Three years after its initial release, Wednesday returns to Netflix with a complicated new season, in two parts. Part 1, which consisted of the first four episodes, proved to be anticlimactic, honing a rushed plot line with scattered story elements.
Wednesday Season 2Part 2 picks up right where Part 1 left off, with Wednesday (Jenna Ortega, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) still looking for answers even in a coma. Fortunately, Part 2 partially resurrected that Addams Family flair from season 1, making it a much more enjoyable watch.
The plot lines introduced in Part 1 were properly continued into Part 2. Everything happened for a reason, and it was all explained in the continuing episodes. The biggest and most important is that of Slurp, as we soon come to discover, is actually Isaac Night (Owen Painter, The Beautiful Things); Gomez’s (Luis Guzman, Boogie Nights) Nevermore roommate, and Tyler’s (Hunter Doohan, Daredevil: Born Again) uncle. Isaac develops into the real villain of the story, deepening his character through his connection with almost every other character in the series. His performance is a showstopper within these new episodes, creating suspense and true drama when the climax had begun to fall.
Additionally, Wednesday Season Part 2 does an incredible job in further developing the backstories and futures of characters that are typically pushed aside. Enid (Emma Myers, A Minecraft Movie) establishes herself as more than a side character, but an Alpha facing a lifetime of loneliness. Her story development not only made sense logistically but also gave her complexity when she was originally there for comedic relief. Bianca (Joy Sunday, Dog) and her involvement in Morning Song are further explained in connection to Principal Dort (Steve Buscemi, Pulp Fiction), and the Addams family gets some much-needed bonding time full of truth and confessions.
To add to the excitement was the return of Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie, Game of Thrones) as Wednesday’s spirit guide. Even more exciting was the guest appearance of Lady Gaga playing Rosaline Rotwood; however, her screen time was disappointing in comparison to the hype surrounding her role. Nonetheless, these small additions created impactful roles.
One thing that can not be left unnoticed is the performance of Myers and Ortega, specifically in Episode 6, where Wednesday and Enid switch bodies. These two characters are polar opposites, yet each actress embodied the other’s role with precision, keeping it respectful and authentic. That in and of itself goes to show the talent these young actresses have, and makes this writer excited to continue following their journey.
Now we, as viewers, are left with more questions: what is Capri’s (Billie Piper, Doctor Who) plan for Tyler? How long has Aunt Ophelia been locked away? Will Enid survive? Overall, season 2, part 2 fixed what part 1 had broken. It successfully brought back the Addams family magic, and perfectly and suspensefully set up a thrilling season 3.
