Another woefully good time awaits you at Nevermore Academy. With twists and turns, and secrets unburied, Season 2, Part 2 of Netflix’s “Wednesday” is bound to delight.
Warning: spoilers are ahead.
The season continues with Wednesday waking up from a coma and dealing with the aftermath of the asylum escape, in which Tyler – played by Hunter Doohan – escaped and the director of Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital, Rachael Fairburn (Thandiwe Newton) was killed.
Tim Burton and the production team deliver another high-quality macabre spectacle, littered with dark-humor, dangerous stakes and stellar performance by the lead actors.
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday Addams) continue to shine in their dark glory, with their characters’ development serving as a pivotal plot point for Part 2, as it’s revealed that Wednesday’s psychic powers are directly tied to her familial bonds.
Other things in the second half of the season that stood out were the wonderful aesthetic and set pieces, especially the clock tower and gala sets.
The clock tower gets more screen time this time around, and viewers get a sort of mad scientist lab explosion and fight scene in there, with the entire Addams family joining in on the chaos.
Thing gets his backstory developed as well. In the show and classic series Thing is a disembodied sentient hand that works with the Addams family. In the second part of Season 2 it is discovered that Thing is actually the severed hand of Isaac Night – played by Owen Painter – that was cut-off by Morticia in a fight in the clock tower.
Issac was the former roommate of Gomez Addams — played by Luis Guzmán — and had attempted to use Gomez for his electricity abilities. Isaac attempted to use Gomez Addams’ ability to power a machine to remove the abilities of Issac’s sister, who is revealed to be Tyler’s mother, to save her life.
Gomez was unaware the machine would kill him, and so his future wife saved him, resulting in an explosion that killed Issac, left Gomez powerless and Thing animated with no memory of his former self.
Issac is revealed to be the zombie Pugsley — played by Isaac Ordonez — brought back to life in the first part of Season 2.
The dynamic of the Addams family is at the heart of Season 2, Part 2. I really enjoyed the different character developments and the inclusion of the grandmother. It really felt like an “Addams Family” experience.
Furthermore, it was nice to see the family grow and expand their character developments. I really enjoyed the connection between Pugsley and his father and seeing more of the dynamic between Morticia and her mother — played by Joanna Lumley.
A couple concerns I had, though, include feeling that everything was a bit muddled and packed in. The inclusion of many different story lines made the season feel a bit rushed, especially when they tied up loose ends from the last part of Season 2. I feel like they killed off the supposed villain far too quickly, with her dying in the first episode of Season 2, Part 2.
Another thing I thought was strange, not too upsetting but definitely overplayed, was Lady Gaga’s role in Season 2, Episode 6 and Episode 7. While she did play a character, it was more of a quick cameo and new song debut then a full roll.
She plays an old deceased teacher who has connections to both Wednesday’s mother and grandmother. Gaga appears a handful of times in the episodes, but only in spirit form. However, it was still enjoyable seeing her.
Gaga’s appearance in Episode 6 was fun but led to a puzzling episode leaving me scratching my head. It can only be described as a “Freaky Friday” parody as in one episode, Wednesday and Enid switch places.
While the antics were amusing, and we did learn that Wednesday is actually allergic to color – which was funny – the body swap plotline did seem to come out of nowhere. However, it was still a fun episode overall.
While it does have some flaws, overall the season was definitely a fun watch. Ortega, and the entire cast, continue to deliver amusing and heartfelt performances.
The season is definitely worth a watch, especially with the cliffhanger in the final episode. Only time will tell if Wednesday can save her friend from herself, as in the end we saw Wednesday driving off with her Uncle Fester in order to save Enid, who had been permanently transformed into a werewolf because of her alpha status and transformation on a full moon.
Viewers have lots to look forward to in the coming year. The show has been greenlit for a third season, Wednesday Season 3 will start filming this spring.
