"Exploring the mystery: a review of Wednesday's the strange girl"

"Netflix's Wednesday takes the iconic Addams Family and modernizes it with a mix of horror, gore, and teenage drama. Our review explores the new TV series."

"The Addams Family has always entertained audiences with their ability to find humor in the macabre, while acknowledging that they are not striving for realism. With Netflix's series "Wednesday", the iconic gothic characters are given a modern update and placed in a more serious context, without sacrificing their signature campy humor. Unlike other shows, "Wednesday" avoids taking on a melodramatic tone, staying true to its roots and avoiding becoming a carbon copy of the show "Riverdale".

Overall, "Wednesday" is a successful and well-executed adaptation

"Netflix's "Wednesday" is a dark and suspenseful series, combining elements of murder and teenage drama, all set against a backdrop of gothic fashion."

The central character of the show is Wednesday Addams, the eldest of the Addams siblings, expertly portrayed by Jenna Ortega. In the series, she attends Nevermore Academy, a haven for those who don't fit in, that her parents Morticia and Gomez (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán) had also attended in their youth.

Wednesday Addams may be a distinct and self-assured teenager, but even she encounters some challenges at her new school, Nevermore Academy. Her colorful roommate who occasionally steals the spotlight, a suspicious principal, and navigating relationships with boys are just a few of the obstacles Wednesday faces. But things become even more complicated when a series of murders occur at the school and seem to be tied to her family.

Jenna Ortega shines as the stoic Wednesday Addams, successfully delivering an emotional performance despite playing a character with a monotone demeanor. Ortega's skill in portraying Wednesday's subtle expressions is especially noteworthy. The rest of the cast also delivers outstanding performances, with Fred Armisen's Uncle Fester bringing much-needed humor to the show. Although Wednesday's family members have limited screen time, her classmates and Nevermore faculty, including Gwendoline Christie's Principal Weems and Cristina Ricci's Marilyn Thornhill, play prominent roles. Emma Myers' Enid Sinclair, Wednesday's quirky and vibrant roommate, is a standout among the supporting cast. It's a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to enjoying great performances and storytelling

The balance between dark humor and a serious storyline in the show is expertly executed, thanks in part to Tim Burton's involvement as executive producer and director on some episodes. The series has a much-needed lighthearted touch, while still delving into emotional depth. The macabre elements of the source material are perfectly integrated into the plot, creating a unique and compelling series. The teenage drama, including the expected archetypes of the popular queen bee, the ex, the nerdy outcast, and the sweet town boy, are all present. However, the show manages to infuse these familiar elements with fresh twists, such as the clique of gorgons, mythical creatures with snakes for hair. The small-town mystery trope, complete with a dedicated sheriff, a suspicious mayor, and a town plunged into chaos, is also present, but the show elevates these familiar elements with its distinctive style.

The central theme of the series is the mystery surrounding the supernatural killings in the town of Jericho. Wednesday, with her unique fascination for the macabre, takes on the role of amateur detective, aided by her friends. The identity of the culprits may not be much of a surprise, but the journey to their reveal is still intriguing. The series takes a classic police murder mystery and puts a darkly comedic twist on it by making Wednesday, a pigtailed teenager, the lead investigator.

The Show Brings a Realistic Twist to the Addams Family World. In Wednesday, the macabre events are depicted with a sense of realism, terror, and danger, unlike in the previous Addams Family film, Addams Family Values. In the film, the guillotine scene with Wednesday and Pugsley was made harmless as the baby showed superpowers. However, Wednesday depicts the macabre antics as real, as evidenced by the scene where someone loses their testicles to piranhas released in a pool. This is a departure from the animated Addams Family.

The show "Wednesday" accomplishes what many adaptations fail to do - effectively balance darkness with realism. Instead of taking the overused approach of making everything dark and gritty, like in "Riverdale," "Wednesday" creates a captivating and credible story. While "Riverdale" started as a typical student-teacher affair, it quickly devolved into convoluted storylines of religious cults, multiverses, and supernatural abilities. "Wednesday" avoids these pitfalls and delivers a hauntingly realistic depiction of the Addams Family world. The macabre antics, like the release of piranhas in a pool, are depicted with a sense of terror and danger, making it clear that this isn't just another lighthearted animated adaptation. The show expertly balances horror with humor, drawing viewers into a dark and intriguing world that feels all too real.

Wednesday stands apart from other adaptations by embracing its quirky and unusual nature. This self-awareness is what makes the show so captivating and enjoyable to watch. Despite relying on familiar archetypes and clichés, the series remains entertaining and has even been a massive success, outshining Stranger Things as the most-watched show on Netflix in its debut week.

As anticipation builds for a second season, it remains to be seen if Wednesday will continue to strike a balance between its surreal and absurd elements and avoid falling into a trap of over-the-top soap operas and absurdity, a common pitfall seen in shows like Riverdale. With its unique approach to the macabre, Wednesday has established itself as a standout in its genre and fans eagerly await what's to come next.

Wednesday's Naming Origin in "Monday's Child" Rhyme

Wednesday was named after the well-known nursery rhyme "Monday's Child," which dates back to the 1800s. In the Netflix series, Morticia shares the story behind her daughter's unique moniker with Principal Larissa Weems during Wednesday's enrollment at Nevermore Academy. The central character's name was taken from the third line of the poem, which states: "Wednesday's child is full of woe." This refers to Wednesday's somber and sullen personality, which is fitting. Interestingly, the original creator and illustrator of the Addams Family cartoons, Charles Addams, originally named Wednesday after the poem as the character was originally unnamed. This creates a connection between the fictional world and reality, adding to the authenticity of the series.