Skillbox Media's Analysis of Season 2 of Wednesday

Contents:

• And in a fit of despair, I cried out: "Are you a bird or an ominous spirit?"
• Nostalgia for late autumn: memories of regrets...
• I said quietly: "My friends disappeared for many years."
• I am immersed in the depths of thought, full of assumptions and silent reflections.
• What lies behind the dark message of the word "Never"?

On Wednesday, August 6th, the four-episode second season of "Wednesday" premiered on Netflix. The second part of the season will be available on September 3rd, but already now we can highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the new storyline about the youngest representative of the Addams family.

In this article, we will tell you:

• The first season contains many events that lay the foundation for further plot development. The main characters face various challenges and conflicts that help reveal their personalities and motivations. Several storylines develop in parallel, each of which contributes to the overall picture. Gradually, viewers get to know the key characters, their relationships with each other, and the circumstances that led them to their current situations. This season is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you consider the consequences of your decisions. At the end of the season, many questions remain open, creating intrigue and setting the stage for the continuation of the story.
• The sequel was filmed in various locations, chosen to create a unique atmosphere. Each location was carefully selected to match the concept and mood of the new film, allowing viewers to experience fresh emotions and impressions.
• New stars joined the project in the second season.
• What adventures and challenges await the characters in the upcoming episodes?
• How did the series develop in its current form?

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And in a fit of despair, I screamed: "Are you a bird or a sinister spirit?"

During her first year at Nevermore, an academy for unusual teenagers, Wednesday Addams (played by Jenna Ortega) encounters a series of horrific crimes. She stays active during the holidays, too: she develops an interest in black magic and clairvoyance, which helps her capture a dangerous serial killer known as the Kansas City Scalper (played by Haley Joel Osment). Although the serial killer initially tries to capture her, this unlucky Hannibal Lecter poses no serious threat to Wednesday. Especially considering that she's always accompanied by her faithful companion and assistant—a severed hand named Thing, played by Romanian magician Victor Dorobantu. Back in Nevermore, Wednesday Addams faces an unexpected and unpleasant situation: she's become famous at school. For the introverted and socially disaffected Wednesday, this is like a knife stab. Her intentions are focused on "avoiding social interaction and writing a new novel about Viper de la Muerte." However, she has to contend with adoring fans from her junior high school and her restless neighbor, Enid (Emma Myers). Moreover, like any true celebrity, she also develops stalkers. Wednesday is also irritated by the fact that her parents, Gomez (Luis Guzmán) and Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), have begun actively interfering in school affairs and have moved in nearby. The relationship between mother and daughter was already strained, and now she will have to see her parents every day! And she also has to take care of her younger brother, Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), who also went to Nevermore.

Like most teenagers, Wednesday has a lot of problems. However, her only source of joy is a new wave of mysterious deaths, which she is determined to unravel. Near Nevermore, a flock of crows killed private detective Carl Bradbury, striking him fatally. Afterwards, the birds began attacking others, and it seems a sinister figure in a black cloak is behind these attacks.

She becomes increasingly anxious (though Wednesday will never admit it) due to visions of Enid meeting her death, which turns out to be Wednesday's fault. Furthermore, the heroine's clairvoyant abilities are malfunctioning: sometimes, when she tries to peer into the past, she experiences seizures, and black tears begin to flow from her eyes. However, such minor inconveniences are not able to prevent the true heiress of the Addams family from unraveling a tangle of mysteries.

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Late Autumn Nostalgia: Memories of Regrets...

Information that production on a Wednesday sequel would begin surfaced back in January 2023, just a few months after the first season concluded. The season instantly became the second most-watched series in Netflix history. Furthermore, Wednesday's insane dance routine went viral even among those unfamiliar with the series.

Jenna Ortega, who plays the lead role, has joined horror king Tim Burton as a producer. She deeply connected with her character during the first season and actively contributed her ideas, including the creation of the famous dance, which was her original design from start to finish.

The budget for this project has increased significantly, which can be seen in the visuals. While the first season was filmed in Romania, the crew now moved to Ireland. The school's gloomy corridors were recreated in the neo-Gothic Charleville Castle. Clonliffe College was converted into the Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital. The surrounding landscapes of Nevermore were captured in areas such as Kilternan, Clonliffe, and Roundwood. Filming also took place at Deans Grange Cemetery near Dublin and the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry. Ireland is steeped in a mystical atmosphere, perfect for creating captivating stories. However, as Ortega noted, there was one problem: the abundance of greenery on this Green Island lent too much brightness to the bleak world of the Addams family.

I said quietly: "My friends have been missing for years."

Not only did the filming location become more diverse; the cast also expanded, with new celebrities joining the project.

Steve Buscemi played the new director of Nevermore, Barry Dort, who took over after the tragic loss of Larissa Weems, played by Gwendoline Christie. Buscemi's character, dressed in an awkward curly wig, became a living example of memes featuring him, in particular the phrase "How are you, kid friends?"; He's an unpleasant and overly sweet uncle who adores Bruce Springsteen and, unlike the strict Larissa, strives to establish friendly relationships with the students. At first glance, he seems completely harmless. However, it soon becomes apparent that, despite his sweet smile, Dort is ready to blackmail students, threatening them with expulsion in order to achieve his own goals.

Christopher Lloyd, known for the cult films "Back to Following his role in the Addams Family franchise, where he played Uncle Fester, he returns as Professor Orloff, the oldest teacher at Nevermore. The name "Dowell" would actually be more fitting, as his character is a severed head placed in a jar that moves thanks to a mysterious mechanism. However, the surname "Orloff" is also appropriate, as it is a reference to the famous villain from the classic horror film.

Billie Piper, who rose to fame for her role as Rose Tyler in the Doctor Who series, plays the new music teacher at Nevermore, Isadora Capri. This makes sense, as Piper herself has a background in music. Her character also attracts Wednesday's attention, as she often ends up in strange places at inopportune moments.

Another teacher, the famous Rosaline Rothwood, is played by Lady Gaga herself. However, her character doesn't appear in the first half of the season, so viewers will have to wait until early September. It was also revealed that Gaga wrote a song called "Dead Dance" for the second season.

Dr. Fairbairn, the head doctor at Willow Hill Sanitarium, was played by actress Thandie Newton. Her most memorable role is considered to be Maeve Millie in the TV series "Westworld."

In the new season, the Addams family is replenished with new characters: Grandmother appears before us. This role is played by British actress Joanna Lumley, known for her work in James Bond and the Pink Panther films. Hester Trump is Morticia's mother, a wealthy woman, the owner of a funeral home, and has a very strained relationship with her daughter, but, as expected, she holds her granddaughter dear. Nevertheless, it is possible that the cunning Grandmother is trying to use Wednesday for her own interests, creating discord in the family ties. In addition, Hester has another daughter, the mysterious Ophelia, whom the Addamses prefer not to remember. She will likely appear in the second part of the season, but information about who will play her remains a secret.

Evie Templeton, a devoted fan of Wednesday who lives in Nevermore, will appear in the image of Evie Templeton, who strives to imitate her favorite. This 15-year-old actress has already appeared in the horror film "Sly" and voiced Laura in the updated version of the game Silent Hill 2, so the world of horror is nothing new to her. In her performance, the character became a kind of parody of fan cosplayers who, inspired by the series, began to appear in real life. However, thanks to Evie's brilliant performance, it is likely that we will soon see cosplays dedicated to Agnes herself.

This series also features Anthony Michael Hall, known for his roles in comedies created by John Hughes, such as "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," and "Weird Science!" He embodied the image of a typical "normal" man who dislikes outcasts like Wednesday, playing the persistent and strict Boy Scout instructor Ron Krueger.

However, one of the show's cast members left. Hines White, who played Xavier, one of Wednesday's classmates and an artist rumored to be her crush, did not appear in the second season. In the first episode, it was briefly mentioned that Xavier transferred to another school. In fact, between seasons, the actor was accused of sexual harassment, and Netflix decided to part ways with him.

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I'm deep in thought, full of assumptions and silent reflections.

However, even in the second season of Xavier, no one expected exciting events. Jenna Ortega, who took on the role of producer, immediately announced that in the new season, the heroine named Wednesday would not have any romantic lines - this is completely at odds with the character of the gloomy Ms. Addams. Her true passion lies in darkness and suffering. And indeed, there is not a single young man around her who would try to attract her attention; when Wednesday notices someone nearby exchanging kisses, she indignantly widens her eyes, demonstrating her unique style.

However, she has many other difficulties. The process of writing a novel reaches a dead end, admirers are constantly annoying, the desire to help Enid does not leave, and the constant, albeit caring supervision of her parents falls on her shoulders like a heavy burden. In the first part of the story, Gomez and Morticia appeared only a few times: they took their daughter to college and disappeared. This season, they are constantly close, which, of course, contradicts Wednesday’s natural desire for independence.

“When can I get acquainted with your novel?” asks Morticia. "When the sun splits and the Earth is consumed by fiery chaos," Wednesday replies grimly.

The Addams Family has always been perceived as something unusual, but also as the ideal of a healthy relationship, where each member supports and accepts the other for who they are. However, this time, the writers seem to have decided to test this unity. Morticia strives to help Wednesday, trying to warn her against the excessive self-confidence of youth, but instead only irritates her with her care and stern moralizing. The situation culminates when mother and daughter clash in a sword duel—a moment that harks back to the classic 1960s Addams Family TV series. Meanwhile, Morticia faces similar difficulties in her relationship with her authoritarian mother.

His younger brother, Pugsley, who recently started at Nevermore, isn't too happy with his parents' constant surveillance. He has his own struggles: he lacks confidence and struggles to connect with his classmates. However, he has a zombie named Sloop, who has become his faithful companion and brings him joy, albeit with its own challenges. At this challenging age, Isaac Ordonez's change is particularly noticeable: the 16-year-old actor's voice cracked during a break, and now speaks in a deep bass.

Even Thing is upset when the Addamses often treat him less as a full-fledged family member and more as a useful servant. Victor Dorobantu conveys emotions through pantomime, using his hand.

Gomez and Uncle Fester (played by Fred Armisen) seem the least subject to experiences: they find joy in life even against the backdrop turmoil. However, even the calm Gomez sometimes has shadows on his face: firstly, he is upset that Morticia is stressed and not paying him enough attention. Secondly, it turns out that Gomez, unlike many of the Outcasts, does not have any special abilities. Perhaps in the second half of the season, this will become an important part of his storyline.

Other characters are also facing difficulties. Enid is torn between two admirers and is worried about Wednesday becoming more distant from her over the summer.

Another Nevermore Academy student, Bianca (Joy Sunday), is worried about her mother, who has run into trouble with law enforcement, and feels pressure from the new headmaster. Tyler (Hunter Doohan), who used to care for Wednesday, is now under strict supervision at Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital after his crimes came to light. Also in the same facility is Laurel Gates (Christina Ricci), the former teacher who manipulated Tyler. Their meeting, without a doubt, must take place.

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What is hidden behind the dark message of the word "Never"?

In the second This season, the creators seemed to be aiming to significantly expand the Addams universe. Numerous new characters, diverse storylines, and hints at future developments have been introduced—at least another season is planned. However, there's a danger lurking here. The series risks consuming itself under the weight of information: family conflicts, mothers and grandmothers, school intrigues, secrets from the past, and new crimes.

In recent times, it has become increasingly clear that the creators are trying to turn Nevermore Academy into an alternative to Hogwarts, adding a pinch of dark humor and elements of violence. There's a significant difference, however, between the Harry Potter films, which draw on a rich, detailed world-building literature and slowly build up to a nuanced universe, and the Wednesday series, which suddenly drops a ton of unnecessary detail out of nowhere.

The Addams Family universe was never intended to be a complex or elaborate world. It began as a series of comic stories about an unusual family filled with eccentric characters. Barry Sonnenfeld's films retained the same simplicity and humor. This was their strength: they were clear, ironic, and a little creepy, and any inconsistencies were manageable because light comedy doesn't require serious analysis. However, when the story is taken more seriously, the inconsistencies that arise become puzzling.

Why is death treated so casually in our world, allowing zombies to destroy people with impunity? On the other hand, how can one explain why the magical creatures of Nevermore continue to fear monsters and the supernatural? What are the rules of coexistence between ordinary people, "normies," and the Outcasts who are so numerous? When the main character displays an entire arsenal of weapons at the airport, and the staff calmly demand that she get rid of only a tube of sunscreen, it certainly raises a smile. But if this is part of a full-fledged narrative, then a completely different perspective arises.

The series "Wednesday" raises questions about its true purpose—whether it is a fully fledged universe or just a funny interpretation of the Addams Family story. It vacillates between attempts to create an atmosphere of horror, relying on murders and dramatic moments, and sincere attempts at humor. This uncertainty negatively affects the quality of the show: on the one hand, for a collection of witty horror stories, it is excessively detailed, and on the other, for a fantasy franchise, it is too disjointed.

It must be admitted that the first season became known for its striking moments, such as the memorable dance at the school prom. However, the second season hasn't yet featured similarly memorable scenes. Perhaps the most impressive of all is the magnificent animated sequence, which tells the terrifying story of a Nevermore graduate with a mechanical heart. Tim Burton created it in the spirit of his famous stop-motion films, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Vincent. However, this cartoon stands out from the main storyline and could be interesting on its own, without being tied to the Addams characters.

In the second season, we are often fed familiar motifs from the history of "The Addams Family". Some scenes, like the conflict at a summer camp with the Cub Scouts, are clearly aping Sonnenfeld's films, but these scenes felt fresher and wittier in the original. Other storylines, like the drama between Morticia and Granny, fail to make a strong impression, and one wonders if they can be resolved in the remaining four episodes. Furthermore, many moments simply repeat events from the first season.

Murders are once again occurring in Nevermore, which no one seems to care about. Wednesday, thanks to a superb performance by Jenna Ortega, continues to maintain an emotionless expression, makes misanthropic remarks, and is not shy about being rude to Enid. While this was initially funny and even a little charming, it now begins to become tired, and the character simply comes across as stubborn and unsympathetic.

By the end of the first season, the friendship between Wednesday and Enid, as one might expect, has undergone a change. They both began to understand and accept each other better. However, now it feels like their relationship has started anew. This is understandable: a more open, kind, and self-aware Wednesday will lose her uniqueness—the very thing that attracts viewers.

In fact, the series finds itself in a similar situation to its main character. If she continues to use familiar, outdated tropes, viewers will quickly become bored. However, if she changes too radically, she risks losing her individuality. This is a peculiar trap that perfectly suits Wednesday's character. We'll find out if she can get out of this situation when the second part of the season comes out, scheduled for Wednesday, September 3rd.

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