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Summary
WednesdaySeason 1 introduced several supporting characters, all of whom brought a distinct flavor to the series and were loved for their contribution overall. The eponymous lead’s quirky and enigmatic parents, Morticia and Gomez, set the tone for the emotional complexity of the Addams family, while she, her brother Pugsley, and their eccentric Uncle Fester followed the lead.
Besides Morticia, Gomez, and their children,the Addams familyis supported by a backbone of underutilized characters whose presence enriches the family’s mysterious aesthetic. The relationship between the Addams family and their loyal workers leads to a unique dynamic that enriches the enigmaticWednesdayuniverse. That said, one of these supporting characters remained astonishingly underutilized. But, of course, there’s hope that this wrong can be corrected in the upcoming season.
This Underutilized Character Left TheWednesdayFandom In A Lurch
As Wednesday is being shipped off to Nevermore in the family hearse, her parents try to educate her on the school’s value. To Morticia and Gomez, the basis of Nevermore’s appeal lies in the fact that it’sa haven for outcasts, and they believe their emotionally dysregulated daughter will find it life-changing. Their belief is that once Wednesday finds herself among peers who understand her unique nature, she will grow into a more responsible person.
Wednesday has a history of questionable behavior at previous Normie schools. She disregards healthy dialogue in favor of sarcasm and sharp retorts — all of which underscore the need for her to be surrounded by her kind. Morticia and Gomez believe that Nevermore will offer support in a way that normal schools can’t. After all, dumping live piranhas into the bullies' swimming pool to avenge Pugsley was highly disproportionate.
Wednesday, of course, shows no remorse for the assault. But there’s one character who, despite being a stony face, expresses slight distaste atMorticia and Gomez' exaggerated displays of affection. This one occasionally rolls his eyes while driving the family to Jericho. He’s jaded by this over-the-top couple.
Who Is The Addams Family Butler?
Wednesday, Morticia, and Gomez sit in the back, while Pugsley is in the front seat beside the Frankensteinian butler, Lurch. Lurch does not utter a single word — not even when Wednesday asks him to remind her parents that she is no longer speaking to them. Silent and stoic, he keeps driving even when a flock of birds collides against the windshield.
A beloved character from the comic strip, Lurch is among the loyal members of the Addams family, despite not being related by blood. Actor George Burcea’s unyielding portrayal of Lurch captures his essence well, though the screen time is short of leaving the fandom feeling satisfied.
Per Charles Addams' description of Lurch:
This towering mute has been shambling around the house forever… He is not a very good butler but a faithful one… One eye is opaque, the scanty hair is damply clinging to his narrow flat head… generally the family regards him as something of a joke.
WednesdaySeason 2 Must Give Lurch The Spotlight He Deserves
Lurch’s silent presence leaves much to be desired on Parents' Weekend, when he drives Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley once again to Nevermore. He dutifully shuts the car door, but his silence only underscores how insufficiently explored his character is. He can also be seen around Jericho, chauffeuring the family to Dr Kinbott’s office, yet staying behind, thus forsaking another opportunity to do something meaningful on the screen.
With the rest of the family set to play a bigger role inWednesdaySeason 2, the upcoming season could create potentially interesting storylines for all of them, but especially their loyal butler. He doesn’t interact much with Morticia, Gomez, or even their children, for that matter. His isolation from the family has to be rectified by giving him space within their story. It is pertinent to mention that, despite their minimal screen time together, Lurch and Pugsley make a terrific on-screen duo. A potential dynamic could also evolve betweenhim, Wednesday, and Thing.
Lurch is at Nevermore at the end ofWednesdaySeason 1, driving Wednesday away from the eerie campus toward home. She is seated in the back of her car, and he is focused on the road. Lurch steers past Tyler’s vehicle, unaware of the deadly monster chained within.Wednesday’s reimagining of Lurch doesn’t sit well, as the character remains underutilized throughout. While he does chauffeur for the family, he keeps his distance during their personal moments.
With that being said, Lurch’s smaller role can also be attributed to the fact thatWednesdaySeason 1 was trying to gain ground with Wednesday as the solo lead within a school-centric setting.WednesdaySeason 2is the perfect moment to give Lurch (now played by Joonas Suotamo) the screen time he deserves to fully embrace the legacy of the character. As the Addams family finds themselves tied more and more to Nevermore, Lurch will appear more frequently. He may even be given a bigger role in the storyline. Shutting doors and catering to the Addams is his job, but he’s more than just a servant. AsWednesdayevolves, here’s hoping Lurch finds a meaningful place within the Addamses' lives.
