Article originally written for Seat42F.
In “Paradise Lost,” the first of seven episodes this winter,
FOX’s SLEEPY HOLLOW returns strong. It’s been six week since the defeat of
Moloch, and neither Henry (John Noble) nor Irving (Orlando Jones) have been
glimpsed since. Katrina (Katia Winter) keeps Abraham (Neil Jackson) captive as
she tries to figure out how to separate his soul from the demon, while Ichabod
(Tom Mison) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie) ponder life after being witnesses. Then,
an angel shows up.
I really dig Abbie and Ichabod thinking they may have won
the day, and thus their lives’ purpose is fulfilled. It’s an interesting
concept no television series has ever really explored much. What happens to the
superhero after the supervillain has been vanquished? What is the purpose of
supreme good when supreme evil no longer exists? Neither character has much of
a plan beyond what they deal with immediately, and thus are a bit lost when it
comes to moving forward.
Of course, viewers aren’t likely to buy the notion that the
duo’s ordeal is over, as novel as that might be, as that isn’t the format of
SLEEPY HOLLOW. It’s also far too fast-paced a show to give any character much
time to dwell on a new world order before sending chaos back into their midst.
Thus, “Paradise Lost” introduces new challenges early in the hour.
Enter Orion (Max Brown, The Tudors, The CW’s Beauty and The
Beast). He tells them he’s an angel that has been trapped in Purgatory, and now
that he’s out, he wants revenge on the being that put him there, which just so
happens to be our own Headless Horseman, a.k.a. Abraham. But Orion’s words seem
off to Ichabod, and those fears prove founded when it is discovered that Orion
plans to bring judgment upon the Earth, as he has done in the past, basically
ending life as we know it.
Orion is interesting because he’s an avenging angel. He
thinks he’s good, and there’s an argument to be made that he is. But he is also
full of hubris, thinking he is worthy of passing judgment on others, which
isn’t true. And so he must be stopped, which Abbie and Ichabod manage to do,
after getting over their disagreement with one another.
More importantly, Orion’s escape from Purgatory signals that
others have fled, too, so there will be plenty of demons around for our heroes
to battle, as well as some potential new allies. A disarmed Orion will likely
not be one of the latter, though he lives to return another day at the close of
“Paradise Lost.”
The big twist at the end of “Paradise Lost” is that Captain
Irving is walking around again. He is presumed dead by our crew. Did he briefly
go to Purgatory? Or does he remain on the Earth because Henry owns his soul?
It’s a very mysterious introduction, one that leaves the explanation for
another week. But at least we see Irving, as Henry is completely MIA from this
episode.
Another after-effect of the big battle is that Ichabod and
Katrina’s marriage is in tatters. That’s understandable. Katrina proved herself
untrustworthy where Henry is concerned, and her continued compassion for
Abraham as a friend, someone who Ichabod has no interest in being close to again,
sparks his jealousy. I don’t think Katrina is with Abraham romantically, but
one can see why Ichabod might suspect that is the case.
Can Abraham be saved? He’s been on a sort-of path to
redemption, and Katrina could hold the key to his cure, should she be back on
the market. I can’t help but feel it might be a better outcome if Ichabod is
done with the witch, especially as that gives an opportunity for a demon to
become a man again, but also because Katrina is annoying. Let’s hope this is
how things shake out.
Lastly, there’s a bit where Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) goes to
Hawley (Matt Barr) for help, and he expresses regret at their break up. I’m not
sure what this is about. Didn’t Hawley ditch Jenny because he has real feelings
for Abby? Is he changing his mind? Or is SLEEPY HOLLOW creating false drama?
It’s bad enough that Abbie doesn’t know about Hawley and Jenny’s past; I hope
this doesn’t morph into a true love triangle.
While there are weaknesses where intriguing possibilities
are glossed over, “Paradise Lost” is a good returning installment because it
quickly gets the story moving again and there is some fantastic Abbie / Ichabod
interaction, the cornerstone of SLEEEPY HOLLOW. It’s hard to ask for a better
return of a broadcast network show.
SLEEPY HOLLOW will take next week off for some stupid
athletic competition, and then resume its run Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
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