As a die-hard Addams family fan, I basically had an obligation to watch this show. So I did. I also recorded my thoughts by episode, and I’ve basically edited nothing to present to you the most real, most me reaction to this show. Enjoy.
Episode 1 Wednesday’s Child is Full of Woe
This introduction? This opening theme song? Jesus christ, guys, this is all I can ever ask for from anyone. I love this. I can’t even. Also, Paint it Black played by the cello? That was stunning, that scene. I love it when people use classical music in pop culture. It just makes me so happy, the contrast between classical music and death/gore (e.g. Godfather, and now, Wednesday).
Ophelia hall? Hi, easter egg, I see you. Also, why is Wednesday fighting with Morticia? What kind of manufactured conflict is this? And Wednesday telling Morticia she thinks being a housewife is not respectable? Hello, is this really still the Wednesday Addams we remember from the 90s films and the 64 show?
Also, the chemistry is basically nonexistent between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman. The two of them could be mother/son, father/daughter, friends, or even freaking enemies with this chemistry. Honestly, if there is one thing that I loved about the original Addams family it is the chemistry between Morticia and Gomez, so I’m really disappointed that this version isn’t capturing that.
I will say that in general, this show isn’t terrible. If you watch it as a fan fiction, at least, then it’s pretty good. But if you watch it as a fan of the original, this is basically my worst nightmare. I had been really worried that the show would take the characters and either make them caricatures of themselves, or make them incredibly out of character. So far, that’s what this feels like. Because even in the 90s films, Wednesday was never painted as a person with a lack of emotions. In fact, being raised in a family headed by Morticia and Gomex and their literally perfect love story should only mean that she is incredibly emotionally mature. She doesn't smile because she doesn’t want to. That’s really all there is to it.
Episode 2 Woe is the Loneliest Number
So far, all of these various one liners from Wednesday make me really wonder if she has any character at all. I mean, I can understand that that’s part of her persona, but when you’re the main character of a show and all you have are one-liners, well, that just makes people wonder if you really have any character at all. Also, I’m willing to bet there is some history between Morticia and Gwendoline Christie’s character Larissa Weems. No doubt about it.
Also, I don’t particularly understand why we’re giving Wednesday special powers now. Part of the appeal about the Addams family was always that they were just normal people who had a penchant for goth, but they were always treated weirdly by the people around them. That is what made them outcasts, not any type of “special power”.
Episode 3 Friend or Woe
Love that they kept in Wednesday’s vehement protest against the Thanksgiving play in the 93 film in this version.
Episode 4 Woe What a Night
I highly doubt they hired Christina Ricci to have her do nothing. I don’t know, that just doesn’t make sense to me. Also, Jenna Ortega is amazing as Wednesday. I didn’t expect her to be so good (I liked Stuck in the Middle, but that’s about all I know about her filmography, so this is a nice surprise).
Also, the Wednesday dance? So, so, so awkward. But I kinda love it?
Episode 5 You Reap What You Woe
OK, now I feel like Garret’s orphaned sister is Christina Ricci.
Also, I’m honestly sad about the way they handled Morticia. She used to be the person who was so confident in the love that Gomez gave her that she could literally complement his ex-fiance. And yet now she’s insulting Larissa Weems for what, never having had Gomez’s heart? I understand that as a new show, you have to change some things so that the characters have room for development and so that the audience doesn’t feel like they’re just watching a rerun of old shows. But you can’t do this to Morticia and Gomez. They’re too pure for that.
Episode 6 Quid Pro Woe
It’s so easy for Wednesday to go in and out of school. Is that what life’s like when you don’t have COVID?
OK never mind, forget what I just said, she’s grounded at school now.
I feel like Enid is just Twitter personified. We don’t talk that way, show runners. High schoolers talk, for the most part, like normal human beings. Also, Xavier is so obviously a red herring that I can’t even begin to doubt him. I think Tyler’s the monster. Why else would the monster only scratch him and leave him alive? That feels like a classic “look the other way” technique.
Two Jennas? Love that for her.
Episode 7 If You Don’t Woe Me By Now
Oh wow I’m actually getting really emotional over a hand. This? This is the character development I was looking for for Wednesday. And Jenna’s portrayal of this scene, biting her lip and her eyes watering but still not allowing herself to be vulnerable enough to beg Thing to come back? That is such a perfect contrast from the stone-faced Wednesday that we’ve seen up until now. Wow. That scene really made me emotional.
I still think Thornhill is the killer. I know Tyler is, I feel like any YA reader recognizes the trope that the writers have set up for Wednesday. But I also feel like they wouldn’t have brought on Christina Ricci just for old time’s sake. She definitely plays a bigger role than what her role seems like right now.
Fred Armisen? Is that you? Jesus, who would’ve thought my SNL days would have led to me recognizing cast members all over the place.
Episode 8 A Murder of Woes
Wait, so Larissa Weems is just dead now? Hello? That was so… Anti-climatic.
Also, I’m a freaking genius. I knew from the beginning Thornhill and Tyler were wrong. I’m a freaking genius, thank you, next.
THAT HUG!!!! WEDNESDAY AND ENID FOREVER!!!!!!!
So Netflix is preparing for a second season, huh? Well, I wouldn’t be against it, I think. This one wasn’t terrible.
Overall Thoughts
Was the show terrible? No. The plot was a bit predictable, especially if you’ve ever read fan fiction or even just YA fantasy. It was basically the same love triangle trope that ewe’ve seen play out a billion times before, so I wasn’t shocked by anything that really happened. As a show, though, it isn’t boring, and I think that has to do with the pacing, so at least it wasn’t terrible.
In terms of character, I understand having to create new facets of personality for beloved characters is difficult, but some of the relegated characters really take away from the plot (e.g. Lurch basically being nonexistent, Pugsley being bullied). A lot of these developments are out of character for the original characters, so it felt weird watching as a fan of the original. If you aren’t a fan of the original or if you’ve never seen it, then I can understand why you would think the character arcs of this show are fine. Wednesday certainly goes through a rather complete arch, so I guess I liked her character. But only her character, honestly.
Finally, I just want to say:
THE ADDAMS FAMILY ISN’T LIKE THIS! THE ADDAMS FAMILY ISN’T LIKE THIS! THE ADDAMS FAMILY ISN’T LIKE THIS! If you want to know what the real Addams family, the essentially perfect example of happy monogamy and happy familial relationships look like, watch the 1991 film The Addams Family or the 1993 film The Addams Family Values or the 1964 Addams family TV show. Trust me, you’ll understand why I didn’t like the portrayal of the Addams family in this show once you see that.
Happy Friday!!
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