The following contains spoilers for Wednesday Season 1, now streaming on Netflix.
As Netflix's Wednesday rolls on, the titular heroine (played by Jenna Ortega) learns a lot about her life -- including her own lineage dating back to her ancestor Goody Addams -- via her socializing at Nevermore Academy. She's been sent there after getting expelled from her previous school, but as with any high school, cliques form, bullying occurs and Wednesday realizes she's caught in a supernatural soap opera. Interestingly, a lot of this drama is connected to her having two potential love interests: Tyler Galpin and Xavier Thorpe.
Admittedly, both boys initially come off charming, shaping an intriguing romantic triangle, and leaving Wednesday slightly concerned over the thought of feelings and emotions. However, neither turn out to be a good match by the time Season 1 ends. This actually calls back to 1993's Addams Family Values where Christina Ricci's iconic version of Wednesday Addams had her own soulmate, and it's someone who was much better suited to her outcast energy: Joel Glicker.
Netflix's Wednesday Only Meets Toxic Men
Out of the gate, Tyler is an awful choice for a romantic partner since he's revealed to be Season 1's serial killer -- the Hyde maiming people around Nevermore and Jericho. Even before that deceitful reveal, he's depicted as emotionally manipulative of Wednesday -- his being brainwashed notwithstanding. As such, even if he redeems himself in a potential Season 2, it would still feel like Wednesday is trapping herself in a harmful relationship built on lies and mistrust.
As for Xavier Thorpe, he's no villain, but he's not a better option either. In his case, he suffers from Nice Guy Syndrome, and comes off entitled and arrogant, thinking Wednesday owes him a relationship for being good to her and saving her life. On top of that, he's emotionally abusive too, especially when she spends time with Tyler, acting all jealous, narcissistic and privileged. None of this is symptomatic of healthy relationship behavior. Seeing as Wednesday has only seen pure love and passion between her parents, she should seek someone who'd actually love and respect her rather than objectify her and use her for their own gain.
Addams Family Values' Joel Was More Understanding
While Addams Family Values exists in a different universe from Netflix's Wednesday, the titular heroine's love interest in that film, Joel Glicker, was way more understanding, kind and filled with compassion. His empathy is seen when he helps Wednesday and Pugsley at summer camp show teens how Thanksgiving really masks the butchering of Native Americans. Sure, he felt like a pawn at times, but he was genuine and had no ulterior motives. He got Wednesday to find the humanity within herself to the point she panicked, which is unusual for her.
Joel's energy is simply infectious, ergo why she kept him around and shared her first kiss with him. She appreciated all his advice as well, especially regarding her family, which inspired her to get back home to the mansion and save Uncle Fester from that bad marriage to Debbie. The film even ended with them discussing a romantic standing, and while Wednesday didn't actively pursue something, she was open to the possibility of dating him as he felt like the right person came along.
It's understandable too, because though they were both just kids, Joel was the model of a caring partner: honest with his feelings towards Wednesday, and respectful of her decisions and identity. He accepted her as she was, even if she wasn't into marriage or having children. Notably, not once did he shame her for that decision, which is why she pranked him at the end at Debbie's grave, to show him once he could handle being scared out his wits with her, they'd have a future. It's warped, but again, Joel knew this was her style, forging a complete, wholesome bond, as opposed to Wednesday where the young lady just couldn't find mature, responsible guys.
Wednesday Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.