The highly anticipated premiere of “Wednesday” in 2022 created a cultural sensation, breaking Netflix viewing records and sparking viral social media trends. Such an astounding level of success poses a significant challenge for a second season, as the series now stands in the limelight cast by its own achievement. In contrast to the teen drama that defined its first installment, Season 2 of “Wednesday” aims to deliver a larger and more daring narrative, with a strong emphasis on horror elements. However, this ambition is frequently hindered by an overcautious approach, as numerous subplots are introduced to maintain every aspect from the previous season, resulting in a bloated and disjointed narrative for Season 2.
Following a charmingly eerie opening scene that reveals Wednesday’s (Jenna Ortega) summer adventures, she is compelled to return to Nevermore Academy once more. Her previous acts of bravery have turned her into an unwanted celebrity there. Her nearest companions – Enid (Emma Myers), Eugene (Moosa Mostafa), and even Bianca (Joy Sunday) – enjoy the newfound limelight, but Wednesday, as usual, detests it.
Simultaneously, the school is now run by a fresh administration, led by the oddly upbeat and business-oriented Principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), who aims to increase donations and school spirit following the death of Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie) in Season 1. At the same time, the enigmatic pop star Capri (Billie Piper) has left her stardom behind to teach music, immediately raising eyebrows. These new figures in authority bring their own secrets, while a new murder mystery linked to former sheriff Galpin (Jamie McShane) draws Wednesday into a plot that could endanger the entire Outcast community.
The excessive amount of stories in this tale is further complicated by a multitude of personal and family struggles. As soon as Wednesday comes back to school, she is confronted with ominous messages from a stalker, her psychic abilities desert her at crucial instances, and the Addams family becomes an ever-present force at Nevermore. Her parents, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez (Luis Guzmán), are more deeply involved than before, while her brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) embarks on his first year, resulting in a subplot about his unsuccessful attempts to forge friendships. To add to the chaos, the show concurrently explores the mystery of a missing aunt, Ophelia, and unresolved plots from Season 1, such as the whereabouts of Hyde (Hunter Doohan) and Bianca’s link with the Morning Song cult. With only four hour-long episodes, the sheer amount of storylines the series attempts to address is just too overwhelming.
The unwillingness to streamline itself is the main flaw in Season 2 of Wednesday, as it struggles to fulfill every viewer’s expectations, thereby undermining its own creative goals. For example, it delivers on the horror element, as expected, but fails to minimize the high school drama, resulting in a continuous struggle between tones. Moreover, the series deserves praise for keeping Wednesday away from romantic entanglements as per Ortega’s preference, yet insists on giving Enid a love triangle that seems out of place and superfluous, like an extra appendage from last season. By holding onto every element from its successful formula, the show loses thematic focus, leaving viewers unsure about the season’s central theme at the end of Part 1, as its main message is obscured under a pile of rapidly introduced and resolved subplots.
One ongoing challenge from its previous iteration continues: The unique allure of the Addams Family lies in their unawareness of their own peculiarity amidst a “normal” society. By setting them in a school for misfits, the series is compelled to make its supernatural student body rather ordinary to maintain the Addams’ distinctive quirks. However, this situation places the Addams in an uncomfortable position as outcasts among other outcasts, which contradicts the essence of being an outcast within the show’s proposed narrative.
In spite of its noticeable structural imperfections, “Wednesday” continues to be an irresistibly captivating foray into horror. The allure of the charismatic main actors helps conceal numerous script flaws, and elevating the broader Addams family to regular roles emerges as the season’s most impactful choice. Guzmán shines brilliantly as Gomez, Zeta-Jones imbues Morticia with a touching maternal nuance in her interactions with their daughter (although the script could have delved deeper into this theme), and Fred Armisen thrives in his role as Uncle Fester – an episode dedicated to him showcases some of the series’ most imaginative and delightful sequences yet.
The technical aspects of the series remain impressive, with its distinct, gothic style standing out from the visually muddled productions common on streaming platforms. The fast-paced direction occasionally necessitates some uneven editing, but it manages to work effectively given the abundance of content. Ortega consistently delivers a top-notch performance, bringing authenticity and intelligence to the title character that enhances every scene. Lastly, the show’s core message – embracing uniqueness – remains strong, offering a cohesive narrative thread for fans to follow.
In natural and easy-to-read language: “Season 2, Part 1 of ‘Wednesday’ is a blend – it’s enjoyable, although somewhat difficult to manage, and it manages to captivate with its cast’s charm and its appealing, slightly horror-tinged style. However, it’s hindered by a noticeable apprehension about losing its vast audience, leading to an entertaining yet confusing storyline that lacks direction. Although it’s likely to please fans, they might also ponder if, in this instance, a more minimalistic approach could have made a significant difference.
Rating: 3.0 out of 5
On Wednesday, the second season of the show premiered on Netflix on August 6th, and the first part of the second half is scheduled to air on September 3rd.
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2025-08-06 10:12