CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA Season 4: A Weak Season Brings A Surprisingly Emotional Goodbye

Sadly, another series has faced the end, Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina embracing and launching into its final season. While no explanation was given for the sudden cancelation of the fan loved series, the end has come and gone for Sabrina, resigning itself to the void of TV history. And I wish I could say that the final season lived up to the farewell it deserved, but until it’s final moments, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina drags its feet to the finish line – resisting the end.

But did the series know that this was going to be the end? Based on the execution of this final season, I would have to say no. While I was watching, it felt as there was no intention of ending – no awareness of a goodbye – and it makes sense as this final season was filmed in February of 2020 with Netflix’s cancellation announcement released in July 2020. And sadly, while much of the season fails to reach the height of its predecessors, in the end, it does say goodbye – and I warn you: Get the tissues.

One Final Trip to Greendale

This fourth and final season has Sabrina tackles the Eldrich terrors – brought to life by Father Backwood (Richard Coyle) in the final moments of last season. At its most basic, it’s a battle against the apocalypse each and every episode. While there is a feeling of nostalgia that emanates, the mind recalling the episodic structure of such series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files, it is not enough to help carry the energy and excitement along the way. There was no sense of urgency. Had the series not been ending, there may have been a different feeling, yet still not to the height intended.

At the conclusion of season three, much was left for the next season to tackle: the presence of two Sabrina’s (both played by Kiernan Shipka) that now threatened to create a devastating paradox, Father Blackwood had released some evil from inside a creepy looking egg and Lilith (Michelle Gomez) had found mercy from Lucifer as she was carrying a new heir of Hell. Picking up immediately where it left off, season four does not hesitate to address each of these aspects, all while bringing each Eldrich terror (there are eight in total) to Greendale – pulled in of course by the existence of the now Sabrina Morningstar and Sabrina Spellman.

Most of the episodes fail to reach the height of the previous seasons, though it does return to form just in time for a final farewell in the final two episodes – but we will talk about these two momentarily. What is striking is the lack of crispness in the dialogue, in the pace, and even in the world of the series. Thinking back to season one, and even the subsequent season, it was even darker and more ominous, yet here, it felt as though each episode was just a step required to reach the final two. The must-dos, for the must-have finale.

The series does continue in its homages to films of the past, Hostel and My Bloody Valentine each given callbacks. And Riverdale is not forgotten either, actors from the previous season appearing in a brief Battle of the Bands moment and even a comment on how Riverdale “has condoms in the bathrooms”. Even the music number sets, especially in episode 6 “The Returned”, a Battle of the Bands focused episode keeping the musical continuity between the two worlds. Yet, it is here the continuity ends, even the connective feeling of the two absent – a void that could be attributed to the untimely halt of production in Riverdale‘s season four due to the pandemic and its subsequent absence since.

The Final Two

It’s appropriate to the season and the direction the series was headed in that the final two episodes are broken down as they are, a farewell to both Sabrina’s – and even a homage to the series that came before. The last two episodes are Sabrina and young adult gold, a true return to form – and even the return of the original Aunt Hilda (Beth Broderick) and Aunt Zelda (Caroline Rhea) … and Salem (sadly not voiced by Nick Bakay)! It is dark, humorous, and witty, capturing your attention and delivering a sense of urgency that had been missing in the previous episodes. There is also the feeling of hope that the apocalypse will once again be thwarted and the heroes will ride off into the sunset.

Part one of the finale is “The Endless”, a uniquely clever episode that throws Sabrina Morningstar into the spotlight and into a different kind of time warp (which ironically, Sabrina Spellman sings the episode before leading to a more prophetic atmosphere). Yet, this is no ordinary episode. As she gathers her surroundings, in walk Aunt Hilda and Aunt Zelda – form the 1990s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch –  and Salem makes his appearance as well eventually! Where mentions of the green room (yes, I thought of the Anton Yelchin film as well) give way to a highly successful Hostel feel, more graphic than the series typically flirts with, the concept and revival of the beloved characters of Sabrina placed within the darkened comic adaptation are executed flawlessly. Not only do we see the elements of the season finally beginning to hurtling to the end, but we are given a dynamic episode that shines a new light on characters of the past.

At the episode’s conclusion, audiences will welcome the end with episode 8 “At the Mountains of Madness” – and it is true madness that this is where Netflix had decided to leave the series. It is clear this was not the intended end, a feeling that only heightens the emotional grip on audiences. There are many loose ends and setups left in the void, leaving many to lament what could have been  – especially at the season’s/ series’ conclusion. Honestly, I am still shocked at how it comes to an end, the clearly unintended finale leaving characters in a state never expected. And what’s more, with talk of a witch war for the fifth season circling the internet (including a possible Riverdale crossover), I can see where some of these storylines were supposed to go. But alas, as emotional and dynamic of a conclusion as it is, there is a feeling of resentment of where we are left.

Conclusion: The Here After

Without giving anything away, there is a deep intensity to the end of Sabrina that leave me wondering why Netflix would have chosen this as the farewell. I mean, at least there could have been a chance given to wrap everyone’s story and give the ending many deserved and others expected. Though that is the way it goes, and unfortunately, this was not the first and will not be the last. I mean I am still trying to wrap my head around The OA.

While this was by far the weakest of the seasons (minus the final two episodes), I still felt a strong urge for more. I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I had grown up with the 90s Sabrina and loved the humor, and now had just had a taste of the dark side. I was surprised by how emotional the final act of the series was, the entirety of it culminating into a reminiscent and shocking montage that finally brings the end.

I’m sure this will not be the last time Sabrina is brought to life on screen, whether it be TV or film. And while a bit shaky at times, the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina brought a unique perspective I hope future inductions will honor.

Have you seen the final season of Chilling Adventure of Sabrina? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is streaming on Netflix!

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