*Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn’t watched Dash & Lily.
It’s the holiday season, a time for movies and shows filled with love and the festive spirit. Netflix’s Dash & Lily is the perfect show for this, offering a blend of holiday magic and romance.
Premiering on Nov. 10, 2020, and adapted from Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s novel Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, the series follows the unique romance between two teenagers exchanging dares through a notebook across New York City. Throughout the eight episodes, we meet Dash, a cynical teenager from a broken family who dislikes Christmas, and Lily, an enthusiastic Christmas lover searching for her match. Lily creates the Book of Dares and leaves it in The Strand bookstore, hoping someone will respond. When Dash discovers the notebook, he completes the first dare and sends one back, sparking a back-and-forth exchange. As Dash and Lily take on these dares, they step out of their comfort zones, learning about themselves and each other, growing braver and happier in the process.
Initially, I didn’t expect much from this show. I thought it would be mere background noise while I scrolled through my phone. However, when Dash found the notebook, I became invested. The show evokes a magical feeling similar to fairy tales and classic romance movies.
The storytelling was my favorite aspect. As viewers, we learn about each character’s past, traumas, hopes, and desires alongside them. This immersive experience made me feel like I was part of their journey. The way they express how they each view Christmas even though their current situations are similar allowed both the story and the characters to flow in a logical manner.
New York City is vibrantly showcased with its festive streets and warm interiors, adding a magical yet realistic backdrop. The settings are used cleverly: Dash stands out against the city’s vibrancy yet blends into the bleakness of his father’s house, while Lily shines brightly, yet risks being overshadowed by others.
The character development is commendable. While growth in the main characters is expected, the minor characters also experience profound transformations. Dash learns to open his heart and trust, while Lily learns to express her full range of emotions. Her brother works on trust issues, and her grandfather learns to compromise, all at a pace that feels natural.
Dash & Lily surprised me in the best way. It balances fun and romance with heavier themes like bullying, anxiety, and parental neglect. Even though it was canceled after one season, I appreciated its conclusion. While I would have loved to see the remaining books adapted, Netflix’s adaptation of the first book is satisfying. Dash & Lily is the perfect romantic show for this holiday season. I highly recommend this show for anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday experience.
