by Rosa Parra

Part 2 of “Wednesday” Season 2 has finally been released, and I wanted to share my quick thoughts after watching the entire season. To recap Part 1 briefly, I enjoyed it and appreciated its darker approach to the horror genre. The introduction of new characters was a welcome addition, and the involvement of the entire Addams family provided a fresh perspective.

In contrast, the second part of the season takes a slight step back from the dark tone and feels more similar to the first season, although the characters are more mature this time around.

I’ll highlight some storylines that stood out to me and then provide my overall thoughts on Season 2.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

In episode 5, which is the first episode of Season 2, there is a “Día de los Muertos” celebration. After waking up from her coma, Wednesday narrates the irony of receiving a death threat on such a specific day, noting that one of her most desired goals in life is to die on the Day of the Dead. In this episode, the same character who managed Pilgrim World in Season 1 has now coordinated “Los Spooky Noches,” a carnival-like celebration of Día de Muertos, a Mexican holiday that honors deceased relatives. 

However, Pilgrim World is culturally appropriating this holiday and represents it without any understanding of its significance or the culture behind it. Gomez Addams humorously asks the host in Spanish where he can find churros, only for her to look completely bewildered. He follows this with a perfectly delivered “a-di-os” (goodbye in Spanish). This scene is reminiscent of the Thanksgiving play from “The Addams Family Values,” where Wednesday is assigned to play Pocahontas and instead turns it into chaos, delivering a memorable monologue about the atrocities endured by Native Americans.

Similarly, in this episode, Gomez Addams pokes fun at how culturally specific holidays can be appropriated and emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and intention behind such celebrations. The episode features beautiful imagery, showcasing various nods to skulls via fireplaces, candles, ofrendas (altars), and drawings, serving as a stunning homage to the holiday crafted by the writers and showrunners—unlike Pilgrim World, which misrepresents the holiday.

The following episode features a “Freaky Wednesday” storyline, inspired by the concept of “Freaky Friday.” In this episode, Wednesday and Enid swap bodies as a result of Wednesday’s attempt to regain an outcast ability that she lost in previous episodes due to excessive use. Jenna Ortega and Emma Myers showcase their acting talents by convincingly portraying each other’s characters. Wednesday’s transformation highlights Ortega’s versatility as one of the most skilled actors in the industry, while Myers effectively takes on the role of the temporary Wednesday.

We also see Lady Gaga as Rosaline Rotwood, whom Wednesday seeks help from in order to regain her ability. This episode is both fun and emotionally deep, as Wednesday and Enid must learn each other’s deepest fears and secrets to return to their own bodies. Often, it takes another person to help us confront our fears, and this process is especially poignant when that person is our best friend. Walking in someone else’s shoes—quite literally in this episode—often provides a unique perspective that we might not consider otherwise.

Episode 7 centers around the gala that has been in preparation since the beginning of the season. In this episode, we uncover the origins and true intentions of Principal Dort. Gomez and Morticia play a pivotal role in the gala, setting the stage for the next episode, which is the season finale.

The finale, Episode 8, is by far my favorite of the season. Several storylines reach a satisfying conclusion. We learn about Thing’s origins and to whom it belongs, the unfortunate tragedy Gomez faced in his youth, Isaac’s true intentions, Tyler’s future, and the status of Wednesday and Ednid’s friendship. The finale did not disappoint! It perfectly wrapped up the storylines introduced in the very first episode while also laying the groundwork for Season 3. It was an ideal ending, featuring a strong cliffhanger.

What I appreciate about the Addams Family is their relatability. They aren’t perfect, nor are they victims of their circumstances. What happened to young Gomez was heartbreaking, but neither he nor Morticia ever complained; they simply lived through it, loved, and allowed others to do the same. The family isn’t afraid of making mistakes; they acknowledge them, learn from them, and move on—all while being unapologetically themselves.

Another example is Agnes, the initial stalker of Wednesday, who has the ability of invisibility. All she aspires to is to become Wednesday’s friend, going out of her way to earn her trust. Agnes even goes so far as to change her appearance to look like Wednesday. However, Wednesday initially pushes her away. It isn’t until Agnes takes Enid’s advice and decides to be herself, disregarding Wednesday’s opinion, that Wednesday finally accepts her. This emphasizes how the Addams Family not only lives their lives authentically but also encourages others to do the same.

I love the strength of their family bond. No matter the disagreements or misunderstandings, they are always there for one another. Whenever Wednesday calls her Uncle Fester, he is quick to answer and help her with whatever she needs. As a longtime fan of the films and TV shows, I appreciate how this series continues to pay homage to them.

Overall, “Wednesday” Season 2, Part 2, is a strong season filled with mystery, thrills, shocking revelations, and bold takes on several characters. With impressive performances from the main cast, this season checks all the boxes. I can’t wait for Season 3! In the meantime, remember to follow your dreams into oncoming traffic. 

Rating: 9/10.