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The Best Episodes Written By Richard Carpenter

Every TV Episode Written by Richard Carpenter Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - The Fabulous Mechanical Mathilda Junkbottom
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    S1:E1

    Dr. Snuggles' housekeeper, Miss Nettles, is fed up with having to do all the housework around the house and with tolerating Nobby Mouse who lives in the kitchen. She gives her notice -- as she frequently does -- and visits her friend, Madame Dumpitoo. As a present for her, Dr. Snuggles decides to invent a robot to help her with the chores but, of course, not all goes according to plan.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Five Go Adventuring Again
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    S1:E3

    There's a thief at Kirrin Cottage! The Famous Five think they know who it is, but they need to prove it! Where can they find evidence? The discovery of an old map and very unusual hiding place is all they need to get to the bottom of this mystery and uncover the true culprit!

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  3. undefined Season 2 Episode 7 - The Greatest Enemy
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    S2:E7

    Threatened with the loss of his position, the Sheriff pulls out all stops to find Robin. He captures most of the band in Wickham and hunts down the rest with hounds. Finally, Robin, Marion and Much are alone on a hill, facing an army.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  4. undefined Season 2 Episode 5 - The Swords of Wayland (1)
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    S2:E5

    A group of pious and well-respected nuns are in reality a coven of witches. They need all of the Seven Swords of Wayland for some very heavy-duty conjuring. The only sword they don't have is Robin's Albion.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (2)
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    S1:E2

    The Sheriff and his brother, the Abbot, upset over the activities of Robin and his men arrange a fayre, including an archery contest, in the Castle. He offers the Silver Arrow of Herne to whomever wins the contest, something he is sure will tempt Robin out of the forest and into his grasp. After this fails to end up with Robin's capture their last resort is the Sorcerer, Simon De Belleme, a worshipper of the dark arts, who wants Maid Marion as his bride. He agrees to use his sorcerous powers to capture, or kill, the men of Sherwood Forest as long as the Sheriff and the Abbot promise Marion to him.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  6. undefined Season 2 Episode 6 - The Swords of Wayland (2)
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    S2:E6

    Robin and his band battle to prevent Morgwyn of Ravenscar from harnessing the power of the sword of Albion.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  7. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - The Magic Riddle
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    S2:E1

    Catweazle is back. Inevitably the return of the 11th century wizard for a new series of 20th century adventures spells trouble. Especially for Cedric, the 12 year old son of Lord and Lady Collingford who finds the magician hiding in his bedroom.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 9 - Five on a Hike Together
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    S1:E9

    Dick is puzzled when he's woken by a light flashing through his window. Is someone trying to send him a coded message? And when the Famous Five hear of an escaped convict in the area, they are on red alert. The police won't help, so the Five have no choice but to solve the mystery alone.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  9. undefined Season 3 Episode 12 - The Time of the Wolf (1)
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E12

    The Sheriff is ordered by the King to collect grain from the villages of Nottingham, as more provisions are needed for the troops in France. Knowing that the villagers will not survive the winter without their hard-earned grain, the outlaws secretly steal the grain back during the night, causing the Sheriff a lot of embarrassment when the King's men come to collect it in the morning. In desperation, the Sheriff blames the whole fiasco on Gisburne, resulting in Gisburne running away and a price being put on his head. Seeking sanctuary, Gisburne flees to Grimstone Abbey, but is not greeted by monks at the door.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  10. undefined Season 3 Episode 13 - The Time of the Wolf (2)
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E13

    Gisburne has joined the Sons of Fenris and manages to capture Robin and his men as well as the Sheriff of Nottingham. With Robin in his power, Gulnar completes his creature using dark magic and sends it on his way. Safe in Halstead Abbey, Marion foresees a tragedy at the Ring of the Nine Maidens and for Robin even victory may come with great loss.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 3 - Lord of the Trees
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S2:E3

    Gisburne, left in charge of Nottingham by the Sheriff, hires a group of vicious mercenaries to hunt down the outlaws. Unfortunate timing for Robin and company, as it is the time of the Blessing when no blood can be shed or the villagers will not have a good harvest that year. The outlaws must use cunning and trickery to defeat Gisburne and the mercenaries.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  12. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - The Prophecy
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S2:E1

    Little John is captured by Guy, who has a plan to finally get his hands on all the Merry Men. After a prophecy from Herne, Robin thinks that Little John is the prisoner he is told he must rescue. While they are planning to rescue John from Nottingham another John turns up, Prince John. He has his own agenda and his own hooded prisoner, someone whose identity will be a big surprise to one of Robin's band. Robin realises that this hooded prisoner is the person who is in the prophecy and that freeing them from Prince John's grasp will be a daunting prospect.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - The King's Fool
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S1:E6

    Robin and his men save a wandering knight from a band of cut throats who ambush him in Sherwood. After a meal and drink together the knight surprises Robin with an offer that could change the lives of all the Merry Men. Could they soon be free men or is Robin being tricked by someone he trusts with his life?

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  14. undefined Season 3 Episode 2 - Herne's Son (2)
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E2

    Robert of Huntingdon and the reformed Merry Men set out to rescue Marion from Clun, and Huntingdon claims the mantle of Robin of Sherwood.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  15. undefined Season 3 Episode 3 - The Power of Albion
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E3

    Before his death, Loxley gave Albion to Marion. She kept it safe for a year at the home of her father, who begged her to have no more to do with the outlaws. She attempts to give it to Robert, but he still says no one could take Loxley's place. When the band tries to stop a torturer en route to Nottingham, Robert is wounded by a poisoned arrow and falls gravely ill. After returning home from going to aid Robert, Marion and Albion are taken by the Sheriff. Although Gisburne is sure Robert of Huntingdon is the new Robin Hood, no one will believe him. Robert is able to masquerade as a shallow, young nobleman and make friends with the Sheriff as part of a scheme to free Marion. After the true powers of Albion are revealed, Robert, whom everyone now calls Robin, knows he is truly Herne's son.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  16. undefined Season 3 Episode 6 - The Cross of St. Ciricus
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E6

    Robin and his band rescue from bandits a desperately ill woman en route to the shrine of St. Ciricus at Croxden Abbey. She confesses a startling secret to Tuck and later to Robin. Gisburne, on orders from the Sheriff, is also on his way to the Abbey to steal the sacred cross. Robin must stop him, but finds the nature of their enmity has changed.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  17. undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Rutterkin
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    S3:E11

    'Mad Mab' is an old hermit who lives happily with her family of pigs, including her 'baby', Rutterkin. Edgar of Huntingdon, Robert's uncle, captures Rutterkin and later Mab, accusing the old woman of being a witch (and the pig her familiar), paid by the Earl, Robert's father, to cause the death of King John, who has been beset by a mysterious illness. The Earl is arrested for treason and sentenced to death. In trying to rescue him, most of the outlaw band is taken as well.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  18. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (1)
    7.5/10(6 votes)

    S1:E1

    Robin of Loxley and his cousin Much are arrested in Sherwood Forest for killing one of the King's deer. They are imprisoned by Guy of Gisburne in the Sheriff of Nottingham's dungeon where they meet up with a motley bunch of criminals who are destined to become the first of the Merry Men. After they escape into Sherwood Forest, Robin is approached by Herne The Hunter and told that it is his destiny to fight the Norman invaders. The Sheriff knows all about Herne - he holds a silver arrow that is reputed to have once belonged to Herne himself.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  19. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - Seven Poor Knights from Acre
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    S1:E4

    The arrival in Sherwood of seven Templars, heading back to their church in Lincoln, and their gold crested banner is too much for a thief, Siward, to ignore. He steals the banner and runs into Robin and his men as he escapes. The Templars think that they are all together and after a brief altercation the Templars leave, with Much as a hostage. Now Robin and his men have to deal with seven of the most feared fighting men known to man, to rescue Much from their grasp.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Alan A Dale
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    S1:E5

    While visiting his new love Meg in Wickham, Little John is seen by Guy and the Sheriff's men. The Sheriff punishes the villagers by fining them six months wages. Meanwhile a minstrel, Alan A Dale, is found wandering through the forest on his way to kill the Sheriff. His love, Mildred, has been betrothed to the Sheriff and is being delivered to Nottingham, along with a 10,000 marks dowry. Robin and Marion realise that they can help Alan by rescuing Mildred and get the money to help the villagers of Wickham at the same time. All they need do is find Guy and his men and ambush them.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  21. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - The Witch of Elsdon
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    S1:E3

    The Sheriff, Abbot Hugo and Guy are in the hamlet of Elsdon presiding over the trial of Jennet and Thomas, a husband and wife accused of witchcraft. Robin has a dream that leads him to make decisions that the rest of the Merry Men question the logic of, but his dreams lead them to a disguised tax collector and some hidden taxes. The Sheriff is furious about the loss of his taxes and wants Robin's head on a plate. Loathe to send Guy and his men into Sherwood to die he comes up with a cunning plan to get to the outlaws.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  22. undefined Season 3 Episode 1 - Herne's Son (1)
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    S3:E1

    After the death of Loxley, the outlaw band have gone their separate ways. Robert of Huntingdon, the man called by Herne, has rejected his calling, saying no one else could be The Hooded Man. He cannot escape his destiny. Robert's father, the Earl of Huntingdon, hosts a party to gain favour with vile, border lord Owen of Clun. Marion of Leaford attends with her father, who has bought her a pardon from the king. Clun makes unseemly advances toward Marion. When no one else will help her, Robert, to his father's horror, defends her in a swordfight against Clun. When Clun kidnaps Marion, Robert must reassemble the outlaw band to rescue her.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  23. undefined Season 2 Episode 2 - The Children of Israel
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    S2:E2

    The Sheriff returns to Nottingham, passing through Sherwood. Will decides that Robin's plans to ambush him is not good enough and attempts to attack the Sheriff and his men with only Little John, Nasir and Friar Tuck at his side. It all goes badly wrong - Tuck is badly injured and Robin is furious, a fury that grows when he discovers the attitude of the local villagers they take Tuck to. Back in Nottingham the Sheriff is approached by Joshua De Talmont, a Jewish moneylender, demanding the money that the Sheriff owes him. The Sheriff is not best pleased about being challenged for money he owes and 'suggests' to Guy that a tide of anti-Jewish sentiments may strike Nottingham, as it has in London and other towns, and lead to the death of De Talmont in the riots.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  24. undefined Season 2 Episode 4 - The Enchantment
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    S2:E4

    Robin is bewitched by Lilith, one of followers of the not-quite-late Simon de Belleme, and tricked into helping to bring the Baron back to life. At the same time, the Sheriff schemes to take possession of the Baron's legendary cache of gems.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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  25. undefined Season 3 Episode 10 - The Pretender
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    S3:E10

    Taking up with a 12 year old French princess, King John has annulled his marriage to Queen Hadwisa, who vows revenge against her former husband and the new queen, Isabella. Her plan is to have Isabella murdered while on a pilgrimage and make it appear to have been done by Robin Hood. Hadwisa's family believe they have enough support among the barons to depose King John and replace him with a new young man who claims to be Arthur of Brittany, John's nephew. While Arthur infiltrates the outlaw band, Gisburne becomes involved in the plot. Gisburne is only too eager to advance his position and finish off Robin Hood all at the same time. The Sheriff, however knows that "if Queen Isabella dies, we shall ALL hang," but gravely ill from a dog bite, he is unable to stop Gisburne.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:Richard Carpenter

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Richard Carpenter Ratings Summary

"The Fabulous Mechanical Mathilda Junkbottom" is the best rated episode written by Richard Carpenter. It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 10/1/1979 and is rated 1.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "Five Go Adventuring Again".