Ranking Tim Burton's Direction in All Four Wednesday Episodes
Explore the impact of Tim Burton's direction in the first four episodes of Wednesday, setting the tone for the series.
The first four episodes of Netflix's popular series, Wednesday, were directed by the well-known filmmaker Tim Burton. He also served as the executive producer on this Addams Family spinoff show. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, Wednesday introduces a different take on the character of Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega. In the series, she is portrayed as a slightly older version, attending a boarding school for outcasts, possessing psychic abilities, and finding herself in the midst of a murder mystery. Season 1, which consisted of eight episodes, was a huge success, creating high anticipation for the upcoming release of Wednesday season 2.
You can currently watch Wednesday season 1 on Netflix, and fans are eagerly waiting for the premiere of Wednesday season 2 in 2025.
Tim Burton was drawn to Wednesday after reading the pilot script and connecting with Gough and Millar's take on The Addams Family's character. He joined as an executive producer through his own production company and directed the first half of the season. It's unclear how much Tim Burton will be involved in Wednesday season 2, but fans hope he'll return to the director's chair given his successful work on the first four episodes of Wednesday season 1, ranked here from least favorite to favorite.
Wednesday Season 1 Episodes Directed By Tim Burton | |
|---|---|
# | Episode Name |
1 | "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe" |
2 | "Woe Is the Loneliest Number" |
3 | "Friend or Woe" |
4 | "Woe What a Night" |
Season 1, Episode 2, "Woe Is the Loneliest Number"
Wednesday Leads The Black Cats To Victory In The Poe Cup
Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) looks displeased while Enid (Emma Myers) looks happy in Wednesday. - Wednesday Leads The Black Cats To Victory In The Poe Cup - Season 1, Episode 2, "Woe Is the Loneliest Number"
Out of all four Tim Burton-directed episodes of Wednesday, "Woe Is the Loneliest Number" is considered the least favorite. Following Rowan's attack, episode 2 shows Wednesday trying to convince everyone that there is a dangerous monster behind the murders. When Rowan unexpectedly reappears, Wednesday is shocked and sets out to find proof of the monster's existence. She also tries to decipher the meaning of a mysterious drawing of herself. In the midst of her investigation, Wednesday competes in the Poe Cup to show up Bianca and leads the Black Cats to victory.
This episode may not be as exciting or intense as the previous three episodes directed by Burton. However, "Woe Is the Loneliest Number" is still a good episode with plenty of thrills and surprising revelations to keep viewers engaged. The truth about Rowan's disappearance, where Weems used her shape-shifting powers to pretend to be him, is an important development in the ongoing story. Despite this, the episode falls short compared to the high expectations set by the series premiere and lacks the same level of intrigue. Overall, the events in this episode feel less impactful and have lower stakes compared to the other episodes directed by Burton.
Season 1, Episode 3, "Friend or Woe"
Nevermore Celebrates Outreach Day In Jericho
Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) wears a different uniform than her Nevermore classmates in Wednesday. - Nevermore Celebrates Outreach Day In Jericho - Season 1, Episode 3, "Friend or Woe"
"Friend or Woe" may not be the best episode of Wednesday that Burton directed, but it's not the worst either. In Episode 3, Wednesday and the Nevermore students go to Jericho for Outreach Day. This episode reveals a lot of new information, such as the return of the Nightshade Society and the true identity and backstory of Joseph Crackstone, the founder of Jericho. Wednesday also has her first intense vision of the past, witnessing the persecution of her ancestor Goody Addams by Crackstone.
Despite the intense and disturbing scene of the evil pilgrim burning all the outcasts alive in the Old Meeting House, Goody manages to escape. This event alone makes "Friend or Woe" more engaging and eventful than "Woe Is The Loneliest Number," thus ranking it higher on the list of Burton-directed episodes. However, when looking at the season as a whole, it still falls short compared to the novelty and stylistic achievements of the first and fourth episodes of Wednesday season 1.
Season 1, Episode 1, "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe"
Wednesday Arrives At Nevermore Academy
Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) holds two bags of piranhas over the swimming pool in Wednesday. - Wednesday Arrives At Nevermore Academy - Season 1, Episode 1, "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe"
The first episode of "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe" did a fantastic job of introducing viewers to the world and characters of Wednesday. The scene where Wednesday puts piranhas in the pool was a clever way to show the unique tone of this Addams Family spinoff and give viewers a glimpse of the main character. Despite covering a lot of background information, such as Gomez and Morticia's history at the boarding school and the different outcast species at Nevermore, the pilot episode of Wednesday still manages to keep things exciting by diving right into the action.
Wednesday demonstrates a perfect balance of style and function in the episode. By the end of the pilot, she narrowly escapes death twice, hinting at her future role in saving outcasts from Crackstone's prejudiced bloodline. The second near-death encounter introduces Wednesday to the monster, intensifying the murder mystery that drives the season.
Season 1, Episode 4, "Woe What a Night"
The episode showcases Wednesday's skillful blend of style and function. Through a haunting cello rendition of "Paint It Black" playing in the background as Tyler and Rowan delve deeper into her past, the plot is advanced while capturing the eerie essence of the show. While "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe" set a strong foundation, this Burton-directed episode takes it up a notch.
Wednesday Hits The Dancefloor At The Rave'N
Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) dances at the Rave'N in Wednesday. - Wednesday Hits The Dancefloor At The Rave'N - Season 1, Episode 4, "Woe What a Night"
"Wow What A Night" from Wednesday is probably the most famous and talked about episode of the series. It featured the iconic scene of Wednesday dancing uniquely to The Cramps' "Goo Goo Muck" at the Rave'N. The dance routine, choreographed by Ortega, became a viral sensation on TikTok, with some fans choosing to recreate it to Lady Gaga's "Bloody Mary" instead. This episode was a cultural moment on its own, and its popularity is not solely based on one scene.
Episode 4 of Wednesday stands out for its visual and stylistic appeal, with a cinematic quality that sets it apart. Despite this, it still maintains the dark tone and gothic aesthetic that is consistent throughout the series.
Episode 4 is visually stunning and stylistically impressive, with a cinematic quality that sets it apart. It still maintains the dark tone and gothic aesthetic of the series. The episode also features a clear intersection with the horror genre, making a direct reference to Stephen King's Carrie with the fake pig's blood. "Woe What A Night" is a standout episode not only among those directed by Burton but in the entire season. It will be a challenge for Wednesday season 2 to surpass this highlight.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides a comprehensive overview of Tim Burton's involvement in Netflix's popular series "Wednesday." It effectively ranks the first four episodes directed by Burton, offering a detailed analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. The well-written article captures the essence of each episode, highlighting the key events, character development, and Burton's unique directorial style.
The article's ranking of Burton's episodes is well-reasoned, taking into account both the overall quality and the impact each episode had on the season as a whole. The descriptions of the episodes are engaging and informative, providing insights into the characters, plot, and themes explored in "Wednesday." The article also provides a glimpse into Burton's creative process, showcasing his passion for the series and his commitment to delivering a captivating story.
