Woe Is the Loneliest Number

The second episode of this new Netflix show is a big step up from the pilot. It fits into the story with a lot less trouble and seems to have a little more fun now that the hard work of setting up the world and introducing the characters has been done for the most part.

I can see that the writers tried to make a story in which the audience can feel something, but the story is about how the main character grows up, and she is not "Wednesday Addams," even though she may look like her. I can see that the writers tried to make a story that the audience could feel something about.

As mysteries are unravelled one at a time in this episode's narrative, you will find that your attention is piqued. The storyline of this episode piqued my curiosity quite a bit. Although I now have an explanation, it merely creates more questions. To put it another way, the storyline of this episode is not worse than the one that came before it. When seen at the appropriate time, the gags are intriguing in and of themselves as well.

The visuals are really appealing to the eye. Both the cinematography and the way the colours were changed stood out to me as particular strengths of the show.

Still on our pre-Season 2 binge, my teenage daughter and I dove straight into Ep 2, and the show hasn't lost a step.

Jenna Ortega continues to own every frame as Wednesday, sharpening her deadpan delivery into a weapon. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán take more of a back seat this time, but Gwendoline Christie's formidable principal remains a standout. Emma Myers as Enid (the relentlessly cheerful roommate) starts to shine here, her sugar-sweet energy clashing hilariously with Wednesday's perpetual gloom.

The plot deepens with more of the central mystery bubbling up, mixing murder investigation with teen rivalries and Burton's gothic flourishes. There's a satisfying rhythm now: a dash of sarcasm, a pinch of peril, and a slow-burn sense that the school is hiding more than just quirky classmates. My daughter's hooked on the boarding-school intrigue; I'm enjoying the sly humour and careful character layering.

It still flirts with teen-soap territory, but Ortega's magnetism and the clever, creepy tone keep it firmly in must-watch territory.

Another solid 8/10 from both generations in our house.

Woe woe woe your boat (or canoe) very aggressively and belligerently down the stream (or lake), un-merrily, savagely, combatively, with hostility, nightmares are so much better than dreams (especially if you inflict them on others).

Wednesday's visions plague and swarm, uncertain what they'll reveal or misinform, especially now that Rowan has miraculously reappeared, although it's quite a shallow presentation, with a transformative veneer; the Poe Cup race seeks to add to the distraction, with a Merman tilting scales, through a reflective buoyed refraction, while conundrums are un-riddled making way for exploration, and the darkness doth descend, with very little exclamation.

Wednesday investigates the mystery relating to Rowan.

This is a strong episode that mixes intrigue and character moments.

This chapter drip feeds certain information nicely before finishing on a compelling moment that makes you want to find out what happens next. Generally, it involves a number of interactions between Wednesday and other characters, plus the central event of the Poe Cup, which are all quite entertaining.

The tone of the episode is firmly established as Addams characters in a very Hogwartz type environment, with a nice amount of tributes and reference to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. Nothing feels original, but it still works well for me.

So far, I find certain characters more interesting than others, but Jamie Ortega's Wednesday carries it well enough to keep me watching. What I preferred about this one is that it focuses on using her intelligence to resolve problems, as opposed to the obligatory Hollywood martial arts and spectacle.

Again the visuals are excellent, with cinematography and art design that is very memorable.

In this episode, the story makes you curious about the mysteries that appear one by one. I really enjoyed the storyline in this episode. Found an answer, but the answer even gives more mystery. So story-wise there is no decline from the previous episode. The jokes that are made are also quite intriguing when watching with good timing.

Overall the visuals look well and good. I like the color grading, the cinematography is also good. There is one shot that feels lacking, namely the moment when the POV camera for our main character, Wednesday, is going down the stairs. It felt forced through an instant and somehow tucked in.