I re-read Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” last fall. It’s a good story, but I was interested to see what twist Fox was giving it in the new tv series, Sleepy Hollow.
Ichabod Crane is not the goofy teacher we remember from the original. This time around, he’s an Oxford professor, come to America to fight the rebels, but he eventually joins their side, fighting under Washington. And then he dies. The story picks up 200+ years later, when the dead Crane wakes up via some kind of magic in modern-day Sleepy Hollow, along with the infamous Headless Horseman. So far it’s a cool idea and Crane is kinda sexy. I just can’t call him Ichabod- I picture the cartoon character with the huge ears. I also like the cop who Crane pairs up with, Abbie Mills, who actually believes him to some degree because of an event from her past. Crane in modern America makes for some amusing comments, like questioning the number of Starbucks and that women wear trousers, but overall he adapts quickly to the situation and to the authority of Abbie, a black woman.
Of course, Crane and Abby team up. They get some clues via Washington’s magical Bible, some old files in the dead Sheriff’s office, and Crane’s wife who seems trapped in some kind of magic land. If it were a supernatural, National Treasure-y hunt, I’d be all for it. Good characters, interesting take on an old story, somewhat amusing. I’m even okay with the witch covens and creepy white trees.
But – the Headless Horseman is one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death to be precise. That’s where it lost me. Abbie and Crane are apparently the two witnesses who have to work together for seven years to fight the forces of hell, or something like that. And there will presumably be three more horsemen – War, Famine and Conquest. I don’t need Fox’s version of Revelation, not with so many other potentially good series starting this fall and the return of a couple of my favorites.
This was my first television show/movie for R.I.P. VIII’s Peril of the Screen. R.I.P VIII is a reading event embracing the ghastly and ghostly, mysterious and grim is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings.
I have seen this one advertised. I wondered about it. That’s weird that they are making the Headless Horseman one of the four of the Apocalypse. Thanks for the info on this one.
I caught the trailer for this On Demand. (There was nothing on the DVR, so I played all the previews for new shows.) The trailer convinced me to try the show.
Don’t hate it. Don’t know if it’ll become a favorite. Time will tell.
I watched the trailer too, but it didn’t mention the Apocalypse connection.
I will watch it soon
Carol got a makeover! Lovely blog look. 🙂
Judging by the first episode, I really like it. I’ve always been a big fan of the legendary story and its various retellings (Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, for one) so it was a no-brainer that I would like this.
I felt the same wanted it to be spookier and it was more silly..might give the next episode a try!
My daughter and I enjoyed the first episode, but I was a little put off by the four horsemen thing. Well, as long as it stays entertaining, I’ll keep watching.
I actually enjoyed it a bit more than you did, though the second episode wasn’t as good as the first. I’m hoping that the show finds it’s stride.
I was wondering about this one. I have so little time for tv that I have to be picky.