-- Guy of Gisborne & Isabella (of Gisborne) Thornton --

What’s With These Two??   Satisfied with the Finale?

(Stands Alone, but also Continues from the last “Giz Kids: Possible History” post)

NOTE: Spoilers for RH S3 –-- Emphasis: Episodes 8 – 13

-- Post # 1 of 2 – (Yes, Really – THANKS, LJ! Grrrrr!)

No I would not give you false hope, 

On this strange and mournful day

But the mother and child sister and bro reunion,

Is only a motion away. -- Paul Simon

“Of course he has a knife, he always has a knife, we all have knives! It's 1183 and we're barbarians! …For the love of God, can't we love one another just a little…We have so much to love each other for. We have such possibilities, my children. We could change the world.”    &    
“What family doesn't have its ups and downs?”

- Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn), “The Lion in Winter” (1968)

“Look at us. The whole sorry family.” – Isabella (of Gisborne) Thornton

The sad thing is, that if at any point, either Guy or Issy had made a genuine attempt at movement in the others’ direction, with a modicum of understanding - not just making assumptions or demanding apologies - they might both be alive, being badass together -- watching each others’ backs, creating some good and some mayhem all around England, and being well-rounded, interesting, take-no-prisoners characters. (Now THAT is an awesome fic. just waiting to happen.) Alas. Oh, Giz Kids. How I truly wish that I could quit you. And, after this, I’ll have to. As soon as this post is done. And will then go off and enjoy AU and Afterlife fics.  And read every one else’s takes, review, etc. on both the Finale and these two. 

Some of this was developed via my comments to various posts during the series, as well as spending way too much time thinking about these characters, especially within the last two episodes. Props and attributions are given to all writers quoted and/or referenced, some of whom are: spikesbint, yorkshirewench, corrielle, endcredits, bookishy, mopphead, fedoralady, applebeing, aoxelfrieda, jedi_of_urth, hulamoth, phadria, caedhe, mrs_tubbs, precious_rosie, starbuck_a_dale, and veritas724 (whose YT vids “If You Only Knew,” “Sir Guy’s Lament” and “Breakable (The Countess)” are, along with her write-up about ficmuse’s amazing and epic Guy/Marian fic.,“The Countess,” what brought me to LJ to begin with. Thanks, Kerry!)  Note: If any of you would like to have your quote/work/name deleted from this post, just send me a PM and let me know, and I’ll do a quick edit.  No worries or questions asked.   Also, I have seen no DVD ‘specials” or read any actors’ interviews beyond the beginning of the season, so any opinions re: their characters aren’t included here. (I could be way off and stratosphere-bound.) As always, I welcome your thoughts & opinions.

***Suggestion: Skim it and grab the chunks / chapters that interest you. Some are only 2-3 paragraphs long. 
Lots of bulleting and bolding should (hopefully) make this all easier to read. 

Part of this is closure for me, to process their deaths, and to let go of two incredibly interesting and well-developed characters, with so much more to offer...and with so many questions still left unanswered. I’ve written…quite a lot, but there are pithy observations, character explorations, as well as plenty of well-earned-snark and -props given throughout, along with judicious amounts (hopefully) of humor. 

I’m perfectly aware that this is a behemoth of a freakin’ tome and a truly ludicrous length for a post.
Grab what you’d like. An LJ-cut  is below.

A/N: I have read no finale reviews by any of you in the past few weeks, carefully squirreling all items away to enjoy after I’d written this, so that I wouldn’t inadvertently lift something. If I have duplicated your efforts/words/thoughts, I apologize in advance and can only say that we’ve arrived at the same conclusions via tapping into the cosmic consciousness…and…ya know… from watching the same series. This includes the wonderful *mopphead,* who I know was working on a Guy/Issy-character exploration, as well as *aceofhadeon*’s work which popped up on my RH/BBC f-list, both of which I promise to read as soon as this is posted. This has taken far longer than anticipated as RL, back-to-back work issues, the holiday, and the series-ending announcement news all took precedence. Go figure, right?

Warning: Various opinionated “Side Notes” occur throughout. Skip at your discretion.  I occasionally swear, as warranted. Fluently. I don’t condone violence in real life…though you may disagree after reading this. (Well…Kate…) Enough disclaimers / suggestions for you?

NOW, the Continuing Saga of…The Giz Kids:

Previously…

In our last exciting foray into the intriguing psyche of two amazing characters, and following the presumption that various series writers were self-medicating, (due to the debacle that was Episode 7 – “Too Hot To Handle”…), we saw Issy, in a fit of self-sabotage, for reasons known only to the gods and the writer, improbably eating Robin’s strawberries (thankfully NOT a euphemism) within potentially full-view of Guy and Prince John, spurring various plot lines and causing all hell to break loose. Issy ended up hating Robin for denying her dream/delusion of ever having a normal life as she defined it, and, being a survivor, tossed in her lot with PJ as the biggest fish in the pond, betraying Guy (who had tried to kill her) in the process.  Guy became the Sheriff for 10 minutes, flipped out at the threat of having his lifelong dream taken away, called PJ a Pretender, and became an outlaw, (while, having discovered shampoo, rocking some fabulous hair. Yes, you may call me shallow. And?)

Guy: As previously defined:

Guy grew up to be a physically strong, desperately insecure, socially-inept man with few friends, no social skills (with only Vaisey to guide him) and an overpowering need for wealth, position, and family social standing at all cost, in an effort to feel secure. Guy doesn’t see this as conflicting in any way with his deep faith and religious beliefs. Not overly bright, yet clever enough to learn, and with some grasp of strategy, insecure Guy is highly defensive, self-protective, and cannot bear to be pushed, or have his actions questioned, and is quick to anger with a violent temper.

With a sense of honor and family responsibility, he cares about what happens to his sister. It is sad and probable that Guy was never fully supported by anyone in his life (excepting his mother, up until his mid-teens), and though continually betrayed by those around him, still clings to the vain hope that someone, someday will stand by him. And found that, briefly, in Meg. Unfortunately, considering his strong family feelings, that person is not, though could have been, Isabella. (RA’s face in the forest when Guy realizes that he’s been betrayed – again? Heartbreaking.) The topic of Guy and the issue of betrayal will be discussed more fully below.

Isabella: As previously defined:

Isabella is clever, beautiful, highly manipulative, intelligent, very resourceful, is also quick to anger, and vicious and violent if she doesn’t get her own way, yet cunningly hides these traits behind a mask of civility.

Ultimately, Isabella is a survivor and if she learned one thing being married to Thornton, it is to always have a backup plan, an out, and an escape route. Over the course of the series she tried to “lock in” Robin via sex, and, possibly, have a fall-guy/Guy, if needed. Machiavellian? Yes. Lessons learned the hard way in her life? Yup. Flinging herself on the mercy of solely one person? No way, not her style. And, from Issy’s history, clearly not a healthy way to stay alive. And she’s still here.

***When Guy and Isabella meet up again as adults, they snap right back into roles that they had had as children, engaging in one-upmanship, and maneuvering, and attempting to align themselves with the most powerful person in the room.***

A Partial Robin Hood Series Theme Emerged: 

Over episodes 8-13, two series themes bubbled up - ironically inside AND (unintentionally, I hope) outside, in the production of the show. 

They are: Family and Missed Opportunities. These two factors are really what the series became all about. 

-- Family -- by blood, by choice, by conviction, and by circumstance. 

-- Missed opportunities -- with family, with individuals, and of loyalty – character-wise, AND missed opportunities by the writes to explore various characters, in-depth. Irony can often be amusing, but in this case was just deeply sad. The series is done, and yet left so many strands dangling and questions unanswered. Guy and Issy are gone, but impossible to forget.  Fic will once again fill in the gaps and the “missing years.” And become canon for many of us. Yeah, fic.!

Episode 10 -- Guy, Issy & Robin’s Backgrounds are Now Canon  (What Little We Got)

-- OR --

Where A MASSIVE Reset Button is PUSHED And Chucks TWO SEASONS / SERIES’ Worth Of Continuity…But It’s Not All Bad.

(Precursor Side Note: There’s some nice work by RA and JA in this episode. I am not a Jonas Armstrong fan – at all – however, I must give him props and say that in the second half of S3 he really stepped up. Good moments here, which were further developed through to the finale. It’s a pity there wasn’t more RA and JA interaction earlier on, as they worked very well together.)

Okay, So What Do We *NOW* KNOW About Guy & Issy’s Background?

1.) Issy and Guy were set upon the road with nothing…NOTHING, other than the clothes on their backs and each other, leaving behind a village which apparently despised them and their family, and where no one was willing to help them. Their lives had changed in minutes.

2.) Guy’s fear? Profound! To be forced to care for himself and Issy – to survive - with nothing. He must have been consumed with fear, had horrendous guilt over causing the fire, and resentment at their circumstances as well as being forced to care for Issy.

3.) Issy was silent. Why? (Silent Hungarian extras help the budget?) But we did learn one major thing… ISSY SAW GUY START THE FIRE! Though she’s never verbalized it, she must blame him for killing their parents, and for forcing a harder life on them, AND THEN LATER for ruining with her life via Thornton. Part of her, on some deeply subconscious levels, MUST profoundly resent him for starting them on this journey. And for her life, now, overall. “Thornton” could simply be the most obvious drum she bangs, and has latched onto – with just cause. However, it’s always easier to blame someone else, especially if there’s a kernel – or more – of truth.  

4.) Malcolm is a total and utter prick!

HE couldn’t bear to see his son’s face filled with shame, so ABANDONS him for 20 YEARS?? And that reasoning works…how? And, more importantly to us, he lets two kids, destined to be his step-children, the children of a woman he professes to love deeply and with whom he shares another son, be tossed out penniless and homeless?? (Proviso: Okay, so he probably was badly burned at first. However, he looked for Archer for 20 years. WHAT ABOUT GUY & ISSY, you jerk!?? You owed them that!)   This one, I’m not laying on Robin, as he was only a child (even if he was an amazingly annoying little git!) Yes, if Robin was so “honorable,” as his father had taught him to be, he could have thought past himself, and could/should have done something for the Guy & Issy; however, as he was a newly orphaned 9-10 year old, on this ONE occasion, I’m giving him a pass. (It won’t be happening again.) The villagers around Robin, and/or THE VILLAGE PRIEST, however….No Excuses! And Malcolm, even injured? NO WAY!)

5.) Once healed, Malcolm let Guy live with the guilt and belief that he had killed his own parents, again FOR 20 YEARS! That kind of guilt is soul-destroying. And the compromises Guy had to make to keep Issy and himself alive? The possibilities are

endless, some of them truly horrible. He was ripe for Vaisey.

Thanks, Malcolm. No wonder your son’s a self-important, egotistical, sanctimonious, arrogant prat, especially as God (or a heaven-residing Mom?) blessed him with a SARACEN bow in a golden shaft of light.  Hmmm…

Theological Side Note: What does THAT say about the Crusades? That God is REALLY on the Saracen’s side? HA! Thanks for the unintended amusement & irony, show.

Why Does Issy Hate Robin So Much Now?

Some folks have wondered why Isabella is so virulently anti-Robin now, to the point of madness. Is she just unhinged in general? Well, yes, she and Guy are both a tad off to begin with; however, for me, the S.S. Robin/Issy started to flounder in ep. 7, with his “rejection,” then horribly ran aground in ep. 9. This is also the episode where Kate moves from annoying to reprehensible.

Frankly, I’m with Issy on this one. I can see why she would start to absolutely loathe Robin. Rarely have I ever felt such anger towards a fictional character. Let’s review Robin’s actions, shall we? 

Robin’s used to coming into Vaisey’s bedroom, and waking him up for chats. Vaisey’s odd little “pillow-talk/I-actually-fancy-you” sessions. Fine. Not so fine, however, when it’s a woman. And a woman, who, it turns out, is reduced to a quivering mass, verging on hysteria, when in the presence of her husband, Thornton, from whom she had run away. A husband who is clearly physically, sexually and psychologically abusive…a fact that Robin also witnesses first-hand, in addition to seeing to Isabella’s abject terror. Later, Issy calls Robin on his bedroom-issued threats. He had called it “working together,” when it was, in fact, forcing her to do his bidding. Bravo! FINALLY someone calls Robin on his B.S. and behavior! Robin, having captured Thornton, idiotically sends him off as a prisoner, with an old man to guard him, and assumes that’s the end of things. So much for the much vaunted Robin Hood-strategy/planning we’re supposed to admire. 

But it is at the end of the episode, when Robin’s utter hypocrisy and sanctimonious attitudes are insupportable. Thornton returns, corners Isabella, and is about to rape/strangle her on her own bed. Issy, SAVING HERSELF, stabs and kills Thornton. Robin arrives, too late to have saved her. And in the most blatant line of utter stupidity, calls it her “first murder.” WHAT???

I am not condoning violence or murdering ones husband/ spouse/ partner/ or lover, but frankly, from what the writer gave us, this was clearly justified self-defense. As justified, frankly, as would have been Issy smacking Robin across the face at this point. Hard! F. U., Robin! And what would Robin have done, if he’d gotten there in time, hmmm? Right.  A supremely interesting reaction, considering Robin’s complete abandonment of his much vaunted “only killing when necessary” moral high ground, as he’s now shooting guards, and jailors, etc. IN THE BACK, at close range, with his own men right there to back him up. And yet, he has the gall to call a physically small woman, killing in self-defense, a murderer. Oh show.

Is this the kind of double-standard that you are preaching during a pre-watershed “family show?” Bravo, BBC & Tiger Aspect, hypocrisy begins at home. Frankly, the parents of a snotty 9-year-old should worry more about what this kind of message is teaching their son, rather than a few random snogs. (Excuse me, but this part - of this episode - makes me grind my teeth and devolve into a 5-year old, with a need to bite.)

To hammer home the point of Issy newfound, intrinsic evilness (oh show, show!), it is at this stage that Issy’s wardrobe fully achieves “black widow” status – you know --for having DEVOURED her husband -- black with triangles of red, at the lapels, collar or lining. Bravo and props, kick-ass Costumer Supreme, for brilliant subtlety and not needing to go with the oh-so-obvious hour-glass designs, and for an entire season of gorgeous and character-sensible costumes! Lara Pulver absolutely rocks everything she wears, and I find myself freeze-framing for a fashion moment, to check out the details. Yes, from the serious to the superficial…I want those clothes! (So I’m girlie. Yes, I have costume-envy. I love her dresses and actively crave the blue, purple and black outfits. According to this show, I am clearly on the “dark side.” And?)

Isabella’s hatred, and real fear at the hands of Robin, continues to escalate. I think part of this is due to having been vulnerable with him, having trusted him and having the dreams she’d shared thrown back into her face. She had probably clung to those dreams/ delusions of a normal life for a long time, through the hell of living with Thornton. She may have even retreated into those dreams, or used them to anchor herself, to make her life with him bearable. And considering the man we’ve now met, I would not be surprised if she, with the help of a wise woman, had used herbs to induce one or more miscarriages if she found herself pregnant, resolving to never bring a child of Thornton’s into the world. In this way she’d also keep a modicum of power and control over her life, while simultaneously spiting him. But which left her still longing for children.

For a brief, completely unrealistic moment, she saw her dream happening, only to have it taken away, leaving her once again, bitterly disappointed. She finally realized that she’d have to make her life into something else. And CHOOSE to take a different path. To keep despising Robin for having “lead her on” and to make him pay – with the added bonus of having that very thing sanctioned by PJ. To have Robin join up with her hated brother, clearly threw her. But whatever fears/experiences from the past fueled Isabella, she was now unafraid of taking matters into her own hands. If she failed, PJ would have her replaced or killed. She had nothing to lose. She was paranoid about Guy and Robin’s new alliance, and in the long term, SHE WAS RIGHT!

Issy Wants To Kill Robin

Rarely has a face revealed the corrosive hatred in a character’s soul, so completely.

I was mesmerized watching, as Lara Pulver fearlessly makes one of the ugliest faces I have ever seen on an actress, and in so doing, fully reveals the depths of Isabella’s semi-madness and genuine hatred of Robin, viciously and gleefully telling how she has bested him and how he will die. The throat-cutting gesture was an added bonus. And for once, as a villain is explaining something to the hero AFTER they have done it, not before, a la James Bond, I didn’t mind. And a dying Guy confirmed it. And it surprised me, which I liked! Short, concise and so very well done. Bravo, Lara!

Issy’s Catfight With Kate – Ep. 12

An Utterly Gratuitous Wimpy, Girlie, Slap-Fest, Where I Admit I Yelled “Deck Her!” More Than Once. Regarding…Guess Who?

Oh, please, Issy just pull a blade and shank her!  Before she screeches a second time. Yikes! Guess my Kate/Over-The-Top/Shoved-Down-Our-Throats/Beyond-Annoyance all-season build-up is apparent, hmmm? (Please don’t get me started. The screaming will be deafening and never stop. (“Like the lambs, Clarisse…?”).)  

(Please Note: None of the following is directed at Joanne F.) Essentially I have tried to give Kate chances, no matter how annoying I found her; However, Kate never took responsibility for being culpable in her (insanely stupid) brother’s death, yet she banged on about it endlessly,  her continued petty jealousies were inane, and her behavior towards Much was nasty and insupportable.  (The fact that she came through in the last episode, does not make up for an entire series worth of whining and annoyingly written behavior. Too little, too late.) But, when she urged Robin to allow Thornton to kill Isabella, because she “didn’t deserve to be saved,” so that the gang could get the treasure and because Kate was jealous? Finishing with the “I told you so” scene? NO! Nausea-inducing and gross. “Scrufulous Skank,” indeed!! (thanks,*fedoralady*)

 Guy’s Still Protective of Issy // Issy’s Sentencing – or “I’m Not as Whipped as I Look”

*Corrielle* and I discussed these scenes quite a bit. Is Guy unusually protective of Issy here? Why were we both getting this impression? I think it's because a few things are going on.

1.) There are some unfortunate small continuity breaks in the scene where Robin is accusing Isabella and spouting... watch RA. At some points he's close to Issy, arms crossed, and in other scenes, sometimes farther back, arms down. Different vibe in each pose. When his arms are crossed (self-protective? been-in-her-place? A defense against "the people?") and he looks down as they cheer against her, it’s as if he doesn't want to witness Isabella's shame and almost feels bad for her. Corri thought that perhaps Guy was embarrassed at the Gisborne name being besmirched. I think any or all could be true.

2.) Then, Guy to Issy: "move...MOVE!" could be taken as "Keep up with Robin! Get to the gate. We DON'T want to be caught in a mob of this rabble. It could get ugly." Or he could just be sure she doesn't get away, and wanted to find out what was going on.

3) After the “delivery” of Allan's body to the front gate, after "Close the gates!," when Guy pulls his sword - that's purely reflex, a deeply-trained reaction to danger. No one is close enough to be a threat. (Personally, I thought it was too early, but...) 

After the "Man the Battlements!" yell, there is a bit (which is almost funny) where Guy again, in what I think is a purely subconscious gesture (conscious to RA – of course), extends his sword defensively outwards (NO ONE'S CLOSE, GUY!) and pulls Issy along (who's in front of him) so that she's BEHIND THE SWORD. That can only be one thing. Protective.

My thoughts? I think no matter what, Guy still can't let that family feeling go. At his core, in his guts, he's still that fearful 15-17 year old, protecting his homeless little sister. It's a primary, unshakeable, instinctive reaction. I've talked about how when Issy came back into his life, they both snapped back into patterns established in childhood. I think that this is what happened here. Ultimately, Guy may hate her, but "protecting family" is almost too deeply ingrained for him to break training. Which, of course, will put him at odds with himself if / when he's actually in a position to kill her.

Did Issy Really Plan/Set-up Guy in the Tunnel? What Did She Know, And When?

In a word, NO.  Issy is a survivor, processed what was happening, and ran with opportunity. This is how I see it all going down from her viewpoint…

- Blamire left, saying she didn’t get the big picture, and to “deliver Gisborne to the tunnel.” Huh?

- Issy is sentenced, as “Isabella of Gisborne!” Not “of Thornton.” Why? So Robin can shame Guy? (I don’t think so. They’re buds now. I have a theory – more later).

- Issy may LOOK defeated and subdued – a trait I believe she cultivated as Thornton’s wife, in order to survive -- while still being aware of what was going on, and continuing to process events happening around her. (Note the eyes).

- At the gate, she sees the army and the Sheriff, with Blamire riding out to meet him. (When Blamire says “the plan is in place,” to Vaisey,  I think it has nothing to do with Issy, and instead means “all parties are within the castle walls & it’s ready to be taken.”)

- She hears the panic in Guy’s voice with “Close the Gates!,” etc. (i.e. Dad’s alive, he’s home, and he’s ticked).

- She’s dragged back inside – all the while continuing to convincingly look subdued and withdrawn. 

- Vaisey, brings up Issy under the Flag of Truce, with Robin and Guy, because Blamire has kept him informed about her, and sees a potential minor-level ally. And perhaps it’s Vaisey’s secondary way of alerting Isabella. How? He knows how Guy thinks. (Our Guy is a tad predictable at times). He knows that Guy will react violently when hearing that Vaisey’s trying to save Issy. And he knows that Guy will jump to conclusions and confront her, thereby “alerting” her. Clever. (If planned and not merely my presumption.)

- Swiftly stomping into her cell, Guy backhands her across the face – the type of blow dealt to an enemy.  I was a bit surprised at the brutality of it, but considering he’s been saying he wanted to kill her over how many episodes? And, considering Guys’s adrenaline and ramped up fear-level, this violence should not have been surprising. Still…pre-watershed? Show, I really don’t think you know WHAT you want to be when you grow up. (A bit late now.) Issy stares him down. And - ironically – tells the truth. She DIDN’T know that the Sheriff was alive. But she’s putting it all together now… (More about the dungeon scene later).

- She has to get out, so kills the guard, finds a cloak to semi-disguise herself and recons.

- Crossing the courtyard, Survivor Issy, pauses and verifies the probable winning side. The King imprisoned + no army coming = the Sheriff wins. And runs inside, with all she needs to know.

- Issy couldn’t be clear about the timing, but knew that the Sheriff would come to the tunnel eventually, and she had seen the effects of the Byzantine Fire.

- It took no real imagination to realize that the Sheriff would blast through his own tunnel, (Blamire would tell Vaisey that she had blocked it), to achieve a 2-pronged assault into the castle, as he had more then enough men for such a plan. And Vaisey had already essentially told her so, via Blamire’s “deliver Gisborne to the tunnel.” 

- So, all she had to do was to get Guy down there and to delay long enough for Vaisey to get through. Inciting Guy was risky, but…..

- When the tunnel blew, she knew they were through and her keeping Guy busy would only be a holding action. And the chance to get in some last digs, such as “You loved me once, brother.” Which Guy clearly does, dropping his head in shame – I don’t think at himself, but rather at the place to which they have BOTH have been led. And the sorrow in that knowledge. And, perhaps, in disappointment with himself, in the perceived weakness that after everything, he does love her still. Pick an emotion. They’re all there.

When Vaisey turns up, Guy MISTAKENLY thinks it’s Issy’s plan, not Vaisey’s, giving her a back-handed compliment. Why does Vaisey save Issy? Vaisey recognizes another potentially useful Gisborne tool – who will be indebted to him for having freed her. (Note Vaisey’s “I made you!” yell, as he’s attacking Guy – as well as Keith Allen’s excellent, uncharacteristically understated, “He’s mine” delivery, just prior.)

However, this time I think Vaisey overestimates himself and has seriously misjudged the situation. He has no idea what Isabella is about or what makes her tick. At first, he probably thinks he can use her, learn what buttons to push, etc. He even starts barking commands at her, with “No time for sentiment!” as they’re passing Guy’s body.

 However, ISSY IS NOT GUY! Which Vaisey doesn’t realize as he’s only known her for one episode before he was “killed,” and had little interaction with her then.  I have no doubt that in the future – had they survived – Vaisey would have attempted to terrorize her, thinking he’d have the upper hand, just before Issy, reacting through Thornton-taught experience, inserted a dagger between his ribs. Successfully this time. And achieving what her brother had not. Bye, Bye, Vaisey.

UST: Issy & Guy - The Dungeon Cell Scene

Guy & Issy’s scene in the dungeon? Awesome!

The ebbs and flows of emotion. The changes of beats and direction. This scene was a microcosm, distilling everything about both of them, and where they’d both come, into a mini-play.

It crackled with tension, and creepiness. But why?  My theory: BOTH of them have MASSIVE amounts of UST -- with EVERYONE.  CONSTANTLY.  And inanimate objects. And growing things. Witness: Guy tied to yet another tree. (I think the tree was happy.)  Richard Armitage has chemistry with almost everyone with whom he works, but Guy could have UST with the castle wall. As does Issy. And with that much UST coming off of both of them in waves? Of course the room/scene would crackle…and considering its them, be disturbingly real. And kind of creepy.

Side Note: I would so love to be a fly on the wall, when Richard Armitage opens up a new script. And calls the writers, again, while flipping through it.:  “Hi! Yeah, about the next episode….Yeah…Restrained AGAIN? Really? Who by THIS time? Guards? Not to a tree this week? Good! Soooo…bound and gagged in bed. At Locklsey. Uh huh. By Issy? As a present for PJ? Really?? (sighs). This IS supposedly still a pre-watershed, “family show,” right?... Really? (sighs again) Oh alright then, if I must…” Poor Richard. (heh)  

When it’s all said and done, for all of his plotting, and snarling, Guy can’t kill his sister. He’ll aid others in getting there, but is incapable of doing it himself. And lord knows he’s tried. Time and again. And it’s NOT simply similarities to Marian, or even guilt over Marian’s death, that stays his hand. It’s two things: the love of his mother, and deeply ingrained bonds of family. The concept of “Family” (lineage, background), the good and bad done to them, the ties that bind, and what has to be done to preserve them, contribute greatly to what drives Guy. All of this training/ behavior/ responsibility has been fully brought into the present, then crystallized further after the revelations about his past in ep. 10. 

And so he does what he can. And even with her impending death, seeks to protect her. He sees her ultimate fate as inevitable, but rather than let her be publically humiliated and executed, or have her torn apart by an angry mob, he gives her the supreme gift of putting her fate into her own hands. And allows her to choose her own time. A gift which she cannot/ will not see. He even goes so far as to caution her about how to use the poison, precisely so that she WON’T SUFFER ANY PAIN. Given the circumstances, and the mindset of the times, this is a supremely merciful act. And one of which Robin would surely disapprove. Or maybe not. As Robin just wants her dead.

And Isabella finally realizes the truth about Guy. And so is safe in taunting him. From being in the forest cuffed with Robin, to threatening her with a sword at Locksley, when he wouldn’t strike even with the blade to her throat, forcing her to ask, “What’s wrong with you?,” he finally admits it openly to her, in the dungeon scene, that “there’s too much blood on my hands.” Okay, so some of that is obviously Marian’s blood – thank you heavy-handed show. But that is NOT the only reason. She is the last family he has…barring Archer. He can’t strike her down. After all, WWMD – “What Would Mother / Mum / Mere Do?” Or say? Or think, for that matter? Issy is protected…by blood.

Personally, I was worried that Guy giving Issy the poison, would result in him having handed her his death on a platter. Or rather, in a vial. No fighting man/warrior’s death should be the result of something as insidious as poison. It should be by the sword, in battle. (Or…well…after a rousing “session” in one of the castle’s numerous bedrooms. “Warrior” can be defined numerous ways.) In any case, if one defines a warrior’s death this way, it makes both Robin and Guy’s ends very interesting. Because Guy’s was a warrior’s death, and Robin’s really wasn’t. 

Side Note: For all the banging of the Crusades drum, Robin does not die a (classic) warrior’s death. To me. A hero’s death? Yes, perhaps. You may disagree.

Back to the Dungeon Cell: At the mention of Mom, Issy deflates. She really does appear to revere her mother. They both do. And Guy is simply stating the truth of both their current states with, “there’s precious little of her goodness left in either of us.”

Isabella, reminded of the past, in that moment is once again his little sister, having her hair stroked.  Facing the possibility of death, desperate to be held and protected by her big brother, she clings to him as he’s leaving the cell and calls after him. She still wants his love…and that connection. (And it’s all so sad, I could just weep. Sorry. Moving on…)

Costume Note: Issy’s costume is now purple again – back down from the black. Is this because she is out of power? Or because it was easier to photograph in the lowlight dungeon/tunnel scenes? Or am I perceiving it this way, due to the way the scene is lit?

Issy Wants To Kill Guy

Issy can’t look at Guy and kill him herself. Granted, some of this may be fear at his greater size and strength; however, she really can’t look at his face and do it. So, she either uses an intermediary, such as an executioner, or considers killing him when he’s unconscious on the forest floor, and only succeeds, stabbing him in the back, when someone else has struck the truly fatal blow.

(Interestingly enough, until the very end, when forced, Guy couldn’t look at Vaisey and kill him either. Stabbing him in the back, or under a burning church – okay. But it isn’t until the very end, when pushed, in self-defense, that he finally stabs Vaisey in the…chest? And even though they’ve been fighting like dogs, looks a bit taken aback at what he’s done.)

Back to Issy - For me, as I discussed with *mopphead,* that is what Isabella finally stabbing Guy really is - largely symbolic. The ultimate familial betrayal. Painful, wounding, but the closing of a circle. Nothing more or less. A quite literal knife-in-the-back, to balance out what she felt had been done to her. Issy finally truly "wounded" her brother as she felt she had been wounded. The poison was gone, having been only “a few drops,” used up in the transference to Robin's wound. For me, the true killing blow was Vaisey's. Issy's blow? Plot-completion. And character closure. Her emotional state, of course, is something else.

Issy, the Sheriff and Blamire, et al, lead the troops through the tunnel and see Guy’s dead body. I think Issy sees him and it registers, as she clearly stops in her tracks, but I think she’s in semi-shock. Anger / Regret / Shock? To have a goal that one has planned for, and wanted so long -- finally achieved -- I think it’s still not real for her, even when he’s lying in front of her. (This is very similar to the oddly neutral look Guy has after receiving the Sheriff of Nottingham keys from PJ…at first blissful happiness and the realization of a dream…followed by….what? The realization that, “now that I’ve achieved what I’ve fought for – what’s next?” or “Was it worth it?” Possibly.)  

Side Note: It’s interesting that the show lingers for quite awhile on Blamire’s reaction shot looking down on Guy’s body…seeing where he himself will end up, perhaps?  With more awareness and life experience in this area than Issy? But Blamire, while arguably a better Lieutenant in some ways than Guy, still shows a major flaw. He KNEW of Issy’s tunnel trap and never bothered to go down and look at it. Investigate. Knowing of Vaisey’s plan. Not anticipating this alternate route being used, despite STATING THE “Deliver Guy…” MESSAGE TO ISSY! No basic recon. No contingency plan prep.? FAIL, Blamire! So, he and Vaisey had to take time, and see that it was blocked, and set charges, (the medieval equivalent) and blow it up. Survey says? Vaisey STILL can’t find good help!

Vaisey is already barking commands, expecting his “new Gisborne” to jump. Which she does…for now. But once in the great hall, Issy realizes the implications of the Byzantine Fire at the same time – OR BEFORE - Vaisey does – and watches him for his reaction. Bye, Bye,  Isabella. Maybe Mom can come for you now. And you can find some peace.

Continued in Post #2

Guy & Issy: T*A*L*K To Each Other, Damn It!,

Betrayal;  Meg; Tuck;  Guy’s Redemption Arc & Demise;

A Wee Bit o’ Archer;  Lots of Recommendations and Links,  etc.

See you there!