Friend or Woe

I think the series is reaching a point where it does a good job but stays in that line. That is, to be entertaining but not particularly impressive. Basically, it has turn into a series with episodes that don't disappoint but at the same time doesn't provide any excitement.

It is-basically-falling for the typical who's-the-killer plot, and that's fine, however it can also be boring after a while, so I wonder what are they going to do to keep it entertaining.

Aside from that, I have been enjoying-a little bit more-Jenna Ortega as Wednesday. Also, the choices on music, like Vivaldi and Metallica. Those a great for the theme. Besides, I love the songs that they used.

Wednesday does some historical investigations about one of Jericho's founding fathers.

This is a well made episode with some intrigue and spectacle.

For me the previous cliffhanger could not be more of an anticlimax, but it is pretty funny due to Wednesday's reaction and attitude.

The most revealing plot element in this chapter comes in one of the exposition dumps that are Wednesday's psychic visions. It is another great visual sequence, to go with so many others in the show, plus it drip feeds more information that holds interest in the central mystery. It does not feel particularly original. Her arc feels quite similar to the great Simpsons episode 'Lisa The Iconoclast', but unlike the humorous Springfield story, it gives a more satisfying resolution to the historical whitewash, along with Wednesday's blunt distain for the museum.

As with previous episodes I find some characters better than others. Wednesday carries the show for me, but several other characters feel a bit uninspired, particularly the other students. I am not a fan of the martial arts scenes and doing it again here with the same antagonists feels repetitive.

All performances are strong and the production values are excellent.

For me it's a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.

This is so politically motivated that the 'slumber-free' cheer and the rest wonder at the vilification.

Even so, this is remarkable well done. I am confident that the cast was really well led by the writers and direction. There is enough 'on the page' that the editing can step along briskly. Even the doofus boys are well written. The first episode drags a bit but this features the set-up. Ep.2 shows us Wednesdays character. Ep.3, this one, goes overboard on the two-dimentional mean kids but no hero fares well unless the villains are serious.

I liked best the dialog 'asides' which are numerous and quick enough to keep the viewer interested and chuckling.

The show finally stops picking at the thread and begins to present us with what it promised in premise and setup. Everyone is giving it their all with what they're given and the this ultimately provides for an entertaining episode setting up multiple threads at once. That said, the dialogue is humiliating and seems to be written by a 40-year-old teen. Normies is used in-universe with a straight face, one hundo, and mansplaining. Soundtrack is becoming grating at this point as the music smothers dialogue and one can only take so many string covers. The show, like the characters, wears its intentions on its sleeve but is ultimately saved by technical execution.

Three episodes in, and my teenage daughter and I are both officially hooked... though for entirely different reasons. She's here for the mystery and supernatural teen drama; I'm here for the withering one-liners and a cast that knows exactly how to lean into Burton's macabre playground.

Jenna Ortega remains flawless as Wednesday, somehow making insults feel like poetry. Emma Myers as Enid keeps chipping away at Wednesday's icy exterior with relentless rainbow energy, creating one of the show's best odd-couple dynamics. Gwendoline Christie continues to command the screen as Principal Weems, while Hunter Doohan's Tyler gets a bit more room to breathe in the plot.

Ep 3 balances the creepy investigation with school rivalry shenanigans, including a wonderfully over-the-top competition sequence that's pure Burton: eccentric, stylish, and slightly ridiculous in the best way. My daughter's thrilled at the twists; I'm just impressed the show keeps finding fresh ways for Wednesday to insult people without repeating herself.

Still a perfect mix of weird, witty, and watchable - another 8/10 from our two-generation viewing squad.