Wednesday Season 2 Episode 8 “This Means Woe” gave me some of the most unexpected world building while cementing some thoughts that I’ve had since the beginning of season 2.
Overall, it’s a satisfying end to a sophomore season that redefined our lead. Because she entered Nevermore in Season 1 as someone who vehemently didn’t want to be there. And we entered Season 2 with a Wednesday wanting to protect the school and willing to do absolutely anything she could for Enid. But she was still holding back in giving herself completely to these new feelings, whether they be friendship or not.
That changed by the end of “This Means Woe.”
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The Wednesday that we see by the end of Season 2 is someone who understands the power of connection. And she connected with Enid on such a deep and visceral level that of course she’s going to hunt her down. Enid sacrificed her humanity for Wednesday. And unlike Wednesday’s grandmother, she isn’t going to brush that aside as foolish sentimentality. Wednesday might not be able to say the word love, but that’s what it is. Enid loves her and Wednesday returns the affection. Might not be romantic (yet) but Wednesday understands (and acceptts) the importance of the connection she has with Enid.
I also think that Wednesday understands the connection with her family a little bit better in Wednesday Season 2 Episode 8 “This Means Woe.” Like any teenager, she’s been pushing against her family, in particular her mother. But I think that distrust is starting to break away into an understanding that families have secrets and Morticia will always do what she thinks is best for her daughter. That doesn’t mean I don’t wish they had a deeper conversation. They need one besides Wednesday having a fleeting moment where she thought her mother was dead and panicked a little bit.
But let’s go back to the Enid of it all.
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Enid the werewolf that you are. You went through feelings of jealousy after you saw your bestie hanging out with Agnes. And you also were dealing with the fact that if you turned into a werewolf you might never be able to turn back again. Nevertheless, when it came down to it, when everything was stacked against Wednesday, you stood firm in who you were and chose what you have with Wednesday first. And you did it with the knowledge that Wednesday would come after you.
As a viewer, there’s something so powerful about Enid’s trust in Wednesday when she chose to transform into a werewolf. They might have had some back and forths throughout the season that shook Enid. But at Enid’s core, at her foundation, she knows that if something is wrong, she’s not alone in this. And for someone who feared being an alpha and being hunted down by her own, it’s so nice to know that she knows she’s not alone. And I’m talking about not alone as a werewolf but also not alone as a teenager.
I’m not a teenager anymore. But I haven’t forgotten how tumultuous those times are. You’re just starting to figure out who you are in this big, bad, and scary world. Then you’re doing it with all these hormones in the mix. And I can’t imagine what it must be like to throw being an outcast into this teenage sludge of life. And when I mean outcast, I mean all outcasts. Even the ones I hate I understand.
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Let’s talk Tyler.
While watching Wednesday Season 2 Episode 8 “This Means Woe” I, like most viewers, was shocked that Wednesday set Tyler free. He’s evil and likes it. But after some contemplation after the episode ended, I came to the realization that Wednesday is going to protect outcasts. And if that means saving Tyler from a mother who wants to take away what makes Tyler feel like himself, then Wednesday is okay with that. For now.
I do still think there are some complicated feelings there between Wednesday and Tyler. How couldn’t they have complicated feelings after he tried to kill her and she tried to become his master??? But I don’t think there’s romantic complications there. It’s a complication of being an outcast, being a teenager, and having your parents make decisions for you without your input. Oh, also he tried to kill her and Enid.
Another thing that’s complicated but that made Wednesday Season 2 so much better is the backstory of Thing.
I really thought I had everything figured out when it came to Isaac Night. And I’m glad I was wrong. TV should surprise me. And Wednesday did surprise me with the revelation that Thing was part of Isaac. But being part of Isaac didn’t define Thing. This sentient hand became a part of the Addams family and nothing can change that. But knowing who you were before has to be such a freeing feeling for Thing. And I’m interested in what that could mean for Thing as a character in Season 3.
MORE: Wednesday Season 2 Episode 4 Review: ‘If These Woes Could Talk’
Also kudos to the actor who plays Thing. I got emotional watching Thing rise up after Isaac died and free himself from the literal stitches keeping him tied to his previous life. That’s choosing who you want to be. That’s liberation. And that’s choosing your own destiny, something that has to be hard in a world like Wednesday where outcasts seem to have predetermined paths. You know, paths like “Wednesday must die” that apparently her Aunt Ophelia has written on a wall.
That Aunt Ophelia set up at the end of Episode 8 was a delightful tease that made me want more Wednesday.
The show has built up Wednesday’s grandmother as this cold and unfeeling kind of woman. But here she is keeping Ophelia locked away for some dark reason. Because this can’t be the first time Ophelia’s written that on that wall. So what is Ophelia really doing and why is grandmother trying to protect the family from her? Whatever may come, I’m really excited for Wednesday Season 3 and everything that comes with it.
Additional thoughts about Wednesday Season 2 Episode 8 “This Means Woe”:
- I knew there was a reason why they had the Billie Piper in Wednesday Season 2. She has Hyde heritage. And they need to make sure they lock her in for Season 3 because I’m ready.
- Hopefully Season 3 will also make Tyler less boring. Because he battled his mother who was trying to take away his powers after Wednesday freed him. That’s got to change someone. And hopefully the change that happens is making him less like a cartoon villain.
- And if Tyler does return for Season 3, I need actual conversations between Tyler and Wednesday and him not being a creeper threatening to kill Wednesday cuz reasons.
- Agnes, I truly love you. You’re weird and still too stalked like for my tastes. But you also stood on business and helped Wednesday and Enid.
- Also Agnes helping Wednesday find Enid has nothing to do with hero worship. It has everything to do with Enid accepting her and making her feel comfortable in her own skin. It also everything to do with Enid seeing the real Wednesday and still showing up. Wednesday appreciates that. And Agnes isn’t going to let either of them down.
- Also Catherine Zeta-Jones needs to play Aunt Ophelia. Ohhhh how that would shake things up. Plus imagine Wednesday’s shocked Pikachu face if her Aunt looks like her mom.
Wednesday Season 2 is now available on Netflix.
