Sleepy Hollow - 2x04 Go Where I Send Thee... - Review

Time to pay the piper

After discovering that Ichabod has been taking driving lessons behind her back, Abbie gets called in to work a missing child's case. During the search they once again encounter the rogue, Hawley, who is searching of a flute made out of bone. It is then that Ichabod learns that the monster they are facing is none other than the pied piper.

This show continues to excel with their two leads, unlike another show that airs before them. The chemistry between Abbie and Ichabod is impeccable and definitely the best thing about this show. And it is put on display after the first cold opening by having Ichabod recite an ominous speech that turns out to be nothing more than him talking about driving a car. It may seem like a comedic moment and will come in use later, but it was also an effective way to show that Ichabod is growing as a character. Probably not at the rate that Abbie wishes he would and Ichabod definitely does want to acclimate so quickly, but it really shows how far the two of them have come. But in true Sleepy Hollow fashion, there always has to be something going on in town. And this week is no different.

Here we get our first monster of the week episode. That monster being the legendary pied piper. In this one he was a mercenary who made a deal with the demon, Moloch, in order to grant him incredible fighting abilities. And as a bonus he cause use his musical skills to lull his enemies into a trance like state, making them easier to kill. Of course no man who makes a deal with a demon can live without some tragedy. That tragedy involves being killed by a man who hired him during the revolutionary war, in order to hide the fact that he may have been a sympathizer with British. That decision will cause the pied piper to turn into the monstrosity that he is today. And so he returns to haunt his murderer's descendants by claiming a child from each generation after reaching the age of 10. After all, the pied piper needs to change his flute every now and then. The Pied Piper is probably one of the most fascinating creatures to appear on the show, and has to be given that he is the monster of the week. It also helps that he is a martial artist who fights with a bo staff made of bones that is essentially a gigantic flute. He proves to be a formidable opponent and a highly entertaining one.

But really at the core of this episode is facing an almost unwinable situation involving the Lancasters, the family that is cursed to pay tribute to the Pied Piper. The missing girl's mother knows that if the Pied Piper does not get what he wants, then the current generation of children in town will suffer a painful death through a disease. If it weren't for Abbie and Ichabod, this situation would've been difficult for the Lancaster matriarch to handle as she would have no choice but to allow her child to be killed in order for all the other children in Sleepy Hollow to live. It is a situation that no one ever wants to be in, but luckily this show has heroes who will always try to find a way to beat the unbeatable odds. Well, most of the heroes that is.

We are once again introduced to Nick Hawley, who is really being pushed as this character who is going to be important later on. He is pretty much the foil to Ichabod. Both extremely intelligent and well versed with folklore. The difference being one wants to do the right thing while the other will only do so if it gets him what he wants. And what Nick wants is the Pied Piper's bone flute. I'll be honest in saying that I'd be more interested in Nick if he didn't dressed like Nathan Drake from the Uncharted games. I'm not joking, he's wearing the exact same clothes as Nathan Drake. So much so that it is almost distracting. However it does automatically tell you what kind of character he is, if you are aware of the iconic status of his mode of dress. But again, it is really obvious that the writers are pushing this character as a way to shake things up in the show. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this new addition, but hey, he might be useful. Unlike those other male side characters they've had in the previous season. Time will tell.

This has been a fairly entertaining episode, especially since it is the first monster of the week episode of the season. This show continues to excel with the craziness as well as the moments with heart. But it is definitely the craziness factor that has this show standing apart from everything else right now. Especially when there are moments like the one pictured here. Things are not going so well for Captain Irving, but in his vision of the future, he seems to be doing well. And it all ties in to that blood pact he unknowingly made with Henry, The Horseman of War. He apparently becomes an incredibly efficient killing machine under War's guidance. It is moments like this that really propels my interest in the show and will definitely have me tuning in for the next one.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - The standard "monster of the week" episode, but still good

STATUS: Continue to watch - It is Halloween after all!

Review of Previous Episode - Click here

Sleepy Hollow - 2x03 Root of all Evil - Review

"Benedict Arnold"

In this outing of Sleepy Hollow, The Horseman of War starts seeding the destruction of the small town with cursed coins that turn people against what they love the most. When Jenny learns that the new sheriff may be responsible for her mother's death, it doesn't take too much persuasion from a cursed coin to set her on her path. The only hope for Ichabod and Abbie to discover the origins of the coins and how to contain it may lie with a new ally, Nick Hawley (Matt Barr).

It's not a monster of the week episode but rather a "problem of the week" episode. This episode deals with money. Cursed money to be more precise. When Abbie sees a local bank teller lose her shit at her job and starts wanting to rob people, you know that something is definitely wrong. It turns out that Henry, The Horseman of War, has been making a few deposits a the bank. Deposits of coins that have the strange ability to make people go crazy. And to top off the craziness, apparently Ichabod remembers a mission he had with Benedict Arnold to destroy a forge for counterfeit money. Yes, that Benedict Arnold. The most famous traitor in American History. Turns out he didn't betray America out of moral or political reasons. He betrayed because of a cursed coin. A coin that happens to be in the forge for counterfeit coins. And now those coins are in the town's money circulation. Just another normal week in Sleepy Hollow. 

While this episode is very problem of the week, the character focus of this episode is given to the sister relationship between Abbie and Jenny. While the two of them had spent the entirety of Season One to learn to trust and acknowledge their love for each other, the arrival of Sheriff Reyes puts another strain on their relationship. We learn that it is indeed Sheriff Reyes who put their mother in prison, as well as testified to her being insane. While Abbie was aware that Sheriff Reyes knew their mother, she wasn't aware of this knowledge. Jenny is surprised that Abbie simply brushes it off as, "she was just doing her job," and not thinking that Sheriff Reyes putting their mom in jail cost her life. It seeds the fallout between the two, which is convenient timing as there just happens to be a coin that'll send that bitterness into overdrive. While it is great that we're exploring more of Abbie and Jenny's backstory, it does seem kind of early to bringing back the, "I don't trust my sister," card. Especially given that this is the third episode. I'm sure we all know that it will be resolved in the end, but how Ichabod and Abbie find out on how to do that exactly leads to the introduction of a new face.

Enter Nick Hawley, who fans seem to be immediately comparing to Han Solo. And how can they not? Matt Barr just oozes a devil may care charm in his portrayal as Nick. He's a treasure hunter of sorts, collecting rare items and has a vast amount of knowledge that could very well rival Ichabod. And from the looks of things, he is pretty much set up as Ichabod's foil. It is interesting to see a character who knows all the facts, but does not believe the magic part. Which makes for a very playful antagonistic nature between Nick and Ichabod. But luckily for the audience, and to our relief, he buys into the magic thing right away. However he doesn't seem too much in awe of the presence of the supernatural, but rather as another form of knowledge he needs to learn if he's going to collect things. Because after all it is he who knew that there were 30 of these coins and they originated from Rome. In other words, these coins belonged to Judas, probably the top on the list of world's famous traitors. He does add a new flavor to the show, one that I think can add some interesting dynamics. Especially given his past with Jenny. It is unclear if he is really on Ichabod and Abbie's side or if he has his own agenda. But that should've been predictable from how they set up his character. Either way, so far he's a welcome addition. It all depends on how they plan on executing his character for the rest of the season.

All in all, this was an okay storyline with plenty of entertaining twists on history that will bring a smile to your face. It is not the best episode of this season so far, but Season One also had a few of these down episodes. It is really a character development and a character introduction episode that doesn't necessarily forward the plot, but shows that Henry is indeed planning something. I'm sure this will tie in to the larger story that is building her. But for now, this was a nice pause in a rapid fire show.

SCORE: 7.5/10 - Entertaining twists to history, but not as strong as the previous episodes

STATUS: Continue to Watch - There's a Pied Piper in the next episode

Review of Previous Episode - Click Here

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?

Review of Previous Episode - CLICK HERE

Sleepy Hollow - 2x01 This is War - Review

It has begun...for real this time...I think

One year after the events of the last season finale, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) and Abigail Mills (Nicole Beharie) celebrate Ichabod's birthday. However Abigail's attempt of teaching Ichabod the modern way to celebrate one's birthday gets cut short when they discover the Headless Horseman is looking for a key. The key of Benjamin Franklin. In order to find out what he wants with the key, they must consult the captured Horseman of War: Ichabod's son, Jeremy Crane (John Noble).

Okay. That is not really what happens in this episode. But it was a brilliant way to start off. The show notorious for being outrageously ridiculous with plenty of "what the f%#^" moments and "just go with it" moments pulls a big "what the f#%@" opening. The time jump scared me a little. It probably scared everyone. But as we all know. It can't be as simple as that. There is no way they would expect the fans to accept that they decided to skip one year later to a time where Katrina (Katia Winter) and Jennifer (Lyndie Greenwood) are dead. However it is this time jump fake out that makes this show special, and it was smart of them not to have the entire episode dedicated to this fake out.

The time jump was an illusion created by Ichabod's son, the now revealed evil Jeremy Crane played menacingly by John Noble. After the HOLY SHIT reveal of him being Ichabod's son, because honestly the only thing fans would've seen coming is him being a horseman, it is nice to know that John Noble is here to stay. And he makes his stay known by pulling off this grand illusion on not just Ichabod and Abbie but on the viewing audience. That act immediately lets us know what kind of monster the Horseman of War is, and it definitely is a welcoming villain seeing as how the Headless Horseman could've gotten tiring as the solo villain. But it is clear that Jeremy is a definite threat, because with that act he now knows the location to a key. The key used by Benjamin Franklin in his famous experiment involving a kite. And since this is Sleepy Hollow, that experiment was not in the name of science.

No, as Ichabod knows, being Franklin's reluctant student, the key was meant for something else. But in order to stop his demonic son from getting the key, he must first get out of his predicament. Mainly being buried six feet under inside a makeshift coffin with vines restraining him. How he's able to do so is rather comical. Especially a moment when he uses his cellphone to record a final message just in case his plan fails. It has to be seen to be accepted. Because if I were to write about it, it would sound stupid. So trust me. Crazy things happen. I'll let you the viewer see for yourself.

Jenny wakes up as Jeremy's captive and uses her to find the location of this key. Luckily for all of them, even though she has a clue to where it is, she doesn't know the exact place. Luckily, again, for her, Ichabod is able to come to the rescue, after she takes out most of the Hessian guards working for Jeremy. The two of them team up in order to find the key. The key that could be the only thing that can get Abbie Mills out of where she was last seen: in purgatory.

Meanwhile Katrina is not doing so good. Once again she's a captive, but this time not one who can roam about freely like she did in purgatory. No, this time she's tied to a chair in a cabin somewhere. And in that cabin is the Headless Horseman. Also known as Bram Van Brunt, her former fiancé. Her situation in purgatory seemed more pleasant than being tied up to a chair with her headless former fiancé creepily trying to court her once again. Of course she tries to get away, but I feel bad for her having to be a real damsel in distress once again.

This episode has everything that Sleepy Hollow fans want: Incredible action, Off the wall moments, Lovable characters and Brilliant Ichabod moments. This was a brilliant, intense, and funny way to start off the season. This show continues to grow better and better. It'll be interesting to see how this season can possibly top the last. But I'll let you know right now. I'm definitely in for the ride. Especially with that final moment of revealing War's True Form. Consider me in!

SCORE: 9/10 - The craziest way to start the season. And let's hope it stays crazy.

STATUS - DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO WATCH

Review of Next Episode - CLICK HERE