When FOX’s “Sleepy Hollow” (2013 - present) premiered last fall, it provided a type of entertainment unlike anything else on television: a fun, fast-paced mash-up of historical fiction and paranormal fantasy using a police procedural formula. Although only thirteen episodes, the show’s first season -- enhanced by the buddy-cop chemistry of its two leads, Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie -- provided excellent and plot-twisty entertainment. After its first season ended on an explosive cliffhanger, the second season of “Sleepy Hollow” had no problem jumping right back into action when it premiered on Monday, Sept. 22.
On the surface the plot of the show seems quite far-fetched, but once the viewer suspends disbelief, it (sort of) all makes sense. In the last season, Revolutionary War hero Ichabod Crane (Mison) was sent into the twenty-first century to battle the Headless Horseman, who portrayed the Apocalyptic Horseman of Death. With the help of Abbie Mills (Beharie), a sheriff in the real-life town of Sleepy Hollow NY, Crane battles various demons and apocalyptic figures to save the world. It would be easy for “Sleepy Hollow” to devolve into B-movie campiness, but various factors keep it from sinking.
One strong point of “Sleepy Hollow” is its treatment of female characters. Not once is Abbie Mills treated as a sidekick to Ichabod Crane, or as a damsel in distress in need of a savior. Rather, the two are partners in this insane war against the coming apocalypse. More often than not, it is Ichabod who requires Abbie to save him. Their relationship is incredibly enjoyable, as thus far their chemistry is unclouded by a messy and forced romantic relationship thus far. While the show could take steps toward a romantic relationship between its two leads in the future, the second season premiere blessedly stays away from any development in that direction. It’s nice to see a man and a woman on television be shown as platonic friends and partners who work together to save the world, nothing more.
The show is further bolstered by the quality of its supporting characters. Orlando Jones is endlessly entertaining as Abbie’s beleaguered Captain, Frank Irving, and “Fringe” alum John Noble is at turns delightful and terrifying as the mysterious Henry Parrish. But the most intriguing side character is Jenny Mills (Lyndie Greenwood), Abbie’s estranged sister who has a history with the paranormal. The scenes between Abbie and Jenny as they attempt to reconnect are incredibly poignant and real, showing that not even the apocalypse can break the bonds of family.
The show’s second season picks up immediately where last season’s finale left off, and continues with the brisk storytelling and action that defined its first season. While enjoyable on many counts, the second season has a continuing weak link: Ichabod’s wife, Katrina (Katia Winter), who is trapped in purgatory. The first season of the show hardly took any steps to establish Katrina as her own character beyond Ichabod’s wife. While she is described as being a very powerful witch, all evidence points to the contrary; Katrina can often be seen crying out for her lost husband while wearing a dramatically cut black dress with her hair blowing in the wind, looking like a lost extra from a bad adaptation of a Bronte novel. Hopefully the second season will take more steps towards developing her character, because right now her appearances simply constitute an excuse to take a bathroom break.
Despite its flaws, the second season premiere of “Sleepy Hollow” definitely does not disappoint. Rather, it further establishes itself as a unique and creative show, providing humor and pathos alongside demons and paranormal-based action. An intriguing genre-bending story of partnership, American history and the apocalypse, “Sleepy Hollow” definitely won't put you to sleep.
'Sleepy Hollow' second season stays weird, wonderful
The new season of "Sleepy Hollow" doesn't disappoint.
