A Good Day to Die

Infobox Television episode
Title = A Good Day to Die
Series = Robin Hood


Caption = A Good Day to Die
Season = 2
Episode = 12
Airdate = 29 December 2007
Production =
Writer = Dominic Minghella
Director = David Evans
Guests =
Prev = Treasure of the Nation
Next = We Are Robin Hood!

"A Good Day to Die" is the twelfth episode of series two of the BBC's new Robin Hood series. It was shown on Saturday 29th December, 2007 as a two-hour episode, incorporating the thirteeth episode, and the second season finale, We Are Robin Hood!

Plot

Much has arranged a birthday surprise for Robin - a party in Nettlestone barn. Unfortunately, the real surprise is the mercenaries awaiting them. Djaq's ingenuity manages to stave off an initial attack with a pig's head stuffed with black powder, but they soon realise that Ellingham will wait until the starving outlaws are forced to emerge.

At the castle, Guy tells Marian that he is going away and refuses to inform her where. She is suspicious that he and the Sheriff are heading for the Holy Land and tries to find Robin at the camp to warn him, but he is not there. She tries to persuade Allan to help her, but when that also fails she knocks him out, steals his sword and takes matters into her own hands. She attempts to kill the Sheriff but is caught. Gisborne is forced to reveal that he knew that Marian was the Nightwatchman. The Sheriff, furious, declares that Marian cannot be left behind to cause trouble and quite delightedly tells her that Robin Hood and his friends will be dead by the time they reach their destination.

Back at the barn, aware that they may not come out of the battle alive, the outlaws share secrets; a Kalila and Dimna Night, suggested by Djaq. Truths tumble out as Djaq and Will confess their love for each other, Little John speaks about his family and Much confesses that he feels unappreciated and misses the days when he and Robin were like brothers. Robin eventually admits that the reason he doesn't talk about his and Much's time in the Holy Land is that Much can handle the memories and Robin cannot. He talks of his love for Marian. The Sheriff and Gisborne head for the Holy Land with Marian as their prisoner. Whilst the Sheriff and Guy sleep, Allan is restless and goes to see Marian, who is locked up in the stables. Allan takes his horse and races off back to Nettlestone to warn the gang of the Sheriff's plans.

As the outlaws prepare to face the mercenaries, Djaq and Will share a kiss. Allan shows up and convinces Ellingham that Gisborne has sent him to collect the prisoners to be interrogated. Halfway through the scheme, Ellingham realises that he's been hoodwinked and the outlaws fight for their lives.

Robin and his gang, including Allan, set off for the Holy Land in order to save Marian and ultimately England.

Cast

*Jonas Armstrong ... Robin Hood
*Lucy Griffiths ... Lady Marian
*Keith Allen ...The Sheriff of Nottingham
*Richard Armitage ... Sir Guy of Gisborne
*Joe Armstrong ... Allan A Dale
*Harry Lloyd ... Will Scarlet
*Anjali Jay ... Djaq
*Sam Troughton ... Much
*Gordon Kennedy ... Little John
*Paul Usher ... Ellingham

Significance of the title

When it is Little John's turn to speak, he is at first reluctant. He eventually admits that he feels guilty for leaving his wife, Alice, and their son. His habit, demonstrated in previous episodes, of saying, "It's a good day to die," stemmed from his belief that he deserved to die for his cowardice and that any day would be good enough.

Throughout series 1 and 2, Much on numerous occasions, most of the time referring to Little Johns "A good day to die", has said "I hate sayings." Ironically creating a saying for himself.

When it is Muchs' turn to speak he comfronts Robin for treating him badly since returning to England. He says that when they first came back from the Holy Land they "were like brothers, brothers in arms..." The reference of 'Brothers in Arms' is used in previous episodes; episode 7 of series 1, in which Allan-A-Dale is reunited with his brother Tom, the episode is called 'Brothers In Arms'. Also in 'Walkabout' of series 2, in the scene where Allan and Will shake hands, Will says to him "Oh, looks like we're brothers in arms again after all."