Monday, 7 October 2013

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.




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