Wednesday Season 2 Review (Episodes 1–4) — A Promising Premise Let Down by Messy Execution

 


When Netflix dropped the first half of Wednesday Season 2, I went in with cautious optimism. I’ll admit — I’m brand new to the show. I literally binged Season 1 just last week, partly because everyone was talking about Jenna Ortega’s phenomenal performance and partly because the Season 2 trailer made it seem like the show was going darker, creepier, and more mysterious.

But after watching the first four episodes of Season 2, I have to be honest: so far, it’s kind of… garbage. Not unwatchable garbage — more like a frustrating mix of brilliance and filler that leaves you wondering how a show with this much talent and production value could feel so inconsistent.

This is my breakdown of the best and worst parts of Wednesday Season 2 so far, along with why Netflix’s release strategy might be hurting the show more than helping it.

First Impressions: Still Stylish, Still Atmospheric

Let’s start with what works — because there’s plenty to admire.

The set design and costumes are still absolutely top-tier. From Nevermore Academy’s Gothic architecture to Wednesday’s ever-so-perfect monochrome outfits, the world feels alive and beautifully eerie. In fact, I’d argue that Season 2 might even surpass Season 1 visually. Every scene oozes Tim Burton-inspired quirkiness, but it’s also polished and cinematic.

Speaking of Burton — his direction is felt most in Episodes 1 and 4, and the difference is night and day. When he’s behind the camera, the tone sharpens, the horror elements pop, and the storytelling feels more cohesive. I’m convinced Burton should just direct every single episode. His influence makes the creepy moments land and the humor feel sharper.

And then there’s Jenna Ortega. Honestly, she is Wednesday Addams at this point. The deadpan delivery, the subtle facial expressions, the way she balances being unsettling yet relatable — it’s masterclass-level acting. Even in the weakest scenes, she holds everything together.

New Faces, Mixed Results

Season 2 brings in some fresh blood, the most notable being Steve Buscemi as the new principal. It’s perfect casting. He’s clearly having fun with the role, and you can tell his character will have a bigger impact in the back half of the season. His eccentric energy fits right into Nevermore’s oddball atmosphere.

There’s also Agnes, a new student who instantly gave me “Colin Creevey from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” vibes — overly curious, constantly tagging along, and maybe just a little too chipper for her own good. She’s fine for now, but her character risks becoming more of a plot device than a fully realized person.

The Main Plot — Good Idea, Flawed Execution

The central storyline this season is straightforward: Wednesday has a vision of her roommate and best friend Enid dying, and she spends much of the first four episodes trying to prevent this from happening. It’s a fine hook — simple, emotionally engaging, and ripe for suspense.

But here’s the problem: the show clutters it up with too many uninteresting side plots. Instead of building tension around Wednesday’s vision, we’re constantly yanked away to filler storylines that drag down the pacing.

A few examples:

  • Eugene — the bee kid from Season 1 — gets way more screen time this season, and… it’s rough. Every scene with him kills the momentum. His subplot feels tacked on and unnecessary.

  • Recycled romance drama — Season 1 had Wednesday stuck in a love triangle. Now, it’s Enid’s turn. It’s lazy writing and feels like a downgrade in creativity.

  • Wednesday’s family — Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley all get expanded roles this season, but the problem is… they’re not doing much of anything. Their scenes feel like time-fillers rather than important contributions to the story.

It’s almost as if the writers stretched these episodes to hit a one-hour runtime (instead of the tighter 45 minutes of Season 1) by padding them with content that doesn’t advance the plot.

The Good: Horror Elements & Episode 4

To be fair, Season 2 does make a clear effort to lean harder into horror. There are more unsettling visuals, creepier creature designs, and moments that genuinely give off an eerie vibe.

Episode 4 is where things finally start clicking. The pacing improves, the mystery deepens, and there’s a genuine sense of momentum. It feels like the show is finally getting ready to deliver on its premise — and then…

Netflix’s Worst Release Strategy Ever

…Netflix decides to split the season in half.

That’s right — we only get Episodes 1–4 now, and have to wait an entire month for Episodes 5–8. For a mystery-driven, slow-burn show like Wednesday, this is the absolute worst way to release content.

Here’s why:

  • The story builds up tension that now has to cool off for weeks before resuming.

  • The cliffhanger at the end of Episode 4 is laughably weak — you can see exactly where it’s going, so it doesn’t even work as a “hook” to keep you excited.

  • Fans can’t really theorize week-to-week like they could with a true weekly release schedule.

Netflix either needs to go full all-at-once binge model (their traditional style) or release episodes weekly. This weird half-season drop is the worst of both worlds.

Comparing Season 1 and Season 2 So Far

When I think back to Season 1, it wasn’t flawless either, but it had a tighter mystery, a fresher energy, and more compelling stakes. By contrast, Season 2 feels like it’s already stretching itself thin — a problem you’d expect in later seasons, not right after a breakout debut.

Season 1 worked because:

  • The main mystery was engaging from Episode 1.

  • The tone struck a perfect balance between creepy, funny, and heartfelt.

  • The supporting cast felt essential to the plot.

Season 2 (at least in these first four episodes) struggles because:

  • The main plot is constantly interrupted by filler.

  • Supporting characters feel shoehorned in rather than necessary.

  • Recycled storylines make it feel like the writers are running out of ideas too soon.

The Verdict So Far

After four episodes, I’d rate Season 2 a 5.5/10. It’s visually gorgeous, well-acted (especially by Ortega), and has a few moments of genuine brilliance, but it’s buried under uneven pacing, filler subplots, and a frustrating release format.

There’s still hope. The seeds planted in Episode 4 suggest the back half could turn things around. If they focus on the core mystery, give Buscemi’s principal more screen time, and trim the fat from the side stories, Wednesday could recover.

But right now? It’s mediocrity wrapped in beautiful packaging.

Final Thoughts

If you loved Season 1, you’ll probably still find enough here to keep you entertained — but if you were lukewarm on the show before, Season 2’s first half probably won’t change your mind.

We’ll see if Part 2 can redeem it. Until then, consider me cautiously skeptical.

If you’ve watched the first four episodes, what’s your take? Is Netflix’s split-season release killing the momentum for you, too? Drop your thoughts below — and we’ll reconvene next month when the rest of the season drops.

Hey there I am Abhijit Gupta, A college student, who likes to share his opinion on what is happening in todays pop culture.

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