The Academic Enigma of Nevermore Academy in Wednesday

Unraveling the Academic Mystery at Nevermore

The Unclear Educational Landscape of Nevermore Academy

Netflix's 'Wednesday' draws parallels with the 'Harry Potter' series, featuring a protagonist navigating a supernatural boarding school and unraveling mysteries. Yet, the second season of 'Wednesday' notably overlooks a fundamental aspect of this genre: the actual schooling. Despite a significant budget increase and an elaborate new Nevermore Academy set, complete with themed uniforms and on-campus amenities, the focus remains primarily on social interactions and mystery-solving rather than academic pursuits.

Student Life Beyond the Classroom Walls

The students at Nevermore Academy in season two are frequently depicted socializing, enjoying custom beverages from the new Tell Tale cart, and engaging in personal endeavors. While Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is seen attempting to solve ongoing mysteries, the curriculum and day-to-day academic activities remain largely obscure. This shift from season one, where subjects like botany and the school library were more visibly integrated into the narrative, raises questions about what these supernaturally gifted students are actually learning.

Faculty Roles and the Ambiguous Curriculum

While some faculty members are introduced in season two, such as a music teacher and a biology instructor (a head in a jar), the breadth of Nevermore's academic offerings is surprisingly narrow. Wednesday, an aspiring writer, doesn't appear to be actively enrolled in English or creative writing courses, despite the potential for engaging academic conflict. The school's new principal, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), seems more preoccupied with fundraising events than with upholding academic rigor, even encouraging a scholarship student to prioritize financial solicitations over her studies.

The Vague Operations of Nevermore Academy

Beyond the limited glimpses of specific classes, the overall operational structure of Nevermore remains indistinct. The distinct student groups from season one—sirens, vampires, werewolves, and gorgons—undergo changes in season two, with some seemingly vanishing and new ones emerging. It's unclear whether the school's primary function is to simply house students with powers away from regular society or to actively develop their unique abilities. Eugene Ottinger's (Moosa Mostafa) evolving control over arthropods, for instance, appears to be an independent study without regular oversight, further highlighting the lack of formal academic structure.

A School's Negligence in Education and Safety

In stark contrast to Hogwarts, where learning was consistently foregrounded despite its inherent dangers, Nevermore Academy exhibits a concerningly relaxed attitude toward both academics and student safety. With two principals meeting unfortunate ends in consecutive seasons and an early termination of the school year in the second season finale, the institution's viability and commitment to its educational mission come into question. The show's apparent lack of interest in what transpires within Nevermore's classrooms suggests a potential oversight in developing a crucial aspect of its supernatural school setting.