Article originally written for Seat42F.
Last night’s SLEEPY HOLLOW on FOX is titled “Awakening,” and
if anyone in the audience is falling asleep, this hour is sure to correct that.
Henry (John Noble) and Katrina (Katia Winter) team up to revive those with
witchy powers in the area, intent of setting themselves in the middle of a
powerful new coven. Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie) are freshly
committed to their mission above everything else, but that is sorely tested in
this particular situation.
If taken on its own, “Awakening” is pretty great. The drama
of a family torn asunder is compelling, Ichabod prepared to stop his wife and
son by any means necessary. The stakes are high, and the pacing is quick. For
quite a bit of time, the outcome is murky, those with the upper hand shifting
back and forth. By the time Henry is killed, a major event for the series,
viewers are sure to be emotionally invested and on the edge of their seats.
Tossing Abbie and Katrina back in time at the end is icing on the cake, a heck
of a cliffhanger for next week’s season finale.
But I can’t take this episode all on its own, and that’s
where the problems lie. Having Henry die in the penultimate episode of the
season and posturing Katrina as the Big Bad is fine, and certainly fulfills the
wishes of many a fan. But starting an all-new, time-traveling adventure with
only an hour left is regrettable. Even more than exploring Purgatory at the
close of season one, the past in SLEEPY HOLLOW begs for further examination.
Abbie should spend some serious time there, and by not allowing her to do so, as
I can’t imagine the season finale will end without her getting home, the series
is squandering a heck of a third season premise.
Far worse, though, are the inconsistencies in character motivations.
Katrina is a big offender, having hinted at changing sides during her captivity
with Henry, but then seemingly recommitting to Ichabod and Abbie’s team later.
Standing by Henry’s side makes sense, since she is his mother, but we need to
see her wrestle with the decision more and understand why she is changing her
mind again. Similarly, Henry has almost nothing but distain for both of his
parents (Katrina far more deservedly than Ichabod) right up until the moment he
decides to work with his mom. I assume he’s only using her, as it makes no
sense for him to forgive her, but we don’t see that.
Ichabod is much better handled, as he has been struggling
with putting down Henry, and in “Awakening,” finally agrees that it must be
done. With the fate of the world at stake, Ichabod would like to save Henry’s
soul but realizes he doesn’t have the means or the time to do so. Being OK with
Henry dying, yet still running to his side as he slips away, is the perfect way
to end Ichabod’s indecision, completely consistent for the role.
After Henry dies, Irving (Orlando Jones) seems to become
good again. Sadly, Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) accepts this far too easily. It’s
likely Irving really is cured of Henry’s control over him now that Henry is
dead, but Jenny has no way of knowing that. Why does she give in so easily?
Finally, as Abbie is arrested in the past, quite appropriate
for the time and circumstances, she asks for Ichabod Crane. This makes
absolutely no sense. Abbie is there prior to Ichabod’s hibernation and he would
have no knowledge of her, nor his role as a witness. Why not ask for Thomas
Jefferson instead, whom is part of the group guiding Ichabod to his destiny? It
seems much easier to get someone already mostly in the know to believe her
story than a man who has never met her, no matter how close they end up being
in the future.
Which brings us to next week’s season, possibly series,
finale. What do I want from it? Well, I want Katrina to succeed in saving
Henry, at least partially, so John Noble doesn’t have to leave the cast. I also
want a reset, possibly with a changed set of circumstances in our present day
because of what happens in the past. This will allow the writers to play with
the familiar, bring back beloved characters who’ve died, and hopefully clear
out a lot of the missteps they’ve made this year in story and character. Above
all, I want consistency next year, something SLEEPY HOLLOW sorely lacks in its
sophomore run, with a mythology-heavy plot, not case-of-the-week crap. But
those are simply my wishes, so we’ll see.
At this time, as a fan, and not a fair-weather one, as I’ve
stuck it out and rooted for the best, I almost think the show deserves to be
canceled, even if it ends without tying anything up, as it likely will next
week. If season three is going to be like season two, I’d rather it not go on.
However, if they can get back to what made the end of season one so special,
then I’d like to see that.
SLEEPY HOLLOW airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
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