Monday, October 6, 2014

Sleepy Hollow - 2x02 The Kindred - Review

Let's save Katrina

After escaping purgatory and putting a halt on The Horseman of War's plans, Ichabod and Abbie now set their sights on saving Katrina from the clutches of the Headless Horseman. 

This episode begins once again with a misleading opening. But unlike the season opener, this one didn't last for 15 minutes worth of runtime. But in that opener, or vision if you want to use the proper term, Ichabod witnesses Van Brunt's (the Headless Horseman) plan to make Katrina his bride permanently. A ritual performed by Ichabod's son, Henry (the Horseman of War), which requires Katrina to lose her head. This show just keeps getting weirder and weirder. And if you've made it this far with the show, then you know you love it. This realigns Ichabod's priorities by having rescuing his wife front and center as the main drive. It is really amazing how the show's writer's move through the plot so quickly by handling things in rapid time. Last episode we groaned at Katrina being captured, this episode she's going to be rescued. See, rapid time. The Strain could learn a thing or two about that.

But of course their plot to save Katrina needs to be burdened by someone. Enter the new Sheriff in town, Leena Reyes, played by Sakina Jaffrey. She immediately makes it know to Abbie that there are things that need to be changed in Sleepy Hollow. Sheriff Reyes also makes a declaration of bringing back sanity to Sleepy Hollow. A declaration that fans know we all laughed at once she said it. While it is obvious the show needed to once again have another lawful problem on their hands given that former Captain Frank Irving (Orlando Jones) is being held in prison to take the blame for a demon's actions, I hope she doesn't stay an obstacle for too long. She's suppose to be an annoying character. Not annoying as in her character is to be annoying, but rather her by the book actions are an annoyance. Especially when she prevents Jenny from joining all the fun when she gets caught taking weapons from the armory. I'm sure the writers know that the audience loves it when these characters finally meet the supernatural, and I hope they do it in the next two episodes. But I have a feeling this one will be dragged out longer than it should. Oh well, someone has to be the party pooper.

But to the main plot. Ichabod plans on using one of Benjamin Franklin's weapon as a means to get Katrina. That weapon? A being called The Kindred which is composed of dead body parts from soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Yup. This show just made Benjamin Franklin the Frankenstein of the series... I love this show. But in order to use The Kindred, they require the head of The Headless Horseman. In other words, they're really creating a monster. Abbie is obviously not please about this, but seeing Ichabod's desperation of not willing to accept losing his wife twice meant that she has no other choice to comply. That compliance leads Abbie to see Captain Irving in prison who gives them access to his vault in a local bank, housing the Horseman's head. Which by the way, at the bank, led to one of those Ichabod moments we all love so much. 

But what is going on with Katrina right now? She knows what Van Brunt plans on doing to her. She knows that Ichabod will stop at nothing to get her. Hell, he's using his former best friend's head to create a weapon to fight his former best friend's body. That is the definition of love right there. But Van Brunt does bring up a really good point to Katrina. Why did he save Abbie from purgatory instead of saving her? Why did she not seem to be his number one priority? Again, the writers know what the fans are thinking and are acknowledging it very quickly. And planting seeds of doubt might actually be good for Katrina's character. It could potentially take her down some dark places, and she may even get to do a lot more than just be a damsel in distress. This becomes evident by how she delays her ritual marriage beheading by telling Van Brunt that only if she falls for him again will it work, and that she's working her way there. So that puts her on the Headless Horseman's good side, right at the exact moment that Ichabod, Abbie and The Kindred make their attack. And I'll just add that the three way monster fight between The Kindred, The Headless Horseman and War's Knight was awesome! 

However it was a pointless endeavor as Katrina decides to stay where she is. WHAT?!?! Her reasoning, because like Ichabod, Van Brunt will do whatever it takes to have her again. And given he's not just a Headless Horseman but the Horseman of Death, that sounds a lot worse than Ichabod's Frankenstein experiment. But she stays so that she can be a spy and filter information to Ichabod as she did learn that Moloch is finding another way out and is not pleased with Henry. I can't help but think that part of this is to stop Moloch but also the other reason being that little seed that Van Brunt planted in Katrina's head: Why did Ichabod save Abbie first? So now, Ichabod and Abbie feel as if their efforts was partially a waste. But it does offer something interesting for Katrina to do in the present, when all of her previously interesting scenes were in the flashbacks. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off. And given this show's pacing and speeding through the plot, I doubt it will.

On an interesting note...what did happen to The Kindred after they all retreated? He'll be back. I'm sure of it.

SCORE: 8.9/10 - While it seems pointless, it will benefit the heroes for some time
STATUS: Continue to Watch - Like I wasn't going to?

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