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).

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.

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.

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.

Ep 5 dials back the Burton-esque flair, which makes it feel a little less distinctive than earlier instalments. The murder mystery moves forward and some key pieces of Nevermore's puzzle start to fall into place, but the visual and tonal weirdness that gave the show its edge is notably muted here. 7.5/10

Jenna Ortega still delivers surgical-level sarcasm with ease, and Emma Myers remains the show's burst of manic sunshine. Tyler (Hunter Doohan) and Xavier (Percy Hynes White) get more screen time, adding intrigue if not quite fireworks. The story shifts firmly into clue-hunting mode - which is fine - but it does mean fewer of those offbeat, unforgettable moments that made the first half of the season sing.

Not a bad episode by any means, but it feels like the show is catching its breath rather than sprinting ahead. Here's hoping the Tim Burton magic creeps back in before things start sliding.