Principal Weems holds a significant grudge against Morticia Addams in Wednesday, and the reason for this stretches back to their days at school together. The animosity here made Weems (played by Gwendoline Christie) a rather suspicious figure in season 1 of the Netflix series since it seemed she had a motive for wanting to see Wednesday harmed. However, this was all meant as a red herring, and Wednesday ultimately revealed that Principal Weems was on the side of good. In truth, she cared about both Wednesday and Morticia, though the latter relationship is far more complicated.
Unfortunately, Larissa Weems was murdered at the end of Wednesday season 1, so it would seem that her story is at an end. However, in a universe in which monsters attend a school for outcasts and prejudiced pilgrims are resurrected by a vengeful teacher, anything seems possible. Perhaps Weems will make a return to Nevermore in Wednesday season 2 or beyond. This would be a pleasant surprise and serve the plot well since there is still a lot to Weems' backstory left to uncover—especially in the way of her complicated friendship with Morticia.
Morticia Liked Weems, But Weems Was Always Jealous Of Her
Morticia Was Good At Everything
Morticia was perfectly pleasant toward Weems in Wednesday season 1 and was seemingly oblivious to the Nevermore principal's animosity toward her old friend. It's revealed early on that these two had been roommates back during their time at the school for outcasts, and there is indication throughout season 1 that they were genuine friends. They performed in the Nevermore talent competition together and were partners in the Poe Cup. Morticial looks back on all these memories fondly, but when Weems reminisces, she seems only to see her younger self constantly outshined.
By Weem's account, she was constantly struggling to break out of Morticia's shadow. Wednesday's mother excelled at everything she did at Nevermore. She was the captain of the fencing team, and her eccentricities made her greatly popular at the school. Weems, though talented, lacked Morticia's unique brand of confidence. She seemed to deeply admire her friend and roommate but resent the attention Morticia received. In this way, Weems and Wednesday shared something in common in Wednesday season 1. They were both haunted by Morticia's large presence at Nevermore, even decades after she left the school.
Wednesday Season 1 Implies Weems Was In Love With Gomez
Weems Invited Gomez To The Rave'N
Weems' jealousy of Morticia might have started with academics and general popularity, but it's implied in Wednesday season 1 that it ultimately went much further than that. During the Rave'N, Weems revealed that she had asked Gomez Addams to attend the dance back in her day but that he went with Morticia instead. Given the complicated feelings Weems felt toward Morticia, this event must have been the straw that broke the camel's back. A later flashback on Wednesday reveals that Weems witnessed Garrett Gates' fatal fall and was the one who told police that Gates and Gomez had been fighting over Morticia.
Gomez Addams barely acknowledged Principal Weems in Wednesday season 1, so he might have been clueless about the rift he once caused in this friendship.
Though it's never definitively stated in Wednesday season 1, it's likely that Gates' death at the Rave'N served as a more definitive end to Weems and Morticia's friendship. The future principal of Nevermore truly believed that Gomez had murdered Gates and openly blamed Morticia for causing the dispute that had turned fatal. Still, Wednesday season 1 didn't cover how this played out between the duo. If the friendship truly did dissolve after this, the adult Morticia didn't lead on that she had any ill feelings toward Weems. What's more, Gomez Addams barely acknowledged Principal Weems in Wednesday season 1, so he might have been clueless about the rift he once caused in this friendship.
Things Are Still Tense Between Weems & Morticia As Adults (At Least For Weems)
Weems Clearly Hasn't Let Go Of The Past
It was immediately clear in Wednesday that Principal Weems wasn't a great fan of Morticia, even before their history was revealed. When The Addamses brought Wednesday to Nevermore for her first term, Weems praised Morticia for her eccentricities, but it was clear that this was more of a backhanded compliment than anything else. The principal gave no hint that she might have some residual feelings left for Gomez, but her jealousy and general irritation toward his wife were barely concealed. Morticia, however, seemed entirely oblivious of this. She acted genuinely excited to see Weems and reminisce about their days at school together.
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Later in Wednesday season 1, Weems is seen removing a page from her old Nevermore yearbook and throwing it in the trash. Morticia later points out that the page featuring her own face was missing. This further demonstrates just how much Weems' jealousy of Morticia had endured over the years. This is also reflected in Weems' treatment of Wednesday in Wednesday season 1. The principal was easily exasperated by the Netflix series' titular character and didn't take well to her butting her nose into the school's business. However, in the end, Weems proved that she cared about Wednesday's well-being.
How Wednesday Season 2 Can Expand Upon Weems & Morticia's Relationship
There's A Lot Left To Explore Here (Whether or Not Weems Is Dead)
Weems' complicated past with Morticia was used as a way to draw suspicion to the Nevermore principal, but she was ultimately revealed to be a good guy through and through. She gave her life to save the students and Nevermore, despite her complicated feelings and questionable actions throughout the series' first installment. Still, the purposeful mystery surrounding this character was never fully resolved or explored as much as Weems deserved. There is a lot about this character that Wednesday audiences don't know, especially regarding her complicated friendship (and rivalry) with Morticia Addams.
There is a lot about this character that Wednesday audiences don't know, especially regarding her complicated friendship (and rivalry) with Morticia Addams.
Though Weems was killed off at the end of Wednesday season 1, there still may be opportunities for season 2 to expand on this intriguing story. The Nevermore generation before Wednesday's seems to hold a lot of dark and mysterious secrets, and this is sure to continue to come into play as the series goes forward. Weems' own story may again be referenced, even if Christie's character doesn't reappear, perhaps through further flashback episodes where her younger self could again be featured. Or, perhaps the supernatural Netflix series will find a way to reverse Weems' death to reveal more information about her connection with Morticia. Only time will tell.
Netflix’s Addams Family series takes place at Nevermore Academy, a school that nurtures outcasts, freaks, and monsters. The Tim Burton-directed series follows Wednesday Addams as she tries to master her emerging psychic powers and solve the supernatural mystery surrounding her family history. Jenna Ortega stars in the popular series, which originally aired on Netflix on November 23, 2022.
Release Date November 16, 2022
Seasons 1
Franchise(s) The Addams Family
Writers Miles Millar , Alfred Gough
Showrunner Miles Millar , Alfred Gough
English (US) ·