You Reap What You Woe

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.

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.)

This is the episode where you get to know the family dynamics of Addams family. Where in adversities they bond together and what previous episodes have portrayed are actually an act of love. Sideline stories keep on merging and makes the episodes ever so interesting.

The best thing about series is it gets the time to build the character arch. This time it tries to get sympathy for bianca. From the first episode it has portrayed her as Wednesday's arch rival. This time it shows why she has so much bitterness. The stereotyping of Eugene is bit uncomfortable though. It continues in this episode as well . However the way Wednesday perceive Eugene as his best friend and his better assets shows the creators are trying to find some remorse in it.

And finally thing does what thing did . He is the "hand of the queen" in adams world. Moving smoothly.

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.

Wednesday finds out about her parents time at Nevermore.

This is another visually impressive episode with fairly good character moments.

The story is reasonably interesting, with some good backstory revealed by certain characters telling stories at key moments and a convenient vision from Wednesday.

I think for fans of the Addams Family, it depends what you think of the show's portrayal of Morticia and Gomez as to how much you are likely to enjoy this episode, as they are the main focus. Personally, I think they are used well by the writers and Catherine Zeta-Jones is perfectly cast. I slightly struggle with Luis Guzmán's quieter take on his character, probably because I'm used to the louder, more dominant personalities of John Astin and Raùl Juliá. Maybe he will grow on me.

The characters Enid and Bianca have B and C plots that continue the theme of teenagers difficult relationships with parents. One is a bit of a clichéd arc about the pressure of expectations and being an individual, whilst the other is somewhat more mysterious and intriguing.

As ever, the visuals are excellent. I particularly like the transitions from certain characters faces in present time to their younger selves in and out of the flashback scenes.

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