Sleepy Hollow S3- A Mystery Fans Can't Wait To Uncover

      (Photos courtesy FOX Network)

It's only 18 days, 10 hours and 20 minutes until the big Season 3 reboot premiere of Sleepy Hollow, but who's counting? Like all Sleepyheads, I gleefully take each little crumb FOX has slowly been

leaving, like a trail leading to something you just know is going to be exactly what you've been waiting for.  It's been a very long hiatus, after an extremely tumultuous season two, and while I am very optimistic about the new season, many Sleepyheads are wary about the numerous changes made. Personally, I think the changes are a positive thing that was necessary to bring the show back to it's former Season one glory.

The Sleepyhead fandom is a very passionate one, fierce and vocal so it wasn't that much of a surprise that we ranked eighth in Neilsen Ratings analysis of the most influential fandoms on social media. There are a slew of fans who support Sleepy Hollow, showing the love via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram and various blogs.

On twitter conversations among Sleepyheads have run rampant since day one as to Ichabod and Abbie's romance because anyone can see their chemistry explodes off the screen!  Fans relish each touch, glance and hug as we attempt to dissect the meaning behind each moment, as well as their true feelings for each other. There are debates galore on twitter and tumblr- will they or won't they? How much will we get this season? Will it be a slow burn or will they get them together by the end of the season? What happens if they don't get together and there's not a season four?  The list goes on and on.

When asked about the relationship during their panel at DragonCon this past weekend, Tom and Nicole claim it's purely platonic/works better being good friends.  Let me remind you of something Henry Parrish (John Noble) said in 'The Golem', "A good puzzle misleads you, it sends you in one direction, it fools you into thinking you know what's going on. But once you discover the trick, you see there's often a hidden meaning."  And let me further quote what the Succubus said to Ichabod, from one of my favorite episodes, 'Heartless', "I sense your desire, it burns strong though you try so hard to hide it."  I asked the writer that penned this episode, Albert Kim if the siren meant Ichabod's feelings for Abbie.  He answered, "If you like".  A little confirmation?? All I know, is that Ichabod and Abbie together are the show. One cannot survive without the other- that's the bottom line.  They are the only two that can go through their Mission, much like Mulder and Scully on the XFiles. Ultimately, though we may have to endure each having other relationships, Ichabod and Abbie are the only ones who can be completely honest about everything due to the special bond and destiny they share. We'll have to tune in to see what's in store but I say Ichabbie Forever!

Of course you can't have a conversation about Ichabod without talking about the loss of his infamous long hair this season!  I'll be honest with you, I was upset.  I love Tom Mison in that wig, I mean he is "Super Hot Jesus" after all!  However, the photos we've seen of his new shorter locks has me convinced that I, along with Tom, can now live without the wig! Not only has Ichabod's new look been fodder for speculation, but the biggest has been about Abbie's! As photos slowly began trickling out, we kept seeing Tom (which we don't mind), but Sleepyheads worldwide cheered Thursday when we finally got the money shot!  A solo picture of Abbie with her new FBI Agent look and can I just say our girl looks amazing!

I think the year-long separation has been a much-needed one for Ichabod and Abbie to move forward to the next chapter.  So what is the next chapter you ask?

*SPOILER ALERT*

In the season premiere, called "I, Witness", we learn that Ichabod and Abbie have been apart from each other for about a year, apparently without any contact. Both have gone through changes of their own, I think really trying to find themselves, where they fit in and how to move forward.  Abbie's decision to complete training at Quantico was something I believe she really needed to do after everything that happened. What I'm finding tough to believe, is that after all Ichabod and Abbie have been through, mean to each other, Ichabod would just take off without leaving a note or saying anything.  Apparently he's gone back to his roots to England (I would give anything to see Crane on a Plane), and returns, although nothing has been confirmed, could he be teaching at the University? If so, I can just hear his students calling him "Professor Crane", which is immediately reminiscent of Indiana Jones and all the girls drooling over him with dreamy eyes!  At any rate, I'm sure by now he's got himself a real job, like a real boy (insert Pinocchio reference here "little wooden puppet boy"), it appears as though he has a new pad as well. I think this season Ichabod Crane will be a mix of Indiana Jones meets Remington Steele meets Inspector Clouseau, at least that's my assessment!

Abbie returns to Sleepy Hollow where her ex-lover, Special Agent Daniel Reynolds, is now in charge and her boss.  Not sure how I feel about this, but I will say that it's nice to see Lance Gross working with Nicole.  He'll bring a very interesting dynamic into the equation and I'm wondering if he'll be clued in as to Abbie's Witness duties or will be in the dark, like Sheriff Reyes was? I sort of picture him eventually being like A.D. Skinner on the XFiles, who was sucked in with the Cigarette Smoking Man but was always on Mulder and Scully's side.  We'll see if that's how he'll fit into the mix.  

This season focus is shifted back to Ichabod and Abbie, their Mission at hand- the Second Tribulation.  What is the Second Tribulation?  In the Book of Revelations, the two Witnesses are brought back, revealed as the Antichrist goes into the temple in Jerusalem.  There are great earthquakes, worldwide economic collapse, famine, war, numerous diseases spread that causes widespread illness and death. Wow! Sounds like stuff that's going on in our world today- funny how fiction sometimes mimics reality! It's pretty heavy that's for sure.  So what is the infamous "twistory" our evil geniuses (aka) Sleepy Hollow writers have conjured? This is what we know so far...

Pandora, played by Wayward Pines' Shannyn Sossman, seeks Ichabod and Abbie's help after a jar is accidentally opened.  One can just imagine what is let out of Pandora's jar and if this woman is who she says she is.  Will they be able to put whatever evil that crept out of the jar, back?  Will those who escaped from Purgatory last season play into any of this?  We'll have to wait and see.

Another sort of time shift are the flashbacks to Ichabod and Betsy Ross (Nikki Reed), presumably to learn exactly when and how George Washington's spy ring was created, how she fit in and what really went on.  

In the timeline of Ichabod's life that we know, Betsy Ross was his girlfriend before he met Katrina and was eluded to a couple of times over the past two seasons.  I'm anxious to see the writer's take on Betsy Ross.  For some reason I've always pictured her as an older woman, but a leader among the women of the Revolution.  I think adding Reed to the cast is a smart move to hopefully reel in a new audience, as she has quite a following thanks to the Twilight Saga.  For those who may not know, she played Rosalie Cullen, Edward Cullen's sister in the saga.  

According to an interview with Michael Ausiello, there are several people from Sleepy Hollow we'll meet this season, including Susan James (Charlene Amoia) who seems to be conducting her own investigation into a conspiracy involving her office.  She'll be introduced in the season premiere.

Of course everyone is aware that fan favorite Joe Corbin (Zach Appleman) is back in town, ready to pick up where his father, Sheriff Corbin left off.  I think this is another smart move.  Many Sleepyheads said last season it would make sense to have Joe join Team Witness because he's from Sleepy Hollow, has ties to Abbie and Jenny, as well as is the late Sheriff's son.  He'll be a great addition to Team Witness and I'm anxious to see how he'll work with Jenny too.  I believe Jenny and Joe will help our dynamic duo in whatever they need to acquire.  Several of us have also speculated as to whether or not we'll see more about what Jenny was doing for Sheriff Corbin, what she was gathering for him.  I think with Joe in town, we'll finally learn more about that.

The news I think fans are most excited about is the big crossover event set to air October 29, where Sleepy Hollow meets Bones.  Apparently it's been six months since Brennan and Booth went their separate ways. Booth got a job as an instructor at Quantico, which is where Abbie meets him. She needs Brennan's advice on an 18th century case using 21st century technology, so seeks their help. I wonder what Brennan will say when she learns Ichabod is a time traveler from 1781?  Will she believe it?  Will Abbie talk to Brennen about being in a relationship with Booth while working together? I hope so! Filming of this episode began this week.  

Friday, September 11, production took over Lawrenceville Square as they filmed the Halloween episode.  As previously reported, the episode involves a legion of undead solders who come back to finish what they started!  Sleepyhead @zed_pm tweeted out this picture of the location.

Sleepy Hollow would not be Sleepy Hollow without the creatures and monsters conjured by our writers, then created by makeup genius Corey Costellano.  So what's in store for Season 3?  Since it's been reported there will be no Headless Horseman, who is the new big bad?  I think there will be a plethora of baddies gunning for Ichabod and Abbie. including an army of British Soldiers who have risen from the dead!  I'm guessing Sleepy Hollow meets The Walking Dead?  According to EW, General Howe is leader of the Dragur, a legion of resurrected red coats "who are back to finish what they started 240 years ago!"

The writers also mentioned there would be fairies this season. However not the pretty, wholesome, good-natured fairy that left money under your pillow for a tooth!  Interestingly, this tooth fairy knows Ichabod and has played a part in sabotaging his Mission in both his past and present lives.  Why has Abyzou (fairy) been doing this and how will it affect the Mission now remains to be seen.

I think the creeper I'm most intrigued by, is how Jack the Ripper returns thanks to some type of demonic instrument that releases him (my guess is it's Pandora's jar)!  Everyone knows the story of the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, a name that emerged after a mysterious letter, supposedly from the killer, was sent to the media.  The string of unsolved murders of prostitutes working the streets of Whitechapel, England remains one of the greatest unsolved crimes in history! The gruesome way the Ripper killed these women, then disemboweled them is horrific. Will Ichabod and Abbie uncover who the Ripper is? Does he restart his diabolical rampage in Sleepy Hollow?  I can't wait to see this episode!

As the October 1st premiere date nears, fans are getting more excited than ever and expectations are high, especially after such a great weekend at DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia. Though I wasn't able to attend, it was clear from social media that fans still love our Sleepy Hollow with a passion! Fans on hand for Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie's panel said it was incredible and those little Miharie (smush word for Tom and Nichole) moments like the fist pump (video courtesy Sleepyhead Brittney), sideways glances told us we have nothing to worry about.  Everyone that met them had nothing but good things to say, how amazing they are and yes, they really are incredible.                                                                                                                                                    

The titles of the first four episodes have been released: 

Season 3, Episode 1: "I, Witness"

Season 3, Episode 2: "Whispers In The Dark"

Season 3, Episode 3: "Blood and Fear"

Season 3, Episode 4: "The Sisters Mills"

Season 3, Episode 5:  title not released but it is the 

Sleepy Hollow-Bones crossover episode.  

Description: "Ichabod's old nemesis returns from the dead (General Howe), 

Ichabod and Abbie turn to Temperance Brennan and Seely Booth to unlock

 18th century secrets, using 21st century technology." 

The one thing fans are waiting for is an actual S3 promo! I have a feeling it's coming Sleepyheads...hang in there a little longer!  FOX also announced Friday that the cast and Executive Producers will be at the New York Comic Con this year, panel is set for Oct. 11.  I'm thinking we may just get to screen a new episode?? I hope so!!  Check out the NYCC website for details and schedules.

All in all Season 3 is shaping up to be a fun, thrilling, suspenseful and revealing one! Don't miss a moment of Sleepy Hollow, beginning Oct 1, Thursdays, 9 p.m. on FOX!

*Season 2 DVD/BluRay is out Tuesday, September 15, so don't forget to pick up your copy today. 
You can order an advance copy at Amazon or Target.  Then join us on twitter September 19 at 8pET for our S2 DVD Party!  We'll have 1 hour of Sleepy Trivia for prizes, then watch Heartless, Mama, the deleted scenes and gag reel from the DVD!

*Be sure to set a reminder to be sent to  your devices via FOX Calendar

*Check out the Sleepy Hollow Addicts website for all the pics and stories from DragonCon, as well as exclusive Ichabbie videos and interviews by SHA.

*Sleepy Hollow Addicts Blogtalk Radio show returns Oct. 2 at 10pET- join me as we dissect the S3 premiere and look to what's coming this season!

*Catch up on Sleepy Hollow via Hulu or FOX website