Some of My Favorite Protagonists

Tonight was the premier of season 3 of Sleepy Hollow. I was way too excited about this. The show isn't that good and it is one of the seemingly growing list of shows that I watch because I find at least one of the protagonists charming. Or maybe that they just have good voices.

In the case of Sleepy Hollow, this is Tom Mison. Playing the out of time Ichabod Crane, Mr. Mison has to commit to being a learned man of the past, ignorant of the past 200+ years of inventions, history, philosophy, and literature but still modern in terms of being able to partner with a black female cop (refreshing), but perhaps after witches and time travel everything can be accepted.

The series is retooling after wrapping some bits up last season. Can't tell yet if it will hold my interest, although I do like the idea of Betsy Ross as a bad ass. And I certainly enjoyed having another hour with Tom Mison.

There are a few other shows like this, some better than others.

Grimm. For Grimm, it was actually a costar that got me watching, Silas Weir Mitchell, who plays Monroe. He's the main character's guide into the world of wesen. A blutbad, a wolf-like creature, who is living a vegetarian lifestyle among other ways to civilize his animal nature, his story is less told than the chosen one finding his/her way. For a long time, I wasn't really sure about the main character or his girlfriend, although they've grown on me. Satisfying fluff.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. This is the only Australian television show I've seen and, because it's a period piece, it's hard to tell if it lacks the Hollywood polish of US tv. The costuming is gorgeous. The plots are not as obvious as too many shows. And Essie Davis is divine. I've rewatched the whole series since season 3 just became available on Netflix, and Nathan Page is subtly playful and even more charming than I'd realized. It's also lovely to have a modern woman who is comfortable with her sexuality. No angst or shame or anything negative. Why don't we see that more of that in contemporary television?

Murdoch Mysteries. Yannick Bisson. Drool. It wasn't obvious at first, as Murdoch is very reserved and buttoned up but ... This had the advantage of being a period piece--police procedural in turn of the century Toronto. Committed to at least slightly stretched anachronisms, it is silly but again modern in having a female coroner.

Republic of Doyle. Allan Hawco has those classic Irish good looks and had his shirt off in the credits of every episode. I like a good private detective show and this one delivered on many fronts. I recommend it.

Elementary. Jonny Lee Miller is very talented. Going up against the BBC's Sherlock, his portrayal of the iconic detective is one of the few things where this American show can match up with the British one, which has it out conceived, out written, and out Watsoned (although, again, refreshing to have a non-white, non-male in the role). I'm pretty sure he is the only reason I watched this show.