TV shows we love: Wednesday

It is not just a day of the week, Wednesday is a quirky, dark and stormy character of the Addams Family clan and she has recently returned to the TV screen thanks to Netflix. A brand-new series appeared on the streaming platform, on a Wednesday of course, bringing back the macabre adventures of the beloved Addams family with huge success. This time with Wednesday being in the spotlight.

The eight-episode show follows the gothic teen to Nevermore Academy as she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability and solve a murder mystery involving her family. Jenna Ortega playing the lead role is joined by some industry heavyweights including Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams and Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams.

Also part of the cast is Christina Ricci who played Wednesday in the popular 1991 film and of course, Thing, the Addams’ disembodied hand and relative. Thing is a real hand, played by Victor Dorobantu, following Wednesday in all of her mischiefs.

Tim Burton directed four out of the eight episodes, giving the show a dark and spooky feel in addition to comic horror elements. Though dark and magical, Wednesday is relatable, even though most of us would not release a bag of piranhas in the school pool to get back at a bully. Still Wednesday, with her captivating stare and dead-inside attitude, stands up for her family and seeks to uncover the truth.

She is sent to an alternative school for outcasts where the students are werewolves, gorgons, sirens and have telekinesis powers. Despite their supernatural forces, they go through the same high school troubles many other teens do. Nevermore Academy has cliques, a tough social hierarchy, love triangles and teen rivalry, only it is sprinkled with dark magic.

Secret societies, riddles, old legends, witches and vendettas come to life in a story line that falls somewhere between Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. The biggest feeling the series left me with was that acceptance is wanted by all. Acceptance from friends and family but society too when it is too quick to label the unusual as wicked or evil.

The show’s ending hints towards a second season although nothing has been confirmed by the producers yet. Fingers snap twice, in hoping so.