Kick-Ass Females: Abbie Mills from Sleepy Hollow

Okay first off I wanna start by saying how glad I am that this show has a WOC in a lead role and as a cop no less. Seriously. I am so gosh darn happy. And honestly they couldn’t have picked a better actress to play this amazing character. Nicole Beharie does a wonderful job as Lieutenant Abbie Mills.

Power

First off she is one of the only females in a male-dominated environment, but she doesn’t let that phase her for even a second. She is very sure of herself and her capabilities and is uber professional. That’s not to say she sees herself as better than her male counterparts. No way. She sees herself as their equal. As she says to Ichabod in the very first episode “Do you see this gun? I'm authorized to use it. On you”. She is fierce, doesn’t take shit from no-one and can probably out-snark anyone she interacts with.

Vulnerable

But just because she’s strong that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have vulnerabilities. But what I love most is that she doesn’t try to hide it. She doesn’t wear a stoic mask to hide what she feels. She feels love, affection, sadness, sympathy…. And the list goes on. But not once does she try to hide it and present herself as something she’s not. She is refreshingly genuine in a world full of pretensions.

Brave

Okay so it kinda come with the job description, but seriously can we just talk about the fact that she walks into all kinds of dangerous situation without blinking an eye? Crazy, possessed gunman? No problem; Suicidal psychologist? Where she at?; crazy fire shooting witch? Come at me. Seriously. So brave. If it were me I’d be peeing in my pants. But I suppose it’s not hard to be brave with a tall, dark, British guy by your side. Just kidding. We all know she only needs him for one thing only. You feel me?

Considerate

Ichabod is not a man who wants to appear weak, or showcase his uncertainties. Even when he’s walking around in a completely unfamiliar time period. But luckily for him Abbie picks up on this and just looks out for him without bringing it up in conversation. Like when she leaves post it notes in his motel room so he’ll know how to use the appliances. And then she brings him baked goods as well. She’s just so perfect.

And that is why this female is super-duper kick-ass. Srsly Ichabod… If you don’t want her I’ll gladly take her off your hands. We’d be best friends foreva. 

-B

Pictures taken from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sleepy-hollow

Sleepy Hollow- Season 1, Episode 3

*Spoilers ahead

Holy Jennifer Mills. That’s right Sleepyheads, in this episode we meet the mysterious and slightly disturbed younger sister of our favourite bad-ass female cop. And I must say I like this girl. She’s got spunk. She’s like a darker (in the figurative sense), more hard-core version of her sister. And I just love how she sasses Ichabod. Tall, dark and British indeed. I for one will be looking forward to seeing more of her.

The episode starts off in a dream sequence where Abbie is revisits a skewed version of the memory of her and Jenny’s interrogation after they claimed to have seen a demon. Ichabod’s in it (with creepy white eyes) and also a weird ass sandman guy. She then gets woken up and is summoned to a suicide scene, where the psychologist/ doctor lady that treated Abbie’s sister Jenny jumps off a building right after giving Abbie a cryptic warning. This is once again repeated when Mr Gillespie, who discovered the Mill’s sisters after the demon attack when they were kids, shoots himself in the head. But again not before delivering a warning that the next time that Abbie goes to sleep she will die. He refers to the “sandman”. So anyway long story short, Ichabbie visits a dodgy car salesman/ native American shaman; drink some suspicious looking tea; take off their shirts (yumm… shirtless Ichabod); get stung by scorpions; and enter the dream world, where Abbie has to prove herself to the Sandman… who is one creepy ass dude.

I for one cannot wait for the next episode on tonight!! Kyaahh bring on the sexy, british, goodness that is Tom Mison. Mhhmm. Yes please.

-B

Pictures taken from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sleepy-hollow

Sleepy Hollow- Season 1, Episode 2

*Spoilers ahead

Ok let’s acknowledge the demon in the room. Yeah the really creepy one with ram’s horn’s, a limp, and who speaks less than fluent ancient Greek. So we were first introduced to him in the first episode where we found out that he (it?... I’m assuming it’s male) appeared to the Mills sisters in the woods when they were kids. Abbie keeps her mouth shut about it and tries to run away from the truth while her sister Jenny spills it and ends up being institutionalised. Thus setting up a rather interesting sibling dynamic that’ll be explored later in the series. Let the claws come out ladies… or perhaps not. There’s already enough violence as it is.

So this demon, the same one that killed Officer Andy Brooks (played by John Cho), then brings him back. What? Yeah I dunno. I think he only snapped off Andy’s neck in the first place cause he pissed him off. Look out y’all we got a crazy-ass beeyotch of a demon (with a mad case of PMS) on the loose. As if we didn’t have enough people losing their heads cause of the headless horseman (who himself is without a head). I feel like “death” is not gonna be a big thing in this series with all the resurrections going on. But I gotta say the whole neck snapping back into place was kinda gross to watch. Especially with the excess skin after the fact. Anyhoo… speaking of resurrections, we find out that there is a purpose for Andy’s resurrection… and that is to assist with the resurrection of Serilda of Abadon (who is/was a high priestess belonging to the dark coven of witches). Yeah there’s a lot of resurrections…. and beheadings. I told you this show was going to be good.

So anyway, Andy and Serilda have until the turn of the blood moon to get the ashes of the descendants of the men who had her burned at the stake for witchcraft and sorcery. And of course Abbie and Ichabod have to stop them. With a lot of snarky banter as they do. Oh and an amazing snark-off between Ichabod and Abbie’s ex Luke. That 15 seconds was almost worth more than the rest of the entire episode for me. I say almost because the best part was without a doubt watching Ichabod shirtless in his motel room trying to figure out the intricacies of modern technology (with helpful sticky notes from Abbie… awww). 

Although I am truly irked by the fact there wasn't more shirtless-ness.

So Ichabbie end up blowing Serilda up within the tunnels beneath the police station before she gets to complete her resurrection. And centuries old gunpowder may or may not have been used in the process. What did I learn from all this? That gunpowder doesn't have an expiry date.

To end on a high note, Abbie is visited by the spirit of Sheriff Corbin who tells her to not be afraid of “49”. Methinks this has something to do with the elusive Jenny Mills… mmm okay I lie. I only know cause I've already watched the third episode.

Also Major NEWS!! I just found out that after only 3 episodes since the premiere, FOX has decided to renew the series for a second season!! Excitement! This is truly momentous, and I can only think that it is because of how big the fandom has become in such an extremely short amount of time. And I’m sure the outstanding ratings helped convince them a bit. Whatever it was, I couldn't be more relieved or elated. Keep it coming, baby.

-B

Pictures taken from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sleepy-hollow

Sleepy Hollow- Season 1, Episode 1

*Contains spoilers

So by now you’ve probably heard about the new TV series that’s making the rounds on our televisions (or if you’re into less than legal methods of watching television… then online). Sleepy Hollow is making a name for itself… in a BIG way. It has an absolutely amazing cast, an entertaining script and overall an appealing aesthetic. There’s a good dose of drama; suspense; history; mystery; humour; and decapitation. Yup that’s right… the headless horseman, baby. It’s television gold. And after watching this particular episode more than once, I can attest to the fact that is was executed really well (pun sooo intended).

Based on the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” written by Washington Irving, this is a modern interpretation that takes a classic and throws it into a decidedly modern-day context. Complete with a kickass female lead and the universally appreciated “buddy-cop” television stereotype.

Tom Mison *swoon* plays the lead character of Ichabod Crane. However in this very modern re-interpretation, we are introduced to him clawing his way out of a grave after being dead for 250 years or so. Around the same time we find out that the Headless Horseman has also arisen from the dead, and is going around terrorising the town of Sleepy Hollow and basically just chopping people’s heads off. As you do. And that’s where Lieutenant Abbie Mills, played by Nicole Beharie, comes in. After witnessing her partner being decapitated by the horseman (and somehow escaping unscathed and with head intact), she inevitability gets thrown in the path of Ichabod Crane who happens to be arrested under the suspicion of the good sheriff’s murder whilst walking around town in old-timey gear. Of course they would arrest the sexy homeless looking guy in the revolutionary outfit. Of course.

Anyways their paths cross and long-story short we see the start of something beautiful *sniffles*. And oh that chemistry. Bestill my shipping heart. Ahem, back to the point. After Ichabod is arrested they hook him up to a lie-detector machine and get him to reveal how he came to be in Sleepy Hollow at this time. He then (in quite an amusing manner) recalls the story of how he died while fighting for General Washington in the Revolutionary War, and subsequently we learn of how the headless horseman came to be… well headless. Cue flashbacks to the Revolutionary War where we see Ichabod being a total BAMF by chopping off the head of the… you guessed it… the headless horseman. Anyhoo, so Ichabbie (that’s my ship name for Ichabod and Abbie) team up to uncover a number of fascinating things. Namely that Ichabod’s wife (from way back when), Katrina, was (is?) a witch; Ichabod and the headless horseman are totes blood brothers (not really but kinda… they’re tied by blood); the headless horseman is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and they have to stop him from getting his head back and subsequently awakening the other three horsemen; that John Cho is actually a traitorous mofo; and lastly that Ichabbie totes have a secret burning desire for each other (this hasn’t yet become canon but I feel like it’s only a matter of time… I mean did you feel that meaningful exchange of glances there at the end of the episode… I could practically smell the pheromones wafting out of my TV). I absolutely love their dynamic. You can be sure that I’ll be writing about this ship in another post.

Overall I’m pretty optimistic about this new series and really, really hope that it’s domination of TV ratings continue; because it would be such a disappointment if they axed (again, pun most definitely intended) the show. This pilot episode was definitely a good indication of the potential amazingness to come, and was undeniably well-received. It has set up many possible plot lines and courses; established a multitude of suspicions and considerations; and created undeterminable and unfathomable character bearings. I find myself (much to my chagrin) unable to completely and accurately determine the veracity, allegiances, intentions, or dispositions of any of the characters. It’s as if they are all holding something back, and I think that is a big part of why this show is so intriguing. It really makes you question the integrity of each character; what choices they will make; and what will ultimately become of them. I, for one, will definitely follow this series in order to get to get to the bottom of these uncertainties. It’s true… I’m hooked.

I think fantasy lovers will definitely enjoy this series. If you enjoy shows such as “Supernatural” or “Grimm” then this is definitely one for you.

If you’re in Australia then you can currently catch this series on Channel 10 Tuesday nights at 8:30pm and also a re-run of the latest episodes at 8:30pm Saturday nights. And yes, you bet I watch it on both nights. It’s practically an obligation as a fan of the show. So, potential Sleepyheads (that’s the name the fans in this fandom have created for themselves)… I hope you give this show a watch because it is totally awesomesauce! Also because Tom Mison is one fine piece of ass… just sayin’. Don’t hate.

-B

Pictures taken from http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sleepy-hollow