An Unappetizing Feat. Retrospective: Sleepy Hollow – “The Sin Eater”

Season 1, Episode 06

Air Date: Monday, November 4, 2013, 9PM ET/PT on Fox.

Rating: ★★★★★

“They’re two things in life that I think a person should hold onto as long as possible – virginity and skepticism.” — Captain Irving

“The Sin Eater” makes no apologies as it roars through in a most frightening manner with talk of demons and sin. Nightmare sequences complete with crackling lightning, a crying baby, strange looking dolls, and a headless horseman – all things that would make anyone cringe. Yes, ladies and gents, our cranium challenged foe has returned, albeit briefly.

Down Time, Kidnapping, and Demons

Opening with Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie) enjoying some down time—at a local baseball game no less—really throws me off track. I’m so used to these two being in the midst of battling evil, them yelling snide comments at the umpire seems out of place. Sadly, quiet time for these “two witnesses” is short lived. After Ichabod is kidnapped by mysterious strangers, it’s up to Abbie, along with the help of her sister Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood), to find him. Again, I must comment on Ichabod’s wardrobe…I hate to beat a dead horse, no pun intended, but seriously. It’s been a while now. He’s got his own place, courtesy of the late Sheriff Corbin (Clancy Brown); he’s been to a baseball game, and battled countless baddies. Will someone please get this man a clean-er shirt and new trousers? What kind of thread count is happening here that after 250 years in the earth his clothes are not tattered to smithereens? And do they make jeans? I could use a pair of those, thank you!

We discover Ichabod’s captors are fellow brother freemasons who seek to learn the truth about Ichabod’s identity. Mr. Rutledge (guest star James Frain), one of them, isn’t the bad guy I first thought him to be. Frain is fantastic as Rutledge. He instills a commanding presence in his character as he stands in front of Ichabod, who recognizes him as a descendant of someone from revolutionary times. Rutledge’s calm demeanor and continued encouragement lead Ichabod to uncover something that may lead to answers surrounding his link to the headless horseman. Through flashbacks, we see Ichabod’s struggle to decipher what’s good for the crown and what’s morally right when faced with interrogating Arthur Bernard (Tongayi Chirisa), a freed slave. Arthur warns Ichabod about demons that live among them disguised as men, one of whom is British Colonel Tarleton (guest star Craig Parker). If any of you know Parker’s previous work, you’ll agree he is very adept at playing villainous men. Although only on screen for a short time, Parker convincingly portrays a corrupt leader who isn’t really a man at all. Parker is so gifted at being versatile – he was an elf in Lord of the Rings, a politician in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and he was an evil sorcerer in Legend of the Seeker. Why is he not on television more? I digress.

A New Confessional

Abbie and Jenny locate a man named Henry Parrish (guest star John Noble), aka “The Sin Eater.” Jenny gives a great explanation of what that is: “Every culture has their own version of a sin eater – a person who has the power to cleanse the wicked of their sins.” But when Abbie mentions a sin eater is sort of like a priest, Jenny retorts, “A sin eater reaches inside your soul and swallows your sins, ridding you of evil.” Well, that would be something to see at your local church confessional, now wouldn’t it? Not that I would know. Despite the religious undertones sprinkled heavily into Sleepy Hollow, I find it all fascinating. I’m not religious but the stories one can find in the Bible are quite frightening…even more so than some of the scariest horror films.

Noble is mesmerizing on screen. His performance is so compelling, you actually believe he is a sin eater. His gentle tone and polite dismissal of Abbie and Jenny make you feel like an intruder in his private sanctuary. When Henry says he can’t help, Abbie isn’t ready to take no for an answer. He unwittingly helps when the two of them touch, revealing Ichabod’s whereabouts underground.

Thoughts

Jenny hits the nail on the head in regards to how Abbie feels about Ichabod, but as much as some viewers may want a romance between our “two witnesses,” I’m not one of them. I love that Abbie cares so deeply for her new friend. And I love their friendship; it’s almost to the point of a sibling bond. Ichabod still loves his wife Katrina (Katia Winter), who also still loves him. She sought out Abbie in that scary dream sequence; she told Abbie a sin eater was needed so Ichabod could be “sanctified.” But the process doesn’t require a hand on the forehead casting out of demons while shouting ‘Be healed!’ I’m reminded of a saying about a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine go down. In Henry’s case, it’s a huge chunk of bread and the medicine is Ichabod’s blood. As Abbie explains to Captain Irving (Orlando Jones), who’s holding on tight to his skepticism, “Crane is linked to the horseman. Their blood is mixed together so now their spirits are connected.” Of course, there is so much more to it than that.

“The Sin Eater” knocks it out of the park, pun intended. After a three-week hiatus, Sleepy Hollow comes to bat ready to hit home runs for the rest of the season. I’m anxious for the headless horseman to return—to be the wicked antagonist to our two small town heroes. Arthur tells Ichabod, “Together, your combined power will weather the coming storm.” I’m curious as to why the horseman goes to Ichabod’s crypt where Katrina hid him away. And who awoke the horseman in the first place? I have some wild hair theories about that but I’ll save them for another day. I have a feeling Luke (Nicholas Gonzalez), Abbie’ ex, may not be the Boy Scout he appears to be. As for Captain Irving…let’s just say I don’t completely trust him either. I, too, am holding onto my skepticism…of him.

Tune in to Sleepy Hollow, Mondays at 9/8c only on Fox.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/sleepy-hollow/.

Follow Sleepy Hollow on Twitter: @SleepyHollowFox #SleepyHollow.

LIKE Sleepy Hollow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SleepyHollow.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.