5 Spoiler Free Reasons why you should watch “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” on Netflix: A Binge-Worthy Treat That Is Everything You Crave”

“What’s the point of being a witch if I can’t help the ones I love?”  An excellent question for sure, as half-mortal Sabrina Spellman learns that being a witch is not all fun and games.  If you had the choice to be a witch or a mortal, what would you choose?  Would you continue on your normal path or would you choose the path of night?  The Netflix series is based on the Archie Comics series, which was also the inspiration for the sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003).  While the sitcom was a fun and lighter take on Sabrina’s adventures, the Netflix series is a much darker approach.  The show features 10 episodes and they are all currently streaming on Netflix as of October 26th 2018.  After watching all of the episodes in one weekend, I can tell you that I absolutely adored this series.  Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is the perfect portion of Riverdale bubble gum pop dipped in delicious darkness.  It is absolutely enchanting and I highly recommend it.  Please note that major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.  My top 5 reasons to check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are: 

5

This show tackles real issues. 

Welcome to Greendale.  While the town is known for its spooky and Halloween-like atmosphere, it is also near Riverdale and it should be noted that these two series do connect.  If you are a Riverdale fan like me, you will be pleasantly surprised with a few mentions and connections along the way.  Even though the town has a lot of dark and mystical things going on, the series also sheds some light on some important issues.  Sabrina and her friends witness and deal with sexual harassment and bullying, reminding us that there are some real life horrors happening along with the supernatural ones.  The show does a good job of making us aware of these important issues and promoting female empowerment, while seamlessly continuing on with the plot.

4

The supporting characters.

It is sometimes difficult for the supporting cast to step into the spotlight, especially when there is a strong lead capturing our attention.  However, I was delighted by a lot of the supporting cast.  I give standout performances to Lucy Davis (Hilda Spellman), Chance Perdomo (Ambrose Spellman), Tati Gabrielle (Prudence), Michelle Gomez (Miss Wardwell), and Miranda Otto (Zelda Spellman).  These characters all complimented Sabrina so well and I could really see a true connection among the Spellman family.  You will be delighted by all of them.

3

Episodes 5, 8, and 9.

While all of the episodes were fast paced and fun, these three were on a completely different level.  I will not spoil anything for you, but I would definitely recommend giving these three episodes your undivided attention.  Episode 5 provided me with some Buffy the Vampire Slayer nostalgia and episodes 8 and 9 were shocking and dark, pulling the story in a twisted direction and further developing the character of Sabrina.  These episodes are not predictable and they will have you on the edge of your seat.  Enjoy the ride!

2

Sabrina Spellman.

Played by Kiernan Shipka, Sabrina is a strong female protagonist who you can truly root for.  Kiernan is absolutely enchanting and she really captured the essence of the character.  Sabrina makes mistakes along the way, but that is part of her charm.  She’s flawed, but she has so much inner strength and loyalty to her friends and family.  Sabrina always tries to do what is right to protect the ones she loves.  She sort of reminds me of a mix between Riverdale’s Betty Cooper and Harry Potter’s Hermione Granger.  She is a fast learner and is willing to go against authority to try and keep her moral compass intact.  Sabrina is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and she is constantly challenging everyone, reminding us that she is not just a powerful witch, but a powerful and amazing woman.

1

A worthy series about witches.

It’s not always easy to provide the audience with a true representation of witchcraft.  There is always the allure of having magical powers and casting spells, but there needs to be a balance as well.  Shows like Charmed and American Horror Story:  Coven were able to capture this along with movies like The Craft.  Chilling Adventures of Sabrina tackles everything from truth spells to resurrection ones and reminds us about “personal gain” and real consequences.  While it may seem glamorous to be a witch, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina reminds us that it’s not always this simple.  Sabrina is trying to find her own identity as a person, but also has to deal with making a choice between her mortal life and her destiny to become a witch.  It’s a decision that weighs on Sabrina for quite some time and she begins to understand that magic cannot always solve everything.  While the show will provide you with some fun magical moments, it also reveals the darkness and sacrifice that comes with it.  Overall, I was truly impressed with this show and I cannot wait until season 2.  I absolutely recommend this spellbinding series to everyone.  Ready to watch?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

“Charmed” is Back for a Reboot! Ranking the top 5 couples from the original “Charmed.”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  I have been recently re-watching one of my favorite television series of all time, Charmed for the 7th time through and I was very interested to find out that the CW has requested a pilot order for the reboot of the show.  It has been about 20 years since the show premiered and ran for 8 seasons with the magical Halliwell sisters portrayed by Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan, and Shannen Doherty.  Holly Marie Combs is openly opposed to the reboot but Shannen Doherty is trying to stay positive.  It’s understandable for there to be controversy around the reboot, as the original story and characters can never be replaced.

The original Halliwell sisters of Charmed still represent strong female characters to look up to and root for even re-watching today.  That can never be replaced, but it would be exciting to see something similar for the new generation and something nostalgic for the rest of us who remember the series so well.  90210 had a reboot years later and even had special appearances by the show’s original cast, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to the original series and never will.  Other shows featuring TV witches such as The Secret Circle and Witches of East End didn’t last for very long airing after Charmed was off the air so it’s hard to predict if the reboot will be able to have a successful run.

Similar to the spinoff proposed series of Wayward Sisters from Supernatural, the Charmed reboot has a real chance to capture an audience in desperate need of strong and smart female leads who can save the day from demons and deal with everyday problems.  While I don’t know much about the pilot, it doesn’t seem like it will follow the lives of the next generation of Charmed ones, but may be set on a college campus with three new witches coming to power.  Either way, I am all for giving the show a chance.  How about you?

The attention around the Charmed reboot sparked my interest in discussing some of my favorite moments, episodes, characters, villains, and ships.  For today, I will be discussing the most memorable couples/ships from the series.  While some couples on the show do find their fairy-tale happy ending, others end a passionate bond in tragedy, breaking the hearts of our beloved Halliwell heroines along the way.  Either way, their love was inspiring, fiery, and memorable.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. 

My top five ships from Charmed are:

5

Paige & Kyle aka Agent Brody.

Kyle and Paige 1 30

When Paige is introduced as the half-sister of Piper and Phoebe in season 4, she has to learn about her powers and new destiny very quickly to keep up with the rest of the Charmed ones.  Paige steps into the role of the third sister seamlessly and really captures the sisterly bond, but her ultimate destiny focuses more on helping others through Magic School rather than on a romantic relationship.

Paige does have her share of relationships over the seasons, but the most memorable one for her would be with Kyle aka Agent Brody.  Portrayed by the charming Kerr Smith, Kyle came to the sisters seeking revenge on the new big bad, The Avatars, who he believes are responsible for the death of his parents.  Paige and Kyle instantly have a spark and move quickly into a romantic relationship.

One of my favorite moments is when they get trapped in a 1930’s novel set in black and white and need to solve a mystery to get back.  They embrace the world, costumes and all, and end with a very passionate kiss, letting fans know that this is the start of something lasting for sure.  Sadly, Kyle’s quest to take down the Avatars leads to his untimely death, separating him from his love, Paige.  While Kyle does become a white lighter and implies that they may see each other again, the series ends without them together, as Paige finds love with Henry instead.

4

Prue & Andy.

Prue and Andy 1 30

In the first season of the show, Prue is handling a lot.  She moves back in with her sisters, basically has to represent the mother-figure as the oldest sister, gets attacked at her new job, and is reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Andy.  As if that isn’t enough, Andy is an Inspector for the police and is desperately trying to figure out why Prue is connected to so many of his unresolved cases.

Prue’s love for Andy is pure and true, but she tries to keep her distance from him to protect him.  When Prue thinks that she may be able to trust Andy with her secret of being a witch, she casts a truth spell that lasts for 24 hours.  To her dismay, Andy reveals that he would not be able to continue a relationship with her.  At the end of the season, Andy sacrifices himself to protect Prue and her sisters.

Prue has a fleeting moment with him in limbo before he is gone forever and it’s now clear that he would have accepted Prue completely, secret and all.  He just needed more time to fully process what she shared, which is completely understandable.  Sadly for Prue, she has to say goodbye to Andy forever and is never really able to find anyone as worthy again.

3

Phoebe & Coop.

Phoebe and Coop 1 30

Out of all of the Halliwell sisters, Phoebe has gone through the most relationships.  Toward the end of the series, fans were wondering who she would ultimately end up with and immediately spot the romantic tension between her and Cupid, Coop.  Coop is there to lead the way for Phoebe to open her heart again and find love; only he ends up falling in love with her in the process.

Coop is funny and charming and is really the only worthy candidate for Phoebe to end up with since Cole is gone forever.  While they don’t necessarily have the same passion she had with Cole, Phoebe does learn to truly open her heart again with Coop and finally get the family she has been dreaming of.

2

Phoebe & Cole.

Phoebe and Cole 1 30

This list would not be complete without including Phoebe and Cole.  Cole is introduced in season 3 and is a demon who is half-human.  While he initially tries to use his budding relationship with Phoebe to worm his way into the house to steal the Book of Shadows, Cole falls deeply in love with Phoebe, jeopardizing his cover and bringing his humanity to the surface.

Phoebe and Cole’s love is the most passionate on the show.  They have this almost magnetic pull toward one another, which does lead to some rocky moments, however.  Cole eventually becomes the source of all evil, even luring Phoebe to darkness for a while, but his love for her never fades.  It seems like Cole has been vanquished several times, but he always finds a way to return, holding on to the hope that he can be with Phoebe.

When he is finally vanquished for good, Phoebe says that maybe “it wasn’t meant to be.”  However, fans still cling to the idea of Phoebe and Cole ending up together.  The downfall of Cole was too much, however; leading to his demise, but their connection to one another has always been undeniable.  Cole leaves a goodbye letter for Phoebe that reads:

Dear Phoebe, 
If I’m dead right now, 
I know it was at your 
hand. No one else in 
heaven or hell had 
Power over me. Please, 
don’t cry. I was dead 
Before I met you. I was 
Born the day you loved 
me. And my love for you 
will keep me alive… 
Forever 
Love, 
Cole 

This letter is one of the most resonating moments for me on Charmed.  Cole brought new life into the show and was one of my absolute favorite characters.  While being one of the greatest villains for the Halliwell sisters, he is Phoebe’s ultimate weakness.  Even when they were apart, Phoebe knew that she may never love anyone the same way again.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one ship are:

  • Paige & Henry
  • Prue & Bane
  • Phoebe & Jason
  • Piper & Dan
  • Prue & Jack

1

Piper & Leo.

Piper and Leo 1 30.jpg

My number one ship has to go to Piper and Leo as if there was any doubt!  At the beginning of the series, their blossoming relationship is charming and real.  Phoebe even initially competes with Piper to win Leo’s affection, but it’s always been clear where Leo’s heart lies.  As Piper’s white lighter, it is forbidden for them to be together, but they cannot deny their connection.

Piper and Leo have been through so much together and Leo is even ripped away from her during their first attempt at a wedding.  Ultimately, Piper and Leo are meant for each other.  However, they go through quite a lot on the way and are tested constantly.  Piper and Leo have two beautiful sons, Wyatt and Chris, and form a beautiful family together, constantly trying to keep this priority above all others.

While Piper is known for her quick temper, Leo balances her out and always keeps her calm.  When they are apart, it’s truly heartbreaking, as fans recognize the selfless love these two have for one another.  Piper and Leo do get their happy ending and keep their friendship and love strong in the process.  There is something so believable and undeniable between Piper and Leo, still holding the test of time and reminding us what true love is all about.

I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about the ships on Charmed along with your thoughts on the new reboot.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl