Summary
- Pugsley’s submissive nature complements Wednesday’s dominant personality.
- Pugsley steps into his own identity in Wednesday Season 2.
- Pugsley’s evolution brings warmth and depth to the Addams Family narrative.
Tim Burton’s Addams Family-inspired spinoff begins with the lead character, Wednesday, firmly establishing herself as her little brother’s savior. She walks up to Pugsley’s locker, opens it, and finds him crammed inside. An apple stuffed inside his mouth, limbs tied, he is utterly helpless — until Wednesday comes to his rescue.
The scene offers a clear insight into their sibling dynamic: Pugsley is the weaker one, while Wednesday is his fierce protector. She even declares, “The only person who gets to torture my brother is me,” before releasing two bags of hungry piranhas in the bullies’ pool. But in Wednesday Season 2, this dynamic must evolve. It did work well in the show’s debut season, where the emotionally guarded Wednesday was the key focus, but now Pugsley deserves a compelling arc of his own.
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Pugsley Is The Overlooked Addams
In Wednesday Season 1, Pugsley’s submissive nature played perfectly well against his sister’s more dominant personality. Before parting ways in Nevermore Academy’s courtyard, Wednesday coldly withheld a hug, but delivered a mean parting note:
Pugsley, you’re soft and weak. You’ll never survive without me. I give you two months, tops.
Yet, in true Pugsley fashion, he warmly responded, “I’m gonna miss you, too, sis.”
While Pugsley’s softer, gentle, loving, and easy-going traits complemented Wednesday’s sarcastic and ruthless nature, Season 2 is the perfect time for the young Addams to step into his own identity. Season 1 relegated Pugsley to the background, and understandably so, as Wednesday’s journey at Nevermore and her uncovering of the Hyde mystery took center stage. But with the Addams family being upped to series regulars in the upcoming season, it is time for Pugsley to step up, evolve beyond a background character, and carve out his own compelling arc.
Pugsley Has His Moment in Wednesday Episode 5
The Addamses visit Wednesday in Episode 5 “You Reap What You Woe,” providing a much deeper look into the family dynamics. Pugsley gets his moment in the spotlight when the decades-old case against Gomez Addams resurfaces, and he is wrongfully arrested for the murder of Morticia’s stalker, Garrett Gates.
But before this drama unfolds, Pugsley is the first to admit to Dr. Valerie Kinbott that he misses having Wednesday at home. Also, when he learns their father was accused of murdering the local normie boy, Gates, he seems more amused than shocked—hinting that there is a spark of mischief beneath his innocent nature. Pugsley, the oddball, amusingly mistakes potpourri for candy and munches on it as Wednesday brings up Gomez’s role in Gates’ murder during their therapy session.
After Gomez’s arrest, Wednesday finds Pugsley sitting by the lake, and hands him his fishing gear, with the scene revealing that a hand grenade is his favorite fishing bait. Straight-faced, he also admits he always thought he’d be the first one in the family to end up behind bars. Without missing a beat, Wednesday replies that she and Lurch had a bet going. Pugsley entrusts Wednesday with uncovering the truth about what really happened on the night of the tragic Rave’N while promising to be strong for their mother. His mix of antics, insightful moments, and conduct at Dr. Kinbott’s clinic reinforces that he is more than Wednesday’s naive younger brother. He holds more comedic and perceptive potential than Netflix’s Wednesday lets on. After all, he is closer to their parents and shares Morticia’s sensibility, which makes him more observant than the fandom may assume.
It Is Time For Pugsley To Shine in Wednesday Season 2
Traditionally, Pugsley has been his sister’s accomplice and a mischief-maker, but in the Netflix reincarnation, he is portrayed as a more thoughtful, kind, affectionate Addam. All of these virtues will seamlessly translate into a compelling narrative for season 2. Unlike Wednesday, Pugsley doesn’t shy away from his emotions, and, despite being the younger of the duo, he helps her see their family in a more positive light. His thoughtfulness, and emotional maturity make him the perfect counterbalance to Wednesday. A stronger Pugsley, possibly enrolled at Nevermore Academy, is a dynamic that Season 2 desperately needs. He is the perfect addition of warmth that the cold and uniquely black-and-white family could use.
Moreover, a stronger Pugsley, with an independent arc of his own, translates into a richer Addams Family narrative — something that fans have long clamored for. Although Pugsley relied on his older sister’s protection so far, now is the time for him to learn to defend himself. He must hone his unique traits to aid his family — or his sister — depending on the direction Season 2 takes. Furthermore, it makes sense for both siblings to attend Nevermore Academy. Pugsley should drop out of Nancy Reagan High School and honor his parents’ legacy by transferring to Nevermore, where he truly belongs. This setting opens the doors to myriad intriguing plotlines. He could lead the new students at the school, form an alliance with Eugene Ottinger, and make an A-team with him, Enid, and Wednesday.
The time has arrived for Pugsley to transcend the “little brother” trope and step into his own. Burton should explore more storylines that give not only this youngest Addam but the family, on the whole, their moments in the spotlight.
Wednesday Season 2 will debut sometime in 2025.
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