Sleepy Hollow Revisted

How do you tell the Sleepy Hollow story to an audience who has seen and heard the story countless times? By creating a little humor in all the drama of course.  Fox’s Sleepy Hollow premiered in September 2013 to a raving 10.1 million viewers – one of the highest rated season premiers this year on Fox.   New to the American silver screen Tom Mison plays Icabod Crane who is killed in 1781 by the Headless Horseman (who he kills as well) and is reawakened in 2013 along with the Headless Horseman.  Nicole Beharie plays Lt. Abbie Mills crosses paths with Crane after her partner is decapitated by the Headless Horseman. She is the only one who slightly believes him and they are paired together – reluctantly – by the chief of police Frank Irving (Orlando Jones) when events start occurring in Sleepy Hollow that cannot be explained.  Trying to find the truth as to why Crane awoke at all let alone in 2013 and dealing with life creates a bond between Abbie and Crane and with any bond, humor will find its way in to ease some tension.

 

Tom Mison is a splendid addition to the American television scene.  His acting skills and presence is making him a rising star and one Entertainment Weekly’s top stars to watch in 2014.  His acting is fluid, smooth and flawless.  Nicole Beharie holds her own as well.  Both Mison and Beharie make the roles seem easy and second nature; that they were born to play this role.  I have not seen either in any other role before but I am sure that they bring this style and grace to any role they have played in the past.

The humor is undeniable; writing is top notch.  In dramatic scenes that are unexplainable the only way to ease tension and create camaraderie is through humor.  Crane and Abbie poke fun at each other every chance they get. Abbie does have it easier since Crane is not from this time and everything he does and says contradicts the world we know.  And when Crane gets on one of his rants about what life was like back in the 1700’s, how what he was fighting for no longer exists, it is hilarious and you cannot help but laugh out loud.  The writers are doing a great job. 

I only have one issue with the show.  The season was only 13 episodes and with the season final airing this past Monday we have to wait until Fall 2014 to see what happens to Crane, Abbie and everyone in Sleepy Hollow.  It is much too long and far too much time for my mind to create scenario upon scenario of what is coming next.

History and mystery are 2 of my favorite things and it is no wonder why I am drawn to this show.  Bringing a supernatural twist to the Sleepy Hollow story gives the show an escape feel; you can escape your life and root for the good guys pushing through adversity in this show for an hour.  But until the show returns we can’t. So until then, keep your minds rolling as to how our beloved Crane and Abbie will get themselves out of their first of many troubles.