The first season of Wednesday was great in many ways — from the directing and set design to the acting and the story. It all worked. I especially hope whoever choreographed Wednesday’s dance scene got a massive raise, because that moment was pure perfection.

It seemed like everyone loved it, so it’s no surprise that Netflix ordered more. (I’ve heard at least three seasons are planned.)

I finally got around to watching the eight-episode second season last week, and I have to say — it’s still good. The production quality remains top-notch. The directing, sets, score, and characters are all on par with Hollywood-level filmmaking. You can clearly tell when Tim Burton was more involved in directing, though, as his episodes once again stand out as the highlights of the season.

However, the writing has taken a noticeable dip. There are simply too many characters, each with their own side plot. As a result, the main storyline feels diluted and reduced to a framework that merely ties all the other plots together.

Another major issue is the miscasting of Gomez and Morticia. This was already a weak point in the first season, though it wasn’t too distracting since both characters had limited screen time. Unfortunately, they get much more focus this season — and it hurts the show. Nothing against Luis Guzmán, but his portrayal of Gomez just isn’t my cup of tea. He turns the character into a comedic oddball, lacking the charm and sophistication of his predecessors. Catherine Zeta-Jones looks almost frozen in place — her expression so stiff that it conveys little to no emotion thanks to lots of botox sessions I’d assume. When the two share a scene, their lack of chemistry makes things even more awkward.

Overall, everything the first season did great, the second does worse. But as the first season was so well done, the second still turns out to be good. But is Season 2 a must-watch? Sadly, no.