Heads will roll on FOX's Sleepy Hollow

WARNING: Pilot spoilers ahead

Sleepy Hollow, new this fall season from FOX, is a series based on the “Legend of the Headless Horseman”.  However, it’s not the traditional legend everyone knows. This show takes a bit of Grimm, throws in some Supernatural, adds a pinch of Elementary and then shakes for awesome. With two decapitations happening within the first ten minutes, FOX’s Sleepy Hollow promises that heads will roll this season.

    Tom Mison portrays Ichabod Crane  in a light and refreshing way instead of the gangly, awkward Ichabod from the legend. Crane, back from the dead after 250 years, must navigate his way around Sleepy Hollow trying to stop the Headless Horseman, all the while trying to learn about the 21st century and trying to figure out what happened to him. Mison’s portrayal of Crane is similar to Jonny Lee Miller’s representation of Sherlock Holmes. Crane and Holmes, are both enigmatic, sarcastic, practical, follow their instincts and have a bit of trouble connecting with people.

   Another similarity between Crane and Holmes is that they both have a partner. Crane’s partner is Abbie Mills, portrayed by actress Nicole Beharie, a tough no-nonsense cop who gets entangled in Crane’s problems against her better judgement much like Joan Watson in Elementary.

    Sleepy Hollow uses camera angles in both the traditional fourth wall perspective and also in different ways such as: attaching to windows, peepholes and even actors bodies. These different cameras give the viewer a sense of though they are in the show. The show is also really good at making subtle jokes and occasionally gets the viewer to smirk and laugh at scenes.

    The show uses flashbacks to fill in the viewer on the show’s mythology including The Four Horsemen of the apocalypse and covens as well as the ever perpetually good versus evil. Grimm fans will gravitate to the flashbacks and creatures within the show whereas, Supernatural fans will love the mythology and mystery that the show creates as well as the subtle jokes made within the show. Elementary fans will fall in love with Crane’s personality and the bond between Crane and Mills.

    The series seems to be set up for a seven year run on the FOX Network and airs Monday nights at 9:00/8:00C.