Robin waits for Marian by the river. She arrives acting strangely, asking him to deny the obvious: that he is not Robin Hood. He tries to explain that everything happened by accident, but Marian doesn’t accept his version. She decides she never wants to see him again. The episode begins fully immersed in melodrama, flirting dangerously with kitsch. “I bid you farewell, Robin Hood,” she cries, and whatever seriousness the scene might have had dissolves instantly.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff of Nottingham is frustrated. Robin, the son of a Forester, knows Sherwood Forest like “the corridors of his own house.” Gratuitous poetic lines are everywhere, and he is certain Robin seeks revenge for his father’s death. The Merry Men are out there and determined.

Robin, not remotely subtle in his hood, visits his uncle, who insists he flee to France and start a new life. Robin refuses, denying that Marian has anything to do with it. Meanwhile, Marian suffers from afar, visibly shaken. Eleanor notices and tries to comfort her, saying there will be others. She suggests Marian idealized Robin and wisely advises, “Mourn him, then move forward.” Eternally disconnected from reality — in a country impoverished and full of bandits (she herself was in love with one) — Marian asks to walk back to the castle. Perhaps out of sheer surprise, the Queen allows it. It’s difficult to interpret the decision beyond the obvious: someone will save Marian shortly.

In Nottingham, Priscilla and the Earl of Pembroke are in bed, and the sheriff’s daughter gathers important information without raising suspicion.

As expected, while walking alone across the fields, Marian is approached by thieves and saved by none other than Prince John. The scene is weak, but she is impressed and once again fails to suspect who he really is. I shall call her Marian-Knows-Nothing: she never notices a thing. Eleanor, on the other hand, understands everything the moment she sees her son looking at Marian and foresees either trouble or an opportunity.

Meanwhile, Rosemary Ralph remains wonderful, refusing to act like a traditional lady. Milange tells her that if she wears a dress, Robin will notice her. She agrees. Go, Ralph!

And of course, we need villains — in this case, the Normans — who discuss how to dominate the Saxons. The odious Earl of Huntington leads an insurrection against the sheriff, ignoring warnings about his familial connection to the King. Marian’s father remains pitiful.

With Friar Tuck and Little John, Robin decides they need more gold and intends to steal it from the nobles. The plan forms quickly: an attack meant to show that the impoverished Saxons should no longer be underestimated.

At the castle, Will comments to Marian that everyone knows her romance with Robin is over. Marian-Knows-Nothing repeats Eleanor’s line, saying she “never truly knew the real Robin.” The Queen summons her to announce her promotion to lady-in-waiting. Marian will now be “Maid Marian.” Celena watches with jealousy.

In Nottingham, the Count of Pembroke tries to court Priscilla, but the sheriff dislikes his reputation. Even so, he eventually allows the match, making it clear that if she is hurt, the consequences will be a thousandfold.

In Sherwood, Ralph tries to get closer to Robin, but plays the clueless. She insists: Marian belongs at Court because she is Norman, while she — a Saxon like him — stands at his side in the forest. Robin hesitates, but he is clearly drawn to her.

Marian-Knows-Nothing decides to thank Prince John for saving her, bringing him wine in his chamber. They exchange glances and hand touches, and John tells her he is the “artist of the family” because he is not the eldest, and all glory goes to Richard. Marian, of course, dives straight into fantasy once again.

Pembroke and Priscilla ride together, eating berries and falling in love. The Bishop warns the sheriff about Huntington’s revolt, and the response is swift: a public beating and a death threat to guarantee obedience. I felt no pity; I even supported the Sheriff!

Ralph appears before Robin in a dress. He looks at her but doesn’t understand the implicit invitation. The tension rises when she questions the plan to attack Warwick. Robin then delivers his most fiery speech, uniting the men: steal back what the Saxons have lost and return it to the poor. “Let us be outlaws with purpose.” Thus, the episode title.

Eleanor confronts John about his presence in Westminster. The prince asserts he plans to be king after his father, since Richard prefers crusades to ruling. Eleanor says he lacks the wisdom to dream of the crown. John retorts that he will not give up.

So, naturally, the Queen assigns Marian to spy on him. She warns: John “has many faces, and few are true.” Marian-Knows-Nothing cannot keep up with the plot, but she tries.

Robin confesses to Little John the pact he made with the Queen to support Richard, which disappoints him. He advises the obvious: forget Marian, though stealing from the nobles ‘ pact or not, still interests Little John.

Prince John warns Marian about “predators” at court, but she doesn’t pick up the hint. He asks why she was walking alone through dangerous woods, but she dodges. When he invites Marian to a private party in his chamber, she accepts without wasting a minute. Very focused on the mission, right? The new “spy” takes the opportunity to snoop through the prince’s correspondence, but sees little before being interrupted. Even so, she reports to Eleanor that she saw letters that confirm that John already has the Pope’s blessing to become king. This changes the Queen’s entire strategy.

Friar Tuck tries to stop Robin from attacking Warwick Castle, but it’s useless. In a violent night raid, the Merry Men obtain what they sought. In retaliation, the sheriff arrests Robin’s uncle and other innocent Saxons.

Pembroke is summoned by the Queen, and Priscilla is wary. He invites her to accompany him as his wife.

And Ralph, wonderful as ever, puts on her dress, declares herself, and makes clear who she is. Robin finally understands. They kiss and spend the night together. That’s it, girl. Don’t waste time.