Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Wednesday season 1!
Tyler’s betrayal in Wednesday was a great plot twist but also soured the relationship he and the titular character had developed, and made a previously good character into one audiences love to hate. His monologue in the police station in episode 8 was creepy and showed his true feelings towards Wednesday and how he played her the entire time they knew each other. His coldness towards her, and the way Wednesday was visibly shaken by the information added to the genius of the reveal.
While Tyler and Wednesday’s romantic relationship certainly wasn’t the most healthy, they seemed to have understood each other or accepted who the other person was. Tyler defied his father to continue seeing Wednesday, which seemed to show how he cared for her, but it was all an act. If anything, Tyler’s sweet façade made Xavier look more guilty because he challenged Wednesday in ways Tyler never tried to. It was a misdirect that even fooled Wednesday and got Xavier arrested.
Tyler Was Playing Wednesday All Along While Gaslighting Her
Tyler was playing Wednesday throughout all 8 episodes, but he also managed to gaslight her into a relationship it’s not clear she even wanted. Wednesday made a point to highlight that the eldest Addams family child was meant to be alone and that she enjoyed solitude, but Tyler never respected that. In episode 4, Tyler said that Wednesday was sending him mixed signals, which she wasn’t if her demeanor was any indication. While Wednesday never addresses her romantic feelings toward Tyler, she never gives him the green flag, saying she’s interested.
Tyler saying Wednesday sent mixed signals, and his insistence on taking her on a date when she never consented further shows how much he gaslit her. By relentlessly pursuing her romantically, he played her further which made his ultimate betrayal much worse. The betrayal shows how unrelenting he was in trying to accomplish his mission, that he even had the eagle-eyed Wednesday fooled.
Why Tyler Deserves The Hate In Wednesday
What Tyler did to Wednesday and her friends at Nevermore is horrifically unforgivable. Not only did he gaslight Wednesday into a relationship she didn't want, but he also betrayed the trust of all of Wednesday’s friends. Tyler was the reason Xavier was framed and arrested, not to mention that as the Hyde he killed multiple people, including a Nevermore student. Audiences still don’t know the extent of Laurel Gates’ hold over Tyler, but it’s safe to assume that his hatred towards Nevermore was his own, especially after audiences learned what happened to his mother.
Overall, one of the best parts of Wednesday was the reveal that Tyler was the murderous Hyde. While his motives were harmful and his gaslighting of Wednesday is unforgivable, Tyler still may have had some feelings for her. Though they may not be romantic, he certainly had an appreciation for her intelligence. No matter his feelings, it makes audiences want to hate Tyler even more for his actions. Hopefully, Wednesday will be renewed for season 2 and audiences can see Wednesday and her friends get some well-deserved revenge on Tyler.