Episode Grade: (8.6/10)
The season ends with a bang as Wednesday finally uncovers the truth.
Plot (44/50)
The debut season of Wednesday ends on a high after the writers execute the final act as smoothly as can be hoped for. Credit to them for managing to completely resolve this season’s plot while still leaving reasonable loose ends to be addressed in the next season. The early twist with Tyler playing innocent while Wednesday tortured him, only to then confess to her that he is in fact the Hyde, was very well-executed as it completely destroyed what sliver of credibility Wednesday had left. To make matters worse, not only did he confirm that he’s been conscious of his actions, he also admitted to enjoying them. Unfortunately for Wednesday, she’d cried wolf one too many times. Weems immediately expelled Wednesday in what was a consistent and logical development. However, just before she leaves Jericho, Wednesday is granted one last favor in what was the turning point of the episode. Wednesday visits the newly-conscious Eugene, who reveals that the person who set fire to the cave was wearing red boots, ergo Ms. Thornhill. Wednesday and Weems, now shapeshifted into Tyler, confront Thornhill, who finally drops the act. However, when Weems reveals herself, Thornhill (Laurel) murders her using Nightshade poisoning and abducts Wednesday. As it turns out, Laurel was collecting the body parts of the victims so that she can use them in a ritual to resurrect Crackstone. She also needed Wednesday because Goody had placed a blood spell on Crackstone all those years ago. Upon resurrection, Crackstone briefly wrecks havoc on Nevermore, before anticlimactically being defeated by a combination of Wednesday and Bianca. Laurel returns with a gun, determined to murder Wednesday at the very least, but Eugene shows up with his bees to subdue her. Meanwhile, Enid wolfs out and manages to defeat Tyler as the Hyde with the help of the sheriff, who reluctantly shoots his son. Laurel and Tyler are imprisoned, and classes are dismissed for the remainder of the semester. Xavier gifts Wednesday a phone as a parting gift, and on her way out of Nevermore, she receives images and a death threat from an unknown stalker. The episode ends with a “restrained” Tyler turning into the Hyde as he’s being transported. The episode had a nice flow with generally logical developments such as Wednesday’s initial expulsion and Enid’s timely wolfing out. With that said, they really turned up the fantasy of it all when it came to Crackstone’s resurrection. It was important to answer the mystery of the missing body parts, but it required an suspension of belief that I don’t think is warranted given one small development: Laurel was able to recreate Nightshade poisoning. Why did she go through all of this insanity of resurrecting Crackstone if she could’ve just spiked the punch at the Rave’N, for example, like her family had initially planned 30 years ago? That would’ve been the ultimate revenge, but instead, we’re supposed to believe that she thought unlocking a Hyde, collecting body parts of its victims, and resurrecting a 400-year-old spiteful ancestor was a better plan? Sure, it was nice to see Wednesday complete another comeback victory, but does it make sense? Nope. If they hadn’t reintroduced the Nightshade poisoning, this would’ve been far more acceptable. Anyways, there are a number of interesting questions that remain heading into the second season: Who’s stalking Wednesday? Who will be the new principal? What sort of new students will be joining? Who will be the new mayor, and will they be as accommodating to Nevermore as Mayor Walker was? How will the sheriff behave moving forward, now that he knows his son is a literal monster? What will Tyler do next? Will he free Laurel? Tune in to season two to find out.
Character Development (13/15)
Wednesday had an interesting trajectory in this season finale. She was initially supported by her classmates, but she was abandoned after taking it too far with Tyler’s torture. By the time she was released by the police, just about everybody probably thought that she’d lost her mind in the case. Recognizing that no one would believe here any more, Tyler finally confessed to being the Hyde. Wednesday was understandably enraged and determined to put a stop of Tyler and Laurel, but Weems simply couldn’t tolerate Wednesday’s insolence anymore. At this point, Wednesday was defeated. It was only until Eugene revealed the final clue she needed to solve the case that she picked up the fight again. This new information was seemingly enough for Weems, who once again trusted Wednesday in what turned out to be the correct, yet fatal, call. Weems’ redeeming quality was her unflinching commitment to protecting Nevermore and the outcasts, a quality she held true to until her last breath. Unfortunately for Wednesday, she was blindsided by Laurel’s cold-blooded action and quickly found herself on the defensive once again. Laurel succeeded in her plan to revive Crackstone, who then stabbed Wednesday in what should’ve been a fatal blow. For the second time, Wednesday was defeated, and once again, someone had to help her back up. This time, it was Goody magically healing the wounds caused by Laurel and Crackstone. However, on her way to Nevermore, she was intercepted by Tyler as the Hyde. This time, it was Enid who stepped in after wolfing out earlier to save Wednesday from certain defeat. At Nevermore, Wednesday would’ve likely fallen to Crackstone had it not been for Bianca’s interference. See a trend here? Time after time, Wednesday was seemingly down for the count only for someone to come to her aid. Credit to her for getting up after being knocked down so many times, but credit to everyone who risked their lives to help her. Of course, Nevermore’s safety is not her responsibility alone, but the way she’d gone about her business was not exactly collaborative. The embrace with Enid towards the end of the episode was a meaningful moment that symbolized Wednesday’s gratitude and the bond she’d formed with her peers despite herself. Ditto the arrow she took for Xavier. Speaking of her peers, many of them demonstrated growth in this finale. Enid wolfed out under the pressure of the situation and took on the Hyde by herself in a great show of courage. The same can be said of Bianca, who is possibly out of her bully phase. And let’s not forget Eugene, who came up clutch to save Wednesday and exact revenge on Laurel for putting him in the hospital. There wasn’t much to Thornhill other than the confirmation that she is in fact Laurel Gates back to avenge her family. Tyler embracing the evil was a far more interesting choice than having him play an innocent pawn. What his escape meaning moving forward remains to be seen. Could there be a redemption in play, or will they have to put him down once and for all? Would the sheriff be able to do so?
Theme/Messages (3/5)
- Even the strongest of us need help sometimes.
- Some development simply can’t be forced, it has to come under natural pressure.
Acting (13/15)
Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) closes out the season strong. She’s supported by good performances by Hunter Doohan (Tyler) and Christina Ricci (Laurel/Thornhill).
Cinematography (13/15)
- Classic color contrast shot of Wednesday and Enid standing face-to-face in their room (15:50)
- Smooth transition from Eugene describing that the person who set fire to the cave was wearing red boots to Thornhill’s red boots (18:00 onwards)
- Cool shot of the full blood moon (23:42)
- Symbolic shot of Wednesday typing at her desk with a brightly lit window in front of her against the dark backdrop of the room (43:31)
- Similarly symbolic shot of Wednesday standing in Weems’ office with the windows in front of her shining light into the room (44:10)