Violet provides a recap of Season 1 Episode 6 of Sleepy Hollow, titled The Sin Eater, where Katrina gives Abbie some interesting information in a vision, and we learn more about Crane’s past! Fringe‘s John Noble guest stars this episode. Following the recap, both Violet and Josh share their thoughts on the episode.
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Sleepy Hollow, Season 1 Episode 6: The Sin Eater Recap Overview
Need a quick Sleepy Hollow episode recap of Season 1 Episode 6, titled The Sin Eater? Here is a summary of events for the episode. Each event is linked to the more detailed Sleepy Hollow episode recap for The Sin Eater if you need more information!
- Crane is abducted. Abbie has a vision of Katrina, who tells her to find the Sin Eater to reverse Crane‘s blood tie to the Headless Horseman.
- Crane‘s abductors are the Freemasons. We see a flashback of Crane as a British soldier interrogating a freed slave suspected of treason, named Arthur Bernard. Jenny helps Abbie figure out how to find the Sin Eater.
- Jenny and Abbie track the Sin Eater to his apartment, but he says he doesn’t do it anymore. However, he tells them where to find Crane.
- In the flashback, Crane disobeys orders and does not kill Bernard, but the Colonel does. The Colonel turns into a demon and attacks Crane, then flees. Crane speaks the words “ordo ab chao” to Katrina and joins the war against demons.
- The Freemasons tell Crane he must end his own life in order to stop the Horseman‘s reign. Abbie finds Crane, and they exchange a tearful goodbye as he drinks the poison.
- The Sin Eater shows up and eats Crane‘s sins, thus severing the tie between Crane and the Horseman. Meanwhile, the Horseman has awakened and is looking for Crane.
Sleepy Hollow Episode Recap: The Sin Eater, the Details
Crane is Kidnapped, Abbie Has a Vision
Season 1 Episode 6 of Sleepy Hollow, titled The Sin Eater, starts off with Abbie and Crane attending a baseball game. Abbie yells at the umpire, and Crane wonders why, and what the point of baseball is. Abbie explains, then Crane yells at the umpire when he hadn’t even made a call yet. After the game, Crane visits Katrina’s grave, and is shot with a tranquilizer dart and passes out.
As Abbie drives home, she has a vision that she’s in an old house, and the Headless Horseman attacks her. She runs and hides in a room in which she finds Katrina, who explains that this is an echo of the house she once shared with Ichabod. She warns that the Headless Horseman will return to Sleepy Hollow by nightfall, that only the two witnesses can stop him, and that Ichabod has been abducted. She thinks he was taken for his blood tie to the Headless Horseman. However, she found a way to reverse the tie, and tells Abbie to find the Sin Eater. The vision ends, and Abbie nearly has a head on collision with a truck.
Jenny Helps Abbie, Crane (as a British soldier) Interrogates a Man
Abbie tells Captain Irving what Katrina told her. He’s skeptical, but asks her what she needs. He’s able to get a 24-hour furlough for Abbie’s sister, Jenny. Abbie retrieves Jenny from the mental institution to help her find the Sin Eater.
Crane wakes up and is seated across the table from a man in a suit. He has a book with the true account of Ichabod Crane. Crane is able to figure out that the man is a descendant of Edward Rutledge and is a Freemason. Crane insists that he is Ichabod Crane, but Rutledge says they’ve been fooled before. Rutledge asks where Crane first heard the words “ordo ab chao,” meaning “order from chaos.” Crane replies that they were spoken to him by a dying man named Arthur Bernard, and explains that when he first heard of Bernard, he was fighting for the British and had been sent to capture Bernard, who was a freed slave suspected of treason. We then see a flashback, where British soldiers invade Bernard’s home, and Crane’s superior officer orders him to interrogate Bernard. A Quaker nurse comes in to protest — it’s Katrina. She recognizes mercy and a conscience in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Abbie and Jenny research how to find a Sin Eater, who reaches into your soul and swallows your sins, ridding you of evil. Jenny recalls a guy she was searching for who visited death row inmates, all of whose last words were, “I am sanctified.” Abbie remembers that Katrina said in her vision that Ichabod must be sanctified. Unfortunately, Jenny lost track of the guy a couple years ago.
Returning to the flashback, Crane tries to get the true identity of Cicero from Bernard, but he only talks about demons. Crane interrogated Bernard for days without results, but was called away to stand guard at a local execution of three mention who had been found guilty of treason. Crane sees the Colonel’s face turn into that of a demon’s for a moment. Later, Crane meets up with Katrina. They realize they both feel like they’ve known each other all along. He admits that he saw a demon, and she says that Crane is “the one,” that he has the power to bear witness, and that they need his help in this war of man against demons.
The Sin Eater
Abbie and Jenny try to figure out how to find the Sin Eater, but aren’t having any luck. Jenny realizes that Abbie really cares about Crane, and she explains what he means to her. Abbie has an epiphany: the Sin Eater hides by taking on the identity of dead inmates. They find the last name he used, Ian Kellett, and track him to his apartment.
When they arrive at the apartment, Abbie lies and says they have a warrant, and threatens him with identity theft charges when he answers the door. His real name is Henry Parrish. He lets them in, and Abbie tells him she knows what he is, and that she needs his help. However, he says he doesn’t do it anymore. Abbie gets biblical and tells him that she wants him to break the curse and separate the Horseman from Crane. He asks where Crane is, but Abbie says she thought he could tell her. He says maybe, if her connection with Crane is strong enough. Abbie is confident that it is. However, he again says he doesn’t do it anymore, and tries to usher them out, but when Abbie tries to stop him, he gets a vision of where Crane is: underground, behind a door with the Freemason symbol. He says that’s all he can do for them, so they leave. They go down in the tunnels that Crane previously showed Abbie, looking for the symbol. Jenny tells Abbie that the Freemasons are the good guys.
Ordo Ab Chao
Meanwhile, Crane continues telling his story to Rutledge. We return to the flashback, where Crane returns to interrogate Bernard. However, the Colonel is there, and tells Crane to take Bernard into the forest and shoot him. Crane walks Bernard out into the forest, as Bernard tries to talk him out of killing him, telling him that Katrina was right, that Crane is invaluable to the cause. Crane shoots at Bernard’s back — and deliberately misses. Bernard tells Crane that the life he knew will never return, and that Cicero is “all of us.” He tells Crane to find Katrina, who will guide him to Commander Washington, and that when he speaks the words “order ab chao” to her, she will know which side he has chosen. Bernard tells Crane he will find him again, and begins to walk off, when he is shot by the Colonel, who calls Crane a traitor. Crane rushes at the Colonel and stabs him with his sword, but the Colonel turns into a demon, and flings Crane to the ground. Another British soldier comes riding up, so the demon flees. An injured Crane finds Katrina and tells her “ordo ab chao.”
Crane Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
Back to the present, Crane regrets that he didn’t act sooner to save Bernard. He declares this as his sin that he must bear. Rutledge and the other Freemasons in the room acknowledge him as the true Ichabod Crane. Crane wonders who wrote the book, and Rutledge informs him that it was Katrina, whose coven was their ally, until she betrayed their trust by secreting Crane away. Crane wonders why his Freemason brothers wanted him dead, and Rutledge explains that because of Crane’s tie to the Horseman, the only way to make sure the Horseman’s reign ends is for Crane to make the ultimate sacrifice: ending his own life in order to stop the Horseman.
Abbie and Jenny find the door with the Freemason symbol, and are able to convince two Freemason guards to let them inside, where they find Crane. He asks to speak with Abbie alone, and explains why his life must end. However, Abbie tells him that the Sin Eater can separate him from the Horseman. But Crane insists that his way is the only way to assure that the Horseman won’t continue his rampage. Abbie and Crane tearfully hold hands as Crane drinks the poison given to him by the Freemasons.
Last Second Save
The Sin Eater shows up, insisting that Crane doesn’t have to die, not yet, and that Crane is the reason he was given this gift. Crane is fading, but is still able to talk. The Sin Eater tells him he can remove the poison and his sins. The Sin Eater pricks Crane’s hand, and licks Crane’s blood from his fingers. The Sin Eater senses the Horseman within Crane, and tells him that as long as he carries his sin in his heart, it allows the Horseman to be tied to him. Crane says that the man he sinned against told him that before. The Sin Eater tells him to speak the man’s name, and to summon him with all his heart: Arthur Bernard.
When Crane opens his eyes, he sees Bernard sitting in front of him. Bernard explains that his death saved Crane’s soul, only Crane chose to see it as a sin, when all along it was Crane’s salvation. Bernard tells Crane to forgive himself, and the Horseman’s hold over Crane will be broken. Crane speaks the words that command the Horseman of Death to leave him, and we see two spots of blood separate on the table. Then Bernard is gone, and the Sin Eater is in his place. He takes a piece of bread, dips it in one of the pools of blood, then eats it. The room shakes and glass bursts. Crane declares that he can no longer feel the Horseman. Abbie and Crane share an emotional hug. The Sin Eater warns Crane that the Horseman has awakened and will be coming for Crane.
Meanwhile, the Headless Horseman arrives at the cave where Crane’s body was hidden, and has a vision of Crane awakening in that spot.
Violet’s Thoughts on Season 1 Episode 6 of Sleepy Hollow: The Sin Eater
I actually liked this episode a lot. And not just because John Noble was in it (great performance from him as the Sin Eater, by the way!). We got to see quite a lot of background on Crane, which cleared up several lingering questions that viewers might have had, such as how he became an American soldier, how he and Katrina met, and how prevalent this demon situation was, even back then. Conspiracy theorists probably also loved the part about the Freemasons’ involvement in all of this. This show continues to do a great job putting a fun spin on historical things.
I especially enjoyed seeing the emotional attachment that has formed between Abbie and Crane. Some people may not have believed that the two would have such a strong bond at this point in time, but I think they have been through quite a lot together and care about each other a great deal. This connection was expressed not only in Abbie’s words, as she explained to Jenny what Crane meant to her, but also in her expressions, as she pleaded for the Sin Eater’s help with Crane, and was also confirmed when the Sin Eater was able to sense Crane’s location merely by touching Abbie. Additionally, we could feel the emotion as the two said goodbye to each other, and then again when Crane was saved. I’m wondering if there will ever be a romantic relationship that develops between the two. Right now, with Katrina making so many appearances to Crane, and with Crane having the memory of Katrina still relatively fresh in his mind, that doesn’t look like it will be a possibility in the near future. However, further down the road, I think they may develop romantic feelings for each other, and Katrina will realize that she has to let Crane live his life in the real world, and accept him doing so with Abbie.
As for the Freemasons’ goal of having Crane kill himself in order to also kill the Horseman, due to Crane’s blood tie to him… Um, that actually sounded like a good plan to me! How else are they going to kill the Horseman? And this is a surefire way to stop him! But obviously, that wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t think for a second that they were actually going to kill off Crane, and I’m sure nobody else did either. But realistically speaking, it made sense. However, I guess they would still need Crane because he is one of the only two Witnesses in existence, and two witnesses are stronger than one. Plus, what good is getting rid of only one Horseman when there are three others the remaining witness would have to stop? So, it was probably best in the long run for Crane to be kept alive. Even if the Headless Horseman is going to wreak havoc for awhile when he could have already been dead had they let the poison kill Crane.
One thing that bothered me this episode was the blatant rip off of Sherlock Holmes. When Crane was identifying Rutledge, and explaining how he knew it was him, his explanation was exactly like one Sherlock Holmes would have given. I suppose one argument is that technically Ichabod Crane predates Sherlock Holmes… but still.
In any case, looking forward to the next episode and seeing how they handle the return of the Headless Horseman! (Where has he been, by the way?)
Josh’s Thoughts: Sleepy Hollow, Season 1 Episode 6: The Sin Eater
It was interesting seeing a lot of Ichabod’s past, and what actually went down leading up to the events of when he fell into his slumber. We learn through the story, however, that the sin that Crane felt he had was what was bonding him to the Headless Horseman, even though the sin wasn’t really anything that was his fault. In fact, he did his best to save the man in the past, which I do not think Crane can be blamed for his plan failing.
I have to say the whole “sin eating” thing sure was weird, and a bit literal. I did enjoy the actor’s performance a lot, however, although it seemed to be a very similar character to that of Fringe, a kind of quirky dude.
We can see that in this episode, Abbie has changed how she has felt about Crane from the beginning of the season. She started off treating him like he is a nutcase, but now that they have toiled together long enough, seen enough weird stuff, that they are becoming actual friends. Now will it go further than that? It is hard to say. I am still waiting for Crane’s wife from the past to show up and get in the way.
Interestingly, I had thought that maybe something between the sister and Crane would happen, considering they had a good start when they met, but now from this episode, it will be going a different way towards Abbie and maybe mixed up with Crane’s witch wife.
Sadly, I am not quite as into this show as Violet seems to be. I was a little bored, and probably had the most excitement when I saw John Noble in the show. Other than that I was pretty “meh” about the episode. I guess I will have to keep watching to see what happens though!
Scenes from Sleepy Hollow, Season 1 Episode 7: The Midnight Ride
Here are scenes from the next Sleepy Hollow episode, titled The Midnight Ride:
What did you think of Sleepy Hollow, Season 1 Episode 6: The Sin Eater? Let us know in the comments below!
I love John Noble, so I really liked this episode. Still can’t figure out what’s wrong with his eye though. Sometimes the camera hits one of them just right and it looks like a marble. It’s freaky. I think I heard somewhere that it’s because of contacts.