The first recording today is the next episode of Robin Hood – Angel of Death. The Merry Men are suddenly masters of disguise.
The two men they’re after turn out to be the brother and father of Will Scarlett.
In Nottingham, the Nightwatchman is out, handing out sacks of food to the poor. But it’s not Marian, it’s Ralf Little, as Joseph. He’s working with the Sheriff, poisoning poor people to make it look like the plague has reached the city.
The Sheriff makes an announcement about his fake plague, and Will’s father Dan shouts that it’s not the plague. So the Sheriff has his men kill Dan right there in the street.
The “affected” street is barricaded, trapping Robin and his men there.
The creepy Joseph has contrived to be trapped behind the barricades, and, although he offers Robin his help, he definitely sounds like he’d rather let people die. “You know, perhaps it would be a kindness just not to interfere, not prolong their pain.”
Allan A Dale is still betraying Robin, this time tipping Gisborne off about a letter Robin has sent to King Richard.
Marian recognises Joseph from the castle, advising the Sheriff. Robin is just in time to stop his men eating the soup that Joseph prepared for them.
Before he escapes, he tells them the poison from from the Amanita mushroom. “The Angel of Death. The Devil’s Cap. There is no cure!” But Little John knows that Belladonna – Deadly Nightshade – is an antidote, and it does start curing the afflicted.
Joseph returns to the Sheriff to tell him people are dying. The Sheriff thanks him and says goodbye. Joseph is upset because he’s doing it for ideological reasons. “But the application of my invention… To rid the country of the weak and the dirty, the parasites.” “My dear boy, those are the ones who do exactly what I tell them to. We need those. No. Your poison will be used on the King’s army when they land on the south coast.”
Will Scarlett infiltrates the castle, and poisons the Sheriff and Joseph with wine.
Robin finds the Sheriff and Joseph writhing in pain. Robin learns about his plan, Shah Mat, to poison King Richard’s army, and says he’ll give him the antidote if he’ll abandon the plan.
Will meets Djaq, who has the antidote, and he doesn’t want her to give it to the Sheriff because he killed his father. Robin confronts Will, asking where Djaq is, but he won’t say. In a rather good piece of brinksmanship, Robin grabs a vial of poison and drinks from it. “You want to watch people die, you can start with me.” “Robin! I can’t let the Sheriff live.” “Yes, you can!” “My dad. He did it for me. He stood up to the Sheriff to prove himself to me!” “Then prove yourself to him. Show that we are stronger men than the Sheriff.”
But Robin was faking, it wasn’t poison. “Will, this is your call. Prove to me Will Scarlett believes in doing the right thing.” “You didn’t drink the poison, did you?” No. But I think my point still stands so…” “Yes, yes, it does. This is to the memory of my good father, Dan Scarlett and the people of Nottingham.”
Evil Joseph attacks Robin, the two of them end up hanging from the window, and Joseph does a Hans Gruber.
Robin does the classic “knife down flag” descent.
The show ends with Will building a tribute to his father – a construction that casts a shadow when the sun’s in the right position. It’s quite moving.
Media Centre Description: Drama series giving a contemporary feel to the classic legend. The Sheriff and his sinister scientist Joseph are testing a chemical weapon on a street in Nottingham and blaming the ill-effects on the pestilence, but Will Scarlett’s father Dan knows it’s not the pestilence at all. When the Sheriff murders Dan for speaking out against a suspected poisoning, Robin must track down the source of poison in time. But what will he do when he realises that Will is intent on avenging his father’s death?
Recorded from BBC ONE on Sunday 28th October 2007 16:23
BBC Genome: BBC ONE Sunday 28th October 2007 16:25
After this there’s a trail for Michael Palin’s New Europe.
There’s the Eastenders Children in Need trail. Then Brucie and Tess remind us that the Strictly Results are coming soon.
Then the recording ends with a few minutes of Terry Wogan presenting Points of View.
The next recording today starts with the end of Graham Norton Uncut with Josh Hartnett, Melanie C and Rufus Wainwright.
There’s a trail for the BBC News Website and for Joe’s Palace.
Then, yet another repeat for Heroes – Unexpected.
Media Centre Description: Drama series in which people all over the world deal with the newly-discovered superpowers they possess. Peter painfully learns that someone close may have betrayed him and Claude. Matt’s world spirals out of control when radioactive man Ted Sprague and Hana Gitelman, a fierce young woman with ‘wireless’ mental abilities, drop into his life. After blood is spilled, Hiro makes a difficult decision about his mission. Claire is unable to contain her anger at her father.
Recorded from BBC TWO on Monday 29th October 2007 01:05
BBC Genome: BBC TWO Monday 29th October 2007 01:05
After this there’s a trail for The Tudors.
There’s a trail for Visions of the Future. And a public information film Sparklers: Handle with Care.
The recording stops as News 24 is starting.