You Reap What You Woe

It's a family reunion for parents weekend, but re-joining with Wednesday doesn't pay dividends, as Gomez is clasped in the laws vengeful jaws, for a murder he had justifiable cause, it was some years ago with Morticia in thrall, had a fight with a normie that led to his fall, but there's more to the tale, a more sinister thread, that resulted in a son and a brother that's dead, while Enid's decided to be who she is, her parents can howl as it's none of their bis, interfering with what a young person desires, enrages and angers, piques, annoys and just tires (especially if they go about it in an insincere and ignorant way).

Ohh ffs it's not 10 seasons of the X files. Why in season 1 half way through do we need new writers? The previous four episodes were amazing, this episode is an utterly pointless backstory story. Tedious and plodding. Completely lacking all the pacing and narrative of the first four episodes. This could have easily been integrated rather than been a stand alone story. Terrible directing. I'm praying e6 gets back to the delights of 1-4. Ok I'm now watching e6. Seriously worried we have gone from snappy fresh teen detective series into Riverdale soap opera cringe boring tedium. Hope I'm wrong. Burton has left the building.

Edit. Thankfully it pulls itself back together for the final few episodes.

This episode is a decline from the previous. The writing and dialogues are terrible. Gomez and Morticia don't have any personality similarities to The Addams Family characters, and their acting is probably the worst on the show.

During the flashback, Gomez was struggling in a sword fight, yet in the original Addams Family he was always known as an expert swordsman.

Did the writers ever watch the original?

I like Guzman as an actor usually, but this isn't the same character as previously portrayed (perfectly) by John Astin and Raul Julia.

Overall I enjoy Wednesday and Thing as characters, but this isn't The Addams Family, it's basically Riverdale with a Addams twist.

Im also curious what role Tim Burton actually had in this show, not much it seems.

I've never been hugely into The Addams Family, remember watching the old one in black and white a few times. Never really got into the Addams Family movies either. But this! This is just amazing, and even tempts me to go and watch the Addams Family more.

A wonderful show focusing on story and characters, (rather than some of the modern stuff that needs to push certain agendas), and is so binge worthy.

Wonderfully shot with excellent dark "gothic" feeling. You can feel the genius of Burton all over it, and has his usual vibe pulsing through it.

Worth watching just for Jenna Ortega's fantastic, creative, portrayal of Wednesday Addams. Characterization beautifully developed and maintained, and you get lost in the fact that she isn't Wednesday. Self-assured, morbid, dark, humour and sarcastic, a little arrogant, cold, and reserved, but with slight moments of more under the protective shell. (Episode 6 I believe is the first time she blinks (though I'm sure most before that is editing), and it is there for a reason) Truly Ortega is totally amazing in this!! <3

Supporting cast are all basically great too. Christie as principal, gets a mention, but she's generally great in everything she is in, Myers (who I don't know) is great in her role as the contrasting roomy, Ricci, I wasn't aware it was her at first, great characterization, and love the fact that she played Wednesday in the movies....little cross-over, Zeta-Jones and Guzman are a great portrayal of Morticia and Gomez, Lindhorne brings a touch of her usual quirkiness to her role, and Thing (Dorobantu) does a stunning job as just a hand! So much expression and humour!

Netflix finally did something extremely well! Don't screw it up!

I had big hopes for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which I feel slowly died, and I've barely started season 2 as I lost interest. I want to watch more of Wednesday, and I'm even a little sad that there are only 8 episodes.

If you like the Addams Family (especially because of Wednesday), if you liked the good elements of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, if you like the vibe of Beetle Juice, and most other films that Burton directs or has an important roll in, if you like Jenna Ortega (or if you've never seen her before, but love actors that become their character), if you love quirky, school for those of special abilities/folklore, mystery solving, touch of creepiness, then just watch two episodes, and I'm sure you'll get hooked! (Sure, it has elements of so many things that are already out there, been done before, but there is just something special and magical about this.)

Usually when a lead director steps down after completing the first block of principal photography on a production, there's admittedly a frustrating tendency for the next one to struggle capturing filmmaking of the same calibre. Therefore, the visuals become less experimental, more conventional / formulaic & aesthetically, the established style deteriorates until it's less adventurous & consequently, predictable - in order for it to be easier to maintain for the duration of the rest of a shoot. I say this in order to provide context for my main compliment because credit where credit's due, it is genuinely a major achievement for Gandja Monteiro & cinematographer Stephan Pehrsson to take over from a duo as formidably strong as Tim Burton & David Lanzenberg (behind the camera) - & still manage to meet the same standard set by their predecessors with relative ease. Seriously, the transition from one team to the next is seamless & I'm in awe of the brilliance of their abilities, in retaining such strong continuity - & making it appear almost effortless.

With this episode, the narrative additionally builds upon the previous 4 installments with a newfound energy & enthusiasm I couldn't help but notice; each & every scene skilfully crafted & enhancing the story further with interesting twists & turns which lead in to a really wonderfully realised cliffhanger. Although the show didn't get off to a very promising start, the more I watch of this, the better it's gradually becoming.