Top 10 Things You Missed in Wednesday
#10: Oh Snap
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It’s the most iconic part of one of the most iconic theme songs in television history. But for viewers just getting to know the Addams Family through “Wednesday,” that double snap might conjure up images of the Nightshade library rather than the Addams mansion. It doesn’t take long to sound off in the series, when we learn that the elite secret society uses it as both a membership signifier and as a workaround for the riddle protecting the entrance to their private headquarters. More than just a callback, this could be considered a sly retcon, allowing “Wednesday” to weave itself into the larger Addams Family lore. After all, Gomez, Morticia, and other members of our favorite ooky family have been proud, prominent members of the club.
#9: Wednesday to Wednesday
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There’s no question that Jenna Ortega is superb Wednesday Addams. But if you’re not familiar with the 1990s Addams Family movies, you might not realize that there are two Wednesdays in the Netflix series. That’s right, once upon a time Christina Ricci turned in an absolutely iconic portrayal of the character in the breakout role of her own career. In the Netflix series she is Marilyn Thornhill, a teacher and house mother who is definitely more than she seems to be. Her appearance is an especially fun way to pass the torch on to a new era in the Addams Family Story. Okay, it’s not an easy transition exactly. But then we’d never expect any version of Wednesday, current or former, to do anything the easy way.
#8: Dance Lineage
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For someone who has so little interest in attending school dances, Wednesday sure does know how to turn it out for one. While her flawless Goth ensemble made quite the impression, it was her moves that really got heads turning. In a scene that became instantly iconic, she took over the dance floor in a rare moment of self expression that was weird, wonderful, and one hundred percent Wednesday. Jenna Ortega choreographed the dance, which pulled from an eclectic array of inspirations including Bob Fosse and Siouxsie Sioux. And of course, a subtle homage to the original television Wednesday, Lisa Loring. Though it was just a brief instant in the number, Ortega’s great idea to include the spirit of one Wednesday in the release of another might just be her coolest move of all.
#7: A Family Legacy
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Wednesday is not the first member of her family to attend Nevermore Academy. However, their ties to the school aren’t limited to Gomez and Morticia. While it’s true that Ophelia is a famous- and appropriately woeful- Shakespearean character, the true connection is much closer to home. The original series introduced viewers to Ophelia Frump, Morticia’s sister. We’re sure you notice at least a little resemblance to Wednesday. Aunt and niece seem to share a certain physical capability, as well as a love for stringed instruments. With a dorm named in her honor, it’s clear that Ophelia was every bit the star pupil Morticia was. And she’s not alone. A close look at the portraits in the Nightshade library will reveal another Addams among the school’s esteemed alumni.
#6: The Origin of Wednesday
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There is nothing about Wednesday Addams that anyone could consider simple or expected. And that starts with her name. Morticia’s explanation is more than just a nod to her character’s own poetic inclinations. It’s a reference to Charles Addams’ actual source of inspiration. Though none of mysterious, spooky family members had first names in his original cartoon, Addams turned to a traditional English nursery rhyme when it came time to bestow them for the 1964 television adaptation. We’ve got to say, we can’t think of a better name for our favorite outcast. Not only for its unique quality and woeful associations. But also for the day’s original namesake, the Norse god Odin, with whom Wednesday shares an apparent disregard for ocular safety.
#5: Bullseye
She may have no interest in joining the archery club, but it’s not because she lacks the talent. Wednesday’s proficiency with a bow and arrow is a continuation of the character’s hobbies established in the 1990s Addams Family movies. In fact, the first time we meet Christina Ricci’s Wednesday, she’s in the middle of some live target practice with some familiar elements in play. It’s not the only time we see this scene referenced either, as Pugsley’s first appearance in the series shows him with an apple in his mouth. Of course, fans of the ‘90s movie will know that Pugsley himself eventually tried his hand at archery. How did it go? Well, we suppose that depends on your point of view…
#4: Snack Time
Meals in the Addams family kitchen can be a little hit or miss in a very literal sense. When Brownies are served it might not actually have anything to do with the baked goods. Is this just Wednesday’s dry, dark sense of humor? It’s hard to tell. However, it’s definitely another callback to the ‘91 film. When the Addams family falls into financial straits, Wednesday and Pugsley do their part to help with a lemonade stand. Of course, no Addams would ever dream of concocting anything so wholesome. But our girl scout has no idea who she’s dealing with. Again, it’s impossible to know if Wednesday's serious, but we still advise skipping the Addams house on any cookie rounds.
#3: The Problem With Pilgrims
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We learn early on that Wednesday has no love for the popular myths surrounding the Pilgrims.
The show establishes how important truth is to Wednesday. Whether solving a murder, or shining a light on cold, hard facts, she just want the record set straight. Fans of 1993’s “Addams Family Values” know this isn’t a new development for her. In fact, Wednesday has gone way bigger to call out the ills of colonialism. In one of the characters' greatest moments of all times she sets a verbal and then literal match to patronizing, one-sided narratives about marginalized people. While the show doesn’t take anything quite to that level, the choice to further canonize these opinions as part of Wednesday’s character is one we applaud wholeheartedly.
#2: Burton Abounds
If ever there was a director whose aesthetic was tailor made for the Addams Family it has to be Tim Burton. But it still took decades before the stars aligned and allowed him to enter their world. So what was he doing in the meantime? Well you can find references to that scattered throughout the series. The wall of the Weathervane Cafe features nods to “Big GFish,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Sleepy Hollow.” Notably the latter movie also stars “Wednesday's” own Christina Ricci. Tributes to various Burton characters are also seen in the costumes of the taxidermied rodents. And sharp eyed viewers may have noticed a shrunken head sitting on Principal Weems’ desk, which is an allusion to a certain Ghost With the Most.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
A Girl’s Best Friend is Her Spider
The Appearance of the Creepy Crawlies References the Original Wednesday’s Pet Spider, Homer…Even if This Wednesday Seems Somewhat Less Attached
Home Is Just A Ball Away
The Carry Case for Wednesday’s Crystal Ball is Shaped Like One of the Addams House’s Turrets
We Scooby-Dooby-Doo Love a Callback
Mystery Inc. Be Proud of Wednesday’s Sleuthing; They Befriended The Addamses Back in 1972
Carrie-d Away
The Gory End of the Rave’N Dance Is Still Not Quite the Disaster of Carrie’s Prom. Much to Wednesday’s Chagrin
Covert Credits
The Names of Showrunners Miles Millar & Alfred Gough Can be Seen on the Building Housing Dr. Kimbott’s Office
#1: A World of Poe
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Quoth the Raven: The famously macabre writer is everywhere you look in “Wednesday.” Not only is the school named for a line in his most famous poem, “The Raven,” but the birds themselves are a recurring motif throughout the show, whether live, stuffed, or inspiring the name of the school dance. There’s other sneakier references to Poe’s work as well, like the fact that all the boats in the Poe Cup are, appropriately, named in reference to his short stories. Yet another story, “Morella,” makes its way into the plot when the title is translated into its English equivalent, ‘Nightshade.’ We don’t know if Poe could ever be happy exactly, but he would certainly respect the clever way his work was represented in the series.
