Episode synopsis
Chapter nine – The Returned Man: Sabrina recruits Roz for a crucial mission. Susie reconnects with her past. Lord Blackwood challenges Aunt Zelda’s authority.
Cast
Kiernan Shipka…Sabrina Spellman
Ross Lynch…Harvey Kinkle
Lucy Davis…Hilda Spellman
Chance Perdomo…Ambrose Spellman
Michelle Gomez…Mary Wardwell
Jaz Sinclair…Rosalind Walker
Tati Gabrielle…Prudence Night
Adeline Rudolph…Agatha
Richard Coyle…Father Faustus Blackwood
Miranda Otto…Zelda Spellman
Abigail Cowen…Dorcas
Justin Dobies…Tommy Kinkle
Gavin Leatherwood…Nicholas Scratch
Darren Mann…Luke Chalfant
Christopher Rosamond…Mr. Kinkle
Lachlan Watson…Susie Putnam
Best character
I can’t decide whether to give this Hilda or Zelda, so I’m thinking both of them. Firstly, Hilda shows some real fire this episode. She completely destroys the boys bullying Susie and then she properly shouts at Sabrina. Before now you’ve never even seen her slightly raise her voice.
Zelda is an absolute powerhouse. She takes no crap from Sabrina, who acts like a complete brat in this episode. Miranda Otto’s acting in this episode is absolutely outstanding.
Best supporting character
Salem is in this episode so I’m obviously awarding him best supporting character.
Favourite scene
I really like the choir scene. There isn’t much music in this show, other than the score (which is very good) but this is actually quite sweet to watch.
The limbo scene is super creepy and it reminded me of just how spooky the first season was. I feel like it was definitely the darkest season, I may be remembering wrong, but the show definitely gets lighter.
Best quotes and one liners
AMBROSE: What do you think of my new duds, Aunt Hilda?
HILDA: Aww!
AMBROSE: For my first day at the academy tomorrow, I thought I’d go for a little Carnaby Street cool. Too much?
HILDA: (stammers) Definitely not, no.
ZELDA: Never you mind, Hilda. You stick to cleaning up “spills on aisle five,” or whatever it is you do in that tawdry little shop. In the meantime, Ambrose, Sabrina, and I will be restoring the lustre to the Spellman family name. Good things are coming. I can feel it in my bones.
PRUDENCE: That’s it? Fizzy water?
HILDA: Oh, but you’ll serve it with love, won’t you, darling?
ZELDA: Oh, so you’re a thief, as well as a murderer.
SABRINA: Murderer?
ZELDA: You killed a witch, didn’t you?
SABRINA: Just for a few minutes.
ZELDA: This is not a joke, Sabrina. You’ve thrown off the balance.
SUSIE: I think Greendale’s a pretty weird town, Roz. I’m starting to believe anything is possible.
Final thoughts and fun facts
Personally, I’d love it if Nicholas Scratch randomly turned up in my room, I don’t get why Sabrina was so annoyed by it.
The book that Susie tries to steal is “Orlando” by Virginia Woolf. The book is about a character who changes genders repeatedly, reflecting Susie’s own confusion about gender identity. I love subtle details like this.
The realisation of why Tommy hasn’t been eating is positively chilling. Which is weird because a few episodes ago the witches were excited to eat another member of the coven, but there’s something about humans doing it that’s horrific.
I remember being so upset when Harvey and Sabrina break up, oh how young and foolish I was. My love for Harvey and Sabrina as a couple came from the original show, plus I love Ross Lynch, but in this world, they really don’t work.
I was surprised that Sabrina being a witch was revealed so early in the show, but I suppose you can’t guarantee multiple seasons these days, so they got it done early. Also, can I just point out that both times Harvey found out Sabrina is a witch he didn’t even ask for visual proof before he believed her. I would have asked her to at least cast a spell or something.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: To Be Read: April 2023