Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Sleepy Hollow: Pilot Recap & Review


The show stars Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills and Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane. This is a modern-day retelling of the 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. After Ichabod Crane "dies" during a mission for General George Washington in 1790, he awakens in 2013 Sleepy Hollow. But so does the Headless Horseman, whose head Ichabod lopped off before his perceived death. The horseman begins his nightly killing spree, and Ichabod must partner with newly appointed Sheriff Abbie Mills. John Cho as Andy Dunn and Orlando Jones as Captain Frank Irving are also part of the cast. 


Opening scene of Crane in battle of the American Revolution and he kills the horseman by beheading him. Next thing you see is Crane crawling out of a grave surrounded by some ritualistic jars. It appears as though Crane was put into a stasis in the event the Horseman rides again. The rapport between Abbie and the sheriff is great to see and you just know that he won’t be lasting long. Especially when you learn that Abbie has plans to leave Sleepy Hollow for the FBI. I enjoyed that the blood happened quick and it was heart breaking to see Abbie run to the aid of her partner and see the headless horseman ride off after the killing. The camera keeps drawing to an arrow on the horseman’s hand, I am sure it is important. 


Of course they lock up Crane for being crazy. My question is why do the cops always have these important talks right in front of the prisoners. What about confidentiality, does this not exist in the police station? Crane admits to cutting off the head of the man Abbie saw earlier. Later, they are giving Crane a polygraph test. The mention of George Washington does make you giggle and Crane’s flippant attitude of killing the horseman was done well. Sadly Abbie is shut down by the Captain repeatedly before he gives in and lets her transport Crane. Crane gets a wake up call about the changes in the world over the past 250 years. 



It is enjoyable to see Abbie put Crane in his place. The two characters converse well and you can see the potential relationship develop. Crane sees a priest from his past which brings up additional questions in regards to maybe his wife may still be alive. Crane and Abbie travel back Crane’s cave in which Crane finds a Bible talking of the four horseman. It appears as though Crane killed the Horseman of Death or rather attempted to as you cannot kill death. The priest from Crane’s memory is now being stalked by the horseman. He has some powers and tries to tie the horseman in chains. His last words, “I will never tell you where it is.” The death of the priest was done well and you see the falling of the head from the priest’s shoulders from the point of view of the priest’s eyes. 


It’s sad to see Crane find his wife’s grave and learn that she was burned as a witch. Crane finally makes it to the psych ward. Abbie decides to share her own personal story of dealing with the supernatural and the bond becomes stronger with Crane. Abbie finds information about two covens that the sheriff was researching. Seems there are two warring covens that have infiltrated Sleepy Hollow. The question is what side the captain is on. I personally think if you suspect him then he is not on the bad side. 


I am sorry but a creepy bird following me would freak me out. Now he is talking to his dead wife who is the bird. Crane’s wife explained how the horseman and Crane are connected. His wife is protecting the skull and lets Crane know that he must beat the horseman to stop the apocalypse. 


Andy finds himself face to face with horseman who has ransacked his gun safe. He tells the horseman he knows where it is. We have our first evil guy revealed. Crane and Abbie dig up the horseman’s head at his wife's grave. Why they would do that is just foolish in my opinion. They should have left it hidden. Now the horseman is running around with a gun. Looks like Andy is really working on the bad side as he attempts to take out Abbie. Luckily the sun is rising and the horseman must make a run for it as he can not survive in the sun. Abbie is sticking around and now is serving as the second witness for Crane’s path to defeat the horseman. Andy is killed in his cell by a horse-like creature and the first episode ends. 


I overall enjoyed the pilot episode. It gave a great new telling to the classic story and the dynamic between Abbie and Crane is well thought out and executed appropriately. The series has room to grow and I look forward to seeing each character further develop.

2 comments:

  1. Finally watched this episode and I have to say I am looking forward to it. Saying that now is it just me or did the horseman become more badass after he lost his head. Anyway, nice first episode and I love Abbie as well.

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    1. The horseman became very badass once he lost his head and gained automatic weapons.

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