Apple TV’s Dickinson, starring Hailee Steinfeld, is the parody retelling of Emily Dickinson’s life that you didn’t know you needed in your life. Hell, I didn’t know I needed it, and here I am ready and willing to experience season 2. So, from the humor to the relatable and outlandish situations Emily gets herself into, here are 7 reasons why you should watch Dickinson!
1. Hailee is a national treasure.
Not only can Hailee belt out some genuine bops, she can also act. Yes, some of us have known that since Bumblebee made us cry in theaters. But in Dickinson, Hailee takes it to a completely different level. From her comedic timing, to her real struggles with becoming the greatest author of her time, she is a compelling actress who makes you invest in Emily’s life.
2. It’s funny as hell.
Never did I ever think that a show about a distinguished and revered poet would make me laugh so much. But here we are. Dickinson is funny as hell with a side of “am I really seeing this right now?” and “Did she really do that?” Yes, Emily did do that while scaring a suitor away or while showing others how unapologetically fearless she is. Most of the time.
3. Everyone’s issues are relatable.
From Emily’s family to her friends and associates, everyone’s issues matter and are relevant to the story being told. That leads to a rich tapestry of information and situations that everyone, including Emily, get into. It’s honestly one of the reasons why it’s so easy to invest in Dickinson.
4. Women’s issues are at the forefront though.
As a woman, this particular reason stood out for me when watching Dickinson. Emily’s issues as a woman are at the forefront of everything she does and the restrictions it has on her life. Her fight is one of seeking freedom from oppression because of the fact that she is a woman. It’s relatable, no matter what year it is or who is telling a talented woman she can’t.
5. It’s unapologetically outlandish and weird.
In the premiere episode Emily dreams about meeting Death and him taking her away from this all. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the crazy and outlandish that is Dickinson. It’s unapologetic nature towards being weird also helps paint a more vivid picture on how Emily’s mind worked while making a respectfully weird parody of her life.
6. Emily and Sue sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
Being as I know practically nothing about Emily Dickinson, this relationship was a welcome surprise in a landscape that needs more queer relationships every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Emily and Sue’s relationship is lovely, tragic, and makes so much damn sense that you just want them to run away together and leave their obligations behind.
7. The music is lit.
All you need is a change of clothes and this entire story can be happening in 2019. And a huge part of that is the fact that the music is very modern and catchy. Hailee even sang one of the songs in the first episode so that’s some Inception stuff right there. Other stars include Billie Eilish, Ruelle, and Lizzo. See, I told you. Bops.
Dickinson is available on Apple TV now.
