This Christmas season is like no other. Thanks to the pandemic, and all the other plagues of 2020, things seem to be missing some holly and lacking a lot of jolly. If you’re someone in need of some feel-good Christmas spirit, the Netflix Christmas series “Dash & Lily” should definitely be added to your holiday binge list.

SUMMARY:

“Dash & Lily” is a Christmas romance centered around the Grinch-like Dash (played by Austin Abrams) and holly-jolly Lily (played by Midori Francis). The two polar opposites trade dares, wishes and fantasies in the notebook they pass back and forth at various locations around New York City.

PROS:

Refreshing Plot

As someone who generally prefers classics, like Home Alone and The Grinch, I found this series surprisingly enjoyable. At first, the mere fact that it was a series rather than a movie had me intrigued. The flirtatious game of dares that the two main characters play is fun to watch. You’re constantly wondering what the next dare will be and curious as to how the characters’ relationship will develop from on-page to in-person. Furthermore, the acting is definitely superior to the painfully cringey performances seen in most Hallmark Christmas movies.

Diverse and Relevant

Diversity has been a huge theme for 2020, and this series does a good job of balancing diversity with story relevance. Some series/movies tend to put together a hodge-podge of diverse characters to meet the new status quo, but, without much substance,  the results are shallow characters and unnecessary storylines. However, that’s not the case here. Asian, African American, Hispanic and  LGBTQ+ representations are present, and it doesn’t seem forced. Each character has a significant role to play and it’s not that hard to find someone to root for or relate to. 

Binge-Friendly

The series is only made up of eight 23-minute episodes, making it perfect for a casual binge. Being a series instead of a movie allows the show to flesh out the characters more and keep you invested with their growth. Plus, even with the extra run time, the show doesn’t bombard you with too many heavy themes. There are sad moments that pull on your heartstrings but nothing too serious. In this way, it’s no different than your average Christmas rom-com.  You can even experiment with the experience by watching one episode a day, starting from Friday, Dec. 18 to Christmas Day.  

CONS:

Sequel Curse

I honestly have no gripes with the series itself. As of the publishing of this review, critics have given “Dash & Lily” a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. My only concern is the possibility of a Season 2. The story is wrapped up in Season 1 in a nice Christmas bow, and another season could possibly spoil the gift. Despite not being a movie, I fear a Season 2 will bring disappointment like the sequels of great Christmas films. 

In the end, I recommend this series to anyone who is looking for something to watch this Christmas season. The series brings a certain level of anticipation and hope that we can all relate to as we trudge through this pandemic.

Omar’s Series Score: 5/5