Netflix’s recent collaboration with the gothic fantasy legend Tim Burton brought a major hit TV series that everyone has been talking about for weeks and will probably continue talking about until its second season is released. Wednesday, which taps into the classic Addams Family character, Wednesday Addams, did not fail to shock and amuse its audience. With Jenna Ortega taking over the lead role, the show brought forth a brilliant story with much suspense and entertainment.
While the idea of supernatural teenagers has become a common theme in many series, Wednesday takes a different approach. From Legacies to Riverdale, these shows combine the idea of outcasts, fantasy and teen-hood, but the focus on romance might have become a distraction from the key supernatural and macabre elements, in turn, not fulfilling the expectations of macabre fans. However, Wednesday might be just what is needed for lovers of the macabre and gothic fantasy.
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What is one way to make the theme of the macabre obvious to the audience? Edgar Allen Poe! Wednesday’s constant reference to the OG mystery and macabre author allows it to ensure that macabre becomes a backdrop to the whole show. The Poe cup seems to be one way in which the author is referred to. The tournament seems like any other annual school sports festival, but at Nevermore Academy, it takes a dark turn (up to a certain extent) with the tournament having no rules at all. However, the biggest symbolic gesture that allows Poe to take a central role in the show is the entrance to the Nightshade society. Having Poe’s statue as a secret lock that can be cracked only by solving his riddles (unless you are an elite student who was told just to “snap twice”) is a nod to the author that changed this genre. Moreover, the constant reference to ravens with Wednesday herself being called a raven links the protagonist to this gothic author, in turn, allowing the darkness and morbid element to take over the character and the show.
In addition to Poe, there is also reference to the gothic queen, Mary Shelley. The author of “Frankenstein” is seen as Wednesday’s “literary hero and nemesis”. However, that is not the only reference to Shelley. Those familiar with “Frankenstein” will be able to easily recognize the importance of bringing in body parts and electricity. In a way, the resurrection of Joseph Crackstone is quite similar to the creation of Creature in Frankenstein.
Phenomenal Casting
Wednesday has a brilliant set of actors perfectly matched to their ideal roles. Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams is very different to the other versions of the character. In fact, Ortega’s Wednesday might be the darkest one yet. What makes her portrayal a central element of the macabre theme is the way in which she is obsessed with death. Not only does she embody death but she finds it quite exciting to be stuck inside a morgue, pretending to be a dead body. Moreover, the iconic death stares and the no-blinks, show how she has tapped into the darker version of Wednesday.
Bringing back Christina Ricci, the iconic Wednesday of the 90s, taps into the nostalgia of many gothic fans. However, Burton has taken a step further and literally portrayed the line “never meet your heroes” as Ricci’s character Marilyn Thornhill (a.k.a. Laurel Gates) turns out to be the exact opposite of a Wednesday fan. The inclusion of Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams and Gwendoline Christie as Principal Weems allows Wednesday to strike the perfect balance of comedy, fantasy and darkness.
The Capturing of the Supernatural Element
While the monster (which is a Hyde) roaming in the woods and killing both normies and outcasts is obviously CGI not at its best, and has received some negative criticisms from the fans themselves, there are other reasons why the show’s capturing of the supernatural element must be appreciated. The use of Wednesday’s visions to tap into the dark past of Jericho is not only a tap into the roles of witches, but it also reminds the audience of the dark histories of colonizers. Given that this clash between Crackstone and Goody Addams plays a prominent role in the series, it is obvious that the show attempts to unveil the sugarcoated pasts of the colonized countries.
Nevermore Academy itself is an explosion of supernatural elements. From werewolves to sirens and vampires, the school is filled with mythical characters. The way in which these characters “blend”, or at least try to, with the normies is definitely interesting. However, rather than focusing on the superpowers of these characters, Burton has focused on their personas, in turn, giving them more depth as opposed to limiting them to mere mythical creatures. Moreover, the show also does not focus purely on darkness as seen through Wednesday’s roommate, Enid (Emma Myers) who, even though a werewolf, is a burst of joy and bright colors. It is definitely interesting to say morbid colors clash with vivid colors.
Added Bonus of Comedy and Mystery
Wednesday’s inclusion of subtle comedy makes it an easy-watch. In fact, it allows the dark nature of the show to dial down, in turn, allowing the audience to binge-watch it. Uncle Fester’s character definitely brings in a smile with his weird and cooky behavior.
However, the biggest intriguing element is the mystery that follows throughout the story. Wednesday Addams seems to be a modern, much darker, and morbid version of Nancy Drew. The show’s focus on the mystery element makes it hard for the viewer to pause after a few episodes. The suspense and the intensity grab the attention of the viewer. Given that the creators seem to be throwing the audience off, just like Wednesday is misguided and deceived by the villains, the mystery seems to take the form of a complex tangled web that is actually simple once it is untangled. All these elements have given Wednesday the attention it deserves.
Ending the show with a cliffhanger has left the fans wanting more. This goes on to show how Wednesday has become a successful show which might have won the hearts of macabre fans.
