In our view, Sleepy Hollow leans into forced representation, notably making one of the main leads a black female detective. While this isn't necessarily a problem, the narrative occasionally emphasizes identity factors over organic character development. Still, it maintains some merit-based arcs for its leads and incorporates knowledge, not just background, into the plot.

The series regularly subverts traditional roles (Ichabod Crane being the 'lost' man in a modern society) and injects modern commentary during historical flashbacks. However, it doesn't overtly attack religion or family—more often it gently pokes fun at the past versus present.

Traditional perspectives are mostly sidelined or treated as quaint; the show rarely portrays alternative worldviews with sincere weight. While villains are diverse, modern views on gender and race routinely go unchallenged or unexamined within the story.