Netflix released season 2, part one, of the haunting sensation “Wednesday” on Aug. 6. “The Addams Family” spin-off follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as she navigates the murders and mysteries of Nevermore Academy, a school for strange outcasts with supernatural powers. This season will be released in two parts, each with four episodes. This segmented release is likely in order to heighten suspense for the forthcoming unraveling of mysteries and the highly anticipated appearance of Lady Gaga in part two.
Under the continued direction of Tim Burton, this season delves deeper into the horror genre. As usual, Wednesday ends up in a tangled web of stalkers, serial killers and the supernatural. Pressed for time and answers, Nevermore’s most unwilling hero learns more about the high potential, and drawbacks, of her psychic abilities.
Even so, this season maintains the comedic lightness that characterized the debut season’s success. Several subplots are woven in to further develop characters from season 1. These frequent detours give the audience a moment to stop clutching their chests after Wednesday’s macabre, albeit eager, visits to funerals and psychiatric wards.
We follow Enid Sinclair, Wednesday’s bright and beloved werewolf roommate, as she pieces together her identity as the newest member of a tight-knit wolfpack. The collision of her past and present selves drags her into a headache-inducing love triangle which occupies most of her time during part one.
It’s like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” for Edgar Allan Poe and true crime fans, or better yet, “The Halloween I Turned into a Werewolf.”
Her love interests add dimension during Wednesday’s occupation with sleuthing, but I hope to see Enid engage with her investigative, witty side in part two.
Adding to the arsenal of side quests, the entire Addams family has a heavier presence this season. Wednesday’s brother and parents end up living on campus at Nevermore and getting into their own spooky shenanigans. With Catherine Zeta-Jones playing Morticia Addams, I was excited to see the family element further incorporated this season.
However, the creation of several subplots has sacrificed some core dynamics from season 1. Fans of Eugene Ottinger and Wednesday’s quirky friendship may be disappointed to learn that the two don’t interact at all during part one. While not a deafening blow, it felt odd after the extensive time spent developing their relationship during season 1. Instead, Eugene finds himself busy with another member of the Addams family, and viewers will have to decide if it’s enough to fill the gap Wednesday left.
As for the main plotline, I found Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday just as fabulous as in the first season. Wednesday’s character demands apathy, so any flicker of emotion must be conveyed solely through Ortega’s eyes. Yet she remains extremely dynamic, with each hard stare somehow both exceptionally creepy and terribly comical.
Even with such an inherently strange and murderous character, the show still finds ways to create relatable themes in Wednesday’s adventures. Mother-daughter relationships, strained friendships and manipulative ex-boyfriends bring out Wednesday’s humanity and connect her to viewers. These emotional threads ground the supernatural storylines, making the show feel both heartfelt and intentional.
Stylistically, I found part one of season 2 even more compelling than season 1. For example, the use of stop-motion animation to depict a major narrative moment was a glorious tidbit for Tim Burton fanatics like myself. This, along with other nostalgic elements such as a flashback paying homage to the 1964 TV series “The Addams Family,” warmed my horror-filled heart.
Overall, this season is a must-watch for anyone who loved season 1, is a Tim Burton fan or starts celebrating Halloween in August. In part two, I hope to see an exciting culmination to the central mystery, along with Eugene and Enid’s subplots delivering worthwhile contributions to their characterization.
Fans can look forward to the release of the four-episode conclusion of “Wednesday” on Sept. 3.
