‘Wednesday’ latest binge-worthy show for teens, adults

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Netflix

The Netflix series Wednesday is worth the time.

Shelby Townsend, Staff Writer

A new show sweeping the nation features America’s favorite creepy and kooky family. It dropped last week and centers around the daughter of the Addams family, Wednesday, and her journey at the ominous Nevermore Academy, where everything may not be as it seems. There’s been some mixed opinions about the series, so I’m here to tell you why Wednesday is worth the watch. Don’t worry, there are no spoilers ahead.

As shown in the previews, the first episode starts at Wednesday’s old school, where she finds her brother Pugsley tied up and stuffed in her locker. When she figures out that the water polo team was responsible for terrorizing Pugsley, she proceeds to drop piranhas in the pool. In doing so, she is expelled and her parents send her off to Nevermore Academy, where being an outcast is normal. The school is filled with all kinds of species, ranging from werewolves to sirens. The show follows the story of Wednesday trying to solve a mystery affecting both Nevermore and small town Jericho. There’s been a recent surge of deaths, and we watch the sheriff and Wednesday try to figure out what’s behind this. 

We get to see Wednesday in a light we’ve never gotten to before. Instead of just seeing her as a member of the Addams family, we see her grow and learn on her own — facing new dangers and challenges she’s never seen. Jenna Ortega does an excellent job portraying the pig tailed teen, not blinking or showing a hint of emotion in her face. I absolutely adore the stark contrast between her and her roommate, Enid, a girl who loves everything bright and colorful.

I can attest that lines could be cheesy, but that’s the thing: this show is made for all ages. It was made for teens and adults alike to enjoy, with not only pop culture references but nods to other interpretations of the franchise. For example, I love how they casted Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday Addams in the 1991 and 1993 films “The Addams Family” and the “Addams Family Values.” 

You might have already seen the trends and edits on social media, but one of my favorite moments in the show is Wednesday’s dancing, moves so eccentric that it might give you secondhand embarrassment. But this just shows how even in a school of outcasts, her individuality is able to shine through. What’s even better? Jenna Ortega choreographed the scene herself. 

The quality of the storyline is exemplary with twists and turns. They pace the story well throughout the eight episodes. In my opinion, they don’t try to force any plot point, it flows together in a way that makes you want to watch all episodes in one night. They do a good job of not revealing something until the right moment and create the perfect amount of suspense. They don’t discount points made in other works of Addams family or contradict what they said in the show previously.

Turning to the technical side of things, the CGI, the set, the costumes, the camerawork, I have no complaints. They create new looks for Wednesday that respect her original dress and style, and keep her iconic braids the whole time. I’m actually obsessed with her dorm: the contrast of Enid’s side full of color and Wednesday’s side lacking color entirely. Every character’s costume perfectly captures their essence, not only personality-wise but their type of outcast.

Overall, I would recommend this show to anyone. This show is not only made for fans of the franchise, but gives enough information so someone who’s never heard of the Addams family before could watch. I would rate this a solid 4.8 stars, my only complaint is that the problems have solutions that are too perfect. Be careful, Wednesday is delightfully creepy, and so bingeable you might be up all night.