Sleepy Hollow 1.08 Review: Selling Your Soul for Vengeance

For all those that have yet to watch Monday night’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, entitled ‘Necromancer’, now would be a good time to go and do that before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This week’s episode was more of what I was looking for: continuity, strong character development, and no focus on the delusional romantic chemistry between Ichabod and Abby. Now we know who the Horseman is, and while it might’ve been better if they kept Death as this eternal Horseman, it does make a lot of sense concerning who they went with. And this will certainly make things more interesting as the apocalyptic battle moves forward.

Can I just say how much I love the Captain? The pilot episode made it out to be like he might be some villain type character, but I’m quite happy that that’s not the way they’ve chosen to go. The actor does a phenomenally hilarious job in his role; I’m just completely surprised this is the first time I’ve seen this guy around. He’s fantastic!

There are a few other things that need to be commented on. First, Abby’s sister looks so much better with her hair down because it’s not completely flattened down. Every time it’s up, it makes her face look dramatically sharp. Also, how did no one think about what if the power got cut off? That was the first thing I questioned when I started the episode, so how could they not think of it. Also, it was pretty obvious Abraham was Death as soon as Ichabod left him and didn’t see for certain that he had been killed.

Overall, this is definitely the way I prefer this series going. This was a much stronger episode than in weeks before. I really loved the way all the good guys were able to come together this episode in a cohesive unit. If they keep things up this way, I will definitely get excited over a second season.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10

Best Lines:

“Seriously?” – the Captain states, regarding Brooks’ unrequited feelings for Abby.

“Nope! Apologies, it’s this way.” – Ichabod remarks, after leading Abby and Brooks in the wrong direction.

“Check your math, Adolph.” – the Captain tells the Hessian.

Okay, apologies for not posting this after the review of Almost Human, but I didn’t feel like watching this last night. Here it is, even though my Internet is currently down, so I don’t know when this will exactly be up…

Sleepy Hollow 1.07 Review: The Regulars are Coming

Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, entitled ‘The Midnight Ride’, I ask that you do so now before reading ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This week was much of a continuation of last week’s episode, aside from not having Walter – I mean Henry Parrish – around. We got more of the Headless Horseman these last two episodes than we did in four episodes combined. At least this week it was somewhat resolved by catching the Horseman and he now appears locked up in that supernatural jail cell.

My one big problem with this series is that they appear to resolve things and move the progression of the story along unnecessarily fast. This series already has  a second season pick up, so I don’t understand the need for that. I mean, why kill the other Masons so soon after introducing them? It’s like I can’t even get attached to characters before they’re killed. It’s becoming annoyingly tedious that this series seems to wrap things up all too quickly. Getting progression earlier than necessary is just as bad as having to wait indefinitely for it. Then we just begin to expect things will resolve themselves and we’ll get instant gratification. It’s not a good way to sell a series.

Aside from that, this series had progression with the Captain finally seeing the Headless Horseman, and thus now believing in his existence. I’m happy he found out if only that it means we’ll see more of this guy, and not just more of his constant disbelief. John Cho was also back as Andy Brooks, this time apparently trying to keep Abby safe. I don’t quite understand that angle just yet; it seems a little unbelievable. He also seems to have somehow bewitched Morales as well, Abby’s ex. I’m not sure where they’re going with that either. This series isn’t really predictable, if only for the reason that it seems to be all over the place with its writing that I never really know what’s up, even in the episode sometimes.

The one great thing this series has going for it, aside from maybe the Captain, is Tom Mison and all his British glory. I mean really, the man’s voice is beautiful, he’s always written to speak so eloquently, and the garb he dresses in and long hair actually works for him – and that’s coming from someone who notoriously despises men with long hair. Aside from the decently written episodes, he’s probably what keeps me coming back each week because he really is enough. I love this guy, and think this role is perfect for him, if only the writers knew the direction they were going in with this series, and it had gotten a full twenty-two episode season. Where it is now, we only have six episodes left and I’m really not sure how this season wraps into an overall story arc. But I digress.

As it stands, this was a pretty decent episode, wrapping American history into the writing of it, with Paul Revere’s ride through the colony. It was enjoyable having a nice plug in about how this and the previous few generations have really screwed up the environment. Nice little messages that are easy to write in when a character such as Ichabod exists from one period of time to the next. His character’s breaking of the word smartphone was perfect for him, and his strong dislike of incorrect facts helped make this episode. All in all, it did pretty well this week, although this series seems to be more or less a toss up at times.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Rumours of my demise have been… pretty much true.” – Brooks says to Morales.

“I got you, you headless son of a bitch.” – Irving mutters to himself.

“For further questions, please call Ichabod Crane; the man who beheaded him in 1781.” – Irving sarcastically explains what he’d say to the governor.

“It’s apocryphal what this man is telling these children.” – Crane complains. “Let it go.” – Abby tells him.

“I’m the only one amongst you who doesn’t require medication.” – Crane yammers on, after having told the museum the true account of Paul Revere’s ride.

Alright, that’s going to be all for tonight probably. I will be watching The Blacklist tonight and taking notes, but I don’t think I’m going to be awake enough to post it afterwards. Check back in tomorrow around five or six and it should be up.

Sleepy Hollow 1.06 Review: Sometimes We Need to Forgive Ourselves

Anyone that has yet to watch yesterday’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, titled ‘The Sin Eater’, then I suggest that now would be a good time to do so before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

For a series with only thirteen episodes in a season and thus cannot throw away episodes, this one sure felt like a filler to me. Sure, it introduced the character Henry Parrish and his ability to eat sins, and it dissolved the connection between Death and Ichabod, but otherwise there wasn’t an overall movement to the episode. And besides, it seemed a bit early to cut the connection between Death and Ichabod, but that could just be my opinion.

I was really disappointed with this week’s episode. Other than the flashbacks that showed how Ichabod came to fight under General Washington, there wasn’t much I liked about this episode. To me it felt kind of blah, like not much thought went into it. I knew after the pilot episode going into this series that each episode would basically be resolved by the end, but that’s not helping it to blend together very well, and it’s beginning to cause me to lose interest, which is sad because I absolutely adore Tom Mison.

The writing isn’t completely working with this series. Other than my belief that the individual episodes aren’t quite stringing together well enough, the idea that Ichabod could be as cheery as he is sometimes when his wife is held captive in some sort of purgatory astounds me. Perhaps following a miserable Brit would be less than fun, but I’d like to at least see him trying to find a way to her, or subtle hints that add up each episode. Also, it’s my fear that if she is ever rescued, all that means is that her soul is set free to go to heaven, or wherever, and that this series will move forward with a relationship between Ichabod and Abby. And let me tell you, they have no sexual chemistry with each other, at all. Until recently I didn’t even consider them a possibility, until websites like TVLine gave a refresher on how couples were doing and all I could say was no. Every time I look at them with those subtle looks in this episode, the romantic chemistry felt forced and wrong. They’re partners, they work well as friends, they fit together as sibling-like characters, but they don’t have any romantic chemistry together. And this is not me in denial, I just don’t see any form of spark.

While I was looking forward to the introduction of Henry Parrish, after missing the actor since the conclusion of Fringe, there wasn’t much the intrigued me about him other than the sadness I got from his situation. The man looked miserable, all secluded with his plants, and I felt for him, but I didn’t see much he could add to this series. Besides, it felt like this sin Ichabod felt he had clung to was just randomly thrown in to bring this guy in. No mention of it before, but suddenly it’s there. Like I said, I’m growing quite disappointed in this series. And I loved Fringe, so I can’t understand why the creators of that series could seem to make a mess of this one. At least on Fringe there were little hints to be had that strung the episodes together, but I’m not getting that here. But again, that’s more to do with the writing – which I seem to be running back to – then anything to do with Henry Parrish.

All in all, these actors envelope their characters well enough, although I do find Abby’s expressions are over exaggerated, but the writing doesn’t seem to match to their abilities. Basically what I’m saying is that the acting is good, but the writing just isn’t up to par. Maybe I’m expecting too much of these creators, maybe it’s like with Fringe where the first season was a bit slower than the rest. If that’s the case, I will try to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait to see how season two goes before I fully commit to letting go of this show. I mean, I love the gothic style to it, but the police part is less than interesting.

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority agrees.” – Katrina wisely states.

“The love of power is the demon of all men.” – Arthur Bernard says to Ichabod.

Okay, just one more show to catch up on with a review. Before I do that for The Blacklist, though, I have to go run over to Shoppers, so check back in about an hour.

Sleepy Hollow 1.04 Review: The Seventh Circle of Hell

This will serve as my only warning. Any that have yet to watch yesterday’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, titled ‘The Lesser Key of Solomon’, than now would be the time to do so. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This week’s episode of Sleepy Hollow was somewhat uneven. It feels like the writers keep trying to progress the story, but are stretching it in all directions to do so. The end result is a lot of things going on, and a story that bounces around from week to week. I know that this series has been renewed, and that means that we won’t be getting a back nine, just the original thirteen episodes each week, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take the time to develop the stories properly. With that it just means there’s no need for filler episodes, and I’m not saying we’ve gotten filler episodes, I’m just getting very confused where this series is going week to week.

One thing I do need to praise specifically about this episode was the astounding special effects. The scene in that building where the portal to the seventh circle of hell had astoundingly well done effects for television. The fire, and the look to the trapped demonic souls that almost looked like they were writhing under a watery blanket were both amazingly well put together. I’m surprised to see something so real looking on television.

Some of the characters seem to keep going back and forth. By his mannerisms this week, the Captain doesn’t seem so suspicious to me, like he did in the first episode. The sister this week feels far too included in the story so quickly, and I had the sneaking suspicion Crane was going to tell Abby the bible said she’d betray them, rather than the things we already knew about the demon Moloch.

I did quite enjoy the way this episode opened, with the flashback scene leading into the one where Crane sits in the car confessing to the OnStar woman his romantic woes. He does so very often create a humourous tone to scenes, something reminiscent of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer character.

While I can’t say I hated this episode, it wasn’t the greatest this series has done thus far. And as a big fan of Fringe, I expect more from the creators of the two series’. I will continue to tune in, and I do understand this is the first season, and that can often be quite harrowing territory, as the writers figure out how they’re going to handle things, but I hope for more from this series in future weeks.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You all walk out of here, and I won’t redecorate this place with your face.” – Wendall, a guest character, tells this week’s villain.

“Imagine the delinquency we could perpetrate if we really put our minds to it.” Crane ponders, as Abby picks the lock of a cabin.

“They left without a farewell. How impolite.” – Crane humourously states.

All right, it’s time to catch up with this week’s episode of The Blacklist for me, then it’s dishes time. After that I’ll be checking out tonight’s episode of The Originals. To follow: New Girl, Trophy Wife, Supernatural, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sleepy Hollow 1.03 Review: Inaction Causes Evil to Triumph

If you have yet to watch yesterday’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, entitled ‘For the Triumph of Evil’, or are not caught up in the first three episodes of the series at all and hope to do so without being spoiled, then now would be the appropriate time to exit this blog. As always there is a chance of spoilers. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This episode had to do with an incarnation of the Sandman. I’m not really sure how this kind of demon fits into the sea of demons that precede the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. Last week was all about a witch wanting to kill those that were the birth line of the man that burnt her at the stake, so that she could become flesh again and wreak havoc on Sleepy Hollow once more. This week it was a demon coming to judge the people that caused a woman to be imprisoned in an insane asylum. Jennifer Mills is supposed to a good guy type character, right? Why would evil seek retribution on her behalf?

Along the lines of that character, I still don’t think she looks anything like her sister. The only similarity between the two seems to be that their skin tone appears the same shade. Otherwise, they have completely different bone structure, their faces look nothing alike, and they don’t even have similar body types. Also, who they cast as a young Jenny does not look anything like this present day Jenny. The younger version of the character looks more like Abby’s sister than this Jenny does.

I’m curious to know, is Abby a psychic? Why did these two sisters see the demon? What connection do they have to Crane? I’m sure there will be answers forthcoming, but I still ponder the questions. Crane refers back to two people in the prophecy going up against the league of demons and other such evil forces, but I’m curious to know more about that, and how it ties to Abby and her sister. Also, was she having a prophetic dream, or was the Sandman merely taunting her?

When it comes to the way the series is filmed, there are a lot of blue tones. I suppose it gives this series a cold, procedural feel, but this is about more than just detective work, there is a huge paranormal backstory. As someone that prefers a warmer tone to my series’, being that it quite often brightens it up and makes it easier for me to get involved in it, I’d like this series to at least throw in a bit of those tones, at least when they’re outside the precinct. I get that this is a gothic, eerie kind of series – and I do love the opening credits because of that – but it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily impossible to incorporate warm tones once in a while. Like in the scene when Crane views the nooses, and one body is missing.

I have to give a commendable shout out to the use of language, specifically when it comes to Crane. The words he uses just make me yearn for those days. I’m in love with the fact that short form and acronyms do not riddle this series, it just heightens it all the more. As a writer myself, proper usage of uncharacteristic words that aren’t heard often in today’s society, gives me a gleeful delight.

I quite enjoyed the Twilight Zone reference, very fitting for this series. It’s always nice to see a series with similar formatting give a nice little throwback to past pop culture. Almost like the writers are giving a nod to something that may very well have either influenced their writing, or inspired them to get into writing in the first place.

The friendship between Crane and Abby is something that I very much like about this series. It’s nice to see two people of opposite genders working together and not having the sexual tension visible enough to be able to be cut with a knife. Though Crane is still married in his mind, especially since his wife is merely between worlds, the show could still try and throw these two characters together. I desperately hope that they don’t, because I quite like them as partners, friends, and only that.

Lastly I have to comment on the Captain. There’s just something about him that’s often. Given that two of this show’s creators were also the creators of Fringe, they could just be trying to go the route of Broyles on that series, but I still believe there’s something sinister about this Captain. Something from the pilot just stuck in my head that this guy knows more than he leads on, and something that could very well get in the way of good.

My rating: 3 out of 5.

Best Lines:

“Fear cause inaction. Inaction causes pain. QED fear causes pain.” – Crane.

“I was born more than two centuries ago and my wife is a prisoner in some otherworldly realm. I’m no stranger to complications.” – Crane to Abby, referring to her complicated past with her sister.

“Assume I know everything.” – Irving, a statement that has possible foreshadowing to it.

“No more scorpions. Ever.” – Crane to Abby, about their need to induce control while they sleep in this Sandman’s realm.

Okay, I’m off to go watch New Girl now, then it’s Trophy Wife, and finally Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.