Premiere Particulars: Sleepy Hollow

I’ve decided to begin a new blog series! I’m calling this batch “Premiere Particulars.” Whenever I happen to catch a premiere of a new or returning TV show, I’ll do a concise review of the episode—basically just highlighting what I liked and didn’t like, then wrapping things up with a brief summary and a grade. So, without further ado, I give you the particulars of Fox’s Sleepy Hollow!

What I liked:

• The spooky tone. This show is going to feel like Halloween year round.
• Ichabod’s adjustment. An 18^th-century man is thrust 250 years into the future. Starbucks, flashlights, women wearing trousers, and car window switches all befuddle him. It’s pretty funny.
• Leading lady Officer Abbie Mills. We don’t know much about her yet, but she seems pretty likeable. I appreciate the fact that she has an open mind when it comes to Ichabod.
• The surprise plot addition of witches. There are two covens—one good, one evil—that have apparently been around for years. Could be interesting.
• The creature at the end of the episode. CREEPY.

What I didn’t like:

• The breakneck pace of the episode. Was it originally going to be a two-hour premiere or something? We hardly get any real character development with the constant action. Slow down, writers. We’ve got all season to complicate the plot.
• Captain Frank Irving. Though I appreciate the name (“Irving” is probably a nod to Washington Irving, author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”), this captain is dumb. “No, I can’t let you do that thing you want to do, even though it would really help you solve this case and would be no real inconvenience to me. Go do that stupid thing I told you to do instead.” Typical TV police captain being difficult for no apparent reason. Annoying.
• Ichabod’s bravery. Though I generally like the character and it’s kind of cool to see him all bold, I miss the lovable wimp we all know from the original tale. As a Revolutionary War soldier, this Ichabod is a far cry from that.
• How many liberties Officer Mills allows Ichabod. I realize she trusts him, but this guy is her prisoner for a while, and she just lets him wander all over. Plus, he sits in the front seat of the police car. I don’t think that’s allowed…
• SEMI-SPOILER. The fact that two potentially interesting characters (with great actors) are slaughtered. Like…really? Already?

The Potential: If this show slows down, lets us get to know the characters, and doesn’t try to throw out too many crazy additions to the plot (we’ve already got a headless horseman, witches, and a possible apocalypse), it might not be bad. It’s piqued my interest enough that I’ll tune in next week, anyway. Thus far, it’s generic cop show plus Supernatural. So we’ll see. The premiere could’ve been better, but I’m not giving up on this one yet.

Premiere Grade: B-