SLEEPY HOLLOW Season 2 Finale Post-Mortem: Tom Mison Weighs in on the ‘Bold’ Twist
February 23, 2015 by Marisa Roffman
[Warning: this post contains major spoilers for the SLEEPY HOLLOW season 2 finale. Please don’t read it until you’ve watched the hour.]
Once again, SLEEPY HOLLOW’s finale ended with Ichabod Crane’s world crumbling around him.
At the end of the first season, there was a tinge of bittersweetness to the shock: Ichabod had to leave Abbie in purgatory so Katrina could bind the Horseman of War and help prevent the apocalypse. Unfortunately, Abbie and Ichabod’s sin-eating friend, Henry, was secretly War…and Ichabod and Katrina’s presumed dead son, Jeremy, who was hellbent on revenge.
This year, the destruction was perhaps more intimate. Katrina — grieving over the loss of Henry (who was killed by Abbie, in an attempt to stop him and Katrina from enacting a siren call which would beacon all of the people with witch blood to them) — conjured up a spell that took her back to 1781. The hope was if she let Ichabod die, she could live out her days with Henry/Jeremy, and she wouldn’t end up in purgatory and he wouldn’t end up evil.
Instead, Abbie — who traveled back in time with Katrina — was able to break the spell and bring the duo back to the present. An enraged Katrina tried to kill her…so Ichabod killed Katrina instead. (And make sure to read Kelly’s fabulous recap here.)
“I certainly thought it was bold. I didn’t really see it coming,” Tom Mison (Ichabod) shared. “I had spoken to our producers a while ago, the idea of killing Katrina came up. I was shocked, and thought it was an excellent idea; I certainly didn’t see it coming.”
And while the show has been known for its big shocks, Mison acknowledged he didn’t know whether they’d end up scripting the idea.
“I didn’t know whether they’d actually go through with it, because it’s such a big thing for Katrina’s character — i.e., bringing it to an end — but also for Ichabod to have to make, effectively, a bit of a choice,” he allowed. “It’s either defend Abbie or back up Katrina. Really, I suppose it’s the first time he’s had to make a decision between the two of them. And I rather like that. The Ichatrina shippers, I don’t know how they’ll feel. But the Ichabbie people will be delighted, I’m sure.”
Ichabod has been a man out of time for the series’ entirety, but the loss of Katrina (and Henry, to an extent), will leave him alone in a way he has yet to experience so far.
“I’ve had lots of discussions with them about this, should we get a third season — how is Ichabod going to react to all of this?” Mison said. “It’s something I wanted to play with immediately, from the moment Abbie snaps him out of the despair over the ashes of his dead wife. Instantly, it’s got to be put a lid on it, keep your chin up, stiff upper lip, and don’t show any of it. Which is the Ichabod that was around in the beginning of season 1. He was very, very good at hiding his emotions so his emotions won’t get the better of him. And I wanted that to come in instantly. I thought that would be far more interesting than a weepy cuddle. And it stops it from being too maudlin going into the next season. It’s also far more interesting to watch someone trying to keep [a lid on] this bubbling pot of emotion. And we’ll see how far [he] can go before he snaps slightly. I hope that’s something we can explore.”
But as viewers know, Ichabod won’t be totally alone.
“At the end of the finale, you see him, effectively, with his new family: Abbie, Jenny, and Irving,” Mison said. “They’re really the only things he has in his life now. Everything is gone now. When he came out of the grave in the pilot, pretty early on, he knows that although his wife is purgatory, there is still that connection. Now he has nothing. Except for this new family. I think that will also be a fun thing to explore.”
The loss of Katrina and Henry — along with Irving rejoining the “good” guys — made for a clean finale, but it also left a big question mark in terms of what season 3 could mean…and fans won’t be the only ones wondering where the show goes next. “I don’t know what the discussions have been yet about where it will go,” Mison laughed.
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What did you think of SLEEPY HOLLOW’s finale?
Related:
SLEEPY HOLLOW: Tom Mison Previews the ‘Brilliant’ Finale, a ‘Very Different’ Ichabod
SLEEPY HOLLOW Season 2 Finale Photos: ‘Tempus Fugit’
SLEEPY HOLLOW: 5 Teases For ‘Awakening’
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The finale was amazing! The changes the network said would steer the ship back to first season quality has finally righted the ship. I’ve seen a zillion worse shows get renewed, a show that has the kind of writing capabilities this one has should be given the chance to take us on a season 3 journey.
The Katrina of season 1 was not the woman in season 2. There was nothing more to do with a figure who was simply not written. That said, I think of what Katrina meant to Ichabod. In my opinion, she rounded out his character as a man.
With Abbie, Ichabod was an adolescent; a pet, a Ken doll to dress, a game playing, Karaoke partner. She supported him financially; she taught him the ways of the 21st century. Abbie was his little keeper, constantly reminding him of their “mission.” And all the repetitions about their “bond” only served to broadcast that it wasn’t implicit; like training, it had to be drilled in.
As a devoted husband to a woman of his own time, with a past as one of a loving couple involved in the Revolution, Ichabod was an adult man. This was the character the writers seemed incapable of presenting. So…in Season 3, I want to see someone who has experienced tragedy in his life and has been changed by it. I want to see him “talk back” to his little keeper. [The way Jenny gives it to her sister when Abbie tries to curtail her.] I want to see more of the Captain from the flashback.
The Season 2 finale was great. The hour flew by! I love the strong female characters and the subtle humor in this show. Season 3, please!
Loved the finale. Watching it over again as I type, actually. The last few episodes really brought it back to the great stuff that was going on in season 1. I love the relationship between Ichabod and Abbie and also between Jenny and Irving. They really need to explore these relationships more so I’m really hoping for a renewal!!
To Rutland: Give it a rest and stop being negative.
Now that is the Sleepy Hollow I fell in love with! I am praying for a Season 3. The writers need to revisit Season 1 and start connecting the dots. There were suppose to be more horsemen to contend with but they sort of lost sight of it in Season 2.
However, I must admit that I don’t care what the storyline is as long as Ichabod and Abbie are together – they are so adorable!
Actually I loved the moments between Ichabod and Jenny in season 1. If it’s renewed I hope they build up that pal relationship.
Killing Katrina was more than a BIT of a choice. It was a life changing decision. Same as the split second decision Abraham made when he joined Moloch. Ichabod needs to own up to his decision, his ultimate choice in partnership (wife or witness?) in season 3.
Ichabod made more than a BIT of a decision to kill his wife. It was a life changing decision similar to Abraham’s decision to join Moloch. Ichabod needs to own up to his ultimate choice in partners (wife or witness?) in season 3.
I loved the season 2 ending, brought back why I fell in love with this show from the pilot. Please, please let these wonderful writers do season 3!
was SO happy w/how the finale was written. Brought us full circle to the group of warriors and storylines that made this Appointment Viewing in Season 1. The idea of the 4 fighting all evil-doers while Ichabod experiences more 20th Century “devilry” (dating sites, women looking for booty calls, etc) while dealing with the friendship/attraction he has with Abbie is wonderful to think about!
It appeared that the writers wanted to clear the slate so they could start from scratch, so to speak. It seemed as though they painted themselves into a corner and dispatching the two ‘evil’ characters was the only way out. I read the story will become more episodic, and that can be a good thing, however, the threads that make the show appealing should be retained. The concept of witnesses, the apocalyptic references, and the little ‘gifts’ left by Crane’s friends and allies in the past, Washington, Franklin, Jefferson – all make for a breathtaking tapestry of history, mystery and a touch of humor. I do hope there will be a Season 3 and more. If the writers respect the intellect of their viewers, the viewers will reward them with faithful following.
At Jemma, “a zillion worse shows renewed” is an obvious exaggeration, and whatever lesser quality shows you are referring to that got renewed likely had good enough ratings to warrant that renewal. Right now, “Sleepy Hollow’s” 1.2-1.4 relative 18-49 year old demographic ratings has it in cancellation territory for FOX. A third season renewal would likely rate even lower unless the storyline improves greatly and wins back viewership. I’m hoping for a third season but won’t be surprised if FOX pulls the plug. The series has lost more than half of its original viewership, and that is a LOT to lose in just 2 seasons. I can understand why Katrina was killed off to refocus the show on the core 4, and by basically cutting the cast in half with the loss of Katrina, Henry and the Indiana Jones character, the cost of the series may be low enough now to warrant a renewal. We can only hope. From a plot perspective, Katrina’s sudden turn to the dark side and wanting to kill Ichabod was TOTALLY unbelievable, and I think her death will cause even more fans to give up the show, but only time will tell. Season 2 was a hot mess, all over the place, so if we get a season 3, I hope the show regains structure and stability.
How does Ichabod at the time of his death know that Katrina is in purgatory? She was the one that put a spell on him and buried him in a cave. As far as he knew, she would have been dead at the time he woke up in Sleepy Hollow.
This is a great show with a great finale. This show must be renewed. This show is unique.
Horrible final. An end to a character, killing Katrina off because the writers didn’t know what to do with her after such a drastic change to the character in the first place. Feels like a catering to the Ichabod Abbie shippers more than anything. If there is a season three I won’t be back.
I loved the finale in many ways—but I HATED that they killed of Katrina! I’m one of the few I guess who really LIKED her! I never understood all the Ichabbies out there, he had a wife he loved—in the OLD days people pretty much married forever. I think maybe they caved into it because the ratings were bad and they thought “give them what they want”! So I just thought it was sad…but I still love the show!
Please remind me, Is the ancestor, Grace Mills a witch? Of so, wouldn’t Abby have been affected by the bell toll in the previous episode? As a genealogist and colonial history nerd I cried when Abbie and Grace met and loved Ben Franklin’s comments and questions. As long as you keep historical figures and info, I don’t care who dies. How about Ben’s mention of others who know, tap into War of 1812 or Civil War like Madison or Lincoln knowing and being involved. Then both Witnesses can experience that part of hostory together. Maybe using Dolley Madison as the one who knows and info being saved in the Washington portrait she saved.
I liked Katrina and kept waiting for the writers to introduce her as the team member we were told she was to be. Instead, they listened to one specific group that threatened to boycott (I guess the character threatened their Abbie obsession) the show and wrote this “ending” to their specifications. That cowardly move may cost them and perhaps that would be a good thing. No one group should have ownership over a show and what is written.
Without Katrina, there is no show. Duh. She’ll easily be back for more action in season 3. (If there is one) But my prediction is, season 3 will not be renewed since Katrina and Henry’s death. What else are they going to do without them?! Just make new enemies and forget all about them? I don’t think so..
I truly love Sleepy Hollow, but changes need to be made. Instead of killing off Katrina, they can create a twist to the story. Example: Katrina dies, but Abraham gives her his life turning him back into his human form. Or Ichabod turns to witchcraft to resurrect his wife. Abbie didn’t even care about the fact Katrina’s gone. I, for one, despise Abbie’s character. There is nothing to her, what if suddenly they find out that Katrina was the second witness after all? This show needs to be fixed in season 3 for all their mistakes against a hopeless character who needs to be improved.
Katrina’s role needs to be fixed, but FOX decided to end the role because the character was useless from the dramatic change. Why change her in the first place? Just for the views???
I can not wait for season three. I have been trying to think how it will play out, now that Katrina is gone. There are so many things the writers can do. Please do not leave us hanging for too long.
I like Sleepy Hollow since the beginning,don’t care what people think, it’s better than some of the other junk on tv these days . when I saw Katrina die and Henry there waiting for her and Katrina being a witch , she didn’t really die just changed forms . it made me wonder if season 3 would have them conjure up something from the other side .
Now the show is free from the shackles it put itself in. Katrina was a mistake from the beginning. A horribly written and acted mess, that has probably destroyed the show. I hope this is a warning for every showrunner out there, who is tempted to replicate Twisted and S2 of Sleepy Hollow.
If there is a S3, I hope they leave the disastrous character that was Katrina behind and they never mention her again. No more whining from Ichabod, it would be repeating the same mistake. Just move on with the plot and the improved team.
The show was very badly written this season , but it was also in a really bad time slot even the show “Empire” would loose viewers in that time slot
I love the season finale.. it made it seems like the episode from season 1. I could care less about about Katrina dying or not. I’m tired of reading that some of the viewers think that they was catering to certain viewers IMO they was not. It was the writers who destroyed the show, and like a certain actress said she could only do what the writers put on papers. Ya’ll act like Katrina turning evil was all of sudden, the seeds was sown though out the season you just didn’t want to see it. I’m glad they are back to the core 4 like it was in the first season.
As long as the main characters are no longer sidelined, I’m okay with Hawley returning. But, Katrina and Henry need to go. The actors in these roles got short changed because the characters were so badly written. John Noble is a great actor, but can only go with what he’s been given. Same with Katia Winter…I don’t hate the actress, I just hate her character Katrina.
I agree with Katia Winter, though. The writers are the ones to blame for her character’s final denouement. In the flashbacks, she was written as strong, independent minded, a spy and a witch. But…as soon as they brought her into the modern day, she ended up being a weak, sappy, damsel in distress mess. Everyone was always saving Katrina — whether it was Ichabod, Abbie, Jenny, Abraham, Henry, Irving, Moloch even..the list went on. It really got annoying.
I get tired of people defending Katrina (as a character). Yeah, she saved Ichabod, but she was becoming the Katrina depicted in the original Legend of Sleepy Hollow, where Katrina and Abraham dupe Ichabod Crane (who wanted to win Katrina’s hand). She sided to try to “change” Abraham back into a human (which I doubt with her “skills” would have worked). Abraham, the Horseman who almost killed her husband, killed hundreds including Abbie’s mentor, and was trying to bring the Apocalypse and end of days upon all of them.
Plus after Abbie and Crane saved her, and prevented her from dying by giving birth to Moloch in human form, she ended up going BACK to Henry and Abraham to “see her child Moloch”. Then she turns her back on Crane in the end, and sides with her son who has also murdered hundreds of people. Not only is she weak, she is also weak in character. And it’s not her great empathy that calls her to save them, it’s that seed of darkness that already exists in her. If she was written strong, then it would be different, but, she’s not.
She’s not even a good witch. She pulled off one spell well, keeping Ichabod Crane, her hubby alive..and that was because the horseman’s blood was connected to Crane. I think it was a fluke. Katrina couldn’t keep Irving alive. She couldn’t defeat her son, Henry, who was a more powerful witch than she. And she couldn’t even stop Grace Mills (Abbie’s ancestor) from undoing her traveler’s spell. And instead of killing Crane immediately, as any SMART villain would have done, or getting Abbie, she “goes back in time.” Laughable.
If you want to see a real dark witch, or a good one for that matter, that is written well — see Alyson Hannigan as Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When she went dark, she pulled no punches (Season 6, BTVS). Willow, after her girlfriend was murdered…let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. The killer was tortured and skinned alive. She also chased the other two criminals involved down, and threatened Armageddon, and it took the love of her friend to stop her.
The writers failed period this season. They could have made Katrina go all Dark Phoenix … and it would have been good, had the writers been up to the task. It takes someone who has a real love of superheroes, Shakespeare, literature and comic book characters, even, to pull this off. I hate being so critical of the writing staff, but to write a show on the level of Sleepy Hollow to suspend disbelief of the impossible — you have to have the chops.
Katrina was the weakest link in this show, and so was Henry. I’m really happy that they’re gone.
I was somewhat disturbed with the way the show ended. While it was great the the main characters are all back together, I think the writers did Katrina’s character a disservice by turning her evil in the end. From the very beginning, she was one of the “good guys”. She was the one who sort of recruited Ichabod in their “war against evil”. She loved Ichabod so much she has been paying for it by being trapped in purgatory. Everything she did was for “the greater good”. When she was the captive of the horseman, instead of taking the way out offered by Ichabod and Abby, she stayed to act as a spy, partly because she wanted to spare Ichabod being hunted down by the horseman. Granted he developed a guilty conscience to what happened to Abraham and to Henry so she didn’t want them killed but instead, she wanted to right a wrong she believed she caused. But that doesn’t make you evil. When she was impregnated with the demon, she was willing to die just so this baby won’t be born and unleash evil into the world. There was always an underlying goodness, always thinking about Ichabod’s safety and also the “greater good.” So I found it very hard to believe that suddenly she turned evil because a warlock told her she was and she wanted to be with Henry so badly, that in the end she made a bad choice by siding with Henry. I was waiting, as the finale progressed, to see if they will show that Katrina realized how mistaken she was with her decisions. And then, Ichabod killed her! That was another unbelievable turn of events. I know that the show wanted to get rid of Katrina’s and Henry’s character, and I don’t really care about Henry. I think the writers didn’t know what to do with her once she was out of purgatory. They should have left her there, acting as guide once in a while for Ichabod and Abby. And I sure hope they don’t want Ichabod and Abby to end up in a love relationship together. I like that they are partners: EQUALS. They act like mentors to one another. I would hate to see that change. Why do people feel a man and a woman have to pair up every time? It got a little bit tiring hearing them reiterate again and again how they “have a bond” and they are “in this together”. It seemed like they are stressing that it will the two of them against everyone else, including Katrina. Like, the show is preparing us for the inevitability of the two of them ending up together. I sure hope not.
I enjoyed the scene with Ben Franklin and the humorous turn, even with the anachronisms. Such as Franklin recognizing the profession of “detective”, which dates from around 1850.
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Can’t wait for season 3! don’t care who dies and who lives as long as Abbie and Crane are alive. Sleepy Hollow is amazing and my favourite. Bring in the new cases!