Wednesday

As I have already said in my reviews, Wednesday, as portrayed by Christina Ricci in the 90s, remains unbeaten for me. I will admit, however, that Jenna Ortega was fantastic and very capable. The problem with the first season primarily lay with the screenwriters because the story failed to draw me in. It turned out that it was nothing more than the usual high school romance and some ripped-off ideas hidden under an appealing façade. The screenwriters even reached a point where I no longer cared about the protagonist, even though Wednesday has always been my favorite member of the Addams family. As far as I'm concerned, it was a wasted opportunity, and I think it's a shame. / Lesson learned: Even a great actor can run into trouble when they have nothing to play. (05/19/2023)

I approach Netflix shows with the utmost caution because the political message is often more important than the story itself. The pilot episode didn't make me angry in any way, but I'm not raving about it either. Wednesday was and still is my favorite character of the Addams family, and although Jenna Ortega doesn't surpass Christina Ricci for me (I'll never forget the moment they forced Wednesday to smile at the camp), the role obviously fits her, so no problem there. I wasn't too pleased with the imitation of Hogwarts mixed with Xavier's School or the excessive presence of potential heartthrobs. I hope this is not another romance with werewolves and vampires. Well, I'll wait and see. Literally. / "Looks like a rainbow vomited on your side" / Lesson learned: Don't kill fish by releasing them into chlorinated water. (05/12/2023)

I have mixed feelings after watching the second episode. I would say that the story of the second episode was slightly better, but at the same time, there are clearly Harry Potter elements that I could definitely do without. I am still apprehensive about the love triangle, and I am truly terrified that, without the darker facade and Wednesday's cynical comments, it is just another series for undemanding audiences. But maybe I'm wrong. I'd be glad if I were. I don't know about others, but the more screen time Christina Ricci's character gets, the more Wednesday fades into the background for me. Jenna Ortega was a good choice, but I still prefer the previous Wednesday and the current gardener/caretaker. / Lesson learned: Machiavelli's most famous lesson in practice. (05/13/2023)

It seems that my mild concerns are starting to turn into reality. Although I'm not happy about it, it seems that Wednesday will not be an exceptional series. Apart from the minor peculiarities among the Nevermore cast, it's actually just another worn-out story from an American high school. The third episode had its bright moments, but it was also quite boring at times. / Lesson learned: Don't hesitate to take a photo. 3*- (05/14/2023)

Considering all the hype, I openly admit that I don't belong to the target group that the creators focused on. Unfortunately, the story unfolds exactly as I didn't want it to, so instead of a cynical, dark spectacle, the first season brings just another of many mediocre high school romances, with the only change being the Harry Potter-like accessories and a supposedly different main heroine, whose charm has somehow faded after four episodes. What bothered me the most is the fact that after the great idea by Stephen King for the finale of a school dance from 1974 (!!!), which was filmed in 1976 (!!!), the filmmakers and TV creators were never able to come up with anything better or at least different. Stephen King's idea will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary next year, but his grave has been looted so many times that compared to it, Tutankhamun's burial chamber is a pristine space. The show is turning into an implausible romance, complemented by occasional humor and a decent dose of boredom. / Lesson learned: Is it wise to mess with a werewolf? (05/15/2023)

The fifth episode was just filler. I have already gotten used to this phenomenon in TV shows. Eight episodes have been planned, so there will be eight, even if half of them are entirely pointless. The story took a break, disguised as a need to obtain vital information that perfectly ties the thirty-year past with the present. There were too many shortcomings for me, though. Wednesday sticks so perfectly to her character that she has become boring. I didn't enjoy the Addams family at all, even though Catherine Zeta-Jones looks great as Morticia. There is not much to say about the rest of the cast at school. I was amused only by the fishing scene. Sirens have the most pathetic storyline, but at least it's the real Netflix, and Eugene was visited by both of his mothers. / Lesson learned: Don't eat deadly nightshade unless you want to turn blue. (05/16/2023)

The story keeps dragging, the desperate suffering of both potential "lovers" is getting on my nerves, and I was right in my suspicion that this would be nothing more than a poorly disguised high school romance in an unconventional setting. As if that wasn't enough, the characters (including the protagonist) are so poorly written that I have stopped caring about their fates. Just two more episodes, so I guess I will make it to the end. / Lesson learned: If someone threw a surprise party for me, I would have a long and very unpleasant conversation with them. 2*- (05/17/2023)

The seventh episode was as bad as the previous one. With how Wednesday conducts her investigation, I dare to assume that her detective novel will be quite weak. Sure, it's not Wednesday's fault; it's the screenwriter's, who apparently enjoys the current witch hunts (and by witches, I mean white heterosexuals), where all it takes is an accusation. The crowd takes care of the verdict (they just wave their iPhones around instead of pitchforks and torches). The search for the Monster is annoying because I've been waiting for six episodes for the person I've suspected since the second episode. What disappointed me the most was the fact that Wednesday smiled at least four times. WTF?!?!?! / Lesson learned: If you expect quality from Netflix, you're obviously naive. With honorable exceptions. 2*- (05/18/2023)

Oh well. As expected, nothing was surprising about the first season's finale. What I started suspecting in the second episode proved right, so the only thing that could save me from complete disappointment would have been a perfectly handled confrontation with evil. However, that did not happen for several reasons. The local Voldemort was a pitiful and uninteresting figure, the CGI wasn't very impressive, the sudden loss of the main heroine's abilities was a typical contrivance of incompetent screenwriters (yes, I have seen this many times before), the gods popped out of machines like jacks-in-the-box, and the whole thing felt dull and haphazardly put together. But it was enough for its target audience. / Lesson learned: Like a fool who, as a child, considered provoking the residents of a wasp nest as an exciting experience (until the actual execution), I can confirm that neither a shotgun nor a pistol will help a person against enraged stinging insects :-) (05/19/2023)