Sleepy Hollow: 10 Reasons I’m Thankful for this Show 

If you’re not watching FOX’s Sleepy Hollow, may I suggest you rectify that matter quickly? It’s been the biggest surprise of this current Fall TV season as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t expect to like it. I wasn’t going to even give it a chance. But I am so glad I did. And now I don’t just like the supernatural-themed series. I adore it. It constantly puts a smile on my face for so many different reasons. Ten of them to be exact.

10. The flashbacks
Ichabod Crane is a man who pretty much woke up 250 years after his time. So we’re constantly treated to Revolutionary-era flashbacks. I thought they were going to be cheesy. They’re not. They are well done, they inform what’s going on in the present, they fill us in on all things Ichabod and sometimes we even see them through Abbie’s eyes, like what happened in “Sanctuary.” It was through Abbie’s connection to an ancestor, we found out Katrina gave birth to Ichabod’s son. Such a huge development, right? We recently found out the Headless Horseman’s identity via flashbacks as well. My initial concerns about this particular device were unnecessary. I mean, these days they seem to be overdone. But with this show, I don’t care. They make them work big time.

9. The presence of one John Noble

A couple of the guys (Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci) behind Sleepy Hollow are some of the guys behind Fringe. So consider me ever grateful they decided to bring John Noble into the fold. Noble’s presence makes the show instantly better. He’s so good at what he does. His SH character is quirky and mysterious. Yet Henry Parrish (aka The Sin Eater) has already established a connection with both Ichabod and Abbie. I’m excited to see how he interacts with them in the future.

8. The Tumblr Effect

Confession: My love for Sleepy Hollow has an enabler and its name is Tumblr. When I finally got over myself and gave this show a chance, I liked it. But Tumblr is a big reason why my feelings went from like to love to worship in no time flat. I blame the various posts, gifs, photos and raves. I can one hundred percent say the social networking site fueled my love for all things Abbie Mills and Ichabod Crane. It was on Tumblr I spotted a THR photo of Nicole Beharie and Tom Mison. And they looked so incredibly adorable. It was in that moment Abbie and Ichy became EVERYTHING to me. Thank you, Tumblr.

7. Orlando Jones. That is all.

I’m loving Orlando Jones, dramatic actor, something fierce. He’s a pleasant surprise on this show. As Captain Frank Irving, it’s been wonderful to see him slowly become part of the rogue team of Horseman hunters. And I’m particularly enjoying his interactions with Abbie’s sister Jenny and am really happy the show is fleshing out his backstory. He has a family now. And that family has some issues — I can’t wait to find out about what happened to his daughter.

Another reason why I can’t get enough of Orlando Jones? His tweets. He’s a master tweeter. He’s Tumblr-ready. He’s so social media-savvy, it’s pretty astounding. And he’s hilarious. I am in awe of his Supernatural/Sleepy Hollow  (#SuperSleepy) tweets. He’s bringing those two shows together, which is cool, since there’s so many similarities.

6. Ichabod’s observations and actions as he adjusts to this new world

I can’t get enough of cranky Ichabod as he makes his observations about how unjust and preposterous everything in this modern era is. Most recently, he went off on Thanksgiving and, also, how we have to pay for water, which should be an inalienable right. According to Mr. Crane, “The extent of which your generation has defiled this earth is truly mind-boggling.” But how adorable was it when he left Abbie a voicemail message on her “smart phone?” I love the way he ended it as if he were writing a letter or something: “I am, most respectfully, Ichabod Crane.” As you can tell, this is often where the humor of the show is introduced. And it’s glorious. The writers are having a blast with Ichabod’s dialogue.

5. The diversity factor

There’s not much to say here other than the fact I’m enjoying the diversity on this show. It’s refreshing and adds to my enjoyment of Sleepy Hollow. I wish more TV series could have the same color blind casting.

4. Nicole Beharie

I love that Nicole Beharie is one of the leads of Sleepy Hollow. Her Abbie Mills is strong, tough, fierce, a bit damaged and it’s amazing to see this often closed character open up to Ichabod as the series continues each week. Beharie is a beautiful presence and she’s excelling at everything this show is asking her to do.

3. Tom Mison

Kudos to the casting on Sleepy Hollow. In just about all cases the powers that be got it right. And that includes Tom Mison. Mison makes you fall in love with Ichabod, a fish out of water who’s forced to get with the program. And that program is weird, wacky, witch-y, deadly, demon-y and wonderfully confusing. I don’t know if another actor could reel me in like Mison has. I’m so glad I don’t have to find out.

2. Too much chemistry: Abbie and Ichabod

OK, I know that Ichabod has a wife. I know this. But that doesn’t stop me from noticing a spark or two between Abbie and Ichabod. I don’t think it has to go anywhere (for now). But the friendship that’s developing between these two characters is adorable. And the chemistry that exists between these two is magnificent. I love the way they look at each other and they look out for each other. Abbie and Ichabod were destined to meet. I can’t get enough of them.

1. It’s a bats–t crazy show with a lot of heart.

This show has flashbacks that feature George Washington and Paul Revere. Ichabod had to interrogate the Headless Horseman. He talks about being friends with Thomas Jefferson and not even knowing the guy had a reported relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings. John Cho’s character is walking around dead and is the mouthpiece for the Horseman. There’s talk of the apocalypse, demons, devil’s traps and witches. Abbie teaches Ichabod how to fist bump and Ichabod calls his coffee “morning cheer.” But it also has heart and emotion and I feel connected to it. I’m all about this recent exchange:

Irving: “A dead guy, a mental patient. And a time traveler from the American Revolution.”
Abbie: “That’s our team.”

This show is bats–t crazy and I love every second of it. On paper, it seems like it never should have worked but it did. And we’re all the better for it. I am so thankful we’re getting a second season. Aren’t you?

Sleepy Hollow airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.