Summary
On Netflix’sWednesday, Thing serves the Addams Family with unwavering loyalty. He is a disembodied hand—five fingers intact, no arm—but with a big personality. Though covered in scary scars, Thing is a full-blown character who somehow manages to keep his skin moisturized, smooth, and supple.
After dropping Wednesday off at Nevermore, Gomez secretly leaves Thing behind to keep a watchful eye on his daughter without her knowledge. But it doesn’t take her long to clock him by the scent of his neroli and bergamot hand lotion and confront him. She offers him a choice between spending the rest of the semester locked in her drawer or swearing undying devotion to her. Thing chooses the latter, opting to become Wednesday’s sidekick. With time, he makes acquaintances and eventually bonds withWednesday’s bubbly roommate, EnidSinclair. Every time the duo shares the screen, they breathe life into the otherwise drab and eerie atmosphere of Nevermore. Now, all things considered, wouldn’t it be great if this dynamic were explored more inWednesdaySeason 2?
Thing’s Big Personality Against Wednesday’s Stoic Composure
Wednesday carries the right-hand appendage in her backpack, and he aids her, first in trying to escape Nevermore and later, at various points in the story. Thing has a rich sign language of his own, and he communicates with Wednesday through graceful finger gestures and movements. While Wednesday doesn’t face trouble understanding him, there’s a visible disconnect between his sassy and expressive personality and Wednesday’s emotionally guarded nature. At one point, Thing is deeply hurt when Wednesday chastises him for failing to keep an eye onRowan Laslow at the train station. Thing does his job well, but loses Rowan in the bathroom through no fault of his own. Rowan is actually Weems shape-shifted into him and then into a man, giving Thing an escape. Wednesday offers a half-apology, bribing Thing with cuticle scissors, hand cream, or nail buffer, but Thing points out that her stubbornness, single-mindedness, and obsessive nature are traits seen in serial killers. He wants Wednesday to get things off her chest, refusing to engage further until she opens up. And she does, but not long after, she threatens to end his life. Someone like Enid would never do that to Thing.
The downside of Thing’s big personality and charm is that they play off more with Enid than with Wednesday. Enid first sees him on their balcony, flipping pages of Wednesday’s music book, and goes, “Whoa,” conveying a mix of surprise, ick, and mild disgust. She proceeds to ask Wednesday where the rest of him is, and hears, “It’s one of the great Addams family mysteries,” for an answer. Thing jumps off the music stand, goes right past a weirded-out Enid, and disappears from the scene.
Thing also paysTyler Galpin a late-night surprisevisit in his bedroom on Wednesday’s orders, leading to a funny scene where he escapes his blows and directs him to call her. Though it is amusing, it is Enid with whom Thing truly resonates.
Enid And Thing OnWednesday
Thing is fiercely loyal to Wednesday and loves her, but with Enid, the chemistry seems more organic. Enid understands Thing’s language and emotions — and that’s something not many in the show, especially Wednesday, can do. He readily takes Enid’s command during the Poe Cup and is instrumental in securing the Black Cats' victory.
Thing and Enid’s bond is more natural. They spend hours together, from Thing giving her neck massages to giving each other manicures. Thing even confides in Enid about howWednesday doesn’t really respecthim as a person, and to this, Wednesday replies, “Well, technically he’s only a hand.”
Enid agrees to help Wednesday on the condition that she apologize to Thing first, proving that she understands him and his personhood. Thing loves Wednesday, and Enid rightly points out— he’s her family, and would do anything for her. However, the bond he has built with Enid by investing time and effort is entirely different. They are close, affectionate, and unlike Wednesday, Enid really listens to him, which is what sets their relationship apart.
WednesdaySeason 2: Thing And Enid Deserve More Time Together
AfterMarilyn Thornhill/ Laurel Gateskills Weems, Thing rushes to Enid and reenacts whatever went down between Wednesday, Weems, and Thornhill. Thanks to Thing’s timely communication and Enid’s ability to understand his language, she and Ajax are promoted to rush to Wednesday’s defense.
Thingreturns toWednesdaySeason 2, alongside Wednesday and Enid. Quite obviously, he will be back at Nevermore with the ragtag group and thus gearing up to unravel the mysteries of the upcoming season. Whatever this season may hold, one thing is guaranteed: Thing’s camaraderie with Enid will once again shine.
In the Season 2 teaser trailer, Wednesday admonishes Thing during a security check for carrying sunscreen. As she and her hilarious sidekick are making their way through the security gates, they are stopped and questioned — oddly enough — over sunscreen, even though Wednesday is carrying forbidden items such as knuckles and whatnot. When a security officer holds up the sunscreen and questions her,Wednesday immediately turns to Thing, expecting him to explain himself.
In Season 2,Wednesdayis guaranteed to be blunt and deadpan, but Enid will retain her bubbly aura, greeting her once again with, “Howdy, Roomie!” Thing needs Enid and vice versa, and together they will be a treat to watch.
