Fourth Estate/Allison Alberty
Wednesday Addams is Growing Up
BY ALEXIS MCCAFFREY, STAFF WRITER
The new Netflix series “Wednesday” is coming of age story featuring a twist on the original Addams family movie.
Following Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega who was personally approached by Tim Burton for the role, the series centers around her journey in going to Nevermore Academy.
As each episode goes by you begin to fall more in love with the little goth girl who never blinks and whose sidekick is a hand named “Thing”. They are simply the most iconic and twisted duo together.
Ortega captures the essence of Wednesday Addams so effortlessly with just the right amount of goth energy. One thing that impressed me the most was the dancing scene, the lights and music just added to the hypnotizing effect it had on the viewer.
You could watch this scene for hours and it would never get old. The memes for this scene went viral and even started a new dance trend on TikTok.
The Wednesday Addams Twitter account even tweeted about it, “I see you doing my dance moves to Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary. I understand she is followed by little monsters. I approve”.
In a Twitter chain response, Lady Gaga responded, “Slay Wednesday! You’re welcomed at Haus of Gaga anytime and bring Thing, (we love paws around here)”.
From Twitter fame to trending videos, Ortega understands how to capture the audience’s heart.
In a video shared by Netflix, Ortega revealed that she choreographed the dance herself. “I choreographed that myself and I think it’s very obvious that I’m not a dancer or choreographer,” she said in the video with a laugh.
Throughout Wednesday’s journey at Nevermore Academy, we learn important lessons on knowing one’s self and playing to our own personal strengths. As well as understanding the weakness we may have.
In Episode 2, “Woe Is the Loneliest Number”, we see internal reflection by Wednesday, “I know I’m stubborn, single-minded, and obsessive. But those are all traits of great writers–And serial killers.” Every writer feels a bit called out by this quote, but this quote looks into all of us.
Another important lesson was on friendship and letting others in or protecting them–even if that is just from a boy.
In Episode 3, “Friend or Woe”, we see the most relatable phrase that will now be quoted by best friends all over, “If he breaks your heart, I’ll nail gun his” (E3: 9:25). Although it is slightly terrifying it also warms our hearts because that is how Wednesday Addams shows she cares, by threatening others.
The last lesson we see is the importance of not forgetting the past and discrimination. In Episode 3, “Friend or Woe”, Wednesday gets into a heated discussion with Principal Weems, “If trouble means standing up to lies, decades of discrimination, centuries of treating outcasts like second-class citizens or worse…”
The importance of family figures and in this case Wednesday’s father, played by Luis Guzmàn shows us that we all have figures we look up to. Mentors have helped shape us into who we are today.
In Episode 5, “You Reap What You Woe”, Wednesday shares a rare moment with her father while he is in jail. “You taught me how to be strong and independent. How to navigate myself in a world full of treachery and prejudice. You are the reason I understand how imperative it is that I never lose sight of myself. So as far as fatherhood goes, I’d say you’ve been more than adequate.”
This series hits on so many complex lessons conveyed through the lens of a “goth aesthetic” which helps show the audience that we all may have a little bit of Wednesday in us. Even if we aren’t wearing all black! Remember to stay strong, always be yourselves and never back down from a challenge, only do as Wednesday would advise!
