Warning: spoilers for Robin Hood episode 2 ahead.
The first two episodes of Robin Hood have dropped on MGM+ at the same time, and we're already reeling from a shockingly brutal death.
Rob (Jack Patten) absconds into Sherwood Forest after butting heads with the Earl of Huntingdon (Steve Waddington) – who also just happened to be responsible for getting Rob's father killed – and meets the Sheriff of Nottingham's (Sean Bean) head of guards.
Our chief guard has been sent away after striking up an intimate relationship with Priscilla of Nottingham (Lydia Peckham), taking a few of his cronies into the forest with him. The meeting happens by chance, but it quickly turns dark.
Rob is then presented with an ultimatum. If he can hit a target of the guard's choosing with his bow and arrow, he walks away Scot-free. But if he misses, Rob's trademark weapons are theirs. He agrees with the selection of a nearby target. Of course, Rob hits it first try.
Immediately, the guards change their tune, claiming Rob has killed one of the King's deer without permission and will be punished by them as a result. A fight breaks out, resulting in a fleeing Rob shooting the chief guard in the chest, killing him instantly.
With the power dynamics between Rob, the Earl, and Sheriff and Priscilla now in jeopardy, it was the last thing I expected to happen in episode 2. But when I asked series creator Jonathan English about it, he reveals why it's his "favorite" cliffhanger – and why they're all so effective in the Amazon show.
"These aren't cheap tricks" – Why Robin Hood's episode cliffhangers are just that good
"They're all designed to bring you back, but they're designed in such a way that they're an organic part of the narrative," English tells me. "I mean, they're not just cheap writer tricks.
"Each cliffhanger is about moving Rob's character to the next level of what we know about Robin Hood. You know, that's the thing. That's how he becomes the Outlaw, that's how that name is acquired. As you're moving through the series, what it's really doing is building up the mythology. As we get to the latter part of the season, we get a fully formed version of Robin Hood and really understand how he got there."
And this is what English and co-creator John Glenn have achieved so well. By reinventing the Robin Hood origin story, viewers have a fully-realized young man with a lot of problems. He's relatable, almost one of us. Everything that happens to him is something thrust upon him rather than sought out.
"It's episode 2 for me, my favorite," English says, and with the surprise level of brutality, it's easy to see why. Rob's reputation and safety are once again called into question, with the stakes being well and truly raised.
But what about Glenn? "Episode 6 is such a great cliffhanger. I love the end of that episode."
Having seen it, I know that this is another solid choice (honestly, there's not really a bad one). But you're going to have to wait another four weeks for the full reveal.
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