WHY WE (AND NETFLIX) NEED WENCLAIR TO HAPPEN - A SHORT ESSAY
Note: english isn't my first language. It May not be the smoothest reading, apologies.
Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 is finally out. Between far-fetched storylines, inconsistent writing and intermittent mischaracterization, the new season of the popular show has been getting mixed reviews.
But there’s a much more pressing matter at stake, at least for two specific groups of the fandom. During recent interviews, the two writers of the series, Gough and Millar, made some statements regarding the romantic possibilities for Wednesday’s character, hinting they would like to see her have her endgame with Tyler Galpin, and almost dismissing the other option: Wednesday and Enid.
The statements sparked immediate controversy and started a fight on social media between the two factions, those who favor the development of a love story with one potential partner over the other and vice versa (Respectively “Weylers” and “Wenclairs”).
The ship between Wednesday and her roommate has gained huge popularity ever since the show aired, and the number of hidden meanings, signals and dialogues pointing in this direction has been thoroughly analyzed by a number of dedicated fans.
What makes the situation severe, however, is how Netflix integrated Wenclair content and expressed support for the ship in more than one instance on their public channels. Promotion made fans hopeful to see this couple become canonical for the past couple of years, only to be met with an abrupt U-turn in the platform’s marketing strategy as the release of the new season approached. It is undeniable that season 2 is largely focused on Tyler Galpin’s character, and the promotion of the series followed the same trend.
Wenclair fans felt betrayed as the shadow of queerbaiting came into the equation once again. A marketing malpractice Netflix is nowadays infamous for.
It should be their responsibility to be accountable for their own marketing, unless they want to be guilty of queerbaiting…again. It’s not hard to find evidence scattered across the internet: Netflix has clearly taken advantage of the ship's popularity to keep interest alive while season 2 was in the making, only to switch to a blatant glorification of Tyler and the Hyde as soon as the release approached.
But, even more importantly, Netflix should be careful whether to tread on the dangerous path of bringing to the small screen what is clearly a love story forced by every means.
Not only Tyler and Wednesday as a couple make little sense plot wise (do we need to count how many times he tried to kill her, her friends, and her family?), but they’d also send the message that one should love someone who hurt them and their close ones without hesitation.
The world has no need for a celebration of enabling. Especially not from The Addams Family.
This choice would show little respect and understanding of the very core of this beloved franchise. To the Addams family is everything, and the whole point of their story is that, in being as odd and weird as they are, but also daring to be different from society’s standards, they actually embody what may be the healthiest dynamics we’ve ever seen. Because, flying knives, torture and dark humour…those are meant for the laughs. But, their genuine love for each other, the will to protect their loved ones, their unshakable union whilst allowing and enhancing each one’s uniqueness…these are no joke. At all.
Can a creature of vengeance with a black, yet beating heart such as Wednesday Addams really fall in love with someone who caused so much pain and havoc to her family and friends? Can such a dedicated detective, who hunts down serial killers over the summer vacation and strives for justice, really forgive him? It’s hard not to see this as a forced love story. Wednesday herself states that she was attracted to Tyler. But that’s before she found out he’s a cold-blooded murderer.
And while Tyler’s and Wednesday’s relationship seem to degenerate into mutual hate with each passing episode, their ship faces a formidable enemy, with Wenclair gaining the upper hand even if the writers try to do and to say otherwise. With facts.
Wednesday’s and Enid’s relationship develops over time, surviving conflict and confrontation, danger after danger, and the undeniable chemistry between the two talented actresses who portray the characters donates a spark and a tension that can never be seen in any other moment of the show. They’re not just best friends at this point, they’re pack. They are soul mates. While this doesn’t have to take a romantic direction at every cost, it would undeniably feel just right, especially when compared to Weyler. It would appear natural and realistic. They are teens, growing up and finding out who they are, and what they like.
Exploring a romantic turn of events between the two protagonists in the next season would make their progression a wonderful tale of coming of age, but also give to the lgbtq+ community genuine, realistic and quality representation, delivering what could be the most powerful positive message in Netflix’s history, providing further development and weight to the already meaningful Outcasts metaphor.
In a world of forced inclusivity, queerbaiting and axed queer shows (Warrior Nun anyone?) putting a sapphic couple with such a strong core at the center of the stage would be the bold move audiences across the spectrum need to see. And if there is a franchise that is perfect for this revolution, a franchise that is about embracing one’s true identity without prejudice or bigotry, defying societal norms, that is The Addams Family.
Wenclair’s canonization is arguably the most “Addams” thing Netflix can give us.
It’s not just a ship, it’s a sound reminder of what true love looks like.
