Sleepy Hollow FOX T.V. series.

One of my favorite spooky literary and film characters has always been the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. When I found out that a television series was going to be developed for FOX I was extremely delighted and hoped maybe, just maybe FOX would knock it out of the park. After the first episode I wasn’t quite sure but after the November 4^th episode, I was quite sure that this series is a good one!

For anyone who hasn’t watched the series, I will do my best not to spoil anything for you. I just want to give a kudos to the writers and actors involved. In a nutshell, the Headless Horseman has returned to the little town of Sleepy Hollow. Also returned is Ichabod Crane from an extremely long dirt nap in a subterranean cavern specifically set aside to keep Crane alive for over 200 years. 

Mills and Crane.....the Cagney and Lacy of the supernatural.

Crane and the Horseman have an intertwined bloodline ever since Crane decapitated the Horseman on the battle field during the Revolutionary War. Confused yet? It gets more interesting so here goes. Crane was struck in the chest by the fiery blade of the Horseman’s axe at the same moment Crane’s sword connected with the Horseman’s neck. As the two lay dying their blood mixed and so their spirits became as one. 

Why you may ask is all this happening? I will tell you. The Horseman is actually one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Yes, the Biblical one.

The Horseman is a badass....with a head!

The Headless Horseman is actually Death and he indeed rides a pale horse. Crane is not what he would seem either to those familiar with the Irving story. Crane is not just a schoolmaster but a former Oxford University professor of history. He has joined the British army and come to America but in a turn of events has become a spy for the American army under the command of General George Washington. As Crane lay dying on the battlefield, his wife Katrina Crane (Yes Vantassle for those familiar) who is secretly a witch, casts a spell binding Crane and Horseman. Two hundred and thirty three years later the Horseman has been summoned and so Crane being bound to his spirit is resurrected as well. I should point out the spell cast on Crane has kept him in pristine condition, a state of suspended animation if you will.

The three amigos of the apocalypse.

Now in the present day, Crane bewildered of course, comes across Lt. Abbie Mills. Abbie is a deputy sheriff who has had an encounter with the Horseman after the Horseman has killed her boss Sheriff August Corbin. Abbie’s investigation leads her to the discovery of the Horseman who is associated with a series of murders in Sleepy Hollow. These murders bring Mills and Crane together. 

Ok so we got the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane and the coming apocalypse all intertwined and smack dab in the middle of modern day Sleepy Hollow, New York. So how is this series going to go beyond one episode? The Horseman can’t ride around forever right? Well, yeah you’re right. Here’s the deal. The Horseman is only one of the four, so with each episode more demons, occult groups and characters are introduced to keep things interesting. They are all bound together with the bringing of the apocalypse and/or preventing the apocalypse. A pretty nifty idea really when you think about it. 

Yep you are seeing that correctly.

Although there are some continuity slips here and there, A LOT has to get covered in an hour run time once a week, each episode brings plenty of excitement, action and spookiness. Of course six episodes in and Crane still hasn’t shed his 18^th century clothing. The man needs some new duds if you ask me. There is also the air of skepticism that comes from the chief of police even though he has witnessed the Horseman himself. So while you have to kind of push all that aside, the show is still well done.

Damn spooky lookin' if you ask me.

 There is some great demon designs in the effects work, the acting is solid and cinematography is top notch. The “sleepiness” of a modern day Sleepy Hollow is captured pretty well. The catacombs located underneath the town are well made and filmed as well. I am really digging this series and like I said after a couple of episodes I was wondering if I was liking it or not. I am pretty much hooked though. I haven’t missed an episode and look forward to Monday nights on FOX!