This morning FOX announced at the TCA's that a season three is on hold until "creative changes" can be made. Dana Walden revealed that Sleepy Hollow is being recalibrated to reduce serialization and "try to return the fun to it a little bit". What does this mean? Serialization is not the problem, lack of focus of the initial overall theme of the show has been.
It's no secret that this season has been crazy, as passionate fans raised their voices in protest regarding numerous issues. It is my understanding that FOX has reached out to other producers of similar shows, was well as writers including Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once Upon A Time), hoping to rectify the situation. I suspect one of the factors affecting a new season is that the show may need to move production from Wilmington, North Carolina, to another state due to rising taxes. A clear budget for the next season must be laid out for the network, as well as a complete concept of storyline for season three before FOX approves.
FOX also cited ratings as another reason the network has opted to wait to renew the series. Although the season two premiere started at 1.9 share, the ratings continued to dropped during the first half of its sophomore season, to an all-time low of 1.4. However, things seemed to be on the right track upon the January 5 episode, which introduced the Rebel Angel Orion (Max Brown, Tudors) and ratings rose 2 points in the all-important 18-49 demographic. Though live+same day viewership has affected networks across the board, the numbers from live+7-day DVR, as well as 30-day VOD viewing is up by 68%, which clearly depicts there is an audience still interested in seeing the apocalyptic thriller.
Over the years many television shows have come and gone, some good, some not-so-good, others such as the XFiles, LOST, Fringe (to name a few), fans couldn't help but get swept up in the mystery. I feel this way about Sleepy Hollow. My devotion to the show is simply because not only is it an interesting story packed with action and intrigue, but I love the historical references and characters. The audience even bought the absurdity that a man who died 250 years ago, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), is resurrected after his Wiccan wife cast a spell on him to rise should the Horseman of Death return. Fans couldn't get enough of "Ichabbie" (aka) Ichabod and Abbie (Nicole Beharie), both prophesied to stop the legion of evil sent to thwart their efforts and to begin the End of Days. The cast is phenomenal with the ability to make us believe anything is possible.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what separates season one from season two, though fans have clearly felt a change. Last season the show had a certain feel to it, a rhythm that was endearing, as the mystery unfolded and we met Ichabod and Abbie, the two characters that would carry the show. The series was rooted in family- the Mills sisters and their history, Captain Frank Irving's daughter and ex-wife, and Ichabod's wife and son.
With only 13 episodes to tell the tale, the entire cast and crew worked feverishly to ensure the YouTube. No one could have predicted this plot twist, not even me, someone who had rewatched each episode multiple times! Of course once I went back after the reveal I could see John Noble's genius subtleties, clues that no Sleepyhead caught! speaking with him after the finale, he said that they were meticulous about ensuring that the audience wouldn't catch on to what was really happening until the big moment. Mission accomplished! Fans were in a frenzy after the big season finale that rocked television to its core and couldn't wait for season two to begin. All I can say is that it was a very long summer! audience would feel the slow climb to the top of the hill until the big reveal, when the roller-coaster was finally let loose! The thrilling conclusion of the first season rippled throughout the net as fans uploaded their reactions of the grand finale on
Season two started with a bang, but the momentum quickly faded as two new characters were introduced, which sidelined fan favorites Lyndie Greenwood and Orlando Jones. The debate continues to rage as fans also believe that Abbie was sidelined in favor of "Crane Family Drama." Though I do not believe this to be entirely true, several of us discussed this issue at length during Sleepy Hollow Addicts. I'd say most within the Sleepyhead fandom are fed up with Katrina (Katia Winter), Crane's lying wife who continues to champion her ex-fiance Abraham (Neil Jackson) and plans to restore his humanity.
I will agree that the constant damsel-in-distress storyline has been a major thorn in every Sleepyhead's side. For me, I feel that the character has been written as weak, whereas she's supposed to be a very powerful witch! While we have seen some of her magic, in a show that depicts two very
Sleepy Hollow was presented in season one as a series about Ichabod and Abbie, their quest to stop the apocalypse. Ultimately it's about their journey. While I believe Ichabod needs to deal with Katrina, the way it's been done has alienated a lot of fans.
I'm going to once again bring up the XFiles. When it began, Scully (Gillian Anderson) was sent to work with Mulder (David Duchovny) and she slowly went from skeptic to believer as the series unfolded. While early on, they had personal issues they dealt with, it never interfered with them as partners. Each lost a lot and eventually found their way to each other romantically. Their team- Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), the Lone Gunmen, Doggett (Robert Patrick) and Reyes (Annebeth Gish) while assisted them, did not become a hindrance to the core of the show, Mulder and Scully. This is how Sleepy Hollow should be operating. XFiles had an underlying mythology, but was also able to do stand-alone episodes here and there.
In season one we learned that Abbie's mentor, Sheriff Corbin (Clancy Brown), had been following supernatural cases up and down the coast, anticipating and uncovering what was to come. He knew Abbie was a Witness and she found all his files. What happened to those cases? I assumed that Ichabbie would pick up where he left off and investigate some of those cases, leading them to discover many factions planning to bring out the apocalypse; however they have yet to do so.
This season we were introduced to Joe Corbin (Zach Appleman), the Sheriff's son, who was left all of his father's documents regarding the cases he followed. He should be part of Team Witness because he's from Sleepy Hollow, was Corbin's son, has ties to Abbie and Jenny. It's a huge miss not utilizing this core character. What about the dark Coven Corbin found? They all filtered into the woodwork of society after the Salem Witch Trials, but he had begun to uncover where some of them went. Could they be causing or bringing creatures in to begin the End of Days? We have only seen a couple of references to this evil Coven, why not explore this more? Bring more supernatural magic to Sleepy Hollow?
There are a myriad of stories they can carry over from season one that will bring back the core and feel of the show that we all fell in love with.
The second half of the season began January 5, "Paradise Lost", as the show sort of hit the reset button and introduced angels into the mix. Most fans that I've spoken to feel the episode was a start in the right direction as it focused on biblical lore bringing in Rebel Angel Orion and looks like Team Witness will continue to fight against demons who escaped from Purgatory like Orion. Irving (Orlando Jones) is back, which was a great sigh of relief to fans, but is he considered a demon? Does he have his soul or does Henry (John Noble) still have it? It all remains to be seen.
All in all I'd say Sleepy Hollow can recover with these new changes. Producers and writers have reached out to the Sleepyhead fandom promising to fix issues. I believe they already have started to do this as it seems Hawley's (Matt Barr) moony-eyes over Abbie has been dropped (thank God) and he wants to get back together with Jenny.
While the Crane's continue to be at odds with each other, attempting to figure out their mess of marriage, this "Crane Family Drama" will be coming to end. Trust me. So what about Henry? Where is he and the Sword of Methuselah? My guess is he'll be the new baddie in charge, after killing Moloch and not his mommy. Though Katrina believes he did it for her (delusional much?), let's face it, he was mad at "daddy" so in a temper tantrum decided end Moloch. His decision had nothing to do with saving his parents whom he despises. Question is, can he be redeemed, should he be redeemed and was his soul immediately absorbed by the sword upon using it? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Irving has returned and is going to have a tough time readjusting to life on planet earth. Although he's returned to the living, why and exactly how is he back? Is he a good guy or a bad guy? Surprisingly looks like he goes to Katrina for answers, so could she have cast a spell on him while trying to "save him" on the battlefield? I think so but we'll have to tune in to see where all this
leads.
*****SPOILERS****
So what's in store for Monday night's episode "Pittura Infamante"? Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest stars as Abigail Adams, wife to President John Adams, a friend of the Crane's. Ichabod and Katrina go on a "date" and find a mystery instead when the art restorer at the Historical Society Soiree is found murdered! Meanwhile, Irving shows up at the precinct and is rearrested!FOX just released photos for the highly anticipated Karaoke episode, "Kali Yuma" (02x14) and fans were excited to see there will be an Ichabbie duet! Looks like the gang is taking a little breather from all the demon fighting at the bar on Karaoke night. Ichabod and Abbie each sing a solo song, then a duet. It's going to be an epic moment in Sleepy Hollow history for sure! I remember during interview with Nikki that she previewed we will see a little bit of ad libbing and the personal ritual Tom and Nikki do before taping, something they added in.
The episode is Hawley-centric and centers around a woman, Camilia Pines (Jamie Murray), that shows up wanting to collect a debt he owes her. Hawley does what he does best and breaks into the Archives to obtain an old book. Ichabod, Abbie and Jenny quickly realize the woman is actually "Vetala", a minion of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and regeneration! So why does she need the book Hawley stole? To gain her humanity back. Hawley agrees to help her break into the original Fort Knox to obtain an artifact capable of restoring her. While Team Witness are grappling with Hawley's mess, Irving learns all murder charges have been mysteriously dropped! He's sent home, though has a tough time readjusting to life and wonders what happened to his soul? He seeks out Katrina for answers.
I have confidence that the rest of Sleepy Hollow's season two will continue to move in the right direction, FOX will figure out how to fix the show and greenlight a season three that will once again have fans cheering on Team Witness. Hang in there Sleepyheads-- Sleepyheads Represent!
*Watch an all new episode of Sleepy Hollow Monday, January 19 at 9pm on FOX! Need to catch up? Watch on FOX, via FOX Now app, or on HuluPlus.
*Be sure to tune in to the "Official" Sleepy Cast podcast on Nerdiest Network, hosted by Clarke Wolfe as she interviews cast and crew!
*Don't miss Sleepy Hollow Addicts radio show with my special guest Kevin Bachelder, as we chat about "Pittura Infamante" and all things Sleepy Hollow!
*Be sure to follow @SleepyAddicts on twitter. All the latest pictures, promos and information are posted on Sleepy Hollow Addicts website.
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