The comedy-horror series Wednesday made its way into the world in November of last year. Wednesday includes modernized aspects of the classic The Addams Family and features eccentric, “emo” protagonist Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as she navigates her new–not to mention, magical–school, Nevermore Academy. The original Wednesday on The Addams Family, Christina Ricci, is also a welcome surprise in this adaptation of the iconic show. 

In Wednesday, the titular protagonist grapples with the mystery of her parents’ past at Nevermore and uncovers powerful secrets through her cryptic psychic visions– secrets that threaten to turn the world of Nevermore upside down. The show highlights Wednesday’s teenage stubbornness—referred to as sachungi in Korean—and her journey through adolescence.

Her turbulent yet touching friendship with Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) is synonymous with sour candy, and the chemistry between the two is obvious. An exciting love triangle between classmate Xavier Thorpe (Percy Hynes White) and boy-next-door Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan) adds a bit more spice to the already suspenseful and dramatic show, alluding to what comes next: trouble. 

Her persona seems dark and distinctly “other,” but Wednesday still has regular teen emotions beneath the surface. Raised by a rather idiosyncratic family, Wednesday hates sentimentality and is literally allergic to color; she is adamant and strongly maintains her convictions. 

This unapologeticness is what I love about her, as an introvert myself, because it allows her to express her true opinions and embrace even the parts of her that others find disconcerting or “different.” However, all this stubbornness isn’t to say she lacks character development. In the episode, “If You Don’t Woe Me by Now,” Wednesday sheds a tear, even after vowing never to cry. 

Although she may seem cold-hearted and straightforward, Wednesday is still a child: someone who has feelings, wants to be loved, and needs friends just like anybody else. In the end, Wednesday really is no different than the rest of us– plus top-notch sleuthing skills, torturous tendencies, and a supernatural side-kick named Thing. Now, we just have to wait for season two to see more of Wednesday’s spooky antics!