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I am an English and Film major, cinephile, and aspiring writer! When I'm not buried in school work and lectures, I'm usually in the depths of streaming services and their plethora of film options. Or reading.
All episodes of Netflix’s Wednesday are now available to stream!
Midnight Morgue Run
Thudding in an air vent is Thing (Victor Dorobantu), helping Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) sneak into the morgue. Now although this would be considered normal Addams behavior, Wednesday is there for an actual reason: to perform an autopsy because, of course, it’s nothing unusual. More specifically, to investigate the bodies of the monster murder victims. In her defense, her therapist did suggest she go out more and “open her mind to new people and experiences.” So, Wednesday’s only doing her homework here, Dr. Kinbott (Riki Lindhome).
She pulls out a cadaver and takes a big sniff, then mumbles, “Magnificent hematoma.” Not creepy at all. A vehicle approaches–Sherriff Galpin and a coroner having their own late-night morgue plans as well–and Wednesday quickly disguises herself as a cadaver. Lucky for her, that deadly look comes naturally. She’s also mastered the ability to appear in full rigor. So when Dr. Anwar (Nitin Ganatra) the coroner finds her, he thinks she’s actually deceased. Very impressive, Wednesday. Very useful. When they finally leave and Thing goes to retrieve her, she tells it, “Five more minutes. I was just getting comfortable”, as one does when lying in a cold metal cabinet.
What she finds during her investigation are patterns in the victims’ murders, and she also finds them impressive. Enid thinks her setup looks like Ted Bundy’s Pinterest board.
Investigating Xavier
So far, everyone seems suspicious. Most notably Xavier (Percy Hynes White) when he, in the last episode, happened to be at the site of Wednesday’s recent monster visit. This time with his mysterious claw marks running down the side of his neck. After secretly following him to an abandoned shed in the woods, Wednesday finds his disturbing collection of art. And not just any disturbing collection of art, all of these paintings and drawings are of the monster that Wednesday has had multiple run-ins with. When Xavier finds her snooping, what else could she do but be forced to ask him to be her date to the Rave’N, Nevermore’s annual school dance?
Their date plans don’t last very long though, because when Wednesday finally confronts him about the monster situation, basically insinuating that they’re one and the same, he gets defensive and angry. So, obviously, their date is off. Which Thing takes as an opportunity to invite Tyler (Hunter Doohan) to the dance as Wednesday’s date without any prior discussion.
Now that Wednesday was off the hook for going to the Rave’N, she made plans with Eugene (Moosa Mostafa) to stake out in the woods at the monster’s supposed lair. You can imagine her surprise when she finds Tyler knocking at her door at Nevermore. Like a typical teen girl in a young adult rom-com, she freaks out about not having anything to wear to the dance. This might be one of the few times she’s actually cared about how she’s seen by others. Thing comes to the rescue with a black lace antique dress she eyed earlier at the antique shop, never mind the fact the dance’s theme is all white.
Love Triangle at the Rave’N
Wednesday finds herself in a love triangle situation between her date Tyler and the jealous Xavier, brooding at Wednesday bringing another guy to the dance even though he quickly hopped at the opportunity to go with Bianca (Joy Sunday). It’s revealed that Xavier’s anger isn’t just targeted at their being there together, but because he has some history with Tyler. In the past, Tyler had assaulted Xavier and destroyed his mural on last year’s Outreach Day. Tyler has nothing to defend himself with, because it’s true, and all he can say is that he wishes he had an answer. But we now know why Tyler has mandated therapy sessions like Wednesday. She doesn’t judge him for it though, probably because she thinks on the same type of chaotic wavelength as him anyway.
Then comes the iconic Wednesday dance. And if you haven’t seen the series, or this episode at least, yet, then you already know what it is. It’s plaguing (a term Wednesday would agree to use) social media. Jenna Ortega in an interview with NME that she choreographed the dance herself. She’s pulled inspiration from Fosse, goth clubs in the 80s, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lena Lovich, etc. It’s an impressive mix and it makes sense for someone like Wednesday. It’s also impressive in the fact that Ortega had to come up with the choreography just a couple of days before filming, and her performance is spectacular considering she had COVID-19 on the day of filming.
Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie) watches proudly. Xavier is still seething with jealousy. We’re fully aware of this love triangle, I just don’t think Wednesday cares much about it.
Let it Rain… Fake Pig’s Blood?
The pilgrim boys are back at it again with an unoriginal Carrie-esque prank that’s been done a thousand times already; letting blood rain over everyone during their school dance. It should be noted that one of the boys, Lucas (Iman Marson), the mayor’s son, came as Enid’s (Emma Myers) date. Even though he probably agreed to go with her just so that they can pull off this prank, they still managed to make a small connection. Lucas used Enid, and though she should be sad, it ended up working out because she finally got together with Ajax (Georgie Farmer), the boy she truly wanted.
As fake blood is raining out of the fire sprinklers, everyone is screaming and running amuck. Wednesday is clearly enjoying it and finds joy and humor in the situation, only feeling a bit defeated for not thinking to do it first. Then disappointed when she tastes the blood and discovers it’s not even real pig’s blood.
Wednesday gets another vision that tells her Eugene had gone out on the stake by himself and is in the woods in danger. She runs out to save him but is too late because the last thing we see is Eugene being mauled. To death? We don’t know yet. Because the last time the monster attacked a student, he showed up well and alive the next day. So it could be another Principal Weems shapeshifting incident to save face.
Final Thoughts on Wednesday Season 1, Episode 4
Wednesday’s character development is slowly starting to bud. Especially when she admitted to wishing she cared a little more about what others thought of her. It’s been established that she cares about Enid and sees Eugene as a little brother. Now all she has to figure out (when she has the time away from solving mysteries and dodging monsters) is which boy she’ll finally let her heart beat for.
I personally like Tyler and their grumpy/sunshine dynamic is adorable. But Xavier seems like the perfect match on paper. Considering he’s a paranormal outcast like Wednesday. As complicated as it all sounds, like I’ve mentioned before, Wednesday probably doesn’t care about any of it just yet.
I’ve also noticed that Ortega has this unique talent for showing emotion through the slightest smirk ever by moving just a millimeter of her facial muscles. It’s barely there, yet its presence is so strong and telling. Ortega has taken this role, dominated it, and made it her own. Even through her thought-out process of choreographing and improvising the dance scene, you can tell she’s already mastered thinking in Wednesday’s high-platform shoes.
Other Honorable Observations:
- “I’d rather stick needles in my eyes… I’d probably do it anyway.”
- “If you hear me screaming bloody murder, there’s a good chance I’m just enjoying myself.”
I am an English and Film major, cinephile, and aspiring writer! When I'm not buried in school work and lectures, I'm usually in the depths of streaming services and their plethora of film options. Or reading.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.