Wednesday: Is it Diverse?
- GIRL UP JANAKI
- Dec 19, 2022
- 6 min read
Written by: Saisha Misra
On November 23rd, Netflix released the newest adaptation of The Addams Family starring Jenna Ortega. Wednesday follows a cold, distant teenage girl as she navigates through a new boarding school for outcasts all while solving a murder mystery in the fictitious town of Jericho.
In the rising age of diverse pop culture and representation for all communities, the characters of Wednesday have indeed lived up to those standards. The plot explores deeper aspects of each of the main characters, delving into personality traits and insecurities. They have a depth to them which is showcased distinctively yet also leaves the audience questioning whether it's just the way they're built or if it's something more.
Beware, this does contain spoilers!
1. Wednesday Addams: AUTISM
Variations in the brain bring on a developmental disability known as autism spectrum disorder. People with autism may struggle with confined or repetitive activities or interests, as well as communication skills and engagement.
In Wednesday's instance, despite being intelligent, she found it difficult to interact with others at her school and couldn't even decipher basic social cues, for instance, sarcasm. Adding to that, her character is portrayed as a new age ‘emo’ which correlates to her wearing strictly black and white, much like modern teenagers. After all, black does make one look slimmer! Wednesday’s no-tear policy has her being portrayed as a sort of cold hearted, emotionally distant person, which she is, but it also has been debunked in several cases throughout the show. She also tries to limit herself to particular activities and pastimes, which is another factor. Though it isn’t confirmed, viewers are led to believe that Wednesday may be autistic and though not all of her actions are inherently positive, she’s a character that is extremely loved which I think is a great way for autistic people to connect with her!
2. Tyler Galpin: BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar Disorder is a condition characterised by periods of mood swings that range from depressive lows to manic highs. Although the precise origin is unknown, genetics, the environment, and changed neurochemistry may all be contributory factors.
According to the narrative, Tyler's mother was a Hyde who was exposed to that side of herself through postpartum depression. Tyler was later told that his mother had severe bipolar disorder when she passed away, and he had inherited the Hyde gene from her. It was later activated and finally recognized. The extreme mood swings in a bipolar individual correlate to the shift in Tyler’s form from human to Hyde when going through something even slightly triggering. Bipolarity isn’t something that’s comfortable for a person as showcased in the media and can be one of the more severe neurological disorders that an individual can experience. Tyler being the villain of the first season (even if he was manipulated into it) isn’t an overall great representation but that sort of depth to his character does make the audience empathise with him. The amount of ‘i can fix him’ one liners on the internet surely are easy to laugh along with but its also important to remember that bipolarity isn’t something that can be ‘fixed’ so easily!
3. Enid Sinclair: ADHD
ADHD is a chronic illness characterised by attention problems, restlessness, and impulsive behaviour. Low self-esteem, complicated relationships, and challenges at school or work may all be compromised.
In the show, Enid is a werewolf who is unable to ‘wolf-out’ and due to it, has extremely low self-esteem issues which only grow because of her parents' disappointment. When it comes to the inherent fear of disappointing your parents or not being good enough, no one does it better than eldest children. They’re expected to be perfect, compared to other children their age and in all honesty, it’s not that great of a feeling. Enid’s parents encourage her to go to ‘lycanthropy camp’ (aka, therapy) to help her with her werewolf side. In our day and age with mental health FINALLY being addressed and accepted, teenagers and adults alike shouldn’t be afraid to consult someone. It’s always good to have a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to hear you out. Her character is a highly active and impulsive person, always down to do something fun even if it’s investigating murder with her stoic roomate! She has what I would call a ‘sunshine personality’ because she does embody literal sunshine! Overall, Enid does have a good chance of having ADHD and with a character like hers, it's a great representation because if she was the one person Wednesday willingly hugged, you can’t deny the fact that everybody loves her.
4. Bianca Barclay: IMPOSTER SYNDROME
An individual with imposter syndrome has a chronic, internalised dread of being revealed as a fraud and questions their abilities, capabilities, or successes.
In the last few episodes of the show, it’s divulged that Bianca got into Nevermore Academy using her siren powers and manipulating the entry. She goes to great lengths to protect that secret by agreeing to help out her mother at the end of the series despite being atrociously against what it stood for. Bianca’s relationship with her mother is a rocky one, something I understand all too well. On one hand, her mother was the one who made her who she is but on the other, she threatens Bianca’s life at her school, something that she would break her promise to herself to keep intact. Romantically, her powers weren’t proving to be a boon either. It's made clear that the reason Bianca and Xavier weren’t on good terms was because he accused her of manipulating his feelings by using her siren song and his trust issues led to Bianca doubting herself and her control on her abilities. Feeling like you’re not good enough for something or that you don’t deserve it can take a severe toll on your mental health even if things are going your way. Living in that constant dread of being exposed creeps into the back of your mind way too easily. Bianca battling her intrusive thoughts and external blockages is something I very intently look forward to seeing in the next season!
5. Xavier Thorpe: AVOIDANT-ATTACHMENT ISSUES
When parents or other guardians are frequently emotionally absent or inattentive, children develop an avoidant attachment style and have trouble forming close bonds with partners.
Xavier has a celebrity father who isn’t around much, which gets him used to the absence of that figure in his life. In the series, Xavier mentions his absent father on Parent’s Day wherein he confides in Wednesday about his mental health problems and claims that his father sees his problems as a ‘PR problem that he needs to manage.’ Though he does see a therapist, there’s a vast difference between talking to someone you looked up to as a child and talking to a stranger. His avoidance in forming interpersonal relationships is expressed and understandable, because who really wants to be let down by their own expectations before the other can let them down? Better to leave before you get left, right? He puts that logic into use when in a moment of weakness asks Bianca to use her powers to make him forget about his growing crush on Wednesday after seeing her at the dance with Tyler. A completely out of pocket move on his end, but all in all, it is understandable as to why that thought would even cross his mind. Seeing someone you like with someone else does indeed feel like a stab in the chest and Xavier was just trying not to get hurt again. Who can blame him for that?
6. Ajax Petropulos: ANXIETY
A mental health condition known as anxiety disorder is characterised by persistent emotions of concern, panic, or dread that hinder daily tasks.
Ajax is a gorgon with the power to turn anyone into stone either temporarily or permanently with just a look (and of course the snakes for hair.) In his budding relationship with Enid, at first, he’s slightly scared to progress with her since he doesn’t know how to control his powers and fears turning her to stone. They say love immortalises the one you love, but in Ajax’s case, that isn’t too romantic, is it? When he accidentally temporarily turns himself to stone and misses his date, he believes it’s best to back away from her so as to not cause her any more trouble. What he doesn’t realise is that Enid loves him for who he is, snakes and all. Anxiety tends to take control of every aspect of one’s life and watching Ajax make the best out of a bad situation will surely push a little reassurance in the way of viewers that suffer with it.
The supernatural-comedy-horror show has taken the internet by storm by keeping up to date with the original adaptation itself and the representation showcased. Audiences were able to spot themselves in the characters, which is something aimed to achieve in all forms of media currently, because that's what matters most. The connection.
The first season left us in awe and we’re eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#:~:text=ADHD%20is%20one%20of%20the,)%2C%20or%20be%20overly%20active.
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