Article first published as SLEEPY HOLLOW Review Season 2 Episode 8 Heartless on Seat42F.
In
this week’s SLEEPY HOLLOW, “Heartless,” we learn that baby Moloch is
not dead, but merely in need of some TLC. Apparently, the demon doesn’t
eat formula, though, instead needing to consume souls (natch). Henry
(John Noble) brings forth a shape-changing succubus (various actresses,
but mainly Still’s Caroline Ford) to collect dinner, which our heroes
must scramble to destroy before it kills more people. This is easier
said than done because the only way to kill a succubus is to use a spell
to burn its heart, which is hidden somewhere outside its body.
I’m
quite disappointed SLEEPY HOLLOW still uses a case-of-the-week format
so often. Sure, the succubus plot is tied into a larger arc, that of
Moloch coming into our realm. And the hour is full of character
development and fun moments, which is why the show is still worth
watching. But the story would be so much better if it would allow itself
to be more free-form, rather than forced to conform to a repetitive
structure, with the good stuff built around the unoriginal core. Sigh.
“Heartless”
begins with Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Katrina (Katia Winter) curled up to
watch a reality dating show. It’s a humorous scene, Ichabod’s
fish-out-of-water quality multiplied times two, and mainly brings a
smile to the viewer’s face. However, pick apart the moment a little
deeper, and you’ll notice that it illustrates a schism between the pair,
with both seeing different things in the show and concerning love. This
could be waved away easily enough if the hour didn’t further illustrate
that they are at different points in their lives with differing
opinions as to what must be done.
Ichabod
is a Witness, called upon to stop the forces of darkness. Katrina gets
in the way of that a little, as Abbie (Nicole Beharie) is definitely
feeling neglected (even if she tries not to show it) when Ichabod
repeatedly puts Katrina before his partner. This isn’t good for the
work, even more so than Ichabod’s nagging hope that he might still save
his son. Plus, when Ichabod is confronted by the succubus, it sees pain
and woe within him that definitely indicates Mr. and Mrs. Crane are
currently out of sync.
Katrina, for
her part, does prove her worth to the team, which even Abbie is forced
to admit. But she’s not a team player, striking out on her own mission
to go back to being a double agent without consulting anyone first,
least of all her husband. One may assume that her motivations are pure,
but this disconnect will only increase the tension and discord between
the couple, which really do feel doomed to failure at this point.
Even
more worrying is how Katrina is sucked into what is going on with
Moloch. Her affection for Abraham (Neil Jackson) is most likely feigned,
something Henry probably sees through even if Abraham doesn’t, but the
look Katrina gets when staring at the baby seems real. Moloch appears to
be a typical human infant, not a scary demon child, and he did come
forth from Katrina’s womb. Might she see him as a second chance to be a
good parent? A way to prove to Henry that she can be? Or is this part of
an enchantment she’s under because of the necklace she’s wearing?
While
Ichabod’s love life is falling apart in “Heartless,” Abbie’s is coming
together rather nicely. Hawley (Matt Barr) doesn’t like to show his
vulnerable side too freely, but he’s definitely smitten with the cop,
and comes to her defense without asking for payment. The fact that Abbie
gives him a reward shows the feelings are mutual because she wouldn’t
go out of her way for him if she didn’t care. When Ichabod blesses the
relationship, it’s all but certain they will get together.
Now,
Hawley and Abbie aren’t a perfect match. He has a heart, but he’s also
got a business to run and won’t switch his activity to purely altruistic
pursuits. This often puts him at odds with the job Abbie must do.
However, they both want this, clearly, so they’ll find a way to make it
work.
The vast majority of this
review is about the good elements in an exciting story. If the show
would just free itself up a bit further, as they sometimes, but not
often enough, do, it could be among my favorites. Unfortunately, it
holds back, not reaching its full potential, which is a frequent
disappointment.
SLEEPY HOLLOW airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
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