Sleepy Hollow - Magnum Opus - Review

   Last night, Sleepy Hollow offered us its last episode before the fall finale ! I can’t believe we have almost reached the first part of the second season.
   "Magnum Opus" was a great episode, but just like last year with “The Indispensable Man”, the pace was slower (I wish FOX would have aired the two parts in one night). It happens often on TV shows, the episode right before the finale is written as a lead-up to the finale, so nothing big happens and characters are just set in motion for the big explosive finale. I don’t really mind it, but the main reason why I love Sleepy Hollow is because it’s such a different show, so I expected more twists in “Magnum Opus”
   Still, it was a pretty solid episode, which finally focused more on our favorite duo, Ichabod and Abbie as Witnesses and their mission. I really enjoyed, as usual, their connection and the depth of their relationship.

   Ichabod and Abbie had a new mission in “Magnum Opus” : find a sword capable of killing Moloch. Katrina told them, through her mirror’s apparition trick, she had failed her mission and let Moloch live in our world. I really loved how Ichabod, and Abbie, found out about the sword and deduced where it was. It depicted so well Ichabod and Abbie’s dynamic, they’re very fast and always funny.
   But, Ichabod and Abbie also learnt of a new prophecy on their quest for the sword. They have to know themselves or perish. Ichabod had a lot of troubles adjusting to this idea. He first felt he didn’t know himself because everything he did to get to the present time with Abbie was influenced by Abraham and Katrina. It was touching to see Ichabod a bit lost, not confident about himself.
   Abbie also reflected on her mission as a Witness. Last week in “Mama”, we got back the book of her ancestor, Grace Dixon. It has really given more faith and confidence to Abbie to fulfill her mission. She finds in her mission an explanation to the pain she has suffered in her life. It’s very positive from her and it was exactly what the Witnesses needed. I really liked that in the same episode, Ichabod and Abbie shared their feelings and their concerns, I’ve been missing that a bit in the past episodes.

   Ichabod and Abbie quickly found out the location of the sword, but the Horseman of Death was there to get it first. Ichabod, Katrina and Abbie didn’t know that Henry used the same mirror trick as Katrina, but only to hear them, without being seen. So, he knew about the sword and sent Abraham to get it first. Abbie was crazy to go after the sword anyway, risking her life. That girl is brave.
   Luckily, daylight came and Death went away. As Abbie and Ichabod were alone, they went into the secret cave to get the sword but it was guarded by a Gorgon. They had to leave and Abbie started to freak out. She feared she would face the same destiny as the women in their family : death. But Ichabod was there for her, to put her back on the right track and calm her down. And she had a brilliant idea. That’s exactly the heart of Ichabod and Abbie’s relationship : they’re always here for each other. They share that special connection that makes them stronger together.
   Abbie’s idea to wait for Abraham to get back and send him to fight of the Gorgon (with no head and no eyes, he couldn’t be turned to stones) was excellent. But Abraham quickly got rid of the Gorgon, and as Abbie had to choose the right sword between a lot of them, Ichabod had no choice but to fight Abraham. Their fight scene was extraordinary. I really enjoyed it. It was so powerful and so good to finally watch those two put their anger in action. Ichabod was able to see and hear Abraham, I was satisfied they finally talked about their differences. They still saw things differently, but it gave more understanding to both of their characters.

   Ichabod couldn’t defeat Abraham, and Abbie picked the wrong sword (because they’re all wrong actually and turned to snakes). I thought Abbie would be more afraid of those snakes, I know I would. Abraham came and left quickly after being summoned by Moloch. He left Ichabod alive so he could suffer in the world ruled by Moloch, that way he will get his revenge. Ichabod felt quite lost afterwards, defeated (like Abbie was after Abraham's first attack), but Abbie was there, as always. And, like Ichabod did, she calmed Ichabod down. I loved that they’re both as important for each other, whenever one of them is a little down, the other one stands up. Ichabod’s line “It’s through your eyes that I see myself the most clearly” really summed up their relationship (and it put a big smile on my face). The glances between Abbie and him were so powerful. It was definitely my favorite moment of the episode. Ichabod and Abbie finally understood the secret message and found the sword, hidden in the oil. They have a weapon against Moloch ! They do have a chance to stop the Apocalypse. I was starting to get a little afraid their mission would fail..

   Henry is such a terrific enemy. Since the start of the season, Henry has proven himself to be the most powerful and efficient ally of Moloch, way more than Abraham ever was. He is a master at manipulation and deception. He even plays with Abraham, his fellow Horseman. Henry used Katrina, his own mother, and fooled her over baby Moloch (who is now a full teenager). Katrina couldn’t poison and murder him, because he looked so harmless with Henry’s enchantment.
   Poor Katrina, Henry got what he needed so he lifted the enchantment and Katrina was faced with the reality. Moloch has risen, it was never a real human baby. But Henry was human at some point, and Katrina still tries to reach it in him. I think it's a lost cause actually, I don't see how Henry could be redeem after everything he did.
  The very last scene of the episode, where Moloch appears in front the horseman and Henry, was absolutely thrilling. It’s gonna be so hard to wait for next Monday.

   “Magnum Opus” was a good episode, a good lead up to the fall finale. Moloch has finally risen on Earth, and our Witnesses have found a weapon able to destroy him. That is so exciting ! Maybe that's why I was a bit disappointed by the episode, I really want to see what happens now with Moloch... Can’t wait for next Monday !

    What did you think of “Magnum Opus” ? Are you excited about the fall finale ? Hit the comments !

Witnesses notes :

* Weather application, games application, selfie, Ichabod is becoming more and more modern. Love it.
* Gorgon is another scary monsters added to Sleepy Hollow's list.
* Join or Die ! I always loved how the writers insert real history facts into their mythology. I wish we could see more of Benjamin Franklin.
* Jenny and Irvin's part in the episode disappointed me a little. They don't form a great duo, and Irvin's decision not go to Canada was expected. I want to see all the gang in action next week !
* What will happen in the fall finale ? I think Abraham will finally be defeated and Moloch sent back to Purgatory or defeated too ? But what about Henry ? Will his humanity be restored in some way ? or will he become the new big bad ?

About the Author - Romain Ossust

I'm a 28 TV addict. Here is a non exhaustive list of my favorite shows : Orphan Black, True Blood, Dexter, Weeds, Person of Interest, Criminal Minds, The Strain, 24, Ab Fab, Carnivale, The Leftovers, Lost, The Americans, Hannibal, American Horror Story, Once Upon A Time, Bates Motel, Desperate Housewives, Rectify, Ugly Betty, Scandal, Looking, Sleepy Hollow, Fargo, Banshee, The Walking Dead, Raising Hope, Orange is the New Black, Grey’s Anatomy, Reign, HIMYM, Girls, Game of Thrones, The Fall, Power, Black Sails, True Detective, ... For SpoilerTV, I'm reviewing The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Looking, Sleepy Hollow, The Americans & Orphan Black

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