Summary
A student dance is the setting for this chapter’s chaos. Expect visual homages and obvious plot points mixed in with the usual deadpan humor and intriguing mystery. It’s unfortunate that Wednesday relies so heavily on teen clichés and standard plot beats, but there is still plenty to enjoy from this Tim Burton TV series.
We recap the Netflix series Wednesday season 1, episode 4, “Woe What a Night,” which contains spoilers
At the end of the last chapter, the monster killed again, this time attacking a homeless man at the ruins of the Old Meeting House. The squatter had stolen a camera earlier in the episode and this stolen item flashes as the latest victim is murdered. The Sheriff (Jamie McShane) has the photographs developed and glimpses the horrifying creature at close range. In “Woe What a Night”, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) and the Sheriff continue their investigation, while the students prepare for the Rave’N Dance, which is sure to be an unforgettable night.
Wednesday season 1, episode 4 recap – what is Xavier hiding?
The episode kicks off with a late-night morgue visit. Thing and Wednesday break in and assess the victims’ bodies. One particular corpse appears to be missing its left foot. Wednesday pieces her evidence together on a board in her room, realizing that each victim has one specific body part removed. Enid faints on numerous occasions as Wednesday presents her roommate with the data. Wednesday concludes that this monster is collecting trophies as a serial killer would do.
In class, all the students are eagerly discussing the upcoming dance, but Wednesday couldn’t be less enthused. She notices those deep scratch marks on Xavier’s neck and follows him to a mysterious spot. The building happens to be Xavier’s makeshift art studio and inside Wednesday discovers terrifying paintings of the monster, recognizable by those wide, piercing eyes. She escapes just before Xavier returns, but he is suspicious of her sudden appearance. Fearing her cover has been blown, she is instead pressured into asking him to the dance, he of course accepts most graciously.
Enid is ecstatic that Wednesday is going to the dance and drags her roommate on a shopping spree. Wednesday isn’t fussed by the usual brand shops but falls for a gothic dress hanging in the antique shop’s window. On her travels, she bumps into her elusive therapist and then heads over to the Sheriff’s office. Wednesday proposes that they work together, but Galpin wants concrete evidence first. Meanwhile, Enid and Lucas decide to help each other out and plan to go to the dance together to make certain people jealous.
Wednesday moves her evidence board into Eugene’s beekeeping quarters. The geek instantly spots the drawing of the creature. In one of Xavier’s pictures, the monster is seen in a spiraling cave. Eugene knows the exact spot. They head over and discover the monster’s leftovers, bones, and carcasses, even a set of handcuffs and chains. Wednesday also happens to find a claw, swiping that all-important proof. To provide a DNA match, she heads back to Xavier’s and pulls a bloodied rag from his bin. Xavier returns and argues with Wednesday over the accusations. He is adamant that the scratch marks came from his painting. Remember, he can bring his artwork to life. Wednesday is surprised that he too can’t control his powers though. Xavier orders her to leave. Looks like Wednesday won’t be attending the dance after all.
The intrepid sleuth presents the Sheriff with her findings and he is baffled by her quick turnaround. Galpin sends the evidence off for analysis. Eugene is turned down by Enid, Bianca and Xavier decide to go to the dance together and Thing intervenes in Wednesday’s love life. He types a note for Tyler and places the invitation in the coffee shop’s tips jar. Eugene and Wednesday plan to stake out the cave that night instead of attending the dance, but Thing’s tinkering has put a pause on this.
Tyler turns up at Wednesday’s door and she frantically rushes to get changed. Thing has also bought her the dress she idolized and she throws the gothic outfit on. Tyler and Wednesday head to the dance, which upsets Eugene to no end. He decides to go to the stakeout alone – foolish boy. At the dance, Weems hints at a little more of her bickering past with Morticia and the students awkwardly interact.
Wednesday season 1, episode 4 ending
Everybody is stunned by Wednesday’s fashionable entrance. Xavier looks beside himself with envy. So does Ajax over Enid and her awkward dance partner Lucas. Xavier decides to spoil Wednesday’s fun and explains why he hates Tyler so much. At last year’s Outreach Day, Tyler and his friends assaulted Xavier and destroyed his mural. Wednesday confronts her date about this accusation and he admits that it’s the truth, but he regrets his actions. Wednesday isn’t put off by this news though, seeing Tyler’s remorse. They go back out onto the dance floor and she busts out some rather weird dance moves.
Xavier upsets Bianca, and then the Townies arrive to set up a prank. It has been done many times before, but it is nonetheless still as iconic. They cause blood to rain down from the sprinklers, destroying everybody’s outfits and fun. Wednesday looks at home in the cascading blood but then remarks that it tastes like paint. The students slip and slide fleeing the scene. Enid cries in front of Lucas, realizing she was just a pawn in his plan, but Ajax comes to her defense.
Wednesday has another vision, this time of Eugene in trouble. She rushes to his aid, but it’s too late. He witnesses a figure set fire to the cave and is then chased by the monster. The episode ends with the monster mauling Eugene, presumably to death. Poor Wednesday finds her naïve friend coated in real blood on the leafy floor.
What did you think of Wednesday season 1, episode 4? Comment below.
