‘Time Bandits’ Recap: ‘Medieval’ & ‘Prohibition’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Tading Murphy, Charlyne Yi, Kal-El Tuck, Lisa Kudrow, and Jean Nsengiyumva as Alto, Judy, Kevin, Penelope and Widget in Episode 104 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Prohibition’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes Three and Four of ‘Time Bandits’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
​
It really is quite amazing what the new Apple TV+ series, Time Bandits, is accomplishing from a storytelling standpoint. Because not only has this show reinvented and reimagined the original 1981 film in a manner that is inventive and fun, but it is quickly finding its voice and establishing what this show is eager to accomplish in its first season. Which is, to tell a grand and sweeping story that makes us laugh and provides us with a sense of adventure while teaching us along the way, and never was that more evident than during this week’s block of episodes. Since ‘Medieval’ and ‘Prohibition’ brought forth all of those elements in their own unique ways. 

For instance, ‘Medieval’, leaned into the comedy and the fun, and adventure. By having the Time Bandits arrive in merry old England during medieval times. Wherein our heroes, (and yes, they are heroes… more on that in a moment) managed to save an entire village from annihilation by inspiring the army of the Sheriff of Nottingham to revolt and embrace laziness and well, this really was quite the fun adventure. Thanks to everyone that the Time Bandits encountered in this tale, since they were all a bit undereducated, and that allowed for some wonderful gags to take place, and a wonderful twist involving how legends of dragons might have come to life in medieval times and this episode was wonderfully counterbalanced by ‘Prohibition’.

Since that was the story that leaned a little harder into history lessons. Mainly because, it plunged the Time Bandits into the heart of Harlem during prohibition. A move that allowed for Kevin to educate his friends (and the audience) on what the era was like, what it was all about, and it also allowed for us to explore a new angle regarding prohibition. Since the vast majority of stories regarding this period in time usually focus on the battles that took place in Chicago over prohibition and Eliot Ness’ fight to clean the town up and bring down Al Capone. So, it was quite refreshing to be immersed in this world and learn a bit about its dynamics, and still enjoy some comedy as well. Courtesy of the whole ‘Babyface’ twist involving Kevin.

But while those two plotlines would have been enough to offer up adventure and learning, there were still more amazing moments to be found in this story. Since we came to learn that Kevin’s sister, Saffron, finally discovered that something sinister happened in the house, and she discovered the portals and has been chasing Kevin through time… with mixed results of course. Plus, we also came to learn, that the Supreme Being has a shocking plan He is working to put into motion. In that, He is ready to wipe out Earth and start over because of our misgivings and missteps. All of which could influence Pure Evil to fight harder to have the map, since it is the key to cleaning out human life on Earth.

Which does leave us to wonder… whether SB is baiting PE into a trap or if he genuinely wants to empty out the planet and start over, because that ups the stakes, and would force the Time Bandits to lean into heroism like never before and speaking of that… it was a real treat to see them… be heroes. Because that’s who they are deep down, since they performed kind act after kind act here and stood tall in the face of trouble in the name of the greater good. In the end however, these were just two amazing episodes from one amazing series. One that continues to impress and continues to draw us into its wonder, and well… this does indeed leave us eager for more. To enjoy more of what we saw here, because this formula works and it’s keeping us engaged and it has us wondering… what this unique story is building toward now that we know good, and evil are plotting against all of mankind. Until next time.

---

Rune Temte as Bittelig in Episode 103 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Medieval’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Watch ‘Time Bandits’

Powered by JustWatch