Sleepy Hollow - Ghoul of the Weak?

Unfortunately I thought Sleepy Hollow took a step back this past episode.  After a slam bang opener that intrigued many across the TV viewing universe it fell back into cliches, familiar tropes and the tired themes that mark too many TV shows.

I'll cool off a little and speak of some of the questions I've posed recently about Sleepy Hollow. 

The morning of the day of the second episode, I asked the group of "Bunsen Burners" on Facebook how long Crane would be in his old duds as they must be a bit odoriferous by now.   As we found out early on Crane has decided to do his own laundry.  Clever.  Dressing him in modern day frocks would dilute his identity as the "fish out of water."  Better to keep him separated from the others as an out of time throw back..

Speaking of frocks here is something I am disappointed in.

Abbie Mills is now dressed in civvies as opposed to her stitched up Sheriff deputy's uniform.  So, it's paramount to preserve Cranes identity through his clothes but Abbie has to be a babe now?  Wouldn't we rather see her a little uptight and starched as a foot soldier type policemen?  It keeps her as an underdog that is always bucking the system.  Now thanks to the clothing change she's part of the system.  Bad move.

Sorry, back to some of the questions I had posed.

In last week's blog I had wondered if Katrina was going to be a series regular and were we going to see her exclusively in the "mirror universe" and flashbacks.

Answer received!

Katia Winter who play Katrina in the series received third billing after Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie.  Impressive.  This leads one to believe she may actually make it out of the "between" worlds and join the land of the living.  It certainly means she  will get a meatier role in the show.

One of my major points from my last blog was the absence of incredulity by many of the show's characters towards Ichabod Crane.  It didn't take long for Abbie, Captain Irving and two of the deputies that responded to the final gun fight to buy into Crane's story.  I loved it and found it refreshing that we didn't have to endure a season long battle for Crane to get people to believe him.

Well, that's gone!

 

This is very disappointing.  Talk about familiar themes.  Irving has withdrawn his support, the two deputies have recanted their statements, and as Crane noted, Abbie is already rolling her eyes at what he says, where she once trusted what she saw.   Very disappointing.

 

How is this for a cliched device?  The jealous ex-boyfriend.  Egads.  How tiresome.  They can't create enough tension between Abbie and Crane they have to throw in the angry ex?  Naturally he is a hunk.  Please.

 

Maybe I should talk about some of the things I did like.

The humor!

Watching John Cho stumble around with his head on backwards was hilarious.  Even his tearing himself out of the body bag was a hoot as he clumsily crashed to the floor.

I also found the yellow stickies in Cranes (Motel?) room funny.  They serve two purposes also.  Its a good joke that Crane can't make sense of things we take for granted every day.  It's funny to see him squirm at his predicament.  But they also remind us what a fish out of water he is.  Humor is a great asset to this show I hope they don't lose it.

Oh, let's get back to something that really bothered me.  The "Ghoul of the Weak".  

Back in the day, when Smallville was still running, they fell into the trap of the "Freak of the week".  They would introduce some Kryptonite tainted kid and Clark, the future Superman, would have to defeat him or her and wrap everything up in a nice tidy bow by the end of the episode.

That grew old very fast but fortunately for Smallville the figured their way out of that box and rescued the series.  Sadly, Sleepy Hollow has fallen into that very same trap in its second episode.  Freak created, freak defeated.  Uh-oh.  Warning Will Robinson this type of story telling is a trap.  Please don't let it sink this show!  Karina drops a hint, Crane figures it out and monster goes bye bye.

Weak.

Ok, I'm starting to bum myself out and "Agents of Shield" is on so let's wrap this up on a high note.

 

I love the mythology stuff.  It gives the viewing audience something to chew on much like Fringe did.  The reverse side of Kartrina's tombstone had the "All Seeing Eye" carved into it as well as the two Doves we see above.  Good stuff, keep it coming.

Also good is the introduction of Abby's sister, Jenny.  She looks crazy and kick ass.  A delightful combination.  Maybe this is why they've watered down Abby to make her sister more of a contrast.  I hope not.

OK, I'll perk up maybe next weak (week) will be better.  But if not I still have my single shot black powder pistol by my side.