Netflix’s holiday content is arguably a hit or miss one, often ending up too cheesy and predictable to enjoy even during a period as forgiving as Christmas. But every so often comes a hidden gem like Dash & Lily to restore my faith in the streaming platform. The eight-episode series begins with Dash (Austin Abrams), a Grinch-like character, being dared to do a scavenger hunt in a bookstore by a notebook (sign me up!). ‘Do you dare?’ the notebook asks, and Dash responds, setting in motion an unusual Christmas meet-cute capable of brightening this unfailingly glum period.
Dash, a self-proclaimed loner, is excited to spend Christmas alone after tricking each of his divorced parents into thinking he’s spending Christmas with the other, and Lily (Midory Francis), a Christmas-enthusiast who makes her own clothes and hangs out (sings carols) with people far older than her, is faced with a Christmas alone with her brother as her parents fly off to Fiji for the holidays. The lonely strangers cross paths after Lily’s brother, Langston, convinces her to write a dare in a notebook and leave it in the shelves of The Strand in an effort to become more adventurous and meet someone, continuing her family’s tradition of finding their other half on Christmas Day.
Dash and Lily’s adventurous journey as they get to know each other – from trashing Macy’s and stealing Santa’s hat, to going to a Jewish punk show guarded by a fairy godmother-esque Drag Queen – is full of mishaps and enough sweet moments to make even the most draconian of critics smile, while providing enough affirmation of emotional character growth to stand out amongst the many Netflix rom-coms and Christmas originals before it.
It also switches up the cliché recipe of a teen rom-com: boy-meets-girl, boy falls in love with girl, drama (usually because of another pretty boy or girl) ensues, cue grand romantic gesture and happily ever after. Though there is a grand romantic gesture at the end, much of the series is spent without the characters meeting, but getting to know each other in a way that eliminates physical appearance as a factor of attraction. The series instead gives us a peak into the characters’ lives as they interact with their close circle, allowing us to root for them both individually and as a couple.
“During a particularly dark time in what should’ve been a period filled with cheer and anticipation, Dash & Lily offers a couple of hours full of humour, Christmas magic, and rom-com fun.”
A big part of that falls on Abrams and Francis’ performances. Avoiding what could’ve been the typical pairing of the closed-off pessimist and over-enthusiastic, upbeat girl, they give Dash and Lily enough emotional depth and dimension to make them approachable and likeable during moments where their cliché personality traits could’ve cost them the audience’s interest. The series also goes on to challenge tropes like the ‘fantasy girl’ – “Men see every girl as a princess to be rescued, and they see themselves as the prince” – and the ex-girlfriend role; Maria, Dash’s ex, is refreshingly anything but a villain. She’s a worldly, intelligent girl that turns into a valuable friend rather than the overused relationship obstacle.
At its core, this is a story about human interaction; it takes social media out of the game early on, and is elevated by the chemistry between not only the main love interests, but the diverse cast of secondary and minor characters. While, at times, it seems like certain figures are only there to help Dash and Lily in their quest, their personalities shine in a way that makes them memorable, even if they are as minor as an elf at Macy’s or a bookseller with a quirky attitude. Personal favourites include Langston and his Tinder boyfriend Benny, a cute cheerleading duo with a sweet romance of their own, and Boomer, Dash’s outgoing best friend who seems to offer free pizza to everyone he knows.
Yet, what sprinkles the last bit of fairy dust to make this the perfect festive series is the whimsical atmosphere that is New York at Christmastime. The city takes on a life of its own as we get to explore it alongside the characters; we get a peek into a version differing from the glam and polished New York we’re used to watching on screen. From the underground punk show to the quirky shops and cafes and the messy, not-always-so-clean but lively streets, New York is brimming with life and more beautiful than ever.
During a particularly dark time in what should’ve been a period filled with cheer and anticipation, Dash & Lily offers a couple of hours full of humour, Christmas magic, and rom-com fun. And, to our luck, talks of a second season have been getting louder! So, until the official announcement drops, I’ll be looking for a misplaced notebook in the Salinger section of Waterstones.
Words by Anastasia Koutsounia