Introduction
Television shows often have a way of stirring up emotions, captivating audiences, and at times, leaving us scratching our heads in confusion. Netflix’s “Wednesday” was no exception. The show is a spinoff from the cult classic “Addams Family,” focusing on the character Wednesday Addams, known for her macabre fascination and nonchalant wit. However, the subplot of “Wednesday’s” Season 1 romance had fans and critics alike questioning its relevance and authenticity. One thing’s for sure, Wednesday’s Romance Never Made Sense for the Show.
Wednesday’s Romance Never Made Sense for the Show
The Show’s Identity Crisis
The inaugural season of the Tim Burton Netflix show seemed to grapple with a bit of an identity crisis. It aimed to be a quintessential Tim Burton/Addams Family macabre narrative, yet it also tried to cater to the expectations of a teen drama on Netflix. This resulted in the show buying into many genre conventions associated with teen dramas, ultimately to its detriment.
For Wednesday Addams, romance was an unnecessary addition that didn’t complement her character. Wednesday is known for her idiosyncrasies, her love for the macabre, and a fascinatingly complex persona that never needed a romantic angle to add depth. However, the show introduced a love interest, Tyler, who more often than not, felt like a misplaced piece of the puzzle.
A Love Interest Unnecessary
From the start of the show, it seemed like the creators were determined to centralize a major portion of Wednesday’s Season 1 arc around romance. But here’s the catch – Wednesday herself states that she doesn’t want to fall in love, get married, or have children. She wishes not to end up like her parents, especially her mother, and she seems to have dismissed romance as part of this endeavor.
The introduction of Tyler was an attempt to challenge and perhaps break down some of these walls she’s built. But the problem wasn’t just about challenging her stance on romance; it was about the fact that Wednesday isn’t a character who has ever needed romance to make her more captivating and complex. On the contrary, romance seemed to hold her back because it meant accommodating another person, something Wednesday is hardly known for.
The Problem with Tyler and Wednesday’s Romance
Tyler was perhaps the least suitable choice for a romantic partner for Wednesday Addams. The idea of a peculiar girl falling for a seemingly ordinary guy who turns out to be weirder than her and with dubious intentions could work – only if we buy into the romance at all. But many people didn’t.
The relationship between Tyler and Wednesday always felt one-sided, with Wednesday seeing Tyler only when she needed him for something. Her mystery-solving always took precedence, and she used him (like everyone else in her life) mostly to serve her own ends rather than out of any desire for companionship with him. Despite this, Tyler seemed to treat it like a fully reciprocated romance from the start, which was far from reality.
It’s Not Just About Tyler
Romance wasn’t just a sour note in Wednesday and Tyler’s case; it seemed to be a broader issue with the show. The whole series seemed plagued with a childish sense of romance that felt entirely unnecessary. There were many more intriguing things happeningat this school full of oddballs, yet the time that could have been spent developing these characters was instead spent on dreary romantic subplots.
The Other Romances Aren’t Any Better
Let’s be honest, the other romantic subplots in the show didn’t fare much better. Enid’s arc of being a late-blooming werewolf brought intrigue! Her dynamic with Wednesday was one of the show’s strongest. But we spent an equal amount of time watching a series of misunderstandings play out between her and Ajax when the show never took the time to give us a reason to care about their relationship other than the fact that it expected us to by default.
Similarly, Bianca, one of the most captivating characters in the show, had her early appearances dominated by the drama of her relationship with Xavier and her resentment of Wednesday due to his crush on her. The entire dance episode seemed to exist merely to stir up romantic drama. In a standard teen show, that would be fine! But “Wednesday” was meant to be creepy, kooky, norm-defying, and anything but boring. What we were treated to were some sleep-inducing miscommunication and jealousy subplots that felt out of place in an Addams Family narrative.
No Romance Is Better Than Bad Romance
The romance in “Wednesday” felt lopsided, unmerited, and completely unnecessary. The change in Wednesday’s character, her opening up to people, was already getting enough attention through her various friendships. This change was rewarded through closer relationships and newly built trust – a stark contrast to the result of her romance with Tyler.
FAQ
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Why didn’t Wednesday’s romance work for the show?
The romantic subplot in “Wednesday” felt forced and out of place. The character of Wednesday Addams is complex and captivating without the need for a romantic angle. The introduction of a love interest, Tyler, seemed to hold her back rather than add depth to her character.
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Who was Wednesday’s love interest in the show?
Tyler, played by Hunter Doohan, was introduced as Wednesday’s love interest. However, their relationship felt one-sided, and many viewers didn’t buy into their romance.
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Was the romance subplot necessary for the show?
Many fans and critics believe the romance subplot was unnecessary and detracted from the more interesting aspects of the show. Wednesday’s character growth through her various friendships was enough to keep audiences engaged.
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Did the show focus only on Wednesday and Tyler’s romance?
No, the show had other romantic subplots involving characters like Enid, Ajax, Bianca, and Xavier. However, these storylines also received criticism for their lack of depth and development.
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What is the audience’s reaction to the romantic subplot?
The audience’s reaction to the romantic subplot has been largely negative. Many felt that it was unbalanced, unearned, and completely unnecessary.
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What changes can we expect in the future seasons of the show?
The creators have decided to nix the focus on romance for the second season of “Wednesday,” which has been well-received by fans. It’s hoped that this decision will allow the show to focus more on its unique aspects.
Conclusion
All said and done, Wednesday’s Romance Never Made Sense for the Show. The character of Wednesday Addams, with her macabre fascination and peculiar charm, never needed a romantic subplot to make her more interesting. The show’s attempt to blend in a romantic angle led to an identity crisis, which seemed to stray away from the core essence of the character. As fans, we can only hope that the creators take this criticism constructively and steer the show back to its unique, norm-defying charm that made the Addams Family a cult classic
