When Netflix released the first season of Wednesday, following the young daughter of the Addams family, the show took the world by storm. An iconic dance performed by Jenna Ortega from the fourth episode became a TikTok favorite. Viewership skyrocketed, making the first season Netflix’s most popular English-language series of all time, beating out the fourth season of Stranger Things in 2023. The story was intriguing, the characters lovable and the debut of Wednesday Addams left everyone wanting more. We got just that, as all episodes of Wednesday season two are now streaming on Netflix. Yet, if you were hoping for a return as triumphant as the beginning, you might be due a reality check.
When Wednesday’s second season was announced, Netflix revealed that Lady Gaga would feature in the plot, sparking fan theories and countless rumours. After not appearing in part one of the series, speculation circled that she could play Aunt Ophelia, the lost sister of Morticia and a Raven (a psychic who receives dark visions), similar to Wednesday. However, Netflix soon destroyed all conjecture with the release of part two. Lady Gaga had less than five minutes of screen time as a random and hitherto unknown character named Rosaline Rotwood. No one was happy, least of all those who followed the hype Netflix curated surrounding her casting. I will admit that her role as trickster-witch created one of my favorite plotlines in the show, as Rosaline Rotwood cursed Wednesday and Enid into a body swap. Seeing Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and Emma Myers (Enid) act as one another’s characters was something I did not realize I needed — and they each performed incredibly well. However, the anticlimactic unveiling of Lady Gaga’s part in the show left me underwhelmed and dissatisfied. This was, unfortunately, a trend doomed to continue.
The first season of Wednesday centered around the detective work of the main character, often joined by her unconventional friends. The mystery of season one was unpredictable and engaging. I felt like I never knew what was going to happen until Wednesday Addams laid it all out, fitting the clues together like puzzle pieces. The second season was more akin to Jenga — holes are made until the entire thing collapses. The first obvious hole was that the actor Percy Hynes White did not return, despite playing Xavier Thorpe, a key figure in season one. There was no official reason given for his dismissal, but it was most likely tied to allegations of sexual assault leveled at the actor.
At the end of season one, Xavier gifted Wednesday a phone, from which she received threatening messages from a supposed “stalker.” Writing in this character’s sudden disappearance made the season feel a little disconnected from the previous one. Netflix chose to cover it up by claiming Xavier moved to another school, and the character sent Wednesday a mysterious painting as a parting gift before never being mentioned again. The attempt to smooth over the pothole was not very successful.
Furthermore, the second season felt more disjointed as it went on. Instead of focusing primarily on one villain (as the first season did), the second season jumped from bad guy to bad guy. The principal was embezzling funds and attempting to manipulate Bianca (a Siren with persuasive powers), an evil cult leader was on the look-out for Bianca’s mother, Tyler Galpin returned as a crazy and violent Hyde, Judi Stonehearst was an Avian (able to control birds) set on destroying Wednesday, Tyler’s mother (alive, by the way?) was revealed to also be a monstrous Hyde and Isaac Night went from brain-eating zombie to maniacal scientist. If that sentence was long and confusing, then it perfectly mirrored the plot of season two. Disastrous circumstances and wicked characters seemed to ooze from every crevice of Nevermore. It was hard to keep track of who was who, which plotline was important when and how everything came together. I would have much preferred Wednesday take on one, or even two, or the vast myriad of baddies Netflix presented us with.
Despite the negative aspects of this continuation of Wednesday’s story, I would be lying if I did not admit how engrossing the show was. Wednesday’s witty and macabre declarations, delivered in a characteristically deadpan manner, never fall flat. Enid was as colorful, optimistic and lovable as ever (though some fans expressed disappointment over perceived queerbaiting when she and Wednesday didn’t end up together). The addition of Agnes DeMille, portrayed by the talented Evie Templeton, brought a fresh face and entertaining dynamics with Enid and Wednesday. The plot twists and red herrings were abundant. They took you on a rollercoaster ride, even if a few surprises fell flat. I even found myself nodding my head to Agnes and Enid’s dance number, as no season of Wednesday would be complete without a lavish ball and viral choreography.
The success and ingenuity of the first season of Wednesday gave me inflated expectations for season two. It is a rare instance where the second installment exceeds the quality of the first, but I wouldn’t discount the show entirely. If you were a fan of season one, you’ll still be humming to Lady Gaga’s song ‘The Dead Dance’ and enjoying the escapades of our favorite Addams family member. As for me, I look forward to the release of the next chapter of Wednesday and Enid’s story.
Jane Locke is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at jal562@cornell.edu.
