Dismantling the patriarchy has never looked so good, with the premiere of the second half of this season serving as a reminder of where priorities lie. 

This agenda that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is putting out there has to be its brand now, which perfectly fits into the world that gets created. 

The hope though is that the women stuck in these social norms continue to team up together to get out of them because the men are trying their hardest to keep them stuck there.

During Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 1 Episode 12, Sabrina chooses to embrace her witch side fully and with it comes a dark side that she can't always control. Tensions rise between her family because of the way she is pushing back, refusing to abide by anyone's rules and that might not always be a good thing.

Hilda starts to worry about Sabrina missing her mortal life, so she tries to convince her to embrace a little more of that life again.

Her friends notice her absence, with Theo, Roz, and Harvey sticking by one another but still showing signs that there is someone else that should be there with them.

They are trying to deal with their issues as well though, with Theo still working through their gender identity at a school that is less than accepting. And Roz gets a glimpse into an unexpected future with Harvey at the center of it. 

"Chapter Twelve: The Epiphany," written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacas was a dive back into a familiar world that is dealing with changes that can't get stopped anymore.

The characters no longer interact the way they might have, and Sabrina is now fully connected to a darker side that she spent the first half of the season trying to avoid.

This introduction was a good way to submerge in the new normal, while still allowing the past to weigh on a few people in the process. It also promised much more to come, with relationships and character development introducing some intriguing potential arcs down the line. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 1 Episode 11 Review: Chapter Eleven: A Midwinter's Tale

The Academy and the Witch Side

Sabrina getting in touch with her powers more was a writing decision that made sense from a mile away, it couldn't exist and be on the back burner forever.

But with this new adjustment is the issue of her old life getting left behind. It is a reasonable way for Sabrina to explore her powers but not put her friends at risk, but on the other hand, this creates a strong divide.

Sabrina was what connected the mortal and the witch stories, so they were more attached. Now it is a complete separation, which makes it hard to adjust when to the audience, Sabrina belongs in both worlds.

There is no way that Sabrina won't return to this other part of her life, it might take time and even getting used to her powers more, but it has to happen.

For now, though, Sabrina is spending all of her time with the Weird Sisters and with Nick. It is all new to her, and it is all new to us, and the unexpected twists are the bonus.

Sabrina gunning for the Top Boy position seemingly came out of nowhere, while at the same time was rooted in who she is as a person. That was how she pushed back when she wasn't at The Academy, so it is comforting to know that this part of her isn't going to change.

She may not be pushing for equality at Baxter High anymore; now she is focusing on a school that has to need it much more anyway. 

My soul is who I am, and I signed it away.

Sabrina

• Permalink: My soul is who I am, and I signed it away.

It is shocking how Father Blackwood and his little group of men reek of misogyny. Dismantling it all will take time, and even if Sabrina didn't win, she still caused a shakeup.

That seems to be her conflict so far for the rest of the season, with her potential and her ambition driving her but it could also serve as a threat to her. 

It isn't clear if Father Blackwood didn't have anything to do with her attacks, yet in a way, it doesn't matter because it is so much more than that when you think about it.

The question though is where does the Dark Lord factor into all of this? He was pulling the strings during the first part, leading Sabrina exactly where he wanted her to add up in the end. 

Are the same rules in place here?

Ms. Wardwell didn't get clued into the plan, so she can't help him, that doesn't mean there aren't other ways for the Dark Lord to have these things accomplished.

He might not want her involved, if the way she reacts to Sabrina taking her place next to the Dark Lord is an indicator. 

In a way the mystery that is forming revolved around where the story is headed now because the endgame isn't clear anymore and it adds to the suspense of Sabrina navigating her life at the same time.

She can't stay away from her old life, and she has threats to her life from every direction in her new one.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Review: A Burial and a Ressurection

Baxter High and the Mortal Side

Sabrina's friends are adjusting in the same way that she is, there isn't a focus on her absence, but it lingers there whenever they are together.

Finding a space for Theo works as a counterweight to Sabrina's plan to enforce a more inclusive approach to gender within the witch community.

Both of them are working against a lack of awareness or understanding, and while it was wonderful of Sabrina to show up to help her friend it wasn't the best idea.

Theo wouldn't be okay with his success coming from a third party. That becomes an issue of Theo staying on the team based off skills he didn't have.

And since when do you wear black? Trying to be edgy, are you?

Aunt Zelda

• Permalink: And since when do you wear black? Trying to be edgy, are you?

What happens when he has to play a game, and he can't win the way he was able to at tryouts? It is entering into difficult territory, and Theo has enough to deal with as it is.

Regardless, the journey Theo has been on allows more of a conversation to start because there is still a difference between what he is going through and what Sabrina is trying to achieve.

Sabrina is pushing for women to be considered not only mothers and wives, pushing back on outdated social norms that witches and warlocks still follow.

Ambrose: You're crazy.
Sabrina: No. Ambrose. I'm mad.

• Permalink: No. Ambrose. I'm mad.

Much like Theo, they are up against antiquated ways of thinking, and it will take time to see change happen.

Theo though is struggling to just fit in in their own mortal world. The space he takes up is constantly invaded and stripped away from him, it has to get better, but it will probably get worse first. 

Theo is making it work though because of his friends, and so is Sabrina.

Button your lip or I will do it for you, literally.

Aunt Zelda

• Permalink: Button your lip or I will do it for you, literally.

The hope is that one day that can connect again, and they can help one another out as they did before. There are moments where it feels like Roz and Theo and Harvey need to be there for something in Sabrina's life, and the same goes for things like Theo's basketball tryouts.

There is something just slightly off, and it is that absence of Sabrina in their lives, which has to get confronted sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Roz is going through a crisis of her own, one that isn't as bad. Seeing her future with Harvey was a shock, and yet it made sense the more everyone thought about it.

Harvey and Sabrina were adorable together until they got to a place where they couldn't work any longer. If Roz and Harvey have a future that is possible, it is worth exploring.

It seems that as long as magic is a part of Sabrina's world, she can't tell Harvey everything and he doesn't know how to be in that place with her. 

His relationship with Roz is different; they are leaning on each other even more now that Sabrina is gone, and it isn't hard to imagine feelings emerging from that friendship. 

It shouldn't be forgotten though that Roz and Harvey work when Sabrina isn't around, so in a way she may even be brought back into their lives because of their growing feelings.

Sabrina is almost the obstacle to their relationship; there is no way she won't appear some point soon to force everyone to deal with these recent developments.

Roz and Harvey are the sweetest people in the world; it is so obvious that they would find their way to one another.

Even that friend date felt so much like an actual date, especially now that their attention is only on one another. Tension is brewing but Harvey and Roz deserve happiness, and if they find it in each other then that is even better. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Review: A Feast of an Exorcism

Stray Thoughts

• Can we all agree that Luke is super shady? Besides the fact that he looked like he was involved in something sinister when it came to these demons and Sabrina, what about the way he follows Father Blackwood?
  
  Nothing that we got to see of their little men's club was appealing or promising, and honestly, the fact that Ambrose is hanging around there is disappointing.
  
  This club that reeks of toxic masculinity ruins the characters involved in it, with Luke no longer a good choice for Ambrose. But, Ambrose also needs to distance himself before he is associated closely with everyone there.
  
  Not to mention the fact that Luke was heavily hinted to be trans exclusionary? Not a good look at all for him. 

• Prudence is everything on this show, but as always she (and the Weird Sisters) deserve more. Prudence as a glorified babysitter for Judas is a terrible waste not only of Prudence as a character but Tati Gabrielle as an actor.
  
  Her scenes on their own prove why she is a scene-stealing character; it only makes sense to give her more material.
  
  It is the first episode, though, so it might be worth giving it a second to see what her arc might be this time around. 

• Why is Zelda still with Father Blackwood? Even if she is putting her foot down about their relationship, they shouldn't have one in the first place.
  
  She deserves so much better than that; it feels ridiculous that the audience is still pretending there is much to invest in with them. Also, it appears that some fans are loving Zelda with Ms. Wardwell which isn't a bad idea. At all. 

• Salem was there, and he was as adorable as ever. 

• The fact that Ms. Wardwell is now principal and she is using that power to help others? Specifically Theo?
  
  That is worth appreciating even if she can't be trusted and just ended a meeting with the Dark Lord about Sabrina which never ends well for anyone. 

What did you think of the first episode of the second part of the season? Was it everything you expected?

What do you think about Sabrina choosing her witch side over her mortal side? Does it make sense or do you wish she made a different choice? How are you feeling about Ambrose right about now?

Related: The Society First Look and Premiere Date!

Who else is excited at the possibility of Harvey and Roz kissing in the future? Was anyone thrilled to see Sabrina and Nick on their first unofficial date so far? What do you think will happen next for those two?

What was your favorite part of the episode? What was your least favorite part? Let us know what you think below. 

Don't forget that you watch Chilling Adventures of Sabrina online, right here at TV Fanatic!

Yana Grebenyuk was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in April 2021.