Sleepy Hollow: The Complete Second Season

Fox had a surprise minor hit with the debut season of this energized, creative reinvention of Washington Irving's tale about Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) and the Headless Horseman, who are both brought to present day Sleepy Hollow as Ichabod teams up with police officer Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) to stop a coming apocalypse. The second season continues to weave supernatural mythology with real-life history and fanciful revision that re-imagines the Founding Fathers as Masonic brothers versed in magic and supernatural ritual (the better to battle the black magic of the British), while adding tragedy and romantic melodrama to the mix. Ichabod and his wife (Katia Winter), actually a witch working with Revolutionary forces, have to battle their son (John Noble), who has been recruited by the forces of darkness. The series continues to feature flashbacks with the Founding Fathers (and a Founding Mother)—including Timothy Busfield as Benjamin Franklin, Steven Weber as Thomas Jefferson, and Nikki Reed as Betsy Ross)—who are portrayed in tongue-in-cheek fashion. While there is plenty of family fireworks, betrayal, forgiveness, and sacrifices, the dark drama is constantly leavened with a sense of humor and an inventive imagination, while the friendship between Ichabod and Abbie grounds the craziness. Compiling all 18 episodes from the 2014-15 second season, extras include audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)