Lara Pulver in Robin Hood 3.13

Potential spoilers below.

So, the big finale. I had done my best to avoid spoilers although I had read that both Jonas and Armitage would be leaving the show.

What we have is an episode that on one hand finishes the story and on the other hand it starts a new chapter. (I'm assuming the show will return, but what do I know.)

In short Robin, Guy and the Sheriff don't look like they will be returning. And I would assume that Isabella was also standing a little too close to the Byzantine fire, but fingers crossed that she survived.

In the end Isabella did turn into a boo-hiss type villain. I had been hoping that she would show a little bit of subtle horror at the path she was taking, a little bit of remorse after stabbing Guy or scratching Robin with the poison blade. Lara is clearly a good enough actress to show that.

Right now I don't feel like doing the whole screen grab type image thing so here's a photo of Isabella in episode 3.13. Note the poison bottle around her left wrist!



Ah, Lara looks nice with her hair down...

Lara Pulver in Robin Hood 3.12

I've decided not to go overboard with the screen grab type images for this episode. Below are a representative sample of Lara in the penultimate episode.

Isabella survives this episode. Fingers crossed that she survives the series.

Lara Pulver in Robin Hood 3.11

I had a break last week due to Lara not being in the "flashback" episode of Robin Hood. Now she's back so normal service has been resumed.

This week Isabella hunts Robin and Guy who have headed off to York to rescue their shared half-brother Archer.

Archer turned out to be a bit of a "scoundrel" in true Han Solo mold. One assumes he will become the new Robin when Jonas leaves the show.

One of my favourite moments was when they are looking for Archer in the cell to rescue him. "I'm Archer!" "I'm Archer!" say all the prisoners in perhaps a nod to Spartacus.

Now here are the screen grab type images of my favourite Sheriff, Isabella...

Lara Pulver in Robin Hood 3.09

Another strong episode this week, and one that could be subtitled "Isabella Turns to the Dark Side".

It's Isabella's first day as Sheriff. She gets off to a good start and frees a girl called Meg who didn't want to marry any of the chinless wonders her father had lined up for her. Isabella obviously makes a connection with the girl. Then Isabella announces the forthcoming execution of her brother Guy.

Then enter Thornton, Isabella's bad husband. You can tell he's bad because at various points in the episode he chases her, makes her cry, makes her dig for gold coins in a burial mound and grabs her face roughly.

Isabella is rescued by Robin and promises she'll support King Richard and give him the gold if he gets rid of Thornton. However later she discovers that Robin has eyes for Kate. After being terrorised by Thornton she decides that Robin's deal is another threat hanging over her and double-crosses him. She is so wary of being betrayed that she also condemns the Meg to death for trying to free Gisborne.

Robin's intervenes and Gisborne and Meg escape the execution, although Meg is mortally wounded.

Thornton returns and Isabella kills him, her "first murder" as Robin calls it. By the end of the episode Isabella is dressed in suitably dark clothes and promising vengeance on Robin.

Lara Pulver does another terrific job with this episode. She dominates the screen in her journey to the dark side.

Special mention of Holliday Grainger who did a good job playing Meg. Most of her scenes were shared with Richard Armitage in the cells. Her character appears pivotal in at least partially rehabilitating Gisborne.

Now here are 36 screen grab type images of Lara...

Not happy to see Thornton

Making the deal with Robin

Realising Meg has betrayed her

Giving Robin the "gold"

At the executuion

Thornton returns