Wednesday

Being a huge Addams fan (owning the books by Chas Addams, the tv series, the movies and, yes, even the cartoons) I've been looking forward to this new iteration since it was announced a year or two ago. I can tell you it doesn't disappoint and, in fact, delivers on all fronts. Following Christina Ricci's iconic performance is a tall order for anyone but Jenna Ortega knocks it out of the park with her portrayal of the titles title character. Her dead pan, sarcastic delivery is spot on but there's a sweetness to get poison tongue... You know, like ethylene glycol.

Rather than compete with the beautiful Angelica Houston, Catherine Zeta Jones brings her own interpretation to Morticia while Luis Guzman brings to life the Gomez Addams as he appeared in the original New Yorker Cartoons. This is a smart move because when it comes to the late, great Raul Julia.... Well, just don't. There's just no replacing him so sidestepping that issue was the best thing they could do.. Who is also here...Thing, that is. Along with Lurch, Pugsley and Uncle Fester.

There are also some surprises in the cast that I haven't mentioned.

Tim Burton has done a terrific job here of both updating and continuing the adventures of our favorite spooky family and I'm really looking forward to season 2.

I really liked the first season of this show. Even though he didn't direct every episode, Tim Burton's style was felt throughout the season. I can't say the same for season 2. Style-wise, his episodes were great, but the other seem like a poor-man's version. Also, the season is kind of a mess. Too many subplots, too many characters, too much that didn't have anything to do with the story...it's just all over the place. Even though it was three years later, story-wise it seems rushed...almost like the writers weren't ready when Netflix decided they wanted another season. Just my 1/50 of a dollar.

Directed by Tim Burton... Music by Danny Elfan... The look of the frame, the acting and story all remind me of the two now classic 90s Adam's Family Feature Films... Wednesday was my favourite character in the films, especially the second one when she and Pugsley got sent to Summer Camp...

Christina Ricci in those films as Wednesday was floorless, and it was great to see her appear in this too. Ortega's turn as the main character was excellent she is quickly becoming a great actress. I think you need to give the series time to develop and remember that it's target audience is quite wide, I don't think it's meant to be too dark. Just like the 90s films it plays on the dark and morbid humour, but with the teen angst mixed in.

Definitely worth watching if you are intrigued, but remember that it's not an 18+ rated adult only tale... it's a modern tale on these ever classic characters, think along the lines of the Netflix Sabrina series... If you liked that, then this should be right up your alley.

I loved the first seasons. It was so well thought out and the characters were so well done (besides Gomez who can't act). But the second season has been a mess. The plot is missing. I've watched the first 4 episodes and I still feel like nothing has even happened. I also hate how nothing is really connected to the first season. Also, Xavier not coming back because false allegations against the actor is so stupid. His character was crucial to the story and now the show just feels empty. Also, Gomez can't act.

Addition: Thankfully, I managed to enjoy the last four episodes of the series again. What I find very impressive, as in the first season, are the lovingly designed sets and costumes. Unfortunately, there wasn't much opportunity or time to marvel at and enjoy them. For me, they packed too much into this season. There wasn't enough time to pause and take a breather. The series works better when everyone involved works together and contributes their strengths, and thankfully that's what happened in the end.

The first season was funny, interesting, and new. For me, it was also a symbol of neurodivergent people who have to cope with normality and find their people and their family. Wednesday was solitary, distant, intellectual, but at the end of the day, her heart was in the right place. They created a new Addams Family that many people embraced and liked. The friendship between Enid and Wednesday was genuine and felt organic. All the stories fit together. For me personally, the first four episodes of season 2 felt like a completely new series. Everything seems disjointed. There is no contact between Eugene and Wednesday. A lot happens, but somehow it leaves no impression on me. With Agnes, a second Wednesday has now been introduced unnecessarily. It feels cold, the mood is unfriendly. In season 1, there was no unnecessary violence that didn't fit into the story. It seems to me that season 2 now has a lot of extra violence integrated into it. Many people die as a result of her brother's actions. I would have preferred to do without the brother storyline, as I find nothing interesting about his character. The rehashing of the family history and the resulting mother-daughter conflicts are also told in a way that I find extremely annoying for me. I hope it gets better.