Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 1, Episode 1 review: An introduction to the characters

Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is finally here. Just how dark is it compared to the 90s series? Will it hold up against the other Netflix Originals this month? Here’s a look at the very first episode.

There’s been plenty of hype around Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. When Netflix took it instead of The CW, I have to admit I was happy. It meant a full 10 episodes would drop at the same time, making it easier to decide whether I like it or not. This is certainly a darker version than the 90s teen comedy series starring Melissa Joan Hart, but has the new version held up against the hype?

I’m going to keep this as spoiler free as possible. Quite honestly, though, there was nothing in the episode that would be major spoilery. All the episode really did was set up the storyline and introduce us to the characters.

We got to meet Sabrina, her friends, her favorite teacher, her aunts, her boyfriend, her cousins, and Salem. Yes, Salem was in the episode but he is nothing like the conniving, power-hungry cat you’ll remember from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Instead of him already being part of the Spellman House, he is summoned by Sabrina to be her familiar, because she needs one before her Dark Baptism.

Opening to Sabrina’s choice

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In this series, Sabrina knows all about her powers. Remember when before it was following a 16-year-old who had just learned about her powers and had to figure out how to control them, what to do with them, and how to be a moral witch? Well, that’s not the case in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Instead, Sabrina has to make a choice. She’s known about her powers all along and now she has to choose whether to leave her mortal life behind and be a witch or renounce all her powers. Of course, The Weird Sisters would love for her to be a mortal because they hold Darco Malfoy’s views about half-breeds. Typical, huh? There’s always a bully.

Then there’s Sabrina’s aunts and cousin. Her aunts expect her to be a witch and Aunt Zelda is all about the witches’ code, those pesky rules that mean Sabrina can’t have a mortal life after her Dark Baptism. Honestly, part of me things they should have just homeschooled her. Why give her 16 years of a normal life to do that?

I also think this code is a bunch of poppycock and Sabrina is going to be the one to start changing that. Throughout the first episode, Sabrina was all about standing up for what’s right. She defends her friend Susie by having Ambrose (her cousin) use her principal’s fear of spiders to get him to take the day off just so she can get a Women Supporting Women school group through.

If this was the Charmed reboot, she’d likely make friends with Mel rather quickly. At least Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is keeping the feminist rants out of it and focusing solely on equality and protection for women. This is all about giving women a safe space and I can get on board with that.

Development of characters

So far, we’ve seen plenty of Sabrina and Harvey. Their relationship is cute but I don’t feel much from them yet. This is only the first episode, though.

We’ve also met her friends. This foursome clearly sticks up for each other and care deeply for one another and I like it. The only thing that grated on me was them constantly begging Sabrina to change her plans for her birthday so she could celebrate with her.

If any friends did that to me when I’d told them I had a family thing, I’d make it clear I wasn’t impressed. Honestly, no means no–in every single context!

Ambrose and Madam Satan have certainly had the most development already outside of the Sabrina and Harvey. I feel we got to know more about Ambrose’s love of mischief. Just because he’s on house arrest doesn’t mean he isn’t allowed to do magic. There’s a beautiful moment in the graveyard when Ambrose and Sabrina talk about missing things.

Madam Satan, well…all I’ll say is Michelle Gomez is an excellent actress. She can switch her personality immediately and I’m fully intrigued by what she has in store for Sabrina. Why does she need Sabrina to choose her powers? What is it about the Spellman family that the Dark Lord needs?

A little cheesy at times

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina would have certainly faired well on The CW or even on Freeform. This is a series made for young adults and I have a feeling I’m starting to grow out of that age group.

Okay, I’m in my 30s. I should be growing out of it, but I still adore the likes of Supernatural, Charmed, and Pretty Little Liars. Maybe that’s because the characters are a little older or I’ve grown up with them. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a teen drama, set in high school and following the lives of a bunch of high schoolers.

The only older main characters are Sabrina’s aunts (who I need to see more of before I make a judgment), Ambrose (who has fast become one of two favorite characters), and Madam Satan (the second of the two favorites already). However, I’m giving it a chance. The music is good enough for me to tune in for another episode.

The first episode was all about setting up the storyline and the characters. This is just an introduction and the storyline is set to become more exciting and intense in the second episode.

Don’t forget to check out Hidden Remote on Monday, when I’ll share my thoughts on the whole season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

What di dyou think of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s first episode? Are you giving the Netflix series a chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below?

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 1 is now available on Netflix.