Wednesday Season 2 Would Do Well to Embrace Its Murder Mystery Elements
Wednesday has been confirmed for a second season, and although changes are being made to the structure, one element must remain the same.
Wednesday remains one of the most popular shows on Netflix. The series is certainly not without its flaws, but the vision of Tim Burton, a director who has always been known to portray gothic horror and outcast protagonists, helped to create a lasting legacy for the series. A second season is on the way, and the creative minds behind the streaming hit are looking at options as to how they can fix some of the issues with the first series. There are sure to be some changes made, and that could be for the better or worse. What will always remain the same is the quality of Jenna Ortega’s iconic take on the Addams Family character.
There may be a desire to make some significant shifts in the show, and it’s unclear what they may be. It could be that characters are axed, or the premise is slightly changed. However, what has to remain the same is the genre the series comfortably sits in. Wednesday is a murder mystery through and through, and that was always a part of Burton’s original vision. Regardless of what might be altered for the coming season, what has to stay the same is that mysterious element that drove the narrative in the first place. To lose that is to risk losing the show’s identity and momentum.
Wednesday Season 1 Was Flawed
Season 1 of Wednesday faced a lot of criticism for how it portrayed the titular character. While there were plenty of subplots to get stuck into and an intriguing Harry Potter-esque school created as the backdrop to the drama, the show was largely dragged down by teen angst. There was romantic tension and petty squabbles despite the fact that many of those beats simply didn’t relate to Wednesday as a character. There was also some fantastic casting, but characters who had the potential for the future were killed off, while others remained consistent parts of the show despite lacking the chemistry needed to truly thrive.
Although there will be characters cut from the second season, Wednesday needs to reflect on what it truly wants to be. It has moved so far away from what the Addams Family is as a concept, and while that allows it to set itself apart, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all the essence of the original material should be lost. There is something quite unique that really worked about the first season, though.
The Highlight of Wednesday Was the Murder Mystery Elements
Wednesday was at its best when the titular character was able to continue being a dark detective. The series was built on the murder mystery genre and was full of twists and turns. The suspects each had a personal connection to Wednesday, giving her emotional stakes in the conflict, and there were some gruesome murders that hit home for fans who felt a link to these characters. There was a sense of tension permeating through the series, which was often undercut by good moments of dark humor and poor moments of romance and gossip. The murder mystery components gave the show a sense of momentum, with audiences buying into the cliffhangers, the unexpected reveals and most importantly, the final payoff. The murder mystery element ensured that viewers continued to be engaged, coming up with their own theories as Wednesday played out, some of which were wildly inconsistent with the show. But that was part of the fun of it.
Of course, there are still areas where this could be improved upon further. Ortega continued to bring a sense of realness to even the most absurd additions to the mystery, but with stronger material, that performance could be tightened up further. And there are character elements that could be involved further that truly demonstrate the niche qualities of Wednesday as a concept. Her ability to have visions, for example, was used as a simple way to gain information efficiently, but there are certainly other uses for the power that could be explored further and perhaps even add to the twists themselves. For a first season, there’s a lot to love, but the groundwork is in place to make Season 2 an even better murder mystery adventure.
Any Changes to Wednesday Must Keep Its Core Intact
Any changes that will happen on Wednesday have to remain consistent with the show’s core values and strengths. It might be attractive to the showrunners to lean more into the magical school aspect or explore the mythological lore of the universe further. It might also be intriguing to focus more on Wednesday’s family alongside the personal rivalries that she has. It could even seem like a good idea to completely change the premise of the show going into a second season to make each outing feel as fresh as possible. However, to remove the murder mystery elements would be a massive mistake and could derail the series.
For the show to be taken to the next level, the showrunners should double down on the murder mystery and craft an even more compelling case of murder and intrigue. Details are still thin on the ground about what shape the second season will actually take. But the lesson to be learned from the first outing is that the creative team was genuinely on the right track. There are a few cliffhangers to wrap up the first series and the notion that another mystery might be just beginning. That’s a promising sign. Audiences are sure to flock back to the franchise for the charismatic performances, unique backdrop, strange array of magical creatures and the incredible costume design. But they will only stay if there’s another mystery to get caught up in. Perhaps one that actually involves the rest of the Addams Family this time.