Time Bandits – Episode 5 “Georgian” Recap & Review

Georgian

Episode 5 of Time Bandits starts with the gang stranded by Stonehenge. With a diet of twigs and sticks, they’re interrupted by the Supreme Being showing up in the area. Judy isn’t scared and she quickly realizes it’s all just one massive helmet, worn by a guy called Casper. He tells the Bandits to run and be careful, so off they go through another portal where they end up in the Georgian times.

At a mansion, we get our first glimpse of legendary stud Casanova who shows up and causes all the ladies to faint… except Judy who just stares at him nonchalantly. The gang head on through the kitchen at the back, where Kevin frees a dog before they get dressed up and head into the party.

There’s a whole stack of sandwiches on the side; a delightful little treat by the Earl of Sandwich who’s in attendance and explains how amazing they are to Kevin. While Kevin entertains the sandwich enthusiast, we meet Martha, who happens to be the impresario for the Theatre Royal. She’s putting on a show and wants Altoq to be in the main role. Elsewhere, Casanova is entranced by Judy, wondering why she’s not being seduced by him.

In the back, Penelope shows off her favourite party tricks, unaware that the cat outside is watching them. By extension, so too is Pure Evil who laments over the gang messing about with spoons. Still, the group in the main atrium intend to go see the pineapple which is apparently a really expensive delicacy here. For those interested to know, it would have been worth about £60 which is the equivalent of £11,000 now.

Kevin insults the Earl further, calling into question his sandwich-creating credentials. Unfortunately, it results in him being challenged to a duel. That is, until Penelope steps up and decides to take his place in the duel. Penelope accepts, with a cringy little scene that follows, as she takes Kevin’s place.

Meanwhile, a couple of dwarves working for the Supreme Being investigate the Bandits. Quite why they weren’t cast in the main role like the film from the 80’s is anyone’s guess.

In the morning, Alto shows up at the theatre. He’s got his words that he needs to learn and act out in an hour, while the Earl of Sandwich shows ready for the duel. Penelope tries to shoot him but the Earl is shocked. Apparently they actually just aim to miss intentionally rather than harming one another, and thus he decides they need to go again.

On the second try, Alto appears and delivers a big ol’ speech about decency and Penelope’s leadership ability. Of course, he’s arrived too late and they have to do it a third time. However, this time Fianna shows up and chases after the Bandits. The Earl is not happy but Fianna is challenged to a duel all the same. She shoots the Earl, with a half-amusing scene involving a sandwich in his breast pocket but despite that, the Earl has still been shot and he collapses on the ground.

Outside, Fianna is stopped by a dog that holds her back, while Casanova tries to stop Judy but to no avail. Saffron makes it to the icy recesses of the Ice Age, and doesn’t seem too bothered by the freezing cold, while the Bandits make it into the portal and across to parts unknown.

The Episode Review

So Time Bandits returns with another indifferent slice of comedy, jetting us back to the Georgian times and seeing Fianna giving chase at the ed to our Bandits. The only saving grace with this show are the bites of real historical accuracy thrown in, but beyond that there’s really not a whole lot else to gravitate around.

The characters aren’t particularly likable, Lisa Kudrow’s over-acting doesn’t endear us to Penelope, and the whole affair just feels like a pale imitation of the 80’s film, which is a shame. Hopefully things will improve through the second half but based on this showing, it seems unlikely.