was good stuff for the Doctor to merely claim to be in a disguise as explanation for his change in appearance. I thought Mother Maudlin made for a tremendous villain and I loved the extra detail that she was a Carrionite! That was a really nice touch that makes this feel a lot more Doctor Who than if she was just an ordinary witch. I liked her devious nature and having her take over Sarah for a while was very good, but of course the Doctor knew immediately that his companion wasn’t her whole self. Harry reacting to her more stern replies and comments about him was marvellous too as he’s so innocent. The insinuation towards the end that he may love her is something I’m not entirely convinced by, but I do really enjoy their relationship. The Sheriff of Nottingham was a tremendous character in this iteration and his glee at the prospect of impressing King John and killing Robin and his Merrie Men by having them hung, drawn and quartered was something to behold. His earlier outburst at why bad things happened to him and destroying his impressive French chair was equally great! The pressure of royalty was very much felt here and once Richard the Lionheart emerged from the TARDIS, the game was quickly up. I thought events preceding that with Harry and Robin were delightful as their plan didn’t seem all that intelligent! Putting all of that trust into Guy was humorous, especially as the deeper into the castle they got it appeared the cavalry would not be coming. Harry pointing out how this was no different to them simply being captured really was brilliant. Marian believing that she was falling for Harry was unexpected, but it was nice that she did end up finally wedding Robin in the presence of the true King by the end. I enjoyed the cheeky mention of sinning in the forest as well! It’s only natural. The way the Carrionite was defeated was pretty good in using iron and killing her whilst in the body of what she thought was a willing servant. It was great that a rook flew off shortly after and I think it would have been better to leave things there, but then concluding with the witch using her powers to take away the memories of this story explained the Twelfth Doctor’s take on Robin Hood! I always think it’s a shame when characters lose memories, but I guess this was a necessity! Overall, a really brilliant read!

Rating: 9/10