Just what we need. **mushroom sigh.**

[ladybug_archive]

So a few weeks ago I was on YouTube and somehow ended up seeing a trailer for Fox's new Sleepy Hollow series (probably as an ad before something I was watching). And ... I actually thought it looked intriguing. I thought maybe I'd want to check it out.

So now the series is out and I've looked up some more stuff on it. And I am most unimpressed to discover that it gets into apocalyptic stuff. The Horseman is supposed to be one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, blah blah blah.

Seriously, why can't it just be a nice creepy ghost story about a restless spirit still haunting modern-day Sleepy Hollow? That's what I thought it would be when I saw the trailer.

I get so tired of all these shows that decide apocalyptic storylines are the way to go. The X-Files, Millennium, the 2005 Kolchak remake.... And the list goes on and on, yadda yadda yadda.

I saw one reviewer pleased with the show and recommending it as a fantasy show for people who want something other than fairy-taleish stuff.

How about something for people who really thought the series would be a retelling instead of a re-envisioning? I thought a modern-day version of the story could be fun. Throwing the Apocalypse in there ... pretty much ruins it for me.

That, and well, of course if the Horseman's attacks on people are depicted graphically, that would finish it for me even if they weren't doing apocalyptic stuff. I don't know how graphic the attacks are and I don't have any desire to know, particularly since I am assuming the attacks would involve one of the methods of death I abhor more than most others.

Comments

[rose-of-pollux.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wasn't bothered enough to even check it out with the whole post-apocalypse thing.

(Not that I have enough time to devote to another show, anyway...)

And yeah, I imagine the Horseman's attacks would be... involving that. Ugh.

[yamsteapot.livejournal.com]

I've yet to actually watch Sleepy Hollow, but several of my friends seemed to like it, but they also like darker things in general.

I think apocalyptic stories right now (and over the last five years or so) have been particularly popular since so many things have been uncertain and people are so consumed with the idea that everything could collapse at a moment's notice. Similarly, I remember an article that talked about why zombies have become so popular—the audience's need to be afraid, and find new things to be afraid of. With both zombies and the apocalypse, there's the loss of everything and humans being tested to the limits, losing family, family/friends turning on you. The loss of humanity in general.

I admittedly didn't get a retelling out of the trailer, though I also don't remember much from it. It got something a little more sinister and mildly The Village-esque. It does make me wonder how long an updated Sleepy Hollow could sustain itself. I can imagine a mini series, but not really a multi-season thing unless there was a lot of time jumping and something in the form of Once Upon A Time.

Maybe you should write one yourself!

[moonshadowmagic.livejournal.com]

H'm... does it rip off Tim Burton's movie (which had the nice touch of making shots of the village look just like in the Disney version, except for being really dark and creepy. But it lacked Bing Crosby.) Or does it really go off on its own?

I was there once. Sleepy Hollow is now a restored Dutch colonial era village/ museum, doubtless thanks to Washington Irving, who may want his name removed from the credits.

The 'fairy tale' comment-- is that perchance a slam at Once Upon a Time? Does it imply that fairy tales are sweetness and light? Has that person ever heard of the Brothers Grimm (or Princess Tutu?!) Or for that matter, Washington Irving?

Anyways. I have to agree re: prophecies and apocalypses and stuff. It works once or twice, but after Lord of the Rings (the books!) and the Revelation (not yet entirely fulfilled) most other things really start to look contrived... because they are. The X- Files worked soo much better before they got mired in that over- complicated aliens- and- their- politics plot. (Btw, see H.P. Lovecraft, 'The Whisperer in Darkness.' See if anything feels familiar.)

Oh, and one other thing:

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
God bless you and keep you
Another year through!

Happy birthday, by the way? Three days is not as late as usual!

[northeastwind.livejournal.com]

I totally understand not being very enthused about the Apocalypse part of the show-- even if you're not bothered by that, they kind of got the order of the Horsemen wrong, among other things. Also Crane thinks he and the female lead are the two witnesses from Revelations, which may or may not sit right with some people (she is unimpressed, lol). I had Assassin's Creed for the Apocalypse, guys.

I've only seen the second and third episode-- according to my sister, there's a moment in the first episode where you kinda wonder if they can show that sort of violence on TV, but my (limited! I don't pay attention!) experience has been that it's not graphic enough to be offputting on its own without jumpscares (...which there are).

Definitely one moment in the second episode, though. Not a violent one, but... eeuugh I had to look away. Beware of morgue scenes >>

Also, I haven't seen the horseman yet. I think he's only in the first episode-- the second and third episodes deal with a witch and a Sandman demon thing, respectively. Seems to be a Monster of the Week sort of deal.

Its saving graces include:

-"Get off the horse and put your hands on your.... oh."
-Apparently the horseman in general either has the best sense of humor or is trying and failing to be intimidating.
-Black female lead. Who spends most of her time rescuing Crane instead of the other way around.
-The beginning of the second episode has a fun "Crane adjusting to modern life" montage! In all, those scenes are really fun.
-The show is completely aware that it has the most ridiculous plot ever and tries its very best to be funny instead of depressing.
-...The main character *__* I love her so far.

The fourth episode airs tomorrow, so I will watch that and get back to you. I can totally understand being disappointed, though, as I would rather have a Halloween-style Haunted Town sort of TV show instead of the whole world being at stake etc. I think it's fun, but three episodes is too soon to judge...