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.

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.

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.

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.

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.