#wednesday novelization

[caitlynskitten]

Wednesday in the show: I can’t stand that blonde annoying werewolf

Wednesday in the novelization:

[altf4d3lete]

My Thoughts on the Wednesday Novelization:

Okay so I have no clue how long this post is going to be, so bear with me. This is coming from someone who has been hyperfixated on the show for over a year and has watched it through multiple times, written fanfiction about it, and debated the characters and their motivations tirelessly.

1. Characterization

First up is the big hitter. The characterization of Wednesday specifically, since the book is written in her voice. I’ve seen a lot of controversy surrounding this. A lot of people have been saying that Wednesday was too emotional, that she was too sympathetic and cared too much about what other people think. To this, I heartily disagree.

We see throughout the book how she gradually begins caring more about the others around her. At first, she sees them only as allies; which is a very Wednesday thing to do. She only compromises because people like Enid or Tyler offer her loyalty, and she feels the need to offer something in return. And of course, the more they offer her their loyalty, the more she feels as though she can open up to them. She’s still human, after all, Addams or not. While most people would assume (wrongly) that Wednesday operated on a strictly “take, not give” mentality, it’s clear in the show itself that this isn’t the case. She still compromises in the show. The only reason people don’t agree now is because they created their own perceptions on why Wednesday was compromising, while it was clear to others all along that this was because she wanted to keep her allies close in case she needed help.

Wednesday, in the novelization, approaches everything from a strategical standpoint. Which is exactly how I’d expect her to approach things. She keeps a careful catalogue of her enemies and suspects, of who she can or can’t trust with evidence. Which, again, is what I had gathered from Jenna’s acting in the show.

Concerning the care she felt for Enid, among others:

I do not think the way she felt about Enid or the way their relationship developed was out of character at all. Wednesday said it herself, it felt to her as though Enid was the only one who accepted her up front no matter who she was or what she said or did. Enid was the only one who didn’t expect her to be someone else or a simple projection of what she wanted. Wednesday appreciated Enid’s willingness to be an ally even knowing that Wednesday wasn’t a good person. And it caused her to grow attached to the one person who accepted her no matter what. Even when Wednesday put her in danger, Enid still came back. And Wednesday appreciated that more than anything. I really think it’s incorrect to say that it’s out of character how much Wednesday cared about Enid. Enid was Wednesday’s first real friend, and put her life on the line for Wednesday. Of course they’re going to be inseparable, in Wednesday’s words, after something like that.

2. Theme

I’ve read a lot of books and done a lot of English classes and writing in my time. I usually look for themes in books, and it’s pretty clear to me that the theme of this book is friendship and navigating it, as corny as that sounds.

The entire book follows Wednesday learning what it means to be a true friend. What it means to open up and be vulnerable with others, what it means to put trust and confidence in them, and what it means to rely on others. Towards the end, there’s a passage where she realizes she’s never been alone.

In this book, Wednesday learned what it means to grow and foster a community of people who care about you. People who you can rely on. She comes to care about Enid, Eugene, even Bianca. All of them help her in some way, and all of them give her a shoulder to rely on at some point. She learns that having allies are nice, but having friends, people who are truly in your corner, is even better. And that there are specific ways to treat friends, and specific ways to keep them. She learned that sometimes compromises are important, and that it’s okay to not agree with some things, but it doesn’t mean that has to be the end of the friendship. And she learned just how deeply her care for her friends, as well as their care for her, truly goes.

One could say that this book is corny. One could say that it’s cringe, or that it’s not canon to them. All of that is completely fine. But in my eyes, this book has absolutely done Wednesday’s character justice and proven what I already knew: she’s not a psychopath like so many people paint her out to be. Maybe she was in previous iterations, but this is a new iteration, a new character. And she most definitely cares deeply about those who show their loyalty to her, about those who prove to her that they can trust her. Enid, Thing, Eugene, even Bianca. They created a sense of community to battle a common enemy and won. And Wednesday learned that she couldn’t have done it on her own.

I’m excited to see how her character continues to develop in season 2 and further. I’m excited to see how those around her affect her in new ways, and who she’ll ultimately grow to be. I loved this novelization of season one, and I loved the insight it gave us into Wednesday’s thoughts and her character arcs.

Anyway! That’s all, thanks for reading 🫶

Edit: my bad this turned into an essay. If I missed anything or you want my opinion on anything, let me know :)

[coucoumacherie]

they changed the moment before the sprinklers from Wednesday & Tyler almost slow dancing to Enid convincing Wednesday to dance to the last song with her?

[stuckinapatriarchalbullshitland]

Seriously, @maria-mae tell me that Jenna hadn't a hand on the writing of this book because I wouldn't believe that. SHE WANTED the first season like this freaking book, that's why she CHANGED the script 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

[osnapitzjsa]

"Of course the first person I ever kiss would turn out to be a psychotic, serial-killing monster."

So in the novelization they changed boy to person. Interesting...

[wenclairfamily]

My Review of the OFFICIAL Wednesday Novelization

Recently, MGM released an official novelization that re-tells the events of Wednesday Season 1. What makes this novelization most notable is that it is told in the FIRST PERSON from Wednesday's perspective. Thus, you are getting the chance to relive the entire first season inside of Wednesday's mind this time.

On one hand, this provides great insights into Wednesday's character, and provides some explanation for certain moments in the show that I originally thought didn't need to be explained. For example, the piranhas Wednesday unleashed early in the first episode... we now know she was able to get them from a pet shop owner after black mailing him with information she had about him and his secret mistress. It makes an already dark moment in the show even more dark, and I love it!

However on the other hand, I sort of enjoyed how in the show: we had to guess what Wednesday was thinking just by looking at Jenna Ortega's face. I think it was way more fun at times to imagine what was going through Wednesday's mind, versus knowing with certainty what she was thinking. Additional criticisms I also have include how the book uses very little of Wednesday's actual narration from the show, and the bizarre choice of skipping certain scenes of the series, while over explaining in details other scenes (including a few short moments Wednesday wasn't even present at).

However all these flaws are made up for with the fascinating insights into how Wednesday views Enid. To be clear, this book does NOT say Wednesday has a romantic interest in Enid. However... Wednesday's first person narration does have Wednesday slowly admit to herself that she does view Enid as her best friend... although Wednesday also admits that is by default, because she also considers Enid her only friend (with characters such as Eugene, Bianca, and Xavier only being described as allies). Throughout the later half of the book, Wednesday also describes herself as missing Enid whenever she's not around, even talking about how she misses the bright colors she wears.

Also, while the book for the most part does not contradict what happened in the show... there is one small retcon the book throws in. As Wednesday wishes to grow closer to Enid, she wishes to find some way she can better relate to Enid, and give them both something in common they can talk about. Since Enid now has a boyfriend, Wednesday (according to her first person narration) decides to try a romantic relationship with Tyler (so that she and Enid can grow closer due to both having boyfriends now). So according to the book... in her own weird way... Wednesday kissed Tyler as a way to get closer to Enid... which I think is a BRILLIANT RETCON!

So while the book is a bit uneven at times (and likely could have used one more rewrite), and does eliminate much of the unspoken subtext that occurred during scenes in the show... it still is a fascinating novel. The insights into how Wednesday's brain thinks is very entertaining and imaginative at times; including fun new dark jokes Charles Addams himself would be proud of. I would not recommend casual fans or people that have never seen show read this book... but for hardcore fans (and fanfiction writers that need some new inspiration on how to write Wednesday): this is definitely worth your time.

[medjaiwarrior]

Something I'm not really seeing a lot of people talk about is how, almost insidious, the whole concept is around Netflix signing off on the Wednesday - Novelization and presenting it as "canon". Not the fact that they signed off on it at all of course, but the way they've gone about doing it. And what they're hoping to gain from it.

Like they straight up are calling this book, "official canon". I've seen some try to say that Netflix were unaware and it was just published without them knowing what was really in it, but this is Netflix we're talking about. They are strategic about everything, alot of the time to their own detriment, so there is no way they weren't involved with it. It would've gone through mutiple people and editors, who are part of the Netflix team, before it was signed off and sent to print.

And if you asked, not one of them would be able to look you in the eye and say truthfully, that they didn't read that book and easily pick up on the inclusion of 'Wenclair'. Like it's not even subtext, it's straight up just text. And it's throughout the whole thing.

Couple this with the fact that Netflix are fully aware of just how much of the viewership for the show are both part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or want to see 'Wenclair' become actual canon. Which is why the fact that they've released a book now that sounds straight out of a 'Wenclair' fans dream, is not at all a coincidence.

They've strategically done this, on purpose.

And may I be struck down where I sit typing this if I'm wrong, but I would bet money on the fact that they are never going to make 'Wenclair' canon in the show. Because they don't want to lose The Straights viewership, but they want to keep the 'Wenclair' fans on the hook. So what do they do to keep both appeased? They release the novelization. And the novelization doesn't just FEEL like a major copout, it IS a major copout. It's Netflix giving the 'Wenclair' fans crumbs while still being able to sell the whole loaf of bread to everybody else.

The major issue with all of this though, is that all of those leaked details concerning Enid and the headstone with her name on it? ... I didn't just live through the massive 'Bury Your Gays'/Clexa movement, that was sparked by the infamous episode 3x07 of The 100, I was in the goddamn trenches. So I know the signs of a show that may go that same way, even if the favourite, most popular same-sex couple never become official canon in a show. And all I will say is, to any and every fan of 'Wenclair', just prepare yourselves for Season 2.

[hislittleraincloud]

Y'all too busy creaming over this fic to be angry over this, so lemme do it for you:

WHAT

the

FUCK.

I'm...what?

[psychic-refugee]

I don’t want to claim that Wenclair as a ship doesn’t exist. Again, I’ve always been a big proponent that fandom is a) supposed to be fun and b) it’s up to interpretation and opinion. The latter makes your ship valid because that’s how you feel. Perhaps it doesn’t make your reasons rational or anchored in canon, but again we go back to a) where it’s supposed to be fun.

I don’t have a problem with Wenclair the ship. I have a problem with Wenclairs the people who have a well-documented history of harassment on non-fandom sites such as Instagram and Twitter of the celebrities in question.

Here are some of the reasons why I don’t specifically see Wenclair/I see a platonic relationship.

Gough and Millar framed Enid and Wednesday as a “sisterhood” and “friendship.” (NME, 24 Dec 2023) This is in DIRECT reaction to being asked about Wenclair. They are the authority of canon as they are the authors of Wednesday and Enid as we know them from this iteration of the Addams Family.

The fact they said its “possible” in the future means Wenclair is not currently true. I also think they were simply being polite and did not want to offend the Wenclairs. Given how badly some react to the possibility of Wenclair not being canon, I don’t blame Gough and Millar for trying to remain neutral about it.

Again, this is Millar and Gough, the true writers and authority of Wednesday.

Secondly, Jenna herself proclaimed no romance. She made an effort in an interview to stress Wednesday had no SO and would have no SO. This is right after joking about Wenclair being a possibility. I believe this is a direct consequence of Wenclairs harassment when they took her words too far and harassed anyone who disagreed with them or threatened the possibility of the ship. (Digital Spy, 8 June 2023)

Emma also wants Wednesday to be single. (Variety, 30 Jan 2023)

There has been no talk, joking or otherwise, of Wenclair being a possibility in almost two years. They in fact seem to be making an effort to not a) talk about it and b) distance themselves from it.

As of this post, none of the cast or writers have done promo for the novel nor have acknowledged it in any way. They also do not follow Meija on socials.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a) they completely avoid mentioning it anymore in interviews, b) stressing no romance, c) Jenna quit Twitter because of what I suspect a Wenclair sending her AI porn. (Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug 2024), and d) Jenna won’t ever come out with who she’s dating. (Vanity Fair, 6 August 2024)

I think all of this ties into Wenclair harassment. (Tumblr, 29 August 2024)

Thirdly, one of my litmus tests of whether something could be platonic is if you switch out person A with a known family member of Person B.

This would be pretty gross, right? To have a “fizzy” feeling for your father? Not to mention the addition of kissing full on the mouth in such a way, TWICE. To me this is a clear sexual reaction on Wednesday’s part and could not be construed as platonic.

Here, if Morticia had saved Wednesday and had this moment, it could still work. It wouldn’t be weird, so this scene is not necessarily romantic.

I think pretty much every interaction with Enid could be replaced by Morticia or Pugsly, and it wouldn’t make it as off putting as the Tyler example.

Meija could have at any point described Wednesday’s feelings while in Enid’s presence as “fizzy” or anything remotely romantic and they chose not to.

If they meant for it to be romantic regardless, they don’t have the confidence to stand by their work and say it outright.

So, unless it’s Game of Thrones where sibling/family incest is the norm, then seeing Enid and Wednesday as platonic is a fair interpretation.

[honeii-puff]

I will say that I have not read the novelization of Wednesday, nor do I plan to.

I will also say that the novelization has given some of the wenclair shippers a superiority complex.

Yall need to chill.

[caitlynskitten]

Wednesday in the novelization

[altf4d3lete]

You know what would be fantastic but I'm not hedging bets on?

If the season one novelization is used in season two as the book Wednesday was able to get published as her first work. Titled something like

Hyde Hunt

Viper de la Muerte Book One

Little meta storytelling.

Of course names would be changed in the in show version of the book.

Bonus points if Wednesday herself is oblivious to how all the Wenclair scenes sound.

This could also explain why it's not a one to one accurate retelling. She is making edits to true events and making a more cohesive story narrative.

Im ngl I would absolutely love this. I don’t think they’d do this, but I would Love some meta storytelling. My thought is that the book is course correction; drawing Wednesday away from Xavier and Tyler and reinforcing that wenclair is the main relationship of the show, platonic or not. But I wish they would do something like this because it would be so cool.

[coucoumacherie]

Wednesday acknowledges western imperialism, and lets enid put the snood on her

[stuckinapatriarchalbullshitland]

"The streets are safe" and I can't help but think are safe for her..... when Enid was the one saving Wednesday.... I can't ♥️♥️😭😭 why did you do this to us @maria-mae 😫

[hislittleraincloud]

This showed up on my fyp and it couldn't have come at a more apropos time.

‘there’s no platonic explanation for this’

buddy you wouldn’t believe what kind of platonic explanations im capable of

[hislittleraincloud]

...Still seeing lots of Wyler in my fyp 🤢

All because I gotta defend it re: Mejia's shitty novelization... 🤦🏽‍♂️