Sleepy Hollow – “I, Witness” Review. Evil Has Returned.

SLEEPY HOLLOW: L-R: Pandora (Shannyn Sossamon), Joe Corbin (Zach Appleman), Betsy Ross (Nikki Reed), Agent Reynolds (Lance Gross), Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), Abbie (Nicole Beharie) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie). SLEEPY HOLLOW Season Three premieres Monday, Oct.1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2014 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Michael Lavine/FOX

Season 3, Episode 1

Air Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 9/8c on Fox

Rating: ★★★★★

Four score, and about seven months later, Sleepy Hollow comes galloping back to our television screens with a whole host of new diabolical dilemmas (say that five times fast), and some updated hair styles in its third season premiere. “I, Witness” introduces us to some new characters but have no fear, our beloved Ichabod (Tom Mison), Abbie (Nicole Beharie), and Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) return; however, there is a change in the air. Ichabod still wears the old fashions, but he’s not the same man he once was. And Abbie isn’t working for the local Sheriff’s department anymore…she’s upped the ante and turned federal.

“I,Witness” begins nine months after the season two finale “Tempus Fugit,” in which Ichabod’s wife (also a witch, the kind that does magic) and his son, a warlock, were vanquished. Ichabod fled Sleepy Hollow to mourn, leaving Abbie to finally fulfill her dreams of going to Quantico and becoming an FBI agent. Now, together again, Ichabod and Abbie face a new threat, and a new evil that will perhaps test their bond more than ever.

(L-R) Abbie and Ichabod investigate a local restaurant called Colonial Times for something belonging to Betsy Ross.

I know the fandom desperately wants to “ship” Ichabod and Abbie but I’m still not 100% on board with that notion. I don’t feel like Ichabod and Abbie are drawn toward each other in that way. Maybe I’m missing the signs but I just don’t see the love zinging between these two.

Ichabod is a handsome fellow and the ladies do gravitate toward him. Abbie’s lab tech at her office, and even the famed flag maker Betsy Ross (guest star Nikki Reed) have a thing for Ichabod. The writers are taking some gracious liberties, as I suspect Betsy Ross isn’t attractive as Reed and wearing pants with a bosom enhancing corset doesn’t seem like official “spy” wear of Colonial Times.

Without spoiling too much, a stranger comes to the town of Sleepy Hollow and begins wreaking havoc. Guest star Shannyn Sossamon plays the mysterious Pandora (yes, she has a box too), whose end game isn’t quite clear at this point. I adore Sossamon. She recently starred in another Fox (limited) series, Wayward Pines, and she was a series regular on one of my favorite shows (now cancelled, of course) Moonlight starring Alex O’Loughlin. I’m anxious to see how Pandora will interact with both Ichabod and Abbie, respectively. Sossamon portrays Pandora as a seductive enchantress with an air of innocence about her. Pandora is a chameleon as well, blending in with the residents of Sleepy Hollow.

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The lovely Shannyn Sossamon plays evil beautifully as Pandora this season on Sleepy Hollow. What’s inside the box?

During Ichabod’s absence, he also remained silent in his communication to his so-called partner in crime and fellow witness, Abbie. In his travels abroad, however, Ichabod stumbles upon an ancient tablet that foretells the story of the two witnesses. “Seven tribulations” must our two witnesses endure. Could Pandora’s presence be the beginning of the second tribulation? The demon Moloch (Marti Matulis) and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse were the first tribulation in seasons one and two; although, we only ever saw two of the four horseman. I hope the writers don’t stretch out these next missions because it seemed iffy that Sleepy Hollow would even get a third season.

If you didn’t hear, Sleepy Hollow will have a crossover episode with another Fox series, Bones. Yes. Read more here. It seems fitting to do a joint episode now that Abbie is FBI and the lead actor on Bones is FBI Agent Seely Booth (David Boreanaz). I wonder if the Sleepy Hollow writers will keep the supernatural element of the crossover case, which would present a very interesting scenario for the very literal Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel). She may have a difficult time understanding or believing evil demons exist. I’m sure Brennan would find Pandora’s box quite alluring (anthropologically speaking).

I love the exaggerated history lessons and the National Treasure meets Indiana Jones quality that Sleepy Hollow brings. “I, Witness” is an intriguing episode filled with the delightfully quirky humor only a 250-year-old British guy can bring. The scene when Ichabod explains his nightly “communion” to “Jesus” is hilarious. I cannot wait to see what’s in store this season. I’m looking forward to intricate mysteries, more history lessons with Besty, and perhaps we’ll see more of our favorite characters *cough* Hawley (Matt Barr) *cough* who are not present in this season premiere.

What did you think of “I, Witness?” Leave me a comment below and/or tweet me @judybopp.

Tune in to Sleepy Hollow, Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/sleepy-hollow/.

Follow Sleepy Hollow on Twitter: @SleepyHollowFox #SleepyHollow.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.