Wednesday, the new dark-comedy show on Netflix, is essentially Addams Family-meets-Harry Potter, while the titular character is Lisa Simpson-meets-badass version of herself. Introverts and misfits, who find themselves rolling their eyes at the relentless performative existence for peer group validation, might find themselves identifying with Wednesday, a spin-off character from that epic Addams Family.
Wednesday is a spin-off character from the epic Addams Family
I don’t even need to tell old fans about the iconic soundtrack from the opening of the original show and the animated series on Cartoon Network as well. I also fondly recall a scene from that old classic, Wonder Years, where another geeky misfit, Paul Pfeiffer, is happily imitating the sounds of the opening theme while the show plays on TV, much to the annoyance of the protagonist Kevin Arnold, who finally loses it when Paul starts imitating the sound effects as well. Paul is perhaps a representation of another geeky-yet-happy-go-lucky character, Eugene, from the series. We’ll all been Eugene at some point, I would say, unless perhaps you were one of those popular kids in school. The thick glasses, the obsession with the esoteric, like bee-keeping, but has the faith of landing one of the way-out-of-his-league budding werewolves, Enid, is perhaps the story of every geeky kid in school and college, including yours truly. You go get Enid, Eugene! (I’m in Episode 7, so anyone sending me spoilers will be dispatched with even more vengeance than Wednesday forced to attend Sunday brunch).
‘We’ll all been Eugene at some point, I would say, unless perhaps you were one of those popular kids in school’
NetflixNow let’s come to Enid. A werewolf who has not quite wolfed out yet, but consistently shamed by her over-bearing mother for bringing shame to the family. A story perhaps every second young girl in India might find all too relatable. Except, in India, you would be shamed by your mother for showing the faintest of claws even if you’re being slashed wantonly with the savage assaults of judgement. But Enid, of course, is also the extrovert who joyously attaches to and adopts the most reluctant introvert, the titular character, Wednesday Addams (sigh again, yours truly all over again in the B-school hostel). The hilarity of reel life over real life is reflected in the fact that the actor playing her, Jenna Ortega, just gained 10M followers in barely a week post the show’s release — while Wednesday might physically stalk and psychologically assault anyone who dared to follow her Instagram irl.
I must admit I relate to Wednesday Addams in ways I can’t even articulate, given that I’ve felt like a misfit in corporate life as much as I do on the artist circuit, and hence the whimsical combination of corporate comedy, which allows me to mock both without causing offense while also keeping a distance. I envy Wednesday in the fact that she has no such misgivings about not causing offense and almost revels in it, just like inhaling the scent of a freshly minted grave or relishing the prospect of being buried alive. Wednesday Addams is the goth girlfriend you never knew you wanted in high school, and who would hang me by my shoes for saying this. But like Wednesday and Uncle Fester, I would have totally relished the prospect.
But what I would perhaps relish the most is the most incredible dance sequence in silver screen history after Patrick Swazye in Dirty Dancing over three decades ago. In what can be described as heady liberation for every single awkward dancer, and big party gathering hater (like, seriously Netflix, give me royalties for stealing my life), Wednesday goes on to put on the most devil-may-care, awkward, exorcist-meets-err Geet from Jab We met, dance sequence that would either make you fall in love with her or shoot yourself, perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle.
As her date looks on with disbelief, perhaps a hint of despair and then finally a disarming smile. In being her most ridiculous self, she was in some ways letting him know “Yes, I don’t find you entirely insufferable and might even feel a hint of sadness if I stabbed you in anger”. So, my dear Wednesday, I wish I could turn back time on all the angst of childhood and college and attend Nevermore with you, where even the outcasts get cast on Netflix.
The author is a Marwari investment banker turned corporate comedian. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the website.
