Ah, Christmas. For Lily, it’s the most magical time of the year. For Dash, it’s the absolute worst.
Usually, two people with such differing opinions wouldn’t even want to meet each other. And considering Dash would avoid most Christmas parties like the plague, you’d think that the two crossing paths would be nearly impossible. But being lonely during the holidays makes you try some crazy things.
Like introducing yourself in a notebook and then leaving said notebook in your favorite bookstore for your hopeful soulmate to pick up, unravel the clues and then eventually meet you and fall in love.
This is what Lily has done. She’s ready for her own true romantic story, even though she’s scared to admit it. And writing your feelings, hopes, dreams and deepest secrets down on paper is way easier than sharing them face to face.
Dash agrees. He’s not the kind of guy who enjoys being vulnerable. And after living through his parents’ divorce and getting his heart broken from an ex-girlfriend, he doesn’t intend to ever open up again. Well, he didn’t intend to. Until he found Lily’s notebook nestled on the shelf at his favorite bookstore.
Now, he’s intrigued.
And it seems like both Dash and Lily will do whatever it takes to get to know the person at the other end of the pen.
Netflix has brought to the screen The New York Times bestselling teenage book series, Dash & Lily. A romantic drama, this TV-PG rated show gets its style and flair from the same people who created the movie Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and it focuses on a cynical, teenage boy and a peppy, awkward teenage girl who kindle a romance through writing.
Where most shows are trying to promote connection through social media or tech in some way, this one offers a retro turn on romance: It focuses on the quirky personalities of both characters as they get to know one another through the written word. It’s charming.
But not every element holds that charm. Lily makes it clear that she is fine with the fluidity of sexuality, although she’s straight, and often hangs out with a transsexual woman. Lily’s brother, Langston, is openly gay and is caught in bed multiple times with his boyfriend.
Then, of course, there’s also some profane language (including the s-word), teenage drinking, promiscuity and other mature elements that make this teenage drama seem as if it should be a high step above its PG rating.
Dash finds a mysterious notebook in his favorite bookstore that prompts him to share personal details about his life. Dash’s parents both ditch him for Christmas as they choose to spend the holiday’s alone. Lily’s parents go on an intimate vacation, leaving her alone for Christmas, too.
Two men flirt and kiss and lie in bed together (it’s insinuated that both are naked under the covers). Dash walks into the sexuality section of a bookstore and reads from a book about “gay sex.” Dash makes a joke about homosexuality. A few book covers depict shirtless men and talk about sexuality. Lily says she believes that “love is a spectrum.” Lily talks with her friend, a transwoman. A couple lie in bed together and nearly kiss. Couples kiss and flirt.
Dash drinks hard liquor, after his father tells him not to do so. A teenage girl drinks wine at a party. Dash and Lily joke about a classic novel where Santa gives a child a knife as a gift.
The s-word is used twice and other words include “h—” and “hoochie.”
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
An elf mage contemplates on connection and regret as she watches her human friends grow old and pass away.
Netflix takes a classic sitcom, Good Times, and turns it into a vulgar, violent, sexually-charged TV-MA show.
