As a movie enthusiast who has lived through the gritty realities of deindustrialization in small-town England, I can’t help but be drawn to shows like Sherwood. The third episode of season 2 left me utterly surprised and intrigued, much like my first encounter with a mine shaft as a kid – you never know what lies beneath the surface.
*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Sherwood season 2 episode 3.*
It wouldn’t be Sherwood without another episode that finishes on quite a surprising note, right?
Following the shocking debut episodes filled with tension and unexpected character deaths, the second season resumed tonight (September 1st) and delved into the aftermath of the demise of Pam (Sharlene Whyte), Denis (David Harewood), and Kyre Branson (Conor Deane).
In this installment, Stephie (Bethany Asher), along with Ian St Clair (David Morrissey) and social worker Sandy Waters (Aisling Loftus), went to see Ryan (Oliver Huntingdon) in prison. Their purpose was to inform him about the unfortunate passing of his mother and uncle.
However, it was only when they were by themselves that Stephie admitted to killing Kyre, an unexpected yet satisfying revelation for Ryan.
Following our conversation, Ryan shares with Sandy and Ian his intention to have Stephie return to live with them again. As her closest relative, he also expresses the desire to be involved in any decisions concerning his sister’s affairs.
He tells Sandy and Ian that he wants to work in the new library at the prison and try to get better in order to ensure he can be let out to look after Stephie eventually. He explains that he has cousins who can stay with Stephie whilst he’s inside.
Amidst the suspenseful storyline about the Sparrows weighing their option to collaborate with the police, the episode concludes unexpectedly – with Ryan making an unanticipated prison visit to someone on his wing.
In the vicinity, we observe a swift approach towards an adjacent cell where a person is seen performing push-ups. After some time, this individual stands up and faces us, revealing none other than Scott Rowley (played by Adam Hugill). This sight brings a satisfied expression on Ryan’s face.
Indeed, Scott played a pivotal role in the first season’s events, since it was revealed that he was responsible for the death of Gary Jackson, portrayed by Alun Armstrong.
Although not exhibiting the criminal mindset they anticipated, Scott turned out to be more of a solitary individual. Amidst his increasing dissatisfaction with his life, relationships, and his fractured family, he became increasingly fascinated by the seemingly ideal Jackson family.
It was Scott who concealed the £15,000 within Sherwood Forest, the exact location that piqued Dennis’ curiosity.
However, revealing Scott as the season 1 antagonist exposed long-standing conflicts within the community. Initially, people believed the murder was an act of revenge for past miners’ strikes, or that it stemmed from some political motivation.
Really, Scott’s killing of Gary just tore the former mining community apart even more.
Could it be that Ryan is considering collaborating with Scott for the sake of ensuring Stephie’s well-being once she’s out of her current situation? Since Ryan seems determined to look after Stephie, this might be one possibility.
From what we’ve observed about Ryan thus far, his actions tend to be rather inconsistent, so we’ll simply need to keep an eye on things as his recent connection with Scott unfolds.
Initially, it’s noticeable that the characters Ryan and Scott share some similarities due to being male and having grown up in Ashfield. Additionally, they both appear to have experienced disappointments from the systems that were supposed to support them.
When asked by the BBC about focusing on “the disparity and neglect of young men” in season 2, the show’s creator and writer, James Graham, responded affirmatively: “Indeed, we wanted to delve deeper into that topic. However, we’re not retelling the same story; instead, we aim to further explore the character of Scott from series one, shedding more light on these themes.”
He didn’t belong to a street gang; instead, he hailed from a rural community much like mine, where the remnants of a mining industry shaped our identities.
Despite residing on a tranquil street within a peaceful town, Scott found himself alienated and living beyond the usual boundaries of societal norms. His actions, which were inexcusable and violent, were far from forgivable.
He continued: “Ryan in series two is very different. He goes through his teens embroiled in gang culture on an estate and he’s fallen through the cracks. I don’t want to look at individuals who go off the rails as isolated incidences, I don’t think anyone should, I think everything’s connected.
It’s beneficial about Sherwood that it offers room for people to comprehend, rather than forgive, the causes behind young men resorting to violence and rage in response to traumatic or triggering situations. They often find a sense of belonging and validation within such gang cultures.
To my understanding, it seems closely linked to many topics we delved into during our first series, and I believe this connection is deeply rooted in the lasting impact of deindustrialization – the shutting down of mines and industries. This process often leaves an emotional void within a region, much like a gap in its soul.
“There is such a thing as collective memory. A place remembers and [it] affects the people who are born into it, and we see those problems every day in communities all over the UK.”
Sherwood continues on Monday 9th September at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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2024-09-02 00:34