What comes to mind when you see the words Sleepy Hollow? If you’re not a fan of popular culture you might think of Washington Irving’s short story published in 1820. Others might think of the New York town that adopted the name 1996. Quite a few others will think of one of the best new shows on television. Since I am not a professional reviewer, you might want to read someone who does that for a living: “’Sleepy Hollow’ at midseason: Gonzo gothic fun, served with a guilty conscience.” As you will see, there is a lot going on in this show.
Always a history nut, having the main character be an Ichabod Crane, Tom Mison, recently awoken from a very long nap hooked me right away. And watching this 18th Century man traverse a 2013 world is delightful, as well as it is watching him back in his own world of revolutionary America. It doesn’t hurt that Crane works with the fetching Nicole Beharie as “leftenant” Abbie Mills in trying to solve the deepening mysteries of the Headless Horseman.
It has been a good decision by the writers to keep Mr. Crane in his 18th Century attire to this point. Most of all I love Ichabod’s 18th Century speech. I must stop the DVR five or six times during the show to ask my sons if they know what a certain word means. Of course hearing how Americans once spoke makes me sad to see how the English language in America has so devolved.
Another appealing aspect of the show is that it deals with a reality beyond the material world, beyond our five senses. In a secular age where our cultural elites promulgate a decided anti-religious view of the world, it’s refreshing to see Hollywood appeal to the hunger most people have for metaphysical reality. Along with this extrasensory world that permeates the show the reality of good and evil is what drives the narrative. This is not a show for post-modern sensibilities.
For those of us who have become fans of the show the good news is that a second season has already been ordered up. It will be interesting to see if the writers can keep a good thing going good.