Overview
- Potential exploration of a complex friendship dynamic between Wednesday and a villain in season 2, akin to Clark Kent and Lex Luthor from Smallville.
- Both Wednesday and Smallville share themes of emotional complexity and diverse tonal elements, as highlighted by the showrunners.
- Tyler’s character in Wednesday could evoke parallels to the Clark and Lex dynamic, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
As an admirer of the iconic WB/CW series Smallville, I was excited to dive into Wednesday, the Netflix adaptation steeped in the adventures of a young Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as she transitions from her family’s gothic abode to the intriguing Nevermore Academy. With the original creators of Smallville, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, at the helm of Wednesday, intriguing similarities between the two series abound.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release date for season 2 of Wednesday, speculation abounds regarding a potential Halloween episode and the various misadventures our eerie heroine may encounter this time around. A question lies in whether the narrative could draw inspiration from Smallville, particularly regarding the character dynamics.
Could Season 2 of Wednesday Reflect the Clark Kent and Lex Luthor Dynamic?
The profound friendship between Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) is a highlight of Smallville. By the climax of the first season, viewers witness a significant transformation in their relationship that lays the groundwork for their complex bond. I believe that Wednesday should similarly forge a friendship with a villain in its forthcoming season, perhaps the very person who has been stalking her.
This stalker could either be woven into Wednesday’s existing social circle at Nevermore or someone entirely new with whom she shares no prior connection. The resolution of this mystery could lead to a compelling narrative where Wednesday and her stalker discover mutual understanding. Given her dark and complex nature, Wednesday may not harbor resentment towards her stalker; rather, she could respect their boldness. This unexpected friendship would add intriguing layers to both Wednesday and the potential of a third season, should it come to fruition.
In Smallville, a pivotal moment occurs when Clark saves Lex from a car accident, solidifying their friendship in a dramatic fashion. Though Lex frequently suspects Clark of concealing secrets, their camaraderie persists throughout the series. I would love to see a similar dynamic unfold in Wednesday. While Clark epitomizes a more innocent persona compared to Wednesday’s trademark darkness, the creators have hinted at a similar undertone for season 2, suggesting an engaging character relationship could emerge.
Furthermore, a powerful parallel may develop between Wednesday and Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan), mirroring the relationship between Clark and Lex. While Lex is often morally ambiguous and shaped by a tumultuous family background, he exhibits a desire for redemption. Conversely, despite being the Hyde Monster, Tyler also demonstrates potential for goodness. The dichotomy of trust and uncertainty between Wednesday and Tyler could further deepen the narrative, providing an avenue for gripping storytelling in the upcoming season.
Insights from the Showrunners on Both Series
In a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter in 2022, showrunners Miles Millar and Al Gough shared their experiences working on both shows. They highlighted the thematic parallels shared by the two series, casting a new light on young versions of their iconic characters. Millar remarked on the challenge of imbuing emotional depth into characters typically seen as one-dimensional:
“How do you add emotional complexity to these iconic characters? Wednesday seems like a one-note character, and I’ve always found Clark Kent a one-note character. He’s just sort of a goody, goody, and Wednesday’s sort of just a snarky kid. So how do you, as a writer, take characters like those — kind of like extremes by the way — and then make them feel human?”
Gough reinforced the idea of blending tonal elements from Smallville into Wednesday. He stated:
“You could be an action-adventure show in Smallville, you can be a family drama, you could be a teen romance, you could be a horror show sometimes or a mystery. So, I think it was really kind of evolving that sort of mix of tones in one show that I think we then took to Wednesday.”
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