From Coma to Chaos
Wednesday Season 2, Part I left a confusing taste in my mouth, an appetizer to a meal I should naturally enjoy, but the chef added way too many ingredients and flavor textures to really allow me to fully savor it. And so we come to the main course: a confusing dish served rather lukewarm.
When Part I ended with Wednesday in peril, I was ready for Part II to raise the stakes. Instead, it hits the reset button. The tension dissolves quickly, and what follows is a visually stunning but narratively tangled ride.
What Works
Gwendoline Christie’s Return
Her reappearance fits surprisingly well within the show’s logic. She grounds the story at key emotional moments and brings an aura of gothic authority. Her dynamic with Wednesday, especially during the latter’s crisis of confidence, gives the story rare emotional clarity.
Agnes DeMille’s Growth
Evie Templeton’s portrayal of Agnes continues to shine. Her arc embodies the Addams philosophy of individuality and self-acceptance, offering one of the few moments this season that feels both heartfelt and thematically consistent.
Lady Gaga’s Cameo
The cameo adds flair without overshadowing the ensemble. Gaga’s presence amplifies the show’s theatrical DNA; she fits right in among Nevermore’s strange and stylish residents, reminding viewers that a little absurdity can be a good thing.
Atmosphere and Visual Design
Tim Burton’s fingerprints remain unmistakable. Nevermore’s gothic sprawl, candlelit corridors, and storm-drenched exteriors still mesmerize. Even when the narrative falters, the imagery seduces.
What Doesn’t Work
Over-Seasoned Storytelling
Too many threads compete for attention, from the sanitorium backstory to the siren subplot and other diversions. Each could have worked on its own, but together they muddy the pacing and tone. What should feel like a focused gothic mystery ends up as a buffet of half-baked ideas that pull Wednesday away from her core arc.
A Heroine in Neutral
Jenna Ortega continues to be magnetic, but the script gives her little room to evolve. We see the same sardonic quips, the same glowering detachment, and very little new insight into what drives her. She’s captivating, but stagnant.
Lost Momentum and Rushed Resolution
Part II speeds through its final act as though racing a timer. New characters and revelations are introduced and discarded before they can land. The supposed climax feels perfunctory, leaving little emotional resonance behind.
Tone Confusion
The balance between horror, camp, and teen melodrama slips further. A midseason dance sequence, clearly designed for virality, clashes with the moody authenticity of Wednesday’s now-iconic “Goo Goo Muck” moment from Season 1. What once felt defiant now feels calculated, as if the show is chasing trends rather than creating them.
Conclusion: A Gothic Feast That Forgot Its Recipe
Part II serves up plenty of style but little cohesion. It’s a banquet of haunting visuals and under-seasoned storytelling, a show that still looks like Wednesday Addams but no longer moves with her spirit. Burton’s aesthetic remains, but the writing dulls its edge.
Maybe next season will rediscover the recipe: fewer ingredients, stronger flavors, and a heroine finally free to dance in her own darkness.
Join the Conversation
What did you think of Wednesday Season 2, Part II? Did it strike the right gothic chord, or did the magic fade this time around? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how the season landed for you.
If you enjoyed this review, follow The Twilight Tone for more deep dives into the strange, spooky, and spectacular corners of pop culture.
🔎 Media Credits & Film Info
Title: Wednesday (Season 2, Part II)
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Lady Gaga, Evie Templeton, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Fred Armisen
Studio: Netflix
Genre: Gothic Fantasy, Dark Comedy
📷 Image Sources:
All images are used under fair use for editorial purposes.
© Netflix / MGM Television.
Behind-the-scenes photography and promotional stills sourced from official press kits and public archives.
thetwilighttone.com 