If you’re a fan of sitcoms and haven’t watched the original Addams Family, I would recommend you do so. Though it came out in 1964, it is progressive enough to remain watchable. They are essentially the perfect family and the source of their conflict is usually just how much they creep everyone out. While most sitcoms create conflict by having the characters be terrible to one another, “The Addams Family” creates conflict with the outside world, leaving space for the family members to be absolutely wonderful to one another. Gomez and Morticia are the ideal partners and the ideal parents to their son and daughter, Pugsley and Wednesday.
They love and celebrate each other, support each other and do things together. It seems obvious, but how often are sitcom families actually shown spending time enjoying one another’s presence? The Addams Family are shown practicing shooting arrows, playing cards, tending to the garden and tons of other stuff. They also compliment one another constantly. When they shoot arrows in the living room, they gush over one another’s skill. Gomez compliments Morticia on much more than her appearance and they frequently reminisce about times they’ve had together. They’re so in love it’s sickening, and that love is based on respect. They treat each other like equals. They make decisions together. There was a moment when Gomez offered to brush Morticia’s hair, reminding her that she did his the other day. Honestly, I use the Addams as a measuring stick for every relationship I get into.
They are sexual beings. Their mutual sexual attraction is eclipsed only by their mutual respect. Morticia says one word in French and Gomez is bombarding her with kisses. If she says, “Not right now,” he immediately stops. Unlike in many sitcoms, their sex life is never brought up as a manipulation tactic. Neither of them withhold sex as punishment. The only way sex is ever brought up in the show is to underline how much they enjoy one another. When Pugsley starts showing signs of subversive behavior (like wearing Boy Scout uniforms and playing baseball), they go to a psychologist and take his advice, never becoming angry or judgmental. They don’t act like they know more than the psychologist, they don’t undermine him, they act as a united front, and most importantly, they don’t act like their son is bad or wrong for acting out. They just worry about him and love him unconditionally, as always. Their parenting is better than any other example of sitcom parenting, not to mention most examples of actual parenting. Because of this, those kids are great. They are polite and well behaved and they have strong morals. They refuse to lie, even for their friends. Everyone is “Sir” and “Ma’am.” And Wednesday seems like a great spider mom.
Gomez is a good parent, and not a bumbling idiot. This shouldn’t need to be an example of great writing, but most sitcom dads are so uninterested and disconnected that they border on sociopathy. They are so stupid and inept that they depend on their wives as mothers. Gomez is none of these things. He and Morticia both go to meet with the school counsellor and later the child psychologist. There is never a question of him being plugged into the family. He and Pugsley spend time bonding together by blowing up toy trains. He takes interest in Wednesday’s collection of spiders. He knows and loves his kids, which is more than I can say for a majority of sitcom dads.
Morticia is a 60s feminist icon. She is a matriarch and is seen making important decisions and commands. She orders Uncle Fester to his room and he goes. She decides to have a meeting with the school, and she and Gomez go. She is celebrated and respected in her femininity and her strength. Her talent and intellect are important to her and her loved ones. She keeps living, possibly sentient plants as a hobby and Gomez loves going into her garden and complimenting her work. She is beautiful and kind and she is strong and outspoken. Her wishes are not secondary to her husband’s, a quality we still struggle to find in media today.
Above all, The Addams Family is kind. They welcome strangers into their home and treat them with respect. They try to help anyone who seems to be in need and never judges them. When a young motorcyclist comes into their house and crashes for a while, they make sure he knows he is welcome to make himself at home and tell him how much they love his “colorful” way of speaking. Not only do they love one another, but they love people in general too. Difference is something to be celebrated in The Addams Family, and the wholesomeness of this message is never undercut by the overall silliness of the show.