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Lindsay Sperling’s Top 10 TV Shows Of 2014

Every year television amazes me. Unlike its big sister, film, networks can't rely on one or two projects to carry them all year. They have to constantly reinvent themselves to keep up with the change in trends. Even when it comes to adapting material to the small screen, they have the daunting task of using the source material as a launching point instead of the entire creative arsenal. From more traditional September to May seasons, to summer series, to split seasons, to new outlets and methods of delivery, TV shows have proven to have staying power - and 2014 has brought more in all the aforementioned categories than ever before.

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9) Sleepy Hollow

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When I reviewed the pilot episode of Sleepy Hollow back in fall 2013, I raked it over the coals. Even though it was right up my ally in terms of content, I found the delivery to be lackluster. After tuning in for the next couple of episodes however, I’m glad that I stuck it out.

Television is in no way suffering from a shortage of period dramas, but taking a character out of time and into the present day made for an interesting juxtaposition that other shows can’t really compete with (although, Outlander has a similar concept in a sense).

One of the most interesting things about this series is watching Tom Mison’s version of Ichabod Crane reconcile his pre-existing knowledge with what he’s presented with in a contemporary context. It creates a certain amount of naive amazement within the narrative that comes with being introduced to modern conveniences for the first time.

Unlike other characters who are plucked out of the past, (Jeremy, who has lived through the transition, and Katrina (Katia Winter), who has been able to observe them from purgatory to an extent), he is alone in the relative newness of the world. This allows for the writers to concoct a really unique relationship between Crane and his partner/Guide, Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie), which continues to be a highlight of the show.