Air Date: Monday, November 11, 2013, 9PM ET/PT on Fox.
Rating:
“Flummoxed by a foreign concept that resembles close to nothing of what you know? Can’t imagine how that feels.” — Ichabod Crane
Although there is a saying, “Seeing is believing,” sometimes, you simply can’t believe what you’ve just witnessed with your own two eyes. Then again, many have blind faith in a God they’ve never seen. There are also those who believe in something many say doesn’t exist…like ghosts or the paranormal. I think Sleepy Hollow gives us many examples of all the above in “The Midnight Ride.”
History Lesson
“The Midnight Ride” is very entertaining and filled with humor…not the laugh out loud kind, but the type that makes you grin widely and say, “Damn, that was a good one.” The writers are particularly adept at infusing a subtle, wry sense of humor into the scenes. Yes, things are really dire—a mad headless horseman is on the loose, terrorizing the town, but the way the writers inject a comedic element into this episode is spot on, done very realistically and tastefully.
Take, for example, the call about four beheadings in one house. Sadly, these four men are the same Freemasons Ichabod was captured and released by in “The Sin Eater,” and with whom he was going over to meet with prior to their dramatic demise. Captain Irving (Orlando Jones), the non-believer, surveys the crime scene when Abbie explains it was the headless horseman. With a sigh, Irving replies, “I am running out of rope with which to hang myself. For now, our working theory is cult ritual suicide, understand?” While the humor is dark, it’s still funny. And I’m still confused as to the suicide part – how can four guys kill one another by beheading each other…one guy has to be left…and…nevermind.
An Old Friend Returns
Andy still has one more friend to visit…Abbie. He warns her, “You can’t kill Death (aka headless horseman)…but you can trap him.” If the horseman is as tough to destroy as his macabre skull, then I’m front and center with Andy on any plan to help nab old Horsey. All I’ll say is the trapping is brilliant! Who else found it a bit awkward when Andy confesses his feelings for Abbie? It’s not the words but the conviction with which he says it that strikes home. I think Andy regrets his choice to serve the forces of evil, and this warning to Abbie is a way to make amends. Did you hear the bite in his words to Ichabod? “Don’t threaten me.” It is almost a dare. I wouldn’t cross Andy, not when he’s all…walking dead like and disappearing without a sound. Creepy.
Thoughts
Funny Moments
I like that the writers are slowly introducing Ichabod to more modern conveniences, such as smartphones and voicemail. His astonishment at being able to leave a message without writing it is so apropos to his character; he even ends his message as he would a letter, “I am, most respectfully, Ichabod Crane.” I applaud the writers for keeping Ichabod thoroughly British.
As Abbie and Ichabod visit a museum to find a manuscript:
Abbie: “So, I’ve spoken with the curators. I’ve got good news and bad news; what do you want first?”
Ichabod: “Is this a riddle?”
Abbie: “Nevermind. Bad news – the manuscript’s on loan to the National Armory Museum in London.”
Ichabod: “London? That’s a three-month journey by sea.” (Wait until he learns about planes!)
Abbie: “That’s where the good news comes in. They’ve uploaded the manuscript online.”
Ichabod: “That is excellent news.”
Abbie: “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”
Ichabod: “No, I do not.”
It seems Ichabod is a bit pent up and I nearly died laughing when he accidentally stumbles onto an Internet adult dating site. I won’t tell you what happens but it’s hilarious.
Tune in to Sleepy Hollow, Mondays at 9/8c, only on Fox.
For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/sleepy-hollow/.
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Photos ©2013 FOX Broadcasting Co. All Rights Reserved.
Judy Manning
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