I expect I'm not alone in this, but I have an unpleasant history of getting into a new show that doesn't survive its first season and, in some cases, only makes it a couple of episodes (anyone remember last year's Zero Hour?). I've considered jumping on the bandwagon and following shows that I know will get renewed...thereby not leaving me hanging. But with a few exceptions like The Big Bang Theory and Castle, I just can't seem to get into the popular fare...especially if it's a reality show like Dancing With The Stars, America's Got Talent or anything that features Simon Cowell.
Nevertheless, as the new television season gets underway, I can't resist the urge to sample some new offerings and see what happens. The first one to sink its claws into me is Fox's Sleepy Hollow. Based loosely...and I mean VERY loosely...on Washington Irving's short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Fox's version tells the story of Abby Mills, a modern-day sheriff in the town of Sleepy Hollow and Ichabod Crane, a soldier in George Washington's Revolutionary army who wakes up 250 years after being buried in a cave. It seems that the Headless Horseman, who Crane beheaded in a Revolutionary War skirmish, has returned to contemporary Sleepy Hollow along with Crane. And as one of the four riders of the Apocalypse foretold in the Bible, the Headless Horseman intends to bring about the end of the world...unless our two heroes can stop him.
If this show had come out ten, five or even three years ago, I'd say that it has little to no chance of finding an audience. But entertainment is different today. We are now in the age of Grimm, Once Upon A Time, True Blood, World War Z, Twilight and countless other fairytale/monster incarnations. Add in elements of witchcraft, ancient orders and End of Days prophecy, and it looks like Sleepy Hollow is poised to take off in the ratings. And though I generally dislike witchcraft stories, I think I'm going to enjoy this show.
Those of you who follow this blog are familiar its theme: history as entertainment. While Sleepy Hollow is a FAR cry from real history, the pilot episode has shown me that it will have enough historical elements and references to keep a history buff like me happy. Aside from references to George Washington, Revolutionary War battles and Colonial assemblies, the pilot also teased me with promises that future episodes would refer to such historical hits as The Boston Tea Party.
I've always been fascinated by the idea of someone from the past living in our world today. In fact, it was that concept that inspired me to write my novel Long Live The King: Book One of the Charlemagne Saga. With the creators of Sleepy Hollow applying that concept to a television show, I find myself once again rooting for a new series. I just hope the powers that be at Fox will give Sleepy Hollow a chance to find its audience. I'd hate to have my hopes once again dashed Zero Hour-style.
Until then, I intend to be tuned into Fox at 9 pm Monday nights.
