When you have two things that you are passionate about, it is only natural to want to introduce them to one another. Poetry, meet Netflix. Just like poetry, the popular streaming site has something for everyone. You may be surprised at how many similarities you can find between your favorite shows and poetry collections.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
A thrilling glimpse into the supernatural. A strong female lead who does not conform to the status quo. Witchcraft and warrior women, independent and innovative with their craft. These are just a few of the themes present in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This show finds its poetry soulmate in Amanda Lovelace’s collection The Witch Doesn’t Burn In This One. Lovelace empowers women to embrace the fire within.
Outlander
Time-travel and star-crossed lovers. Beautiful attention to detail and immense storytelling, all set in the breathtakingly beautiful Scotland highlands. What better work to pair this with than the whimsical writing of one of Scotland’s most famous poets, Robert Burns? His focus on romanticism complements the love story between the main characters of Outlander in such a seamless way while remaining tied to Scottish culture and dialect.
Once Upon A Time
Everyone loves a good fairytale. In Once Upon a Time, classic characters take on a modern voice. Their stories overlap in new and exciting ways, giving us a fresh look into the lives of our old favorites.
Nikita Gill’s Fierce Fairytales reimagines “happily ever after” as fierce heroines reclaim their stories and their voices. Enjoy picking out the differences between classic depictions of princesses and heroines and the roles introduced in these two mediums.
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls features a mother/daughter duo as they navigate life, love, and chasing dreams. Their stories are complete with romance, adventure, and self-discovery. Audiences love the witty and charismatic Lorelai Gilmore and the kind, book-loving Rory Gilmore. Rory is often portrayed reading a collection of classic books. I imagine her choice of poetry would be The Complete Poems of Whitman. Walt Whitman’s poetic voice pairs well with the independent Gilmore women.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a hauntingly beautiful show with immense drama and immense character development. Meredith Grey’s monologues are full of introspection and relationship advice. The show’s ability to get you deep into your feels sets it apart from other medical dramas.
A perfect poetic companion for Grey’s Anatomy is Beau Taplin’s Bloom. Taplin has a gift for taking the human experience and eloquently putting every emotion into words. Get out your tissues for this pairing, folks.
Scandal
Olivia Pope is a woman in charge. She is a fixer who everyone turns to when they are in a bind. So often, she has it all together, but she has her flaws just like we all do. She makes mistakes, has her heartbroken, and stumbles. If Olivia were to be a poetry fan, I believe Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey would be on her nightstand, as it explores the bitter and the sweet aspects of life.
Kaur doesn’t shy away from discussing grief and trauma, and I don’t believe Olivia would either. She would find herself immersed in each page of the emotional journey Kaur writes, with a glass of red wine in hand.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things has a certain nostalgia factor and a cast of fierce female leads. Whether they have supernatural powers or not, the women in this show take charge and get things done. Stranger Things pairs well with The Season of the Sorceress by Melody Lee. The book, as well as the show, explore the mystical and the magical. The otherworldly intrigue draws you in as the heroines overcome obstacles and showcase their strength.
Pairing mediums allows us to find similar themes and characters in our favorite shows, books, and more.
If you have a show and poetry coupling, be sure to drop it in the comments. Happy binging!
