Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Flame

The two first episodes were shown last night on BBC2 (and BBC HD apparently) with a title that stupid how could I resist not watching?

To summarise this is a spoof of the recent Robin Hood series with some Conanesque fantasy elements thrown into the mix.

The lands are ruled by an Emperor (read King John) and this particular section by Chancellor Dongalor (The Sheriff of Nottingham). The titular Krod (Robin) leads a band of rebels against the Sheriff sorry Chancellor comprising of pagan Aneka (Marian), orcish Loquasto (Little John or Much), and Zezelryck (Will Scarlett? Ah hell you get the gist).

This being a spoof Krod isn't too bright and is a little vain; Aneka is Krod's girlfriend and views copulation as a valid means of interaction; Loquasto is a bit slow and keeps shooting Robi... Krod with a crosbow bolt; and Zezelryck is a fast-talking magician of the Chris Rock variety who never performs any type of magic.

Now I'm not a fan of Matt Lucas but his depiction of Chancellor Dongalor is pretty much perfect; a little more nasty would have veered towards Alan Rickman/Keith Allen territory, a little more silly would head into Men in Tights. A nice example of the style is when one of his advisers speaks up about his treasonous words and Dongalor stabs the guy next to him. After realising his mistake he turns to his chief of staff "Weren't we going to have names carved into the backs of these chairs"

It was enjoyable, no really laugh out loud moments, but no real buttock-clenching cringing ones either. The trouble I had with it was that it was a total spoof which meant that you could pretty much predict the next thing by assuming the opposite of what a 'serious' show would do and some of the action was highly telegraphed.

Ah well it might settle in after a series and at the very least you can just watch India de Beaufort parading around in very little clothing.