Network's first Robin of Sherwood boxed set got one of this site's rare maximum ratings, and with pretty much the whole team back for season 2, my hopes - as well as my memories of the original broadcasts - were high for this second set. And, once again, everyone delivers, making this another example of "must-have" British fantasy television.

This includes Network, who have again included the sort of extras that we've come to expect from them, with a commentary track, a decent "making of" documentary and another bunch of out-takes.

Although they've stuck to the broadcast order, one of the advantages of DVD is that it's just as easy to watch them in the more logical order preferred by many fans.

On this basis, the season opens with the two-part The Swords of Wayland (which was actually shown in a feature-length version as the penultimate episode), with guest star Rula Lenska leading a group of satanic nuns attempting to capture the titular swords, one of which is Robin's sword Albion. Both episodes also have a commentary from director Robert Young and producer Paul Knight, which includes some interesting stuff about the inspiration behind the demonic horsemen and the locations, but all too often lapses into silence as the pair end up watching the story rather than commenting on it.

Moving back to disc one, The Lord of Trees was shown third, but fits in better as the second episode. With the Sheriff absent, Gisburne hires Oliver Tobias' band of mercenaries to kill Robin. However, it's also the time of the Blessing, a time during which no blood can be shed, so the outlaws have to rely on cunning to defeat them.

The Prophecy sees Prince John descend on Nottingham with a hooded prisoner. Directed by Herne, Robin leads the outlaws into rescuing him, although they have no idea who he is.

The Sheriff finally returns to Nottingham in The Children of Israel, as he orders Gisburne to help him avoid a debt by orchestrating a riot against the city's Jews. It's good to see Gisburne being used as more than just the Sheriff's lackey in this episode, while viewers of another of HTV's fantasy series might recognise Children of the Stones' Katherine Levy as Sarah.

While The Swords of Wayland used the seven swords that were referred to in the series' first episode, The Enchantment also has ties to Robin and the Sorcerer with the resurrection of Anthony Valentine's Simon de Belleme. Belleme is a slight disappointment, but there's still plenty to enjoy, including Gisburne's rivalry with Ralph of Huntingdon.

Finally, back on disc two, we have The Greatest Enemy, Michael Praed's swansong and one of the finest hours of sci-fi/fantasy television you'll see. With the Sheriff finally making a determined attempt to kill Robin, most of the outlaws are captured in Wickham. Hunted down, Robin, Marion and Much are forced out of Sherwood and this time there's no last-minute rescue. Judi Trott iin particular is excellent in this episode, as Robin gets the hero's death that the character deserved..

With seven episodes, there's less room for extras than last time (especially as the first season box included a bonus disc with the Electric Theatre Show material). The commentary is a little disappointing, but the "Making of" documentary and out-takes are both very enjoyable. A couple of overseas title sequences and a sizeable photo gallery are also included, while there's the option of watching the original mono, dolby surround or music only soundtracks.

If anything, season 2 surpasses season 1 for quality, and although the extras aren't quite as extensive, they're still impressive for a series of this vintage. Once again, this is a "must-have" for any fan of British sci-fi/ fantasy television. BACK TO THE TOP

ROBIN OF SHERWOOD:
SERIES 2

Written by RICHARD CARPENTER

Directed by ROBERT YOUNG,
JAMES ALLEN, ALEX KIRBY

Starring MICHAEL PRAED,
NICKOLAS GRACE, JUDI TROTT,
ROBERT ADDIE, CLIVE MANTLE,
RAY WINSTONE, PHIL ROSE,
MARK RYAN,
PETER LLEWELLYN WILLIAMS,
PHILIP JACKSON

NETWORK VIDEO

CERTIFICATE PG

REGION 0 (PAL)


RATING: 10/10


NEXT:
SERIES 3, PART 1

PREVIOUS:
SERIES 1