It feels like only yesterday that the first season of breakout Netflix mash Wednesday became a veritable pop culture phenomena. In reality, nearly three years have passed since we last visited the hallowed halls of Nevermore Academy. In the interim, lead star Jenna Ortega has seen monumental success with Scream VI and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and made headlines for some things she said in the press about steering the creative direction of her show’s titular character. Any baggage falls to the wayside as the story instantly thrusts us into Wednesday’s strange summer, one which includes hunting for an infamous serial killer named The Kansas City Scalper, and honing her psychic abilities with the help of Goody’s spellbook. Expecting a character as strange and unusual to take the summer off would just be silly anyway. With a renewed focus on the Addams family connection and a shift away from love triangles, season 2 of Wednesday delivers further macabre delights and quirky character moments.
With a snap of Thing’s fingers, the wicked world of Wednesday continues. The main title sequence has gotten a bit of an upgrade, artfully showcasing spiral staircases, spiders, clocks, dolls, electricity, and of course a dash of musicality from Wednesday’s violin. The perfect incorporation of disparate elements helps this feel special, accompanied by the catchy theme from Danny Elfman. The first episode, directed by Tim Burton, brings much of his trademark imagery, and a fresh feel to Nevermore Academy. Later, it even allows Burton to play in the stop-motion animation sandbox reminiscent of his beloved short film, Vincent. Burton and showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar clearly have a harmonious relationship that helps expand the scope of Wednesday as this season unfolds.
Marking the first school Wednesday isn’t totally against returning to, a new year of Nevermore Academy begins, feeling more than ever like Hogwarts. Nearly everything about the school this time around has been refreshed—Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) enrolls as a student as his electrical powers have been awakened; Principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi) replaces the murdered Weems, obsessed with school spirit and honoring traditions; Xavier has been pulled from Nevermore in favor of attending the Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland; music teacher Miss Capri (Billie Piper) notes Wednesday’s impressive musical prowess; 90s Addams Family alum Christopher Lloyd stars as head-in-a-jar Professor Orloff; and, perhaps most notable of the changes, the whole family will now be staying on campus as Dort puts Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) in charge of the gala committee. At least Enid (Emma Myers) remains mostly the same, if a bit more boy crazy.
Barely a day deep, and Wednesday already becomes embroiled in a twisted plot involving murderous crows. Ex-sheriff Gilpin (Jamie McShane) calls upon Wednesday for her help solving the case. Wednesday’s growing psychic powers gives her a possible advantage in this field, but pushing them too far without the proper training could be very dangerous. In this way, Morticia’s relationship with her daughter is put to the ultimate test. Morticia urges Wednesday to back down, but Goody’s spellbook may push her to the brink. Both Zeta-Jones and Ortega are excellent—the mother/daughter dynamic becomes key to the overarching story. Both Morticia and Gomez (Luis Guzmán) are more central thanks to their proximity to the action. While Morticia hides key information and clings to tradition, Gomez plays lawyer and chaperone to his children. Pugsley recruits a zombie “pet” that causes a whole brainy set of other problems. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s former fling, the Beetlejuice-esque, Hyde-transforming Tyler (Hunter Doohan), has been locked up at Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital, still as dangerous as ever.
As usual, Wednesday’s inner thoughts are just as hilarious as those she says out loud. Her triumph last season has made her the most popular girl at school, a facet that Wednesday of course absolutely despises. She is repelled by her newfound popularity, fan art and all. She offers to sign her name in blood when people request her autograph, noting that it would not be her own blood but theirs. Jenna Ortega takes Wednesday to new horizons with the nuances of her performance and a deadpan delivery. Her one-liners often made me laugh out loud. As far as newcomers are concerned, Buscemi’s Principal is a standout as he manipulates others around him, including Morticia and siren Bianca (Joy Sunday). The rest of the ensemble is just as good—allowing the Addams family to play significant roles was a great choice that differentiates this from the debut season. Even Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester gets to infiltrate Willow Hill, while Thing remains a silent scene-stealer. Once Grandmamma (Joanna Lumley) enters the fray, family history comes to the table in an exciting way.
Season 2 hits the ground running. The darker tone, deeper lore, and horror elements are elevated by strong family dynamics and well-defined characters. The visual style has been elevated significantly, especially in the revamped opening and action-packed Willow Hill sequences. Set and costume design allows full immersion into this zany universe. Weaving mystery and humor effectively raises serious stakes with Enid’s death teased in visions, the emergence of an avian villain, and the return of Tyler’s Hyde. With each episode, Wednesday faces increasingly twisted trials that will put her to the ultimate test. Plenty of surprises no doubt await in the back half of the season, but for part 1, Wednesday packs a punch with its grisly kills and delightful gallows humor.
Wednesday reopens the gates of Nevermore Academy when part 1 of season 2 comes to Netflix on Wednesday, August 6th.
