The second season of ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ premiered the past week, bringing with it a peek inside the world of witches and wizards we humans are often so curious about. Whether you were a long time ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ fan who would watch the show no matter what or had never heard of the show but were immediately hooked by the first season, I’d definitely say the second season lives up to the hype. Even if you’ve never seen the show before, I’d highly encourage checking it out, specifically because of what the show can teach us about our world. While I enjoy a dark and magical show myself, what really stands out about ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ to me is the important discussion topics it raises through its storyline. Be warned, I did my best, but there may be some partial spoilers ahead!
Women’s Rights
Sabrina herself is a champion for women’s rights, constantly stressing to those around her how important it is that she be treated equally and that she expects no less. Looking at the different struggles Sabrina faces in the human and witch world when trying to find her place as a woman can serve metaphor to the different levels of acceptance women are given across different societies. The fight for equality is at different stages in all different aspects of life and work, but it’s never bad to remember that women deserve equal rights and fighting for them in whatever way you can in your situation.
Transgender Rights
Throughout season two, one of Sabrina’s friends decides to share their gender identity publicly, in doing so demonstrating some of the very real problems those born a different gender than they identify as can go through. From reactions of support from friends, to harder situations in some public situations, ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ through this plot line gives attention to an underrepresented issue, hopefully sparking a discussion to change our communities for the better and create more inclusion and acceptance .
Sex Education
While Sabrina’s sex education may happen in a world entirely different from our own, it also serves as a reminder that not all cultures discuss sex in the same way that yours might. Some people will be taught to discuss sex openly and supported in whatever choices they make while some may not receive as thorough an education. While watching this season, try to consider how different the things Sabrina is told about sex are than what you were told, what you think of them and what, if anything, you would change about how we conduct sex education if given the option.
Dealing with a Medical Diagnosis
Another of Sabrina’s friends receives what could be a life changing medical diagnosis during this season. We get to see this character come to terms with their diagnosis, try to pay it forward to others who are struggling and deciding what they would or wouldn’t be able to sacrifice to overcome this diagnosis. Many people face these types of struggles every day, and seeing them on screen serves as a good reminder.
The overarching theme of ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ in my eyes is the theme of doing good and the struggle to resist doing things which will end up being hurtful to both yourself and the people around you. Through Sabrina’s every day trials, we can imagine the sorts of things that determine our character on a daily basis, and how every choice we make is shaping who we are as a person. How the characters deal with all of the above issues concerns this fight for good, and how you deal with similar situations in your life can also speak to who you are as a person. So take the time to consider what is really going on in this season of ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and what it could contribute to your life.