Wednesday Season Two Part One review: Colder, creepier, irresistible

India Today

a day ago

Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is back at Nevermore, and things are more mysterious than they were in Season 1. Netflix dropped the first part of the second season on August 6, and served up a solid build-up to what looks like an interesting Part Two.First, the good news: the season offers more screen time to the rest of the Addams Family, making it no longer just about Wednesday's antics. While the mission still rests with her, her abilities and how she proceeds with caution - other family members, especially her mother Motricia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones), feel far more involved this time.advertisementWednesday's bestie, Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), remains as delightful as she was in Season 1, and no new character feels wasted. Even Pugsley Addams (Issac Ordonez) and Gomez Addams (Luis Guzman) get more active roles in the story. However, Season 2 lacks the magic, horror, and romance that made the first season so exciting.
Now, that's not to say it's bad. Season Two comes with its own flare - burst of colour (or the lack of it, since it's Wednesday's world), visually striking aesthetics, and well-thought-out set pieces. But the first two episodes feel noticeably dragged, with the real action only kicking off in Episode 3.Spoilers ahead for those who haven't seen the trailer. This time around, 'Wednesday' is powerless. She's lost her psychic visions and is up against a larger enemy - one not merely targeting Nevermore, but the entire outcast community.Unfortunately, the narrative takes its time to find rhythm. The first two episodes are heavy on dialogue and mystery-building, and it's only in the third that the story gains momentum. Once more characters join in, things begin to make sense - both to the Nevermore people, and to us Normies.The strained relationship between Wednesday and her mother continues to be one of the emotional anchors of the season. The Addams family dynamic remains a highlight - an essential angle in a story that follows the psyche of an outcast teenager dealing with trauma, friendship, and self-discovery.One of the best things about 'Wednesday' is how it balances fantasy with real issues: an authoritarian mother who wants the best for her daughter, a teenage boy longing for connection at a new school; a young girl constantly seeking joy and meaning in her relationships. And at the centre of it all - a peculiar, unreadable girl who still fiercely looks out for the people she cares about.Each character in 'Wednesday' is distinct and yet shares the same emotional vulnerability. Family secrets, buried traumas and layered backstories are woven seamlessly into the plot.That said, pacing remains a big issue. It's too slow until it isn't. And even though the season ends on a cliffhanger, it leaves enough room for imagination to tickle. Things are getting worse for Wednesday or, in her own words, "much worse" - but there's never a dull moment when she's around.advertisementOrtega brings a simmering sense of rustiness to Wednesday - a kind of charm that makes you root for her, even when she's emotionally closed or eerily intense. She continues to anchor the show with a sharp sense of purpose and deadpan brilliance - a perfect thunder-meets-cloud energy.The production design remains as striking as ever - moody, gothic, and unapologetically offbeat. The soundtrack stands out in Season Two, adding layers of intrigue to the scenes. Tim Burton's dark whimsy still lingers over Nevermore, but the season feels more personal this time.While Part One of 'Wednesday' Season 2 visibly stumbles under the weight of setting up its bigger arc, it manages to offer enough charm, performances, and emotional grounding to keep fans intrigued. Not many jump scares in this one - a good thing considering the real horror lies in what's yet to come. Hopefully! The shadows in Nevermore feel familiar but what's hiding in them appears darker, deeper. The chaos hasn't ended just yet because the girl in the pigtails has still got you covered!Part two of Season Two will premiere on September 3. All four episodes of part one are now streaming on Netflix.- Ends3.5 out of 5 stars to 'Wednesday' Season Two Part one