As someone who grew up obsessed with the Addams Family, humming da-da-da-dum while snapping my fingers and pretending my dollhouse was haunted, Netflix releasing Wednesday, gave me mixed feelings — mostly because Hollywood has a habit of ruining the things we love. But then Jenna Ortega tilted her head, narrowed her eyes, and gave us a Wednesday Addams so perfect that even my inner spooky child clapped in delight. It was an experience and a half to witness Wednesday and her shenanigans as she took on the challenges that came her way.
And now, after a rewatch of Season 1? I can confirm: it’s still dark, campy fun… but the cracks are a lot more obvious on the second watch, without the nostalgia fueled excitement glasses we had on the first time round.
The mystery twists are about as subtle as a marching band, the love triangle is still limp, and some dialogue really thinks it’s cleverer than it is. And yet — it’s addictive, stylish, and, honestly, weirdly comforting.
Here’s my spoiler-filled, episode-by-episode breakdown of Season 1:
Episode 1 – Wednesday Drops the Piranhas
We open strong: Wednesday Addams, our dark queen, dumping piranhas into a pool to avenge her brother leading with the iconic ” I am the only one allowed to torture my brother” takes the cake. As a result she is expelled and shipped off to Nevermore; as she broods on the way there—Wednesday Ortega is carrying the entire emotional weight of the show by episode one. But can we talk about how everyone at Nevermore is weird but somehow still feels like a 2010s CW teen drama? It’s giving “Riverdale, but with gargoyles and better lighting.”
Episode 2 – Enter Thing, Chaos, and Slow Plot Setup
Thing is the real MVP here. Crawling around, spying on boys, and generally being more helpful than 90% of the adults in this show. Wednesday starts sleuthing, the monster starts killing, and we start pretending that Tyler isn’t suspicious from day one. (Like, really? Sad coffee boy who shows up everywhere the monster attacks? No red flags there?)
Episode 3 – Poe Cup Nonsense
Ah, the Poe Cup. Nothing says “elite gothic boarding school” like a glorified canoe race. Wednesday cheats—because of course she does—and everyone acts shocked, like they haven’t met her. Xavier broods, Bianca smirks, and Enid continues to be the human ray of pastel sunshine that Wednesday doesn’t deserve but desperately needs.
Episode 4 – Dance, Dance, Revelation
The Rave’N dance episode. This is where the show peaked for many, and for good reason: Wednesday dancing like a Tim Burton fever dream while Goody Addams possesses her is chef’s kiss. But, can we acknowledge that the monster’s attack during the dance is staged so absurdly that it feels like the writers were just like, “Eh, throw some blood at the screen, they won’t notice”? Spoiler: we noticed.
Episode 5 – Parents and Plot Dumps
Finally, the parents show up. Morticia and Gomez enter like gothic royalty, and Wednesday greets them with peak teenage angst. Meanwhile, we get a plot dump about secret societies, family curses, and the Gates family, which is fine, but also… exhausting. This is the episode where you realize the mystery is less “Agatha Christie” and more “Clue: The YA Adaptation.”
Episode 6 – Love Triangles Nobody Asked For
Tyler, Xavier, Wednesday. A love triangle so limp it might as well be a straight line. No chemistry, no tension, just brooding art boy and sad coffee boy fighting for the affection of someone who would rather be dissecting a corpse. Enid, meanwhile, continues to be the emotional glue holding this show together, while Thing gets stabbed and somehow makes us feel actual emotions for a severed hand.
Episode 7 – Obvious Villain is Obvious
By now, if you haven’t guessed who the monster is, you’re either blissfully unbothered or you’ve never watched a mystery in your life. Tyler practically has “HI, I’M THE HYDE” written on his forehead, and Laurel Gates—sorry, “Ms. Thornhill”—is so cartoonishly nice that you know she’s evil. Wednesday finally starts putting it together, which is nice, but let’s be honest: Thing solved half this case weeks ago.
Episode 8 – Big Finale, Big Chaos
Ah, the grand finale: Wednesday gets tortured (because sure, let’s traumatize the teenage girl) which I am sure she enjoys, the monster is unleashed, and Laurel Gates does her villain monologue thing like she’s auditioning for a soap opera. But somehow, it works. Wednesday stabs Tyler, Enid finally wolves out in the least intimidating werewolf transformation ever, and Bianca comes in clutch with the last-minute heroics. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and absolutely fun.
Final Thoughts
For all its predictable twists, clunky dialogue, and CW-level love drama, Wednesday Season 1 is ridiculously enjoyable. Jenna Ortega is a revelation, Enid is the pure-hearted best friend we all need, and Thing deserves an Emmy. The gothic aesthetic is on point, the score slaps, and the show knows exactly when to lean into its campy ridiculousness. Even though the love triangle was weak, Jenna Ortega is a revelation and Enid is the cinnamon-roll best friend we dont don’t deserve. Thing, on the other hand, deserves an Emmy.
It’s flawed, yes. But it’s also unapologetically weird, stylish, and addictive—and honestly? That’s exactly what makes it work.
As someone who grew up loving the Addams Family, watching Wednesday carve out her own story while honoring her roots feels like magic. It’s unapologetically weird and somehow still heartfelt.
Ps. Here are some of my favorite Wednesday season 1 memes that made it to my social media pages.
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