Since its creation by Charles Addams, the cartoonist Charles Addams, The Addams Family has been widely adaptable. Many cartoons, films, TV shows, and show productions have been made about the family and their day. Netflix and Tim Burton recently decided to put a new spin on the famous characters with their new series Wednesday. This series, which is a coming-of-age series, focuses on Wednesday, rather than the usual material that follows the Addamses.
Tim Burton’s modern interpretation of the story sets it apart. It makes her classmates more tech-savvy and aware of mental health. Wednesday, on the other hand, is struggling for her autonomy while trying to create an identity in a new school that specializes in students with magical abilities. While the show is different from the source material in many ways, it does have some references to the original Addams clan.
Wednesday’s name
While the characters had no names when they were created, episode one hints at where Charles Addams found the inspiration for Wednesday’s name, especially after the family was adapted for a TV show. Morticia said that her daughter was named after a poem titled “Wednesday’s Child is Full of Woe”. The anonymous author of the poem, which was published in 1838, wrote it. It reads:
This post serves two purposes.
1) To tell where Wednesday’s name comes from
2) To inform you Wednesday streaming is available. pic.twitter.com/0xWmPWzjcL— Netflix (@netflix) November 23, 2022
Monday’s child has a fair face
Tuesday’s child is full grace
Wednesday’s child is filled with woe
Thursday’s child is far from done
Friday’s child shows love and generosity
Saturday’s child works hard to make his living
And the child born on the Sabbath
It is bonny, blithe, good and gay.
Christina Ricci’s comeback
Jenna Ortega and christina Ricci interact on #wednesdaynetflixIt’s the most amazing interaction you have ever seen pic.twitter.com/eRXUBYZgRN
— ً wednesday spoilers (@616JOHNNYST0RM) November 23, 2022
Christina Ricci is best known for her iconic role as Wednesday in The Addams Family’s 1991 film. Now, after 19 years, she returns to the show, but as Wednesday’s dorm manager, Marilyn Thornhill, and her botanical sciences teacher. Ricci makes history as the first and only ‘normie’ teacher at Nevermore’s school for gifted children. She is shy, friendly, introverted, and a great friend. But she has a secret she keeps from the school, the town, and herself.
Scooby-Doo and Addams family’s crossover
S1E3 of The New Scooby Doo Movies—”Wednesday Is Missing”—features #TheAddamsFamilyAs the celebrity guests. This episode is my favorite from the series. #FunFactJodie Foster (9 years old) voices Pugsley addams! #ScoobyDoo #Scoobtober pic.twitter.com/sfkhRdaxG9
— 🦇🐿️ Wendy Brydge 🖌️🍒 (@WendyLovesJesus) October 26, 2022
Episode 4: The town sheriff refers to Scooby-Doo. It is a reference to The New Scooby-Doo Movies that was made in 1972 about the Addams family. “Listen, Velma,” the Sheriff says to Wednesday. “Why don’t you and the Scooby gang stick to your homework and leave the investigating to the professionals?”
Scooby-Doo’s episode “Wednesday Is Missing” features the group taking care of the children, while Morticia and Gomez go on a second honeymoon. Wednesday disappears, despite their babysitting. This forces the gang and Gomez to search for the girl before her parents return.
READ ALSO Netflix’s “Wednesday” is filled with Edgar Allan Poe quotes. Here’s a list.
Wednesday’s spider pet
Episode 6: Wednesday opens a pinata full of spiders in episode 6. It’s a reference to 1964 TV series The Addams Family in which she had a spider pet named Homer. While there is no other reference to this animal, the Netflix series portrays Wednesday’s love for creepy, crawly things by including a pet scorpion called Nero, who was killed by a bunch of bullies when she was six.
Cousin Ignatius Itt
Cousin Itt’s first photo!👀🥺🎬#wednesdayaddams #timburton #netflix #wednesday #cousinitt pic.twitter.com/DlNpJKbFvU
— No context Wednesday (@nevermoreacc) September 21, 2022
In the basement of Nightshades, secrete society, there is a portrait of Cousin Itt, a part of Addams’ family. He was introduced by Uncle Fester, Gomez’s brother, and was a part of the first TV rendition of The Addams Family. He is also biologically related to Addams even though he’s not human. His blond hair extends from his scalp to the ground. He wears his trademark bowler hat, round sunglasses, and communicates only in gibberish.
Wednesday’s dorm name
Another shot that I absolutely love 🥺 the half-half giant window was such a brilliant idea whoever thought of it needs a raise #wednesdaynetflix #wenclair pic.twitter.com/yp9zivBQtc
— rin || wednesday spoilers (@moona_pi) November 23, 2022
Episode 7 features Uncle Fester, Wednesday’s favorite person in the family. Grandmama addams is also honoured by her naming. Ophelia, Morticia Addams’s sister, was also a guest on The Addams Family TV Series. However, instead of Ophelia’s appearance, Netflix preferred to name Wednesday’s dorm at Nevermore Academy after her.
READ ALSO “Wednesday’s big surprise ending and monster reveal”
