MGM+’s Robin Hood Episode 4 delivers the pivotal moment that transforms Robert of Locksley from a desperate fugitive into the legendary outlaw we all know. “The Cause of This Unrest” centers on a daring heist that doesn’t just steal gold—it steals the Sheriff’s power and plants the seeds of rebellion across Sherwood Forest.
Table of Contents
Robin Hood Episode Breakdown
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | “The Cause of This Unrest” |
| Air Date | November 16, 2025 |
| Key Event | First major heist—stealing the bounty money |
| New Members | Friar Tuck, Spragart, and Mary |
| Casualties | Henry Miller and Mary |
| Defining Moment | Robert becomes “Robin Hood” |
| Streaming | MGM+ |
The Heist That Changed Everything
After killing Aaron Huntingdon in Episode 3, Robert and his band face increased pressure from the Sheriff of Nottingham, who raises the bounty on Robert’s head and demands the Bishop of Hereford split the cost. This massive sum—intended to fund a manhunt with 200 soldiers—becomes the target of the outlaws’ first coordinated operation.
Friar Tuck, the newest addition to the group, proposes the brilliant strategy: rob the Bishop’s carriage transporting the bounty money from Hereford to Nottingham. If the funds never arrive, the manhunt stalls, buying the outlaws precious time and resources.
The plan goes sideways when the Bishop brings far more royal guards than expected. During the brutal forest ambush, Mary and Henry Miller are killed, marking the first casualties of what will become the Merry Men. Despite the overwhelming odds, Robert’s exceptional archery skills turn the tide, and he single-handedly eliminates the remaining soldiers.
Why Robert Spares the Bishop: The Birth of Robin Hood
Here’s where Episode 4’s ending becomes truly significant. After securing the stolen gold and defeating the guards, Robert makes a controversial decision—he releases the Bishop of Hereford alive.
Friar Tuck delivers powerful justice by slapping the corrupt Bishop repeatedly and stripping him of his crucifix, exposing the Church’s exploitation of the poor. But when Tuck and others want to execute the Bishop, Robert intervenes with a strategic masterstroke.
By sparing the Bishop, Robert sends a calculated message to Nottingham: the outlaws are growing in numbers, and brute force alone won’t stop them. It’s during this confrontation that Spragart first calls him “Robin Hood”—a name that will echo through history.
This mercy isn’t weakness; it’s leadership. Robert shifts the rebellion’s focus from blind vengeance to strategic resistance, targeting resources and dismantling fear rather than simply killing Normans. The Bishop returns to Nottingham humiliated but alive, spreading word of the dangerous new outlaw who stole the Sheriff’s own bounty.
The Growing Merry Men
Episode 4 also expands the legendary group. Alongside Friar Tuck—a wiry, sharp-minded planner rather than the stereotypical burly monk—the outlaws welcome Spragart and Mary, Saxon thieves who join after stumbling upon the camp. These additions demonstrate how hunger, injustice, and Norman oppression are driving more Saxons into Sherwood.
Tuck’s addition proves particularly crucial, as he bridges the divide between Norman peasants and Saxons by exposing their shared suffering under corrupt leadership. His criticism of the Bishop reveals that their enemy isn’t a culture—it’s power and corruption itself.
What’s Next for Robin Hood?
The heist’s success establishes Robert as a symbol of resistance, but the cost is steep. The deaths of Mary and Henry remind the outlaws that rebellion carries deadly stakes. With the Sheriff now viewing Robin Hood as the Crown’s number one enemy and the Bishop aligned with Nottingham, the conflict is escalating rapidly.
Watch Robin Hood on MGM+ with new episodes streaming weekly. For more medieval drama coverage and fantasy series reviews, check out our streaming guides and TV recaps at TechnoSports.
FAQs
Why is Episode 4 considered the turning point for Robert becoming Robin Hood?
Episode 4 marks the first time Robert is called “Robin Hood” by his allies during the heist. More importantly, his decision to spare the Bishop and send a strategic message to Nottingham demonstrates his evolution from a vengeful fugitive into a calculated leader fighting systemic oppression. This shift from personal revenge to organized resistance defines the legendary Robin Hood character.
Who are the Merry Men introduced in Episode 4?
Episode 4 introduces Friar Tuck, a sharp-minded Catholic friar who becomes the group’s strategic planner after witnessing Church corruption firsthand. Spragart, a roguish Saxon thief, and his wife Mary also join the band, though Mary is tragically killed during the Bishop’s carriage heist. These additions, combined with Little John from Episode 3, form the early foundation of what will become the legendary Merry Men.
