On November 23, 2022, Netflix released its new horror/comedy television show Wednesday, which gained immediate attention and popularity. The 8-episode series, directed by none other than Tim Burton, is a spinoff of the original Addams Family. Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega, is a weird and slightly unhinged teen who is sent to Nevermore Academy, an institute for “outsiders.” There she meets werewolves and sirens and vampires galore, but Wednesday’s only powers consist of strong visions when she touches certain people. Xavier Thorpe, played by Percy Hynes White, has similar psychic abilities in the form of seeing visions when he sleeps, in addition to the awesome ability to bring his drawings to life (we love an artsy king). Wednesday also comes across Tyler Galpin, played by Hunter Doohan, during her time at Nevermore: a normal teenager working at the local coffee shop. Both Xavier and Tyler become enamored with Wednesday’s quirky-yet-somehow-irresistible personality and spend the entire series vying for her affection.
Let me preface the rest of this article by saying that Wednesday does not need a love interest, especially as a sixteen year-old girl solving murders and mysteries. However, entertainment is entertainment, and your girl is a lover of all things romance, so I can’t complain. I will say, however, that I was disappointed by the love triangle trope. C’mon people, everyone knows that a love triangle is tacky and totally cringe! But, being the professional journalist that I am, I will look past it in order to give my opinions that absolutely nobody asked for.
Let’s start with Tyler Galpin. Okay, I know it’s ruthless to attack someone because of their name, but seriously? Tyler? It’s giving fratty, and everyone knows it. I don’t necessarily have a problem with Tyler as a character, although he admittedly got on my nerves a lot. I mean, he’s your typical “nice guy” that shows up when it’s inconvenient and develops a crush on Wednesday because she’s “not like other girls.” Tyler, buddy, stick to making coffees and playing lacrosse or something. Murders and mystery don’t exactly seem up your ally. Also, I’m positive that this guy has some sort of god complex, because he has the audacity to confront Wednesday about the status of their relationship, saying that she’s been giving him “signs.” This man must be out of his damn mind, because she has never ever spared him a smile. If constantly glowering at him and asking for a ride out of town is considered a “sign,” then I guess she’s real interested.
I may have gone a little overboard with the Tyler slander, considering that many fans of the show absolutely adore him, but I’ve always been partial to the “bad boy” anyway. This is where Xavier Thorpe comes in, with his long hair flowing luxuriously. Seriously though, I am now a long-hair enthusiast after being introduced to Xavier, and I’ll admit that the amount of TikTok edits I’ve watched just because of his hair is definitely creepy. Ask my roommate, she’s been the unlucky recipient of these edits, despite having never watched the show. Anyway *awkward laugh*… moving on. Xavier is basically emo, and undoubtedly tortured. However, he takes an immediate liking to Wednesday, and even saves her life at the beginning of the series. The only downside to his character is that he, too, seems confused as to why Wednesday won’t return his affections. Men are literally the worst, I’m telling you. I’m going to blame it on daddy issues, which both Xavier and Tyler clearly suffer from. But let’s not forget that Xavier also painted Wednesday playing cello, her instrument of choice, and even made the music come to life using his powers. If Wednesday doesn’t want him, I’ll take him!
I feel as though Tyler apologists are forgetting the most important part of his character… the fact that he is literally Hyde!! Aka, the murderer. Hello, have people lost their minds? Not only is Tyler a killer, but he completely manipulated Wednesday into thinking he was helping her solve the mystery. If there’s one thing we can count on men to do, it’s gaslight. I can’t stand idly by and watch people stan Tyler and Wednesday, claiming that he was also a victim of manipulation or that he loved her deep down. Yeah… and?? I don’t care if both of those are true, this dude killed Wednesday’s friends and tried to do the same to her. Thanks, but I think I’ll stick to riding the Xavier train for now. At least Xavier still tried to save Wednesday even after she falsely accused him of being the Hyde.
If you haven’t already gathered, I am 100% on Team Xavier. Granted, this probably isn’t great for me, considering that finals are fast approaching and I’ve now made it my duty to fixate on Percy Hynes White and watch everything that he’s ever been in. It’s truly a curse to develop a crush on a fictional character, especially one with such amazing hair. But at least I’m able to sleep at night knowing that I’m not a Tyler stan.