Screen Rant’s most recent Pitch Meeting episode targets the hit Netflix series and latest Addams Family adaptation, Wednesday. Centering around the titular character, Wednesday sees the Addams daughter (Jenna Ortega) attend Nevermore Academy, a school for other outcasts and monsters. While at first reluctant to stay, Wednesday becomes determined to solve a murder mystery plaguing the locals. Netflix confirmed earlier this month that the show has been renewed for season 2.
On the heels of the show's season 2 renewal, Screen Rant’s Pitch Meeting series pokes fun at Wednesday in the latest episode.
Starting off by throwing shade at the trend of rebooting franchises rather than creating original material, the episode then hones in on how series lead Wednesday is inconsistent in her thoughts and actions. The video points out that though her narrations suggest that Wednesday is sadistic and emotionless, her pursuit in preventing the fall of Nevermore Academy suggests otherwise and contrasts to previous portrayals of the character.
How Wednesday Became Such A Viral Success
Critical reviews for Wednesday were generally seen as being mixed-to-positive, with some even comparing it to a CW drama, making its success all the more unexpected. The show now stands as the platform’s second most-watched English-language series of all time, topped only by Stranger Things. The show also garnered two Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress for Ortega, in addition to a growing list of other accolades. With a record number of viewing hours, Wednesday has raised speculation about the development of future spin-off series. In addition, a bizarre but compelling scene of Wednesday dancing at a school-organized dance has become a viral TikTok trend.
Numerous factors have led to Wednesday’s success, the likes of which include its mixing of genres appealing to a wide range of audiences with comedy-horror, teen drama, and general supernatural atmosphere. The ability to capture all three of these distinct genres can be credited to executive producer Tim Burton working behind the scenes. In addition, the uniquely gorgeous costumes, striking visuals, and solid soundtrack have been cited as other reasons to watch the series. However, the biggest contributing factor to Wednesday’s iconic status is undoubtedly Ortega’s performance, as the X and Scream 6 actor delivers her lines with a spot-on deadpan and comedic timing. Overall, her full physical and emotional embodiment of an already quintessential character is exactly what sold the show to audiences.
Wednesday has quite a few plot holes, which Screen Rant’s Pitch Meeting humorously points out — the Addams’ family history being one of the biggest for both Gomez and Morticia sharing the Addams family name prior to being married. Nonetheless, audiences are drawn to the series, many of whom are even unfamiliar with the franchise that preceded it. Given the go by Netflix, there are no plans of stopping as creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar have already mapped out what a multiple-season arc could look like. With Wednesday season 2 in development, viewers won’t have to wait too long to see what’s next for their favorite gothic protagonist.