'Sleepy Hollow': Its season finale is nothing short of spectacular
罢丑别听听season one finale is nothing short of spectacular, as Abbie, Ichabod, and the rest of the gang fight for the survival of the human race. There are twists, turns, and more whiplash than should be allowed in a two-hour event such as this, but creators Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman () deliver a finale that will leave us all begging for the return of one of the best new series on television.
Pulling off a quality finale is no easy task, and every show does it differently. HBO鈥檚 听reaches its climax each season during the penultimate episode, leaving the finale as a setup for the following season. Unlike the aforementioned hit series, Sleepy Hollow听has decided to let us taste all the delicacies in its final hour. In a show that has been as unpredictable as any since听, what else would you expect?听
As with many of the reviews this season, it seems appropriate to begin by discussing the comedic aspects of these two episodes before tunneling into the horrors our heroes had to endure. Sleepy Hollow听has not only given us terrifying moments and thrilling action sequences, but it has become one of the funnier shows on television. This may be blasphemous to say, but as far as comedy goes,听Sleepy Hollow听can at times outshine the 鈥渂ig boys,鈥� like听. Perhaps that is too bold a statement to make, but where can one watch a grown man make a declaration of love and devotion to Siri, as we all witnessed this week? Ichabod鈥檚 observation of Abbie鈥檚 numerous friends on her social networks was also a moment of pure hilarity: 鈥淗ow is it that you have 500 friends?鈥� Drama and comedy are difficult to mix, yet听Sleepy Hollow appears to do it effortlessly.
While the finale plays like a 2-hour non-stop-thrill-ride, it is comprised of two individual episodes. The first, entitled 鈥楾he Indispensable Man,鈥� leads Abbie and Ichabod on a journey to find the map to Purgatory that has been buried with General George Washington. Tom Mison gives another stellar performance, as the wearied-faced revolutionary weighs the importance of saving Katrina over saving humanity. Even after coming to an 鈥渁ccord鈥� with Abbie, Ichabod鈥檚 photographic memory will not allow him to forget the map that will take him to his beloved.
Ichabod fulfilled the prophecy by giving Abbie鈥檚 soul to Moloch, but it was not on the demon鈥檚 terms. Abbie and Ichabod鈥檚 ever-evolving relationship has been one of this seasons鈥� strengths, and it was none more powerful as Abbie agrees to stay behind in Purgatory. It鈥檚 important to note that many (this reviewer included) feel that at some point, Ichabod and Abbie could form a romantic relationship; however, it could be a detriment to the series to take such a path. How much more passion can the two show for one another as they embrace with Ichabod promising he will return for her? Sex, or any other kind of physical contact would only cheapen their love for each other. In the future, would you like to see a more romantic link between our two heroes, or is their friendship enough?
鈥楤ad Blood鈥� is the title of the second episode, where all the 鈥渂leep!鈥� hits the fan. In another moment of comedic genius, Ichabod does get some new clothes from a Revolutionary War re-enactment site, but it鈥檚 basically the same outfit he wore before. The tests that Ichabod and Abbie had to pass in Purgatory had similar themes, which were appropriate for their relationship. Each of our heroes had to confront their 鈥渇ather-figures,鈥� whom they so desperately wished to be reunited with. For Abbie, she just wanted to see Sheriff Corbin again, while Ichabod desired nothing more than for his father to accept him as he was.听Sleepy Hollow听has consistently done an excellent job developing backstories for its leading characters. Captain Irving鈥檚 story, however, is another matter.
Orlando Jones has given some of his best performances over the last couple of weeks, as his family has come under attack by Moloch鈥檚 minions. The problem is not the lack of character development, it鈥檚 just not that interesting of a story. With all the drama and over-the-top action in 鈥楤ad Blood,鈥� the story of Irving turning himself in to save his daughter (Macey) is the least compelling character-arc on听Sleepy Hollow. Hopefully, as the series continues to mature, Irving will be given something more interesting to do than be a side-story to the main plot. Like his counterparts (Ichabod, Abbie, and Jenny), Irving deserves a moment to shine in the spotlight.
Alright, so let鈥檚 discuss the moment where we all went OMG! Henry is actually Jeremy, who is Ichabod鈥檚 son, who turns out to be the Horseman of War, who breaks the second seal? Can anyone explain all of this madness? When John Noble first joined the cast as the 鈥淪in Eater,鈥� there was speculation has to how big of a role the veteran actor would play. With this new twist in the finale, it appears we鈥檒l be seeing a lot more of him in season 2. Noble will undoubtedly be an incredible addition to the Sleepy Hollow听rouges gallery, which already includes听the Headless Horseman and Moloch. Now, before closing the book on this exceptional season, we should take a look at where all of our characters ended up.
It鈥檚 safe to say, that no one is in a 鈥済ood鈥� place at the end of 鈥楤ad Blood.鈥� Abbie is trapped in Purgatory with Moloch, while Ichabod has been buried alive to face the same fate as his son Jeremy. Katrina, who in all honesty needs to be fleshed out more in season 2, has been captured by her one-time suitor Abraham Van Brunt (a.k.a. the Headless Horseman). As stated earlier, Captain Irving will most likely be awaiting trial for a crime he didn鈥檛 commit and is unable to explain. Don鈥檛 forget Jenny, who was knocked unconscious after a terrible car accident after a run-in with the Horseman of Death. Lastly, what do you think happened to Andy Brooks (John Cho)? Was he crushed under the falling rubble in George Washington鈥檚 tomb, or do you think we鈥檒l see more of our troubled ex-police officer in season 2?
The wait for season 2 won鈥檛 be easy, but like Ichabod and Abbie we must have 鈥渇aith鈥� that the series will return with the same vigor and reckless abandonment as its first season. Sleepy Hollow听has yet to 鈥減lay it safe鈥� when it comes to crafting its characters and their fascinating stories. Like Ichabod said to Abbie before leaving Purgatory, 鈥淚 choose to forge my fate with you鈥� Sleepy Hollow. Where do you see the story going when the show returns in the fall?
David Griffin blogs at .
