If These Woes Could Talk

There are so many improvements to Wednesday in S02, I don't even know where to start:

• Characters - They are really establishing the stand-alone universe and exploring the Nevermore school. They are showing students powers, but unlike in S01 where powers were used in an ostentatious way, you can see students using the powers in purposeful ways (build bonfire, use siren song to manipulate, etc) so it feels more like a real school with real students using powers in real-life scenarios, rather than in S01 where you had a bunch of young kids in a school setting occasionally using power without any purpose just to showcase "oh, it's really a magic school". At times, it reminds me of Hogwarts, but in an new and original way where they don't try to copy it, but build its own universe.

• Addams family - In S01, Wednesday was the main character and her family was just background cameo without any importance. In S02, i really like that they are bringing her family to the front and they also explore their personalities and motivations, not just have them as stand-ins with occasional line. Their re-introduction is also done in a smart way where in each episode we focus on a new Addams character and get to know them better - first episode - Pugsley, 2nd/3rd episode - Morticia/Gomez, last episode - grandmama/Fester. And their side stories are organic and interesting. I am happy that Pugsley/Fester got their own interesting storylines. Bit sad that Morticia/Gomez do not, but I am happy that at least they are exploring their personalities and motivations more and we get to know them better. Plus, the relationship between Wednesday and her mom is very interesting (Morticia wants to protect her in a condescending way and Wednesday rebels as a regular teenager - feels very organic)

• Dialogues - Dialogues are much wittier in Season 2 - so many punchlines and memorable quotes. I also like the overall pacing. I like they bring back a lot of S01 characters too, and not just for the sake of cameo, but give them interesting storyline as well and implement them to further progress the plot.

Overall, every scene seems purposeful, every character has importance and there seem to be no filler scenes. Really smart writing this season and huge upgrade from S02. Addams family now knows who they are and the writers are playing into their strengths.

Wednesday is kind of a misnomer in the Tim Burton collection, probably his most accessible and least inventive work to date. Well, that was the perception coming into season 2. Season 2 is rather remarkable in that it maintains its accessibility while laying into the darker and more serious elements much more freely, opting to venture into uncharted territory rather than cheaply rely on what's already worked (as with Stranger Things, for example). The first couple episodes did the heavy lifting of setup and exposition that the second couple episodes were able to tell the story in a more direct and engaging way. The premises from both the third and fourth episodes were whimsical but well-developed (the camp and the asylum), with well-rounded B-stories (which are seemingly coming together as the A-story) that are both compelling and well-structured.

As far as taking the existing, maybe even somewhat contrived formula from season one and turning it into something considerably more intriguing and captivating, the first half of season 2 has more than accomplished this, and I'm hopeful that the conclusion to this season's narrative is able to live up to the promise that these four episodes have shown. That said, for those who are fans of the whimsy and more childish elements (the teenage collegiate rabble and the safe but somewhat edgy humor, for example) this does offer that in fairly sizable heaps as well. It's not necessarily unpalatable, as these have all been hour-long episodes and incorporating that for the younger demographic is fine, but it can distract from the more capitulating elements, like the character development and more experimental story beats.

All-in-all, season two has delivered so far, with "If These Woes Could Talk" offering the best and most compelling example. It's not without its less mature pitfalls, as expected, but there's enough here for those more interested in an engaging time rather than another generic teen dramedy, to a much greater extent than in the first season. My complaints are considerably outweighed by my enjoyment, which is a lot broader than just watching for Jenna Ortega as I did in season one, although she remains just as captivating. Perhaps even moreso. 7.5/10.

This is the strongest episode of the season so far.

There is an effective build up to a crescendo of spectacle that takes place at a specific location. The filmmakers effectively blend moments of humour and terror whilst moving the plot forward in an interesting way. That is as much as I can say without spoiling.

One of the highlights is the use of a guest character who has a key role in what happens and generates the most laughs. Without him I think it would cross the line of being too dark for what the show has established since its first season.

Visually it is one of the strongest episodes of Wednesday. There atmosphere is suitably creepy whilst never losing that slight hint of goofiness that good comedy-horrors need to remind you not to take it too seriously.

All actors are very good but for me the stand out is Fred Armisen.

Season 2 has been notably darker in tone prior to this episode, but I would say this raises it another notch. As it is popular with younger viewers I would advise parents to vet it first before letting any sensitive young ones watch it, as some moments might be nightmare fuel.

Episode 4, and the end of the first part of Season 2.

For me, this episode is by far the best of the four. The plot is starting to make sense and isn't marred by pointless digressions like in previous episodes this season.

While the arrival of Grandma Addams is a bit disappointing (Joanna Lumley deserved better writing for her role), that of Uncle Fetid is, on the contrary, successful, bringing a real touch of humor to the whole thing.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Morticia, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose face is shamefully and artificially "smoothed" (which, even more shamefully, is also the case for Jenna Ortega's, a process by which she can still play a 15-year-old for another ten years?), doesn't have much to talk about.

Luiz Guzman's absence from this episode is, however, welcome!

I appreciated the return of the always excellent Christina Ricci as Laurel Gates.

The episode is well-paced and the action scenes are effective. However, I still regret the lack of depth and use of most of the characters, even though they have interesting potential to begin with, whether it's Enid, Agnes, or Bianca.

The episode ends on a false cliffhanger, given that there are four episodes left...

It's likely that the "resolution" of the plot proposed in this episode turns out to be a sham... Principal Dort and Isadora Capri still have, in my opinion, a lot to reveal.

For my part, I hope that the second half of this season will build on this fourth episode to increase its interest even more, and not fall back into the same predicaments as the first three...

After the weird third episode I came into this one a little tentative. Boy was I surprised though. The story continues and is extremely compelling with sudden twists some of which are very shocking(in my opinion) and some great scenes like Billie Piper's character playing Zombie on the piano in that one scene! :> Absolutely devastating cliffhanger and I like the altered formula to make it different from the previous episodes. The relationship between Grandma-ma and Morticia is interesting and it's nice to see Morticia take some action. But the icing on the cake is the last 15-20 minutes with one banger of a cliffhanger. It's also always a plus to see Fester. Agnes is also a very interesting character and I would like to see more on her. Can't wait for Part 2 on September 3rd.