I loved this episode. It embodies everything that makes Sleepy Hollow magic: Ichabbie, Jenny, monsters, witchcraft, twistory, and humor. We open with Pandora, played so far brilliantly by Shannyn Sossamon. She quickly relegates Headless to her box, and the show begins. Abbie's first appearance is nothing short of spectacular. Nicole Beharie owns the screen every time she graces it, but that whack in the face with a metal garbage can lid made us know this tiny beauty means business. "Hi Johnny" she says to her CI but also to us. I loved it. We then find Crane in prison trying to sneak something back into the country and the story really takes off. It's full of humor and chemistry and all the delightful elements we loved in the first season. I'd say my only complaint is the monster wasn't as scary or developed as I would've liked, but there was really no time for that. The show had a lot to clean up, and they did an excellent job doing so. Continuity was one of my biggest concerns, and they seemed to cover most of their tracks with this reboot. New showrunner, Clifton Campbell, had his work cut out for him, but he really pulled it off. One of the complaints I've read pertains to Monster of the Week. The awesome season one was comprised of mostly MotW episodes. There was an overarching mythology, which we haven't lost, and a new baddie of the week. What's so bad about that? I actually prefer MotW as long as the show retains the subplots and overarching plot of averting the impending apocalypse. Most fantasy/supernatural shows employ a MotW and thrive. There were many elements that didn't work in season two. Other than Katrina, the out of control mythology was the biggest. We still have that, but its been cleaned up. Pandora won't be taken out midseason like Moloch, I'm sure. I'd say this is going to be an awesome season; I just hope the fans return to see it. Don't give up! The things you loved about Sleepy Hollow are back! Unless, of course, you're one of the few people that liked Katrina. You're out of luck, in that case. One final concern: I'm not sold on Betsy Ross character. I love me some twistory, but she felt a little forced into the story with this first episode. Many fans seem uninterested in seeing more soapy Sleepy, so if they leave her in a limited capacity as just a flirtatious, aggressive woman and not Ichabod's love interest, it might work. Leave the former flames in the past where they belong, and let this story be campy, dark fun again.
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