Robin Hood

Robin Hood is either getting worse, or failing in its attempts to do interesting things with the characters. Because Isabella has such great potential, but she's so flat. With her being the big evil from here on in (dear Prince John having retreated to London), it's going to take some major re-jiging of the plot, because she just doesn't chew scenery as well as PJ or the Sheriff.

Also, interestingly, events of the last episode have moved Guisburne towards what he could have been at the end of last series. Even if the basic moral of the story appears to be Guisburne can never be happy. I think they've done the right thing giving him all the major dramatics because Jonas Armstrong cannot do the major dramatics, but he can do light and fluffy.

By the by, Robin, stealing your best friend's girl is wrong. And Kate, how could you! (She asked Much to tell Robin it was okay for Robin to go out with her, knowing that Much adores her.) Much then tries to run away from home, all very Gromit in the Wrong Trousers, and ends up saving the day. What on Earth do you see in Robin, Kate?

Other than that, Robert Pugh acted his socks off, Toby Stephens appears to enjoy playing a pantomime villain, the Archbishop of Canterbury is made of awesome and Thorton is a suitably nasty piece of work.

They seem to have stuffed a lot into the last two episodes, if only to allow Isabella to make her three allignment turns per episode (seriously, it's like Stephanie McMahon but more so).

( Why Isabella should be an interesting character )

We're still left with at least 4 sides to every plot (Robin's, Guy's, Isabella's, PJ's and possible the villain of week) which tends to lead to over-complication.

Also, if there's a sillier scene than Guisburne infiltrating the church on TV this year, I will be deeply shocked.

Sarah Jane Adventures (Pilot and Revenge of the Slitheen)

These were both actually really good. I enjoyed myself immensely. Mostly because they appeared to have hired child actors who could act, and writers who could not only write snappy plots, but also the parts for said child actors. The grown-ups aren't bad either.

I particularly liked Kelsy, even though I can see why other people didn't. She's just a wonderful example of a gobby teenager, and I'm old enough to see that as adorable rather than annoying.

( Spoilers for the Pilot )

Maria's Dad is lovely but her mother ... ach du liebe, she's horrid. A wonderfully done grotesque, but horrid nonetheless.

Luke was v. well done.

~~~~

Revenge of the Slitheen

I found it very hard to dislike the Slitheen. I mean, I know they're evil, but they're such a warm cuddly evil.

( Spoilers for the Revenge of the Slitheen )

I really liked Clyde, not as much as Kelsy, but he will do as a replacement. Also, Luke and Sarah-Jane are adorable together.

I can see why people say it is the better of the spin-offs, and it certainly gives some of the episodes of the main show a good run for their money.

F1 and Football

The race was boring today, but it was nice hearing the Austrian national anthem, even if Silverstone's sound system is useless. Go Red Bull!

Do you want to know how good Vettel is? Making the Schumacher comparisons isn't hyping him up. Willie Weber does not sign bad racers.

Football

I promise that I won't do this for all 50, but once again, the Eurosport top 50 has come up with a golden comment.

48 - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich / Germany)

We're not supposed to give away the identity of the players higher up the list, but here is a remarkable fact: Schweinsteiger is the only German in the top 50. The country that gave us Beckenbauer, Mueller, Klinsmann and Matthaeus has nobody better than the Bayern midfielder. It would be a cause for concern, except; a) It's Germany, and b) They still do better than England at every international tournament. The 24-year-old Schweinsteiger is skilful, powerful and versatile. He needs to take leadership of Bayern more often to prove he is truly world-class.

I do love that there's this fantastic fatalism when it comes to Germany. They have players that, somehow, work better in a team than they do as individuals. And this is, of course, why they win things. Or at least do far, far better than their quality as players should let them do.