by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
The Savior of Nevermore returns, and this time brings her brother, Pugsley, and more to the academy in season two of Wednesday.
In the last season of Wednesday, the rogue female Addams child tapped into her inherited psychic abilities to solve a murder mystery at her new school, Nevermore. This season, as Wednesday returns to the school, this time with her brother, Pugsley, in tow. A new murder happens, and her psychic visions predict the demise of one of her only friends at the school, Enid. Desperate to save her, Wednesday must face old and new foes and fight some truly strange and unusual side effects of her evolving psychic powers. The question is whether this is too much for her to handle.
Written and created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based upon characters created by Charles Addams, Wednesday is a supernatural mystery series that stars Jenna Ortega, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu, Moosa Mostafa, Isaac Ordonez, Luis Guzman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Haley Joel Osment, Anthony Michael Hall, Billie Piper, Steve Buscemi and Thandiwe Newton. The first four episodes of season two (which is part one of the season) are directed by Tim Burton.
There are a number of differences between the last season of Wednesday and this one. The biggest change is the inclusion of the Addams family. Instead of cameo appearances by Morticia, Gomez, Pugsley, and Lurch, they are present in every episode of the first part. There is even a storyline for them in the season that does not directly involve Wednesday. The main storyline, though, does involve Wednesday getting advice from her mother regarding the psychic powers they both share.
Tim Burton returns to direct the series. (He only directed half of the episodes of the first season.) Even though only the first four episodes of this season have been released (the second half comes in September), Burton puts his signature style on the series. He does relinquish the second half of the season, just like he did last season, to other directors. This show seems to be right up his alley, and Burton’s collaborations with Gough and Millar are usually stellar.
The casting for the show is just as stellar. Ortega seems to be born to play this role. Zeta-Jones is spot-on as Morticia. The only complaint is the lack of pug in Pugsley. Isaac Ordonez is a handsome upgrade for a character that wasn’t imagined to be. Surely all the YA girls will love it, though.
Despite spooky scenery, animated zombies, and just general creepiness, Wednesday is at heart a murder mystery show. Like a twisted Scooby-Doo, one meddling kid is going to have to solve the case. Last season, she was a surprise element. This season, Nevermore and its outcast academy are prepared for Wednesday, which makes solving this case even more deadly. Thank goodness for friends and family.
Rated TV-14 for moderate violence and gore, some language, and frightening scenes, the second season of Wednesday is just as good as the first, which won four Emmys. Even though the second season will be released on September 3, the first four episodes deliver enough punch to intrigue and a cliffhanger that will make you desperate. Watch at your delight!
Wednesday (Season 2) drops in theaters on Netflix starting Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Grade: B
