Doctor Who | Reaction & Review 8x3 "Robot of Sherwood"

Doctor Who Reaction - "Robot of Sherwood" - Peter Capaldi
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*Update - An Adventure in Space and Time is being disputed at the moment, will post it as soon as it clears, thank you.* *8x3 Full Length, 8x4 & "An Adventure in Space and Time" Full Length/Early Access Reaction* available on Patreon ▶ February Schedule ◀ Tuesday - FMAB Wednesday - Vinland Saga Thursday - Doctor Who Friday - FMAB Sunday - Arcane *Patreon Schedule* Monday - Neon Genesis Evangelion Tuesday - FMAB Wednesday - Vinland Saga Thursday - Doctor Who Friday - FMAB Sunday - Arcane *PATREON* - www.patreon.com/FILMBuFF *TWITTER* - twitter.com/_FILMBuFF_ *INSTAGRAM* - instagram.com/imsardar

[@baeleth]

Robin and The Doctor's not-a-hero conversation at the end is one of my favorite moments in Doctor Who.

[@swanchamp5136]

It's like Robins boisterous bragging nature drops like a mask being removed as he sees that he and The Doctor have a lot in common and they can be open with each other about who they are and why they do it.

[@D-Cameron]

One easter egg you won't have noticed, I'm sure: When the Doctor is showing Robin some pictorial references of Robin Hood via various media through the ages, the black and white photo which pops up is second Doctor, Patrick Troughton, who played the character of Robin earlier in his career.

[@Jim_The_Fish]

I knew that, but I somehow missed that too! Thank you!

[@FacePimpd]

This episode feels like a reminder that the darkness of 8x1 and 8x2 isn’t the only tone. It’s still Doctor Who. And it utilises just how different Capaldi is to his predecessor’s. Tennant and Smith would have immediately been besties with Robin. Capaldi wants to punch him.

[@firefly24601]

I love the overt silliness of this episode. The continuing insult dialogue between 12 and Robin is THE best!!!

[@SeanS102]

Some people like to claim without evidence that this was written for Matt Smith, but you're right, the whole dynamic would be completely different

[@ftumschk]

Agreed. For me, the contrast between the dour, sarcastic 12th Doctor and Robin's irrepressible high spirits is perfect for this story. It just wouldn't work with Matt Smith's hyperactive 11th Doctor.

[@fleason771]

In the original script & what was actually shot the Sherrif of Nottingham is also a robot which for me is a significant story point. There is a deleted scene where he is beheaded but this was cut on broadcast due to the real life events of high profile beheading by ISIS in real life at the time. If it was in the episode (just not in the edit) you've seen, forgive me.

[@osumarko]

This was a fun episode. Loved The Doctor & Robin bickering in the dungeon and Robin's point about stories inspiring us to be heroes. Also, Clara looked damn good in this episode.

[@robvanriot]

The scene where they fire the arrow into the spaceship to ensure it clears the atmosphere is goofy as hell, but this is absolutely a fun episode. It's an early opportunity for Capaldi to demonstrate his range as a performer.

[@jeremyjasiak]

Definitely a comfort episode, nothing crazy, but like you said, sooo fun.

[@patrickfeltner7512]

This is one of my personal favorites. It’s pure simple fun and sometimes that’s all I want from Doctor Who.

[@timothywalsh9637]

Fun fact. One of the images Robin Hood sees of himself portrayed in legend is of a movie version of him acted by Patrick Troughton, who was also the 2nd Doctor from the classic Doctor Who series.

[@HudsonMedia]

Robot of Sherwood is just so damn fun. I love it personally. I really wish we could see Robin again.

[@Dannydarko27]

I remember thinking this was going to be a fun throwaway episode, but it really helped shape 12 and I love it

[@gigo518]

“a comfort episode” YES in fact it is my top DW comfort episode. It’s fun and funny. Robin Hood and 12’s dynamic and antics are hilarious, and Clara looks absolutely stunning. What’s not to love! And in between all the antics, some really sweet and poignant moments between 12 and RH and 12 and Clara. Some of my favorite quotes: “When did you start believing in impossible heroes?” “Don’t you know?” “You are her hero.” Just lovely.

[@AirPokemonNaruto22]

This episode has grown on me quite a bit over the years. Like you said, it's a fun episode and there is nothing wrong with that. It's definitely a hit or miss episode in the fandom. One of the reasons why this episode has grown on me is because of the conversation between the Doctor and Robin Hood at the end. I love that conversation and how Robin Hood tells the Doctor that if they keep pretending to be heroes, maybe others will be heroes in their name. Then the line about both of them being stories that never end, felt like a nice callback to that scene with the 11th Doctor telling Amy that we're all stories in the end, just make it a good one. Really good stuff!

[@Famin999]

My feelings about this episode fall very much in line with yours. It may not be the most relevant story, but it's a fun one-off adventure. At this point, we're still getting to know Peter Capaldi's doctor, and this episode was a great character showcase for him.

[@Tejiknasten]

Capaldi is such a great actor and he works so good, lifting all the other actors to new high levels. One can see that they all enjoy to work with him. The chemistry between Clara and Twelfth is very nice.

[@mattyice9535]

To me this is an ideal episode, at least one that's not dealing with the season plotlines or serious matters. It's funny, explores character ideas, and has a unique setting and premise.

[@ItsMeHarry]

The new set for the TARDIS is my favourite. It was a full 360° build along with lots of layering to allow variation, and I think this whole era with this TARDIS brings some much needed variation and visual mobility. I also really enjoy this episode, it's a good fun one as you said and I think it does a good job tying in the parallels of Robin Hood and The Doctor. There's a lot of great moments here and as you said, Clara looks stunning in that dress. Jenna Coleman is blessed

[@oriyanbarnes]

9:31 "we're all stories in the end" -The 11th Doctor

[@hallyhop]

This is such a fun episode! I love it for that.

[@HeadSh0tProductions]

This episode was more enjoyable than I remembered.

[@Dannydarko27]

Man how did I miss this upload

[@Scampr_]

From my experience Robot of Sherwood is quite a divisive episode among fans, and one that I considered in my least favourites for some time. To paraphrase something Steven Moffat said, when a Doctor Who fan dislikes a story it just means they rewatch it thirty times instead of forty, and boy is he right. Since its broadcast in 2014 I’ve revisited this story several times, going from ‘this isn’t so bad’ to it being a guilty pleasure, to it becoming an outright comfort episode. Of course Robot of Sherwood isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I really think it’s misunderstood and genuinely underrated by a significant number of fans. The premise of an adventure with Clara’s childhood hero would be standard procedure for an 11th Doctor story, fitting right in with the fairytale vibes of his era - but instead we have the fresh faced 12th Doctor, cynical and a little grumpy. It creates a brilliant contrast to reveal more of just who he is as a person and what his outlook on the universe is, being proven once again that he doesn’t have to be right about everything, and sometimes stories and magic are real. The majority of New Who so far has been a more gallivanting, dashing hero just like Robin, so it’s great to see Capaldi’s Doctor faced with who he used to be in a sense. The plot and villains are pretty predictable but that’s kind of the point? It’s supposed to be such a run of a mill evil scheme that the Doctor is convinced he has figured out. The audience members that expect only scary and serious threats in Doctor Who with clever, convoluted explanations are aligned WITH the Doctor here - but realising he’s being a party pooper and bigheaded, and accepting the silliness of the adventure, it all clicks into place. Capaldi’s Doctor has a great friction with Robin, creating some really fun banter between them especially where Clara is involved - but it’s not all quips, it pushes them into understanding one another by the end. The three of them are excellent, and each gets some great character exploration; Clara’s leadership and sense of fun/admiration; Robin’s own reality/integrity being questioned and contending with his legacy; the Doctor being stubborn and inconsiderate, as well as being overprotective/needing to impress Clara. I simply adore that end conversation, paralleling the Doctor and Robin as legends, making him realise he is a hero to others, comparing how alike their good intentions are regardless of the approaches they take. How despite their struggles to do what’s right they can only keep pretending and aspire to be the stories history has made of them to continue bringing hope to others. The episode as a whole isn’t flawless but I just really enjoy what it’s trying to accomplish, but is often overlooked because some see ‘campy celebrity historical’ and don’t give it a chance beyond that.

[@dutchman8887]

the best mark gatiss episode. very entertaining and a nice ending. also some relevance for 12's character development. you're totally right with 12 vs robin working. some people say this should have been an 11 episode and they completely miss what makes this work.

[@loomingmoon4682]

So excited for your reaction to the next one, one of my personal favourites in the show

[@stuartarmstrong5190]

Quite a change of pace from the darker first 2 episodes of series 8. And that's not a bad thing at all. It's fun (and Clara looks damn fine!)

[@Mgooy]

I think this is the season where they had the first full tardis interior set, I know they made a big deal over it in one of the behind the scenes

[@Jim_The_Fish]

I’m so excited for your reaction to the next episode.

[@imafgc]

I've often talked about "comfort episodes", episodes which aren't seen as the best and often times just filler but also be episodes that you watch when ill or want to feel good. This is my comfort episode, I absolutely adore this episode, I love how it doesn't take itself too seriously and is just a fun romp based off Robin Hood. I love tthe banter in it it, how all the characters are used and the final conversation I love. It makes me hope that maybe in 100 years time people will see The Doctor as a legend and tell theor kids stories of The Doctor and the TARDIS saving the earth. And to anyone who thinks this episode is too sillu, imagine if it was a season 2 episode instead of Fear Her or something, it would be seen as a brilliant episode

[@kivimik]

While it is quite light-hearted, I don't see this as filler. It explores another facet of what it means to be a "good man" and contributes to the Doctor regaining some of his confidence in himself.

[@mich119]

Dark. Where is your support for 1899?? Don’t abandon us

[@RobertJones-xs1ns]

This is an episode that I really didn't like when it first aired. After 3 years of growing increasingly tired with Matt Smith being fun and silly, Capaldi brought me back to the show with his more serious, utilitarian portrayal of the character. At the time I had the very shallow view of feeling like this episode betrayed the tone the show was going for with Capaldi. Since then I have grown to love how ridiculous this episode is and appreciate how I can imagine how different this episode would be with different iterations of the Dr. I love revisiting it

[@mustbge0]

It’s definitely hit or miss with people. I love all episodes, but this one is not up there with the rest in terms of enjoyment, however the conversation between the doctor and robin at the end there makes me shiver every time.

[@Jamienomore]

When the Computer showed images of Robin Hood, did you notice the Second Doctor?