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The second season of Sleepy Hollow has had a sophomore slump largely in part to the show choosing to focus on the wrong things. Ichabod and Abbie were the reason fans watched, making the series a hit, yet this season we got Ichabod and Katrina instead. The new character of Nick Hawling was brought on to distract Abbie, but he works better with her sister Jenny. The monster of the week formula was traded for Henry’s spell of the week. The result wasn’t 100% horrible, but it was definitely disjointed. This week’s episode entitled “Kali Yuga” seemed to bring the show back to its roots again.
Fairy Godmother
The character of Hawling is likable enough. He’s attractive and has that cool Indiana Jones thing going for him. He hadn’t really been given much in way of layers though. This week’s monster brought with it some much needed backstory for Hawling.
Hawling receives a visit and request from his evil demon godmother Carmilla. When Hawling’s parents died when he was 12 years old, he went to live with her until he witnessed her murder someone and ran away. She has caught up with him now a decade later and unfortunately she isn’t as human as she once was. She has been turned into a demon with venomous claws and sharp teeth.
Carmilla tells Hawling that she needs his help retrieving an artifact that can be used to break the spell and make her human again. Alas it’s a trap and and the artifact actually is used to create more demons. She plans on making Hawling, her only family, into a monster just like her. Ichabod, Abbie and Jenny get to him in time to stop the ritual, but Carmilla gets away.
At the end of the episode, Hawling decides to leave town, but not before saying a heartfelt goodbye to Jenny. The moment was actually very touching and made me want him to stay. I’m not sure if he’ll be back or not. I feel like the character was given some good purpose finally and I do like him with Jenny.
The Return of Ichabbie
This week’s episode did a good job of acknowledging what I’ve seen many fans complain about this season, the lack of Ichabod and Abbie. Yes, I know that Ichabod’s wife is back and I expected to see some of the awkwardness Katrina’s return would create. I did not expect it to be as big of a part of the season as it was though. The attention given to Ichabod and Katrina’s marital woes was greater than the attention given to Ichabod and Abbie’s bond as witnesses.
Instead of having Abbie lurk in the background while Ichabod and Katina worked out their conflicts, it should have been the other way around. The focus is back on Ichabod and Abbie now and Katrina is back to a supporting role. I’m hopeful that this will continue as Sleepy Hollow goes through a mid-season reboot of sorts.
The Good Witch?
Katrina works as the mysterious woman in the background but having her as more than that doesn’t jive. It’s not that she is a bad character (though I’m sure many would argue otherwise), it’s that she is just doesn’t work as the romantic leading lady. The spiritual check-up she preformed on Irving was a much better way to unitize her than all the odd self-sacrificing we have been getting from the character. She tricked Irving into believing he was completely normal. Why she did this isn’t completely clear. She wants to know what has become of her son but her means to finding this seem ruthless. Little teases like this will keep the audience curious rather than annoyed.
I don’t want to know a whole lot about Katrina. I don’t care what her favorite color is or even if she really loves Ichabod. At least not right now anyways. She’s better as an enigma. A little can go a long way.
Zombie Vampire Irving
Where has my twitter crush Orlando Jones been all season?! I can see where the show is going now with the character, but he’s felt very MIA. It’s like he’s been waiting on his story line to start all season. Jones is a very likable actor who is active on social media. It doesn’t make sense to not utilize him and I’m glad that his story seems to be kicking off more now.
Irving is back from the dead with no memory as to what happened. I think he believes he’s a good person, having been sacrificed in the battle of good and evil. He just wants to get his life back and be with his family. But is he safe or under the control of evil? This is the big question.
Some fun things from this episode:
- Jenny, Hawling, Ichabod and Abbie sing karaoke at a bar.
- The team breaks into Fort Knox sort of when Carmilla and Hawling break into a safe in the home of a wealthy man named Knox.
- Ichabod has a nice new red sport’s car.
- Ichabod tells Abbie that he is never doing yoga again.
- Irving can see his reflection.
What did you think of the episode? What are your thoughts on the season thus far? Click the comments to share your thoughts?
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