S03.E10: Incident At Stone Manor

[OnceSane]

In the quest to save Abbie, Crane and Sophie are forced to battle a supernatural force targeting the citizens of Sleepy Hollow, while Pandora and The Hidden One only grow stronger. Meanwhile, in an effort to find out what truly happened to her sister, Jenny faces an old foe: her father. Can our heroes solve their most personal case yet?

[Enero]

I really like seeing Abbie in the first shot. Now that’s what I’m talking about. On a shallow note, Nicole Beharie is just as gorgeous without all the makeup as she is with it.

 

Loved loved loved the Crane and Abbie scenes. They were fantastic. Once again the chemistry between these two sizzles. I felt terrible for Abbie, when she ran to hug Crane and he vanished into thin air and then when Pandora “cut him loose” to wonder the worlds forever.

 

I laughed out loud when Abbie was telling Crane that he was with her and that she talked to him every day, then followed that up by saying she hadn’t gone off the deep end just yet.

 

She is so smart, and strong and so bad ass, but being alone i.e. fighting alone, being isolated from the world has always been Abbie’s fear. I think this experience is going to haunt her for a while.

 

I really didn’t care about the gargoyle case and was annoyed when the scenes would break from Abbie and Crane to go back to the case of the week. It was obviously filler because the writers couldn't fill up the entire episode with the Abbie/Crane stuff. That said, I thought Jenny was going to punch Joe when he sided with Sophie. LOL

 

I must give Nicole Beharie huge props for rocking this episode. She was outstanding in all of her scenes.  It was her own little Castaway, and she knocked it out the park.

 

My other gripe besides the gargoyle stuff was no hug when Crane and Abbie finally met up in the flesh. What?!! Just no writers. We needed a hug after all that angst and love (yes. I said love because to me it's clear they love each other.) and chemistry. LOL.  And was Crane going to tell Abbie he loved her then changed his mind and went with a joke about her chess game instead?

 

Oh Pandora, please tell me you have a bigger end game than giving this asshole your powers. Then he just left her on the floor obviously ill.  What an ass.  SMH. Like I said, I hope she has a way of taking him down because its clear he doesn’t give a rats ass about her.

 

This was by far the best episode of the season, IMHO. Simply excellent.

[netlyon2]

Netlyon2 is currently dead (d-e-d, dead) from THE FEELS. Her spirit will attempt to post tomorrow after her shipper heart has recovered from this episode.

[crimsongrl]

Best episode in ages!

I could do without Jenny and Joe dealing with their issues during a mission. Talk over breakfast or something!

Team dynamics should be interesting next week.

[phoenics]

I'm still processing all of my feels.  The only thing that would have made this perfect was less filler with Jenny/Joe and a HUG with Crane and Abbie at the end.  But Tom Mison did some epic hand porn sex with Nicole Beharie's hands, so perhaps I will just let it go.  

 

I mean - dirty, nasty hand porn sex.

 

I still wanted a hug though!  And that scene when Pandora cut Crane's tether and Abbie screamed and then the look on her face... wow.

 

And yeah - I think Ichabod punked out and reverted to telling a joke instead of telling Abbie that he loved her.

 

And oh - Robbie Amell is on the X-Files?

[Amethyst]

I should not be writing this now because I went "aww" way too many times.

 

I admit, I was reluctant to watch after last week, but wow, am I glad I did.  After being sidelined during the premiere last week, Nicole did such amazing work tonight.  You could tell Abbie was really struggling to hold on to her sanity.  But I loved that she actually knew what Crane would say, and even what chess moves he would make.  And on a shallow note, she still looked great after being in the Catacombs for months.  

 

IA that the Jenny/Joe/Sophie stuff was just ok.  But in fairness to them, they had a tough act to follow.

 

That last bit practically had me swooning.  Yeah, they could have hugged, but even the casual vibe between them is so natural.  I could watch them goofing off about playing chess all day.  

 

I figured that Abbie would find Betsy Ross hiding or waiting in the well, after they found the cutlass.  I'm so relieved that wasn't the case.  I don't hate Ross, but I'm fine with her staying in the past.

[Free]

Oh Pandora, please tell me you have a bigger end game than giving this asshole your powers. Then he just left her on the floor obviously ill.  What an ass.  SMH. Like I said, I hope she has a way of taking him down because its clear he doesn’t give a rats ass about her.

 

I hope so too because otherwise she would be a waste.

 

I figured that Abbie would find Betsy Ross hiding or waiting in the well, after they found the cutlass.  I'm so relieved that wasn't the case.  I don't hate Ross, but I'm fine with her staying in the past.

 

With the show already juggling plenty of characters, it's best to keep it that way.

[MissAlmond]

 

My other gripe besides the gargoyle stuff was no hug when Crane and Abbie finally met up in the flesh. What?!! Just no writers. We needed a hug after all that angst and love (yes. I said love because to me it's clear they love each other.) and chemistry. LOL.  And was Crane going to tell Abbie he loved her then changed his mind and went with a joke about her chess game instead?

 

I actually thought both the meeting in the flesh and chess game joke were well done and with great acting.  If you recall, both times other people were in the room who should have immediately left but didn't! and you could see both Abbie and Crane quickly looking over at these other people who refused to leave the room but didn't with Crane's body language immediately becoming a man of propriety again due to other people who refused to leave the room, even though one of them (I'm talking to YOU Joe Corbin) knew they should have.   That is all.

 

Pandora, find a lawyer who specializes in ungrateful gods divorce cases and schedule a court date now. 

[Amethyst]

But Tom Mison did some epic hand porn sex with Nicole Beharie's hands, so perhaps I will just let it go.  

 

I mean - dirty, nasty hand porn sex.

 

Yeah, the hand stuff was truly epic.  All I could think was that her hands looked so tiny when encased in his. 

[Rosiejuliemom]

I actually thought both the meeting in the flesh and chess game joke were well done and with great acting.  If you recall, both times other people were in the room who should have immediately left but didn't! and you could see both Abbie and Crane quickly looking over at these other people who refused to leave the room but didn't with Crane's body language immediately becoming a man of propriety again due to other people who refused to leave the room, even though one of them (I'm talking to YOU Joe Corbin) knew they should have.   That is all.

 

Pandora, find a lawyer who specializes in ungrateful gods divorce cases and schedule a court date now. 

 

I'd like to think that as soon as they got out of the room, epic hugging commenced. Hoping we get a flashback. As good as the hand porn was (and I could spend more time than I rightfully should watching Tom Mison's hands), I needed to see a hug.

 

Mr. Pandora better watch out. Someone's gonna poison his dinner.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Rosiejuliemom

[bluvelvet]

Just finished the episode

~~the FEELS~~

That is all...

[Julia]

I'm inclined to cut Pandora some slack here. She waited thousands of years, her husband's dream apocalypse came crashing to the ground, she cut him some slack.

His mistake was, he didn't kill her. Because her magical juice is clearly way stronger than his, and now she's pissed.

[Miss Dee]

I was going to comment, but my spirit needs to go astral-project itself over to the writers' room and give them a hearty slap on the back for a job well done.

I need to watch this again anyway to form anything coherent.

[MissAlmond]

 

I'd like to think that as soon as they got out of the room, epic hugging commenced. Hoping we get a flashback. As good as the hand porn was, I needed to see a hug.

 

Abbie was certainly going for the epic hug when Crane arrived in Land of the Lost.  Sadly, it was only Crane's astral projection.  Later, when they were both flesh and blood and ready for some - um - "bonding", the other people in the room stood around staring like that roomful of relatives in The Godfather when Michael could only stare at Apollonia and she had to resort to hand gesturing: "Yes, I'm wearing your necklace, big boy, and I'm ready for the wedding night too.   Why won't these people get the hell out of here?" 

 

I loved the scene where Jenny and Joe pretty much proclaimed Crane wasn't coming back and Abbie, of course, wasn't buying it and reminded Crane he was to follow her.  Then Jenny and Joe started ooh and aahing when Crane stirred, whereupon Abbie thought to herself: "I knew my man wasn't leaving me bereft.  Why won't these people get the hell out of here?" 

 

ETA: Upon seeing Stone Manor, I swear, I was waiting for the guy who sang "Shout" to appear LOL.  

Edited February 13, 2016 by MissAlmond

[j5cochran]

Oh, my.

 

Some first thoughts:

• This is the episode which Nicole can submit for Emmy consideration.
• I loved the hand porn, and was happy not to see a hug at the end.  Anticipation!
• The Joe/Jenny explanations to Sophie, explanations of how Crane and Abby would have handled the situation, were delightfully meta. It was like a couple of fans telling a newbie how the case of the week works. It was a tiny bit twee, but using Sophie's solution was a nice twist.
• Pandora. Girl. He's all wrong for you. Boot his ass into next week and find another god.

[phoenics]

Pandora really needs god-match.com  The Hidden One is all wrong for her.

[HunterHunted]

I really liked it even though the gargoyle case was weak. Weak! But after I've felt all my feels, it just reminds me how badly they screwed up season two. When this season started, it was a week to week watch because I wasn't going to commit to an entire season. I'm glad I did.

Pandora, girl you need some help. The Hidden One is not gonna do right by her.

[MissAlmond]

I'm inclined to cut Pandora some slack here. She waited thousands of years, her husband's dream apocalypse came crashing to the ground, she cut him some slack.

His mistake was, he didn't kill her. Because her magical juice is clearly way stronger than his, and now she's pissed.

Zod also played the oldest trick in the book. He became all lovey dovey and conjured up Pandora's ancestral land, which made her extremely happy. Then Zod went into his "Oh my aching powers!" routine and if he could only get a witness, everything would be fine. But remember, Pandora, you said it yourself: There are worst things than being alone, like being married to an ungrateful cranky god who guilts you into giving him your powers. Grow that tree, sprout and put on that black dress, and start your list of fellow gods to attend Zod's funeral.

Edited February 13, 2016 by MissAlmond

[HalcyonDays]

You know, my initial thought in the beginning was "why are we wasting time with Joe, Jenny and Sophie - get to Crane and Abbie!! but then I realized this was Metzner's tongue-in-cheek little way to lovingly mock yet revere the Crane/Abbie. Because truly, the insanity of the cases and revelations of C&A really can be ridiculous - and he was playing right into that - and I LOVED it. Thought it was awesome!!

 

Have to say, loved the Abbie semi-goes insane in the realm. Loved the hair. Okay, superficial, but damn, woman needs to keep that gorgeous hair in subsequent episodes!! Seriously show - screw the flatiron and forget the wig!! - NB in her natural hair - absolutely GORGEOUS! Again I so covet that hair...KEEP THAT HAIR.....

 

Also, the effect of the clothes being worn, and her drawing the map on the wall, her talking to Crane, as it's her only way of sanity!! I also liked how they explained why she didn't need food, sleep, water, etc.

 

Pandora, honey. Really, your husband may be really ripped and hot, but he's an ass. A complete selfish self-serving ungrateful, arrogant ass. There are other ripped and hot men out there. Find them, and cut hubby to the curb and get yourself a nice boy. DO NOT GIVE him your powers, dammit!! That's the LAST thing you should do!!!

 

Liked the Gargoyle demon. Only problem is that concrete takes time to cure. If demon has any sort of strength or power, it could have easily pulled itself from that wet mess.

 

I liked this episode a lot!! I loved the Abbie/Crane interacts. They were so playful, fun, loving in their own way. They both are not there to declare their love for each other, but it's there. Hell, when Crane was like, rubbing her hands, and being all serious "I didn't tell you this in the caves", and you see Jenny and Joe's eyes widen, thinking, "OMG finally! Tell her you love her, fool!!", and then that awesome joke, loved it. I love seeing Ichabbie having fun, being teasing with each other and just being comfortable and loving. Truly. Romanticism is wonderful, but I did love the fun teasing aspect of this - I really did. Not everything has to be some dramatic fainting sort of mess. This was true to the characters and allows us to lead to some beautiful growth and realization. And c'mon, those two teasing, messing with each other so deviously - the BEST! Well done Metzner.

 

And can I tell you, the tears on NB's eyes, then she destroyed the "eye", was awesome. She knows that she will lose Crane, and her chances at rescue, but she also knows this is the sacrifice that she would make, and he would also. Loved it.

 

As I expected, the majority of One Life was mostly sans Abbie - most likely because Beharie was contracted for a break, This episode was Mison's contracted break, as he too did not appear as much in the episode.

[HalcyonDays]

Yeah, the hand stuff was truly epic.  All I could think was that her hands looked so tiny when encased in his. 

 

Isn't that truly this show? Mison's huge amazing paws, encasing Beharie's tiny delicate hands. I swear to god...(and yes, that was a beautiful scene, dammit you show!)

[catrox14]

I was throwing a shitfit that Abbie and Crane didn't hug, until I saw the hand-fucking.

 

I'm dead.

[Criminey]

Yes! I am here for Crane and Abbie and they delivered. The best episode in a long while. The hands. Very sensual. I didn't mind Jenny, Joe or Sophie. They added texture. Wow, can't wait 'till next week.

Nicole is a terrific actress.

[benteen]

Really good episode, with some epic Crane and Abbie.  Abbie continues to prove why she's such a badass.

 

Pandora needs to drop that grumpy old man she calls a husband. 

[Dizzychickstar]

I'm recovering from an intense case of the feels combined with Sleepy Hollow blues(balls). Yes to so much-a lot of this episode reminded me of s1: great music, acting choices/beats by Miharie, and great looking scenes/sets. I even liked the look of the gargoyles. I second the majesty of NB's mane.

What would have put the icing on the cake? the B plot integrated better(say Pandora sent the gargoyles to attack Crane's body & B team defends) or completely scraped. And Jenny & Joe excusing themselves so that the Witnesses could get down to reunion bizness***in peace. And Joenny dropping the pretense that the show is a soap opera every time they discuss Jenny's TRUST ISSUES-It's more believable when their convos are light and playfully affectionate. And Pandora pretending to give HO access to her power but sucking his powers dry instead.

Hmmm...Jenny and Sophie butting heads over the best plan? I'll buy that, but the bickering style was reminiscent of s1 Jenny & I think she's grown more than that.

***Dear writers, joking and teasing work when both parties are in on it. Crane didn't have to propose, but the issue they were facing this time was bigger than life and death; while I'll take any Ichabbie crumbs offered, I was looking forward to a more satisfying ending. Joenny didn't even have to be there; they could have walked in on whatever it was Crane was going to say to bae. Oh, well. At least Kindred's back next epi.

[kia112]

As soon as I saw the shot of Abbie with curly hair, I was like, "So...she's been there for 2 years?"  10 months?!  The show trying to tell me that she not only completely grew out of a relaxer, but grew curly hair longer than the previously aforementioned straight hair in only 10 months was the most unrealistic thing this show has ever tried to sell me.

[BestestAuntEver]

NB was awesome this episode. I rewound several scenes just trying to catch all of the nuances she put into her scenes.

Abbie continues to be the strong bad ass I love.

I am really enjoying Jenny and Joe.

I should have known I wasn't the only one thinking Abbie and Crane were having hand sex.

[Slovenly Muse]

Ok, I loved the Abbie/Crane stuff like mad, and Nicole Beharie is freaking brilliant. But the case of the week stuff with Jenny, Joe and New Girl? SO DUMB! I did not understand the weird tension at all. Like, hasn't Jenny been in the supernatural arms trading business for longer than Abbie even knew these things existed? But then New Girl learns about it all, and in a few weeks she's questioning Jenny's expertise and coming up with better ideas on how to fight the things? While Jenny is stumbling around like an amateur? The idea of the "cypher" hidden in the letter was absurd. Not because it was there, but because it was so poorly disguised that it took New Girl less than five seconds to crack it. (Was it seriously as simple as some words being written in a different shade of ink, and those words telling a different story than the whole document? So the entire document was written to contain the words to a story about Betsy Ross and some other pseudo-historical persons being attacked by a Gargoyle? Even for this show, that is ridiculous.) And then they defeat the Gargoyle by tricking it into a giant hole, where it cowers and waits there for Joe to use that one little hose to fill up the entire massive pit (which must have taken quite some time) with, I guess, insta-dry cement, without leaping or flying out (using its wings, maybe?) and attacking them, or just escaping? What? And then to cap it all off, when Crane returns to his body, the candle flickers BACK ON? Even though it is supposed to be lit when he is NOT in his body? Honestly, this was the most lazily, poorly-written episode I've seen in a long time. I know a lot of it was just filler, but the writer seemed way past even phoning it in. I don't know if the Abbie/Crane scenes were actually better written than the rest, or if NB's performance just elevated the material, but I was pretty thoroughly disgusted by the utter lack of thought and care put into the overall story. Or maybe it's just an indicator of how much hand-waving we the audience do on a regular basis when we're too distracted by the amazing chemistry between Abbie and Crane to actually care about the details of what they're doing. Either way, I feel like I just got flashing neon explanation for why Sleepy Hollow will never be appointment television for me, no matter how great NB and TM are doing with what they are given.

[Indi]

This should have been the first episode back and not the abomination that was last week's filler. It still wasn't as good as it should have been, because... Metzner. That man can't write his way out of a paper bag if his life depended on it, so that's how I had an episode with good action and acting (Nicole), but with completely stupid, forced dialogs and behaviors more appropriate for 7 year olds.

 

The good:

 

- Abbie. From her hair (I hope she keeps it), to her face, to her being a complete badass, even on the bring of losing her sanity.

 

- Witness One saving herself and immediately proceeding to save Witness Two.

 

- Pandora without her husband was her usual cruel taunting self. I love how she keeps her focus on Witness One and is completely dismissive of Witness Two.

 

- Abbie having conversations with herself. I don't care she said it was Ichy/Invisible Friend. I certainly didn't recognize Invisible Ichy's words as something he would say and I'm going to take Ichy's joke about the chess move he would have made instead, as an admission from the writers it was all Abbie.

 

The meh:

 

- The Joe/Sophie/Jenny B plot.

 

- Mr. Mills.

 

The bad:

 

- Blah, blah, blah, bond!, blah, bond!, blah, blah, bond!

 

- Pandora's husband. They've done Peter Mensah so wrong!

 

- Metzner.

 

- Haters gonna hate (gladly!)

- The reunion scene, even though the Abbie/Jenny hug was nice enough. After that, everything collapsed into senseless stupidity.

 

- The necessity the writers have to shoehorn Sexy!Betsy and flashbacks, even in an episode like this.

[Enero]

But the case of the week stuff with Jenny, Joe and New Girl? SO DUMB! I did not understand the weird tension at all. Like, hasn't Jenny been in the supernatural arms trading business for longer than Abbie even knew these things existed? But then New Girl learns about it all, and in a few weeks she's questioning Jenny's expertise and coming up with better ideas on how to fight the things? While Jenny is stumbling around like an amateur?

I agree. Jenny has been in the game for a long time. It would've only made sense that she had the best idea of how to at least take down the gargoyle.

And then they defeat the Gargoyle by tricking it into a giant hole, where it cowers and waits there for Joe to use that one little hose to fill up the entire massive pit (which must have taken quite some time) with, I guess, insta-dry cement, without leaping or flying out (using its wings, maybe?) and attacking them, or just escaping? What?

Yeah this was ridiculous. Lol. Honestly after the hole was filled I was waiting for the gargoyle to fly out or at least break free from the suddenly hardened cement but thankfully it didn't. I do wonder though why more gargoyles didn't awaken. Weren't their several posted throughout the building?

And then to cap it all off, when Crane returns to his body, the candle flickers BACK ON? Even though it is supposed to be lit when he is NOT in his body?

The flame was a tether that kept Crane's spirit tied to our world. When the wax burned down he was supposed to have awaken, but Pandora cut his tether and thus the flame went out. The candle relit because Abbie pulled Crane's spirit back from oblivion and thus reestablished the tether. With the wax being burned down and the spirit (Abbie) that Crane was seeking being back in our world he awaken.

Did anyone notice the emblem on the lighter Jenny stole from Papa Mills? I wonder if it has any significance? Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen of him. I think there's a lot of story potential there.

[CooperTV]

The fact that Abbie (who was supposed to be saved by Ichabod and co) saved herself using only clues from Ichabod and his faith in her was ingenious! Good job, writers! It was really Abbie Mills's episode, for all that it has like, ten parallel storylines.

 

I think it was also inspired to show how Abbie was living in the other realm/the Catacombs, how she tried to organize her surroundings (in very clever way!) with things that reminded her of home (chess playing with Ichabod, aww!). Plus the entire sequence of her being afraid she's losing it and Ichabod appearing was very good. Nicole Baharie had some weird start there in their first scenes with Tom Mison, but as their interactions in the Catacombs progressed, it got better. The moment when Pandora cut Ichabod's tether was probably the best acting from Beharie this episode had.

 

Oh, and how great was that Pandora was, once again, taunting Abbie with Ichabod's life. She's such a great villain. But lol, Pandora, you don't know the Witnesses at all if you ever expected Abbie to give in!

 

Sophie, you are my favorite! I think Jenny has more chemistry with you than she has with her dull-as-a-dishwater boyfriend (no offense, Joe). But really, Sophie is capable, smart and not smug. I like how she uses every venue to try and solve mysterious nonsense! I like how Jenny, Joe and Sophie were describing the Abbie-n-Ichabod Method of Fighting Evil. Poor Sophie and her realizing her Jefferson is a hologram joke was not a joke!

 

The FBI dude is still in the main credits, but I still didn't figure out what his purpose actually is. At least Betsy Ross was there for a reason! And what a great reason it was! I hope it'll pay off.

 

Hi, Papa Mills. Bye, Papa Mills.

[bluvelvet]

Now that I have had time to process the feels onto the episode. I agree that the B plot dragged a bit, I also think that Jenny was off her game because of her guilt over Abby sacrificing herself to save her and also breaking into her fathers house. Joe commented to her that he knew it was a weird day for her. I think that was the writers way of explaining why Jenny was off.

 

I liked the stone monster, I assumed they weakened it with the holy water and that's why it didn't have the strength to fly out of the cement pit, I also assumed they had some holy water in the wet cement.

 

Agree, no need for Jenny to go all soap opera about her feelings during high stress times, keep Joe and Jenny as they were last season, slow and low key.  Last season they didn't tell us that Joe was in love with Jenny, we saw it on his face during and episode and in his willingness to die to protect her.  I like that, no need for exposition.  Show us Jenny opening up to Joe over time.

 

Pandora *shakes head*...I am not worried about our girl..I think she will slowly get her groove back.  Her husband it a hottie though..

[Primetimer]

Abbie and Crane try to rescue one another from limbo -- aw! -- as the ultimate evil levitates a glowing...chunk! And lectures us! Zzz!

Read the story

[DearEvette]

I needed to sleep on my feelings on this one but I have to say this was my favorite episode of the season so far.  Last season my favorite episode was the finale, Tempus Fugit.  No surprise then, that the ones that allow Abbie to be the out of her element and showing how she adapts and turns a disadvantage to an advantage seems to be the things that work hands down for me.  Also added, these seem to be the ones where Abbie and Ichabod cling the most fiercely to each other.

 

But Abbie was the MVP of this episode.  I love how she figured out time, became a cartographer, an explorer, kept herself just this side of sanity and managed to have a fab twist out!

 

Other observations:

- Jenny v. Sophia.  This is the place where I think Jenny kind of stands in for the audience.  She views Sophia as an interloper and possible threat to their team dynamic.  How dare this newcomer come here and new-come her way into our business, with her newcomer ideas!  I do think on some level Sophia is being pushed a little  too hard but I am not as angry about her as I was, say, about Katrina.  Mainly because I actually like the Sophia character  and the actress can act.  One element of Jenny's unease around Sophia is I think she sees someone who is a lot like Abbie.  She's smart and resourceful.  As an audience member we get a little uneasy because of our lack of trust in this writing team based on last season and wonder if we are seeing a possible replacement for Abbie.  But I think Jenny looks at Sophia and becomes uneasy because she sees a possible replacement for her(Jenny) in Abbie's regard.  Let's face it, Abbie would have also suggested a more mundane and scientific approach if she thought it would work.  She did did tell Crane that they didn't always need to go a witch to get shit done.  Now that Abbie is back it will be interesting to see how Sophia fits into their group.

 

- Pandora v. Abby - Their interactions remain the strongest thread this entire season.  From the first meeting in Maeby's when we thought Pandy was actually flirting, Shannyn Sossamon and Nicole Beharie's on screen chemistry has been fantastic.  Seriously if you pull out all their scenes together  -  Pandy taunting Abbie over Ichabod's body in the garage, Pandy menacing Abbie while Abbie was in her hospital bed, Pandy trying to negotiate with Abbie after she killed whatshisface in that FBI van -- you would see some seriously rocking character interactions.  And yes, I love that Pandy seems so laser focused on Abbie!  Ichabod barely registers for her except as a means to get at Abbie.  I wonder if in the end it will be these two warrior women facing off?

 

- Pandora v. Hidden One - What a fucked up relationship that is!  He is a textbook abuser.  I wonder if he will go a step too far and she turns on him?

 

- Abbie & Ichabod - Ok are we in the midst of the longest foreplay ever?  Gah!  I love the hand-sex.  They are in love.  We all know this.  I get it that Ichabod probably turned completely shy at the last minute.  And it was a completely meta moment because yes of course Metzner is fucking with us.  And it'll drag out more because Ichabod has to deal with that Zoe chick still.  But this is totally foreplay.  They are so happening.

 

- Betsy Ross is sooooooo unecessary.  Why people why?

[Sparkling Beth]

 

Liked the Gargoyle demon. Only problem is that concrete takes time to cure. If demon has any sort of strength or power, it could have easily pulled itself from that wet mess.

That's totally what I expected to happen, and I was actually happy that the writers avoided the cliché of having the heroes think the villain is down only to have the villain make one last lunge at them.  My feeling was that the gargoyle thing wasn't that bright and was easily distracted by temporary offensive measures--bullets, for example, didn't kill it, but it did stop to shake them off each time--and then the weight of the concrete held it down.  Once its head was under--buh-bye, Stony.

[Happytobehere]

I have nothing else to add to the already posted brilliant comments. We all agree that this episode was amazing; Nicole proved why she is the star of the show; Tom completely sold Crane's love for Abby as being so deep, he can't even find a way to adequately communicate it.

I will say that IMO, Joe and Jenny showed that they are C Plot at best. hell, even Pandora and her creep are more compelling as a pair than they are.

Sophie is okay, I'm just not sure where the show is going with her.

Busty and Reynolds can go at anytime, and I actually like Lance Gross; it just seems like his character sounded like a good idea but the writers never thought past "Hot, FBI agent with a thing for Abby."

[HalcyonDays]

I actually thought both the meeting in the flesh and chess game joke were well done and with great acting.  If you recall, both times other people were in the room who should have immediately left but didn't! and you could see both Abbie and Crane quickly looking over at these other people who refused to leave the room but didn't with Crane's body language immediately becoming a man of propriety again due to other people who refused to leave the room, even though one of them (I'm talking to YOU Joe Corbin) knew they should have.   That is all.

 

Pandora, find a lawyer who specializes in ungrateful gods divorce cases and schedule a court date now.

 

I watched this part again, and yeah, Crane glanced at Joe for a moment, obviously a bit uncomfortable they were there, so cracked the joke instead. TBH, I loved it. I really did. Who else have we ever seen Crane be relaxed and joking with - NO ONE. The best romantic relationships are the ones based in deep friendship - you want to marry your best friend, not the person you barely tolerate in life, but have hot sex with. Hot sex is great, but that's a one-night stand or occasional hook-up, not a person you build a life with. This season, Ichabbie are slowly becoming more and more comfortable with each other and I adore this.

 

Oh and "ungrateful gods divorce cases"  - made me HOWL with laughter!!

 

The fact that Abbie (who was supposed to be saved by Ichabod and co) saved herself using only clues from Ichabod and his faith in her was ingenious! Good job, writers! It was really Abbie Mills's episode, for all that it has like, ten parallel storylines.

I loved this too. She needed the clues from Crane, but figured it out on her own, which is true Abbie Mills.

 

- Abbie & Ichabod - Ok are we in the midst of the longest foreplay ever?  Gah!  I love the hand-sex.  They are in love.  We all know this.  I get it that Ichabod probably turned completely shy at the last minute.  And it was a completely meta moment because yes of course Metzner is fucking with us.  And it'll drag out more because Ichabod has to deal with that Zoe chick still.  But this is totally foreplay.  They are so happening.

 

This whole season has been both of them realizing what they truly mean to each other. Crane, with his mania to find Abbie, and pretty much losing it. Abbie, in her isolation, having conversation with Crane, playing "virtual" chess with him, etc (note, not Jenny, but Crane). The look on Abbie's face when Pandora cut Crane's "tether" was so heart-breaking. This is the journey to realization these two have taken all season. Nicely done, Cliff!

 

[DearEvette]

I forgot to add in my previous post, that this episode was also a mirror -  ha ha -- to last week's episode.  A lot of what Abbie did this week we can see upon reflection -- again ha ha! -- that it was like Ichabod from last week.  Sure her 'edge of sanity' stuff was rooted in the fact that she was stuck in some weird hellscape alone for ten months, but we can't doubt that Ichabod was also losing it last week even to communing with a mirror.  His desperation to get Abbie back was 'mirrored' by hers to get back.  And even though he is in the real world, it is probably just as alien to him without Abbie as the hellscape was to her.

 

Also I think the metaphor of the tether was a good one.  Abbie is Ichabod's tether to this world.  He isn't in his natural place either.  He could have easily lost his marbles but he had Abbie to hold on to.  So with her gone, no matter how much of a relationship he has forged with Jenny and Joe, he really would have been lost.

[phoenics]

Also I think the metaphor of the tether was a good one.  Abbie is Ichabod's tether to this world.  He isn't in his natural place either.  He could have easily lost his marbles but he had Abbie to hold on to.  So with her gone, no matter how much of a relationship he has forged with Jenny and Joe, he really would have been lost.

 

*weeps silently in a corner*

[Sparkling Beth]

 

Tom completely sold Crane's love for Abby as being so deep, he can't even find a way to adequately communicate it.

Love this. 

[MissAlmond]

 

The best romantic relationships are the ones based in deep friendship - you want to marry your best friend, not the person you barely tolerate in life, but have hot sex with. Hot sex is great, but that's a one-night stand or occasional hook-up, not a person you build a life with.

 

Pandora looks up, wondering . . .

[thuganomics85]

Abbie's back!  Glad they didn't drag that thing out forever, and she's already returned to the gang!  I liked that while Jenny and Ichabod did play parts in setting it up, it mainly was Abbie using her own brains (and knowing Ichabod enough to ask what he'd do), to finally escape.  And, of course, her standing up and not being fooled by Pandora was awesome.  Nicole Beharie really shined in this and it just continues to make what they did to her last season even more ridiculous.  Loved all the reunions, but I think Ichabod really did want to do more then just hold her hand.  He just wouldn't because Joe and Jenny apparently can not take a damn hint, and make an exit.  Come on, guys!  If you're going to waste time on missions talking about your damn feelings, learn to read a damn room!

 

Thank goodness for that since the monster of the week was probably one of the weakest, and it was a good thing that was what the B-squad got saddled with. Sorry Jenny, Joe and even Sophie, but y'all ain't quite ready for that much responsibility, without Abbie and Ichabod around to hold your hands.  I guess that was on purpose to highlight how important the Witnesses are.  But even though she is the newbie and a bit forceful, I actually felt more for Sophie, and felt like Jenny had a bug up her ass about her.  I do think it's true that they were probably trying to make Jenny channel the audience members who aren't quite open to Sophie yet, but I just wish Jenny didn't come off that pissy about it.

 

Pandora, Pandora, Pandora!  I get your are an evil person who is hell bent on destroying the world, but you so deserve a better husband still.  You can't just give him you powers like that, when he treats you like shit.  This isn't healthy!  Stand up for yourself!  You don't need him to be an awesome villain!  I so hope she gets the upper hand over him, even though I like Peter Mensah.  But those scenes with Abbie reminded me how great Shannyn Sossamon can camp it up and especially how great her chemistry with Beharie.

 

With Jessica Camacho now in the opening credits (congrats!), they really have a shit ton of regulars now.  Not sure how they can keep this up.  I guess Sophie is part of the gang now, but I really don't know what they can do with Reynolds now that Abbie is back.  And there still isn't a need to keep Betsy Ross around as a regular.

[phoenics]

I just rewatched on HuluPlus (and suffered through the ads just to get ratings up - will watch on DVR too - same thing) and that scene of THO taking Pandora's powers was just really hard to watch.  It was like watching a woman offer herself up to a vampire and letting him suck the life out of her with no regard for her at all.  THO gave her such a contemptuous look at the end when he drained her of everything and then just went on about his business, not even caring as she crumpled to the ground.

 

Seriously - such a strong contrast to Ichabbie and how much they worked together as a team to accomplish things and how each are each other's tether to the world. And seriously - you cannot parallel Ichabbie to THO/Pandora and not be thinking about both couples romantically.  THO/Pandora are romantic and evil and Ichabbie are....?  Come on show!

[MissAlmond]

 

And seriously - you cannot parallel Ichabbie to THO/Pandora and not be thinking about both couples romantically.  THO/Pandora are romantic and evil and Ichabbie are....?  Come on show!

 

No, not parallels.  Mirror images of the other.  The show has it right.

 

From Wikipedia:

A mirror image (in a plane mirror) is a reflected duplication of an object that appears almost identical, but is reversed in the direction perpendicular to the mirror surface.

 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2016 by MissAlmond

[ChromaKelly]

As soon as I saw the shot of Abbie with curly hair, I was like, "So...she's been there for 2 years?"  10 months?!  The show trying to tell me that she not only completely grew out of a relaxer, but grew curly hair longer than the previously aforementioned straight hair in only 10 months was the most unrealistic thing this show has ever tried to sell me.

I thought she must flat iron her hair and the humidity was getting to it.

[HalcyonDays]

Seriously - such a strong contrast to Ichabbie and how much they worked together as a team to accomplish things and how each are each other's tether to the world. And seriously - you cannot parallel Ichabbie to THO/Pandora and not be thinking about both couples romantically.  THO/Pandora are romantic and evil and Ichabbie are....?  Come on show!

 

No, not parallels.  Mirror images of the other.  The show has it right.

 

That's what I think. Compare the disregard THO has for his wife. He basically blames her for everything, then sucks out her power, and totally disregards her after that. Compare that to Crane, who would do anything for Abbie, and lost his mind in his mania to get her back. THO uses his wife for his own personal gain, while Crane sacrifices himself for his future wife (yeah, I said it).

 

The interesting thing is the similarities between Pandora and Abbie. Pandora sacrificed her powers for her husband for what they think is the greater good. Abbie sacrificed herself - and Crane by destroying the stone - for the greater good too. Pandora is always targeting Abbie, taunting her with how "lonely" she will be without Crane, yet Pandora herself - though THO is physically there - is truly the lonely one.

[ChromaKelly]

Is anyone else a Hamilton fan? I was all "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman!" when Lafayette was on, and noted that General Howe (mentioned in the song Right Hand Man) was the bad guy unleashing the demons. I am now looking for any little mention of Hamilton characters in this show.

Anyway, the episode. YES! It was great. I feel like the show is back on track. I was afraid that Crane was then going to be lost and we'd be spending several episodes on finding him, so I was glad that was resolved. Minimal Boobsy Ross, so that was good too. I am warming to Sophie, but wonder what her place will be with Abbie back.

[catrice2]

The Joe/Jenny kiss may have been even worse this week.  I'm sorry, he is so bland and no eye candy. I also can't get over his being a demon and hurting people.  I am in the minority because I see Abbie/Crane as good friends and I do not wish for anything romantic between them.  Would love to know how Abbie kept looking like she had lip gloss on. 

I am unsure where the new agent will fit in.  I agree about the Besty Ross flashbacks, they are very boring.  I don't care for the new "big bad."  Why couldn't Pandora be the bad guy on her own?

[LeeLeePanda]

Is anyone else a Hamilton fan? I was all "America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman!" when Lafayette was on, and noted that General Howe (mentioned in the song Right Hand Man) was the bad guy unleashing the demons. I am now looking for any little mention of Hamilton characters in this show

I was irrationally upset that Lafayette was not played by Daveed Diggs ;). I know Lin Manuel Miranda is super busy, and Sleepy Hollow probably can't afford to have him, but it would be amazing to see him make a cameo as Alexander Hamilton.

Can you imagine a standoff of who's actually the smartest person in the room, Hamilton or Crane? It would be epic!

Also, I hope they mention Hercules Mulligan since he was part of the Culper Ring, and apparently BS is also.

[Slovenly Muse]

 

And then to cap it all off, when Crane returns to his body, the candle flickers BACK ON? Even though it is supposed to be lit when he is NOT in his body?

The flame was a tether that kept Crane's spirit tied to our world. When the wax burned down he was supposed to have awaken, but Pandora cut his tether and thus the flame went out. The candle relit because Abbie pulled Crane's spirit back from oblivion and thus reestablished the tether. With the wax being burned down and the spirit (Abbie) that Crane was seeking being back in our world he awaken.

 

Oh, ok! This actually makes sense. What I heard/understood was that the candle was SUPPOSED to go out when it burned all the way down, and that when it did, it would pull Crane back to his body. And then all the panic was about how the candle had burned down/gone out as it was supposed to, but Crane wasn't awake, and since the candle hadn't worked, they didn't have another way to get him back. I don't know if it was poorly-explained, or if I just wasn't paying attention (or both). Thanks for filling in the gaps!

[ChromaKelly]

I was irrationally upset that Lafayette was not played by Daveed Diggs ;). I know Lin Manuel Miranda is super busy, and Sleepy Hollow probably can't afford to have him, but it would be amazing to see him make a cameo as Alexander Hamilton.

Can you imagine a standoff of who's actually the smartest person in the room, Hamilton or Crane? It would be epic!

Also, I hope they mention Hercules Mulligan since he was part of the Culper Ring, and apparently BS is also.

I'm hoping for some mentions of Hamilton's - or even other characters - personalities like they are in Hamilton. "I was with Alexander Hamilton, who would not stop talking and then wrote me a 30 page letter detailing the plan..." Or Aaron Burr "I could never ascertain what Mr. Burr was against or for."