DOCTOR WHO Stops Off In "Sherwood"

Article first published as 'Doctor Who' Review - 'Robot of Sherwood' on Blogcritics.

In this week’s installment of the BBC’s Doctor Who, Clara (Jenna Coleman) asks The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) if she can meet Robin Hood. Despite The Doctor’s insistence that Robin is merely a legend, the TARDIS does manage to take the duo right to the mythological outlaw in Sherwood Forest, circa 1190-ish. The Doctor is immediately suspicious, and as they poke around this new world, soon discover that not all may be as it seems.

I have to admit, “Robot of Sherwood” disappoints me, primarily, because it goes beyond the conceivable. As The Doctor says, Robin Hood is a character, not a real person. Yet, they find him intact right where the story says he should be. Not only is Robin (Tom Riley, DaVinci’s Demons) present, but he’s accompanied by his pals Little John (Rusty Goffe, Stupid), Friar Tuck (Trevor Cooper), Alan-a-dale (Ian Hallard, An Adventure in Space and Time), and Will Scarlett (Joseph Kennedy, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll). They are the spitting image of the Merry Men in the novel, and their nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingtham (Ben Miller, Primeval), invites them to an archery contest that unfolds exactly as one familiar with Robin Hood remembers.

Now, Doctor Who frequently pushes the boundaries of reality, and that is part of its charm. That is, as long as the explanation fits, sticking to the rules of the franchise. My problem is that something matching the fictional work so well should not exist on its own. Either there should be significant differences, the legend distorted over the years, or an alien or technological explanation that might have created this world. Neither ends up being the case.

To rub salt in the wound, The Doctor is intent on proving exactly what I’ve stated in the preceding paragraph, and he does indeed find a robot army led by the Sheriff. These guys have the Robin Hood tale in their computer banks, and are mimicking the story. This would be fine if the robots were behind everything, but in the end, Robin and his fellows are completely real, even if the Sheriff’s men are not. That’s just too much to stomach, even for fans of the spacey-wacey, timey-wimey stuff.

There are a couple of cool parts in “Robot of Sherwood.” While flashing through the various Robin Hood incarnations within the robots’ computer, viewers may catch a glimpse of Patrick Troughton (the Second Doctor) among the images, as he once played Robin Hood. The computer also makes mention of Missy’s promised land, though the woman herself is nowhere to be seen. These references are neat for the sharp-eyed, but not nearly enough to distract from the bad plot.

I also enjoy some of the dialogue and jokes. The Doctor and Robin’s attempts to one-up each other are amusing, The Doctor clearly being jealous of the way Clara sees Robin. Robin and The Doctor’s sword / spoon duel is fun, and the bickering in the jail cell works well, too. If the story were a little better thought-out with a conclusion that makes sense, “Robot of Sherwood” could be a fun romp, even if it falls short of the greatness Doctor Who can be. But alas, without a good ending, it leaves the whole thing feeling flat and weak.

In the end, what we’re left with is a stand-alone fantasy that might please children, but will neither stand up to the test of time nor satisfy the fans looking for Doctor Who‘s next epic journey. The series is wont throw in episodes like this from time to time, and usually they are at least middling in quality, but this one borders on unwatchable. “Robot of Sherwood” is not unprecedented, but that isn’t exactly a point in its favor. Hopefully, the show will get back on track next week.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

Plagued By Da Vinci's Demons

Article first published as DA VINCI'S DEMONS Review at Seat42F.

Grade: 84%

Starz is launching a new series this week called DA VINCI’S DEMONS. Yes, that title refers to the famous artist and dreamer Leonardo Da Vinci. But rather than seeing an old, brilliant man, as most screen portrayals of the character have been, DA VINCI’S DEMONS picks up early in the figure’s life, when he is in his mid-twenties.

It makes sense that Starz would want this show to be young and sexy, just like its lead. While some networks might try for historical accuracy at least a little, DA VINCI’S DEMONS fits perfectly into the mold of a network that knows that skin and violence sell. What we get here is no boring retelling of events, but a larger than life, adrenaline-racing mix of mystery, magic, politics, and outsize personalities.

Da Vinci (Tom Riley, Monroe) himself is tortured by his incredible mind, and knows he is every bit as smart as he think he is. He does what he wants, when he wants, and has little regard for rules or societal norms, which offends many. He looks down on everyone, and is plenty willing to use and manipulate people to meet his goals, hoping his charm will save him from the consequences.

This doesn’t always work, of course. His chief detractor in the pilot, called “The Hanged Man,” is Da Vinci’s own father. Da Vinci is a bastard, and his dad resents what Leonardo is doing to his family’s reputation. Having recently fathered a legitimate heir, Da Vinci’s maker is not at all above chaining and beating his own son. Obviously, this takes daddy issues to a whole new level, and I don’t see any resolution between the pair ever happening.

But Da Vinci’s dad is small potatoes, when there is so much more at stake. “The Hanged Man” begins with the Duke of Milan (Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey) being assassinated, which throws the delicate balance between the lands, including Florence, where Da Vinci lives, into disarray. Da Vinci is determined to take advantage of the situation, tricking his way into an audience with Florence’s leader, Lorenzo Medici (Elliot Cowan, Alexander), and getting himself hired as a military engineer.

One might think that Da Vinci would be satisfied with having such a position, but of course he’s not, tempting fate by taking up with Medici’s mistress, Lucrezia Donati (Laura Haddock, The Inbetweeners Movie). This is the obligatory sex piece of the episode, as, because this is pay cable, there must be nudity.

Honestly, I feel like all of this is enough for a show. We’ve got the battles and the betrayals, a promise of action and war surrounding our protagonist, and plenty of plot. Yet, DA VINCI’S DEMONS doesn’t stop there, also bringing the Vatican and Pope Sixtus IV (James Faulkner, Bridget Jones’s Diary) into the mix, who has secret files. And there is a mystical group, represented by the mysterious Al-Rahim (Alexander Siddig, Star Trek: Deep Space 9) searching for the so-called Book of Leaves, which supposedly contains lost knowledge of humanity.

On top of that, I’ve only gotten around to mentioning less than half of the main cast so far in my outlining of the story, so there are many minor things going on, too, that flesh out this world into a very complete, very busy place.

Yes, all of this makes for a very full, very exciting story. But it also presents a tad bit of a problem. If all of the things portrayed in DA VINCI’S DEMONS really happened, surely Leonard Da Vinci not only was a genius in his own right, but also contributed to a huge global power struggle, and likely helped save the world. This is not something that could possibly be covered up over the centuries, and so these additional plots basically toss any sense of historical fact right out of the window.

That being said, it is doubtful that the target viewer of this series is looking to learn about the past. This is going to appeal to the lovers of other Starz shows, like Spartacus, and it’s also kind of a more adult version of the British series Merlin. As such, most people who would watch will be satisfied with the impressive special effects, bare breasts, and scenes of posturing between powerful men.

Speaking of the effects, Starz has spared no expense. There are several visual treats in “The Hanged Man” alone, and none are flawed. The computer-generated magic is as good as the real magic within the story, and there’s little chance that viewers will be taken out of the experience because of them. Rather, they enhance the show.

Overall, while a little disappointed that the portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci isn’t more accurate, I did find DA VINCI’S DEMONS to be highly entertaining and worth watching. I don’t know if it will be any luckier than Starz’s short-live Camelot, but it seems to have taken that concept and kicked it up a notch, so it certainly has a chance. The acting isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s serviceable for the purpose. And the total package satisfies.

DA VINCI’S DEMONS premieres Friday, April 12th at 10 p.m. ET.

Monroe Series 1 on DVD tomorrow

Already missing FOX's House? Well, then I have the series for you! Monroe, a British show about a genius, flawed, ego-driven neurosurgeon who goes by the same name as the series, comes to DVD in the United States tomorrow. Six episodes long, a second series has already been commissioned.

Monroe (James Nesbitt, Murphy's Law, Cold Feet) is a complex character. He is described by ITV as "a brilliant and unusual neurosurgeon – a flawed genius who never lets anyone forget his flaws or his genius." It's an accurate description. The man who works on brains is awfully proud of his own, but that doesn't mean that he completely understands it. He clashes with others constantly, not one to abide by the rules everyone else must follow, and has a very hard time being a good father and husband. Surely, someone as smart as Monroe realizes personal relationships are just as important as the work that he does.

Nesbitt brings a fantastic, nuanced talent to the part. In the title role, he really captures what it is that makes the lead character tick, even if it isn't always obvious to himself. A show like Monroe needs a strong actor to head it, and this one has such a man in spades. If nothing else, watch Monroe for the great performance given by Nesbitt.

Humorous and dramatic, with a fair amount of warmth as well, Monroe ventures deeper into the personal lives of those involved than most medical shows. It's clear that a career in such a demanding, competitive field would have an effect at home, as well as at work. Now, we get to see those consequences.

Susan Lynch (From Hell, Bodies) plays Monroe's wife, Anna, while Perry Millward (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer) is son Nick. These two really help give a more rounded view of the doctor, showcasing what life is like for his loved ones. Unlike House, whom Monroe will be endlessly compared to, Monroe isn't a loner, exactly. He has a family. Just what kind of family man will someone like this be? Not a good one, of course, but you'll have to watch the DVD to find out the specifics!

Monroe is also surrounded by a slew of others at the hospital, too, played by some very talented actors. Of particular note is Dr. Jenny Bremner (Sarah Parish, Hatfields & McCoys, Mistresses), a heart surgeon that is a frequent subject of discord with Monroe. Not that Bremner has it all together, either. Dr. Daniel Springer (Luke Allen-Gale, The Promise) is a wonderful source of laughs, especially when battling theater nurses or losing patients, literally. Tom Riley (I Want Candy, Lost in Austen), Manjinder Virk (The Arbor), Christina Chong (Johnny English Reborn), Thomas Morrison (Brideshead Revisited), Michelle Asante (London Boulevard), and Liz Hume Dawson (4 O'Clock Club) fill out the cast, each appearing in all six episodes.

Of course, with any doctor, there are going to be patients. It won't be hard to guess that Monroe isn't exactly an easy communicator with the people who need his help. Each episode brings various guest stars across his path, with differing results. Monroe isn't heartless, but he isn't in tune with feelings, either. So the result is a complex interaction, which makes for better entertainment, and feels more realistic. The lead character is not a stereotype, but rather, a great character study of a specific type of man.

Monroe Series 1 is presented on two discs, in 16:9 widescreen ratio, with stereo sound. Considering that the show aired just last year, it's a shame that there isn't more done to pump up the visual and auditory aspects of the series. Is this the way it aired in Britain? If so, it's regrettable. There are also no bonus features, which is a real shame. It's lucky that the episodes are good and not readily available any other way in the States, because that is all the DVD has to go on. Perhaps this isn't unusual for our friends across the pond, but for an American buyer, this release feels stripped down and empty.

Still, as I said, the show is good, so check it out. Monroe Series 1 goes on sale tomorrow from Acorn Media.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published as Monroe Series 1 on DVD tomorrow on TheTVKing.com.