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ysabetwordsmith Thing is a character in the television series Wednesday. You can read my previous posts "Wednesday TV Series (The Addams Family) Overview" and Meta: "Why I Love Wednesday Addams" Part 1: Introduction.
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 1: Overview
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 2: Disabilities and Differences
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 3: Relationships
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 4: Episodes
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 5: Memorable Fanworks
Relationships
Throughout Wednesday, Thing has a poor grasp of boundaries, which complicates his relationships. This may be innate, from Hand culture, and/or from living with the Addams family. In any case, it is diverse and pervasive. It has a significant impact on the plot and characterization throughout much of the television series.
Thing means well, but sometimes he really screws things up. For instance in Episode VI: Quid Pro Woe, Thing helped Enid Sinclair and other students set up a surprise party for Wednesday, despite her explicitly telling him that she didn't want a party. A surprise party for an introvert is pretty much guaranteed to be a disaster. Enid blames Wednesday for how badly it goes, but really, it's all Thing's fault for refusing to take "no party" for an answer.
Another example is that Wednesday doesn't want to attend the Rave'N dance in Episode IV: Woe What a Night. When Xavier Thorpe catches her snooping around his art studio, she covers up her spying by asking him to the dance. He later finds out and refuses to go with her. As an introvert, Wednesday would be secretly relieved at getting out of the dance, despite his unpleasant emotional outburst. Unfortunately Thing has been scheming. He falsely sets up Tyler Galpin to think that Wednesday has asked him to the dance, without warning poor Wednesday, who is freaked out by Tyler showing up unannounced. Thing has also (somehow) stolen a fabulous Gothic ball gown for Wednesday to wear, and presumably also the high-heeled shoes that she later complains about. It's just one thing after another.
Wednesday Addams: [to Thing, referring to her birthday surprise] I should have known you were behind this. What part of "no party under the penalty of death" do you not understand?
Thing's relationship with Wednesday is just awful. She abuses him routinely and sometimes viciously. Episode I: Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe introduces Thing with an appalling confrontation in which Wednesday throttles him and threatens to lock him in a drawer. In Episode II: Woe Is the Loneliest Number, Thing tries to follow "Rowan Laslow" (really Larissa Weems, a shapeshifter) but loses the trail, inciting Wednesday's scorn. She only relents when Enid Sinclair (who has become a close friend of his) pressures her to apologize. We don't see much of Thing's relationship with the Addams parents beyond being part of the family, but they did send him to spy on Wednesday (or at least keep her company) knowing how she treats him, which isn't exactly great.
Wednesday sits in his room, typing away at his typewriter as he listens to a mournful rendition of “La Llorona”. He stops, though, when he hears his bed squeaking. Slowly, Wednesday turns his head and stands, approaching his bed like a predator does its prey. He sees the lump under his bed and rips the covers off, revealing a startled, sentient hand, “I knew it! Hello, Thing.”
Thing tries to scurry away, but Wednesday grabs him as he grips the bed frame. Wednesday is able to tug him off and holds him, glaring at him, “Did you really think my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn’t pick up on the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion?” Thing struggles in Wednesday’s grip, causing him to say, “I could do this all day.”
-- Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe, Pt. Four
“I know I’m stubborn, single-minded and obsessive. But those are all traits of great writers. (Thing signs at her) Yes. And serial killers.”
-- (Ep. 1×02)
Despite their relationship challenges, Thing and Wednesday clearly adore each other. They may not express it well, but the attachment is quite strong. In Episode III: Friend or Woe, when the squatter Fabian threatens Wednesday, Thing leaps at him and strangles him. In Episode VII: If You Don't Woe Me by Now, Wednesday discovers Thing pinned to her wall with a knife. She rushes him to Uncle Fester for revival. It's the only time she cries in the series, and she's visibly distraught by his injury, even if her contribution to the revival is more verbal abuse. The contrast between how badly they treat each other, and how much they love each other, makes for a complicated and fascinating dynamic with great fanfic potential.
(The Thing got stabbed and is not moving...)
Uncle Fester: He's gone, Wednesday.
Wednesday Addams: No, he's not. Thing. If you can hear me... if you die, I will kill you.
This quote comes from a TV series ‘Wednesday’. The scene where this moment comes from is from Season 1 Episode 7, with the title of ‘If You Don’t Woe Me by Now’
The Only Time Wednesday Cries In The Show (& Why)
Also noteworthy is Thing's deep and emotionally intimate relationship with Enid Sinclair. They both value physical touch and contact comfort. They give each other manicures. Enid insists that Wednesday apologize to Thing for being mean to him -- as he is sitting on Enid's bed reading her magazine. Their dynamic really reminds me of the gay best friend. (As Wednesday has given no evidence regarding his orientation, this is actually possible; historically he was involved with a female Hand named Lady Fingers.) However, Thing is better developed, and Enid is much more protective of him, compared to the one-dimensional characters usually in that role. Wednesday calls Thing vain, and mentions that his favorite hand lotion contains neroli and bergamot, a delicate and rather feminine blend of floral and citrus scents. That matches with the manicures and shared teen-girl magazines. Thing also stays with Enid during her first traumatic experience of "wolfing out" and holds her hand. This lays fantastic groundwork for anyone interested in emotional intimacy, because most of the other characters suck at that. If that appeals to you, then check out this list of nonsexual intimacies for inspiration.
8 Reasons Why A Gay Best Friend Adds More Value To Your Life Than Anybody Else
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 1: Overview
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 2: Disabilities and Differences
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 3: Relationships
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 4: Episodes
Meta: "Why We Need Thing" Part 5: Memorable Fanworks
Relationships
Throughout Wednesday, Thing has a poor grasp of boundaries, which complicates his relationships. This may be innate, from Hand culture, and/or from living with the Addams family. In any case, it is diverse and pervasive. It has a significant impact on the plot and characterization throughout much of the television series.
Thing means well, but sometimes he really screws things up. For instance in Episode VI: Quid Pro Woe, Thing helped Enid Sinclair and other students set up a surprise party for Wednesday, despite her explicitly telling him that she didn't want a party. A surprise party for an introvert is pretty much guaranteed to be a disaster. Enid blames Wednesday for how badly it goes, but really, it's all Thing's fault for refusing to take "no party" for an answer.
Another example is that Wednesday doesn't want to attend the Rave'N dance in Episode IV: Woe What a Night. When Xavier Thorpe catches her snooping around his art studio, she covers up her spying by asking him to the dance. He later finds out and refuses to go with her. As an introvert, Wednesday would be secretly relieved at getting out of the dance, despite his unpleasant emotional outburst. Unfortunately Thing has been scheming. He falsely sets up Tyler Galpin to think that Wednesday has asked him to the dance, without warning poor Wednesday, who is freaked out by Tyler showing up unannounced. Thing has also (somehow) stolen a fabulous Gothic ball gown for Wednesday to wear, and presumably also the high-heeled shoes that she later complains about. It's just one thing after another.
Wednesday Addams: [to Thing, referring to her birthday surprise] I should have known you were behind this. What part of "no party under the penalty of death" do you not understand?
Thing's relationship with Wednesday is just awful. She abuses him routinely and sometimes viciously. Episode I: Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe introduces Thing with an appalling confrontation in which Wednesday throttles him and threatens to lock him in a drawer. In Episode II: Woe Is the Loneliest Number, Thing tries to follow "Rowan Laslow" (really Larissa Weems, a shapeshifter) but loses the trail, inciting Wednesday's scorn. She only relents when Enid Sinclair (who has become a close friend of his) pressures her to apologize. We don't see much of Thing's relationship with the Addams parents beyond being part of the family, but they did send him to spy on Wednesday (or at least keep her company) knowing how she treats him, which isn't exactly great.
Wednesday sits in his room, typing away at his typewriter as he listens to a mournful rendition of “La Llorona”. He stops, though, when he hears his bed squeaking. Slowly, Wednesday turns his head and stands, approaching his bed like a predator does its prey. He sees the lump under his bed and rips the covers off, revealing a startled, sentient hand, “I knew it! Hello, Thing.”
Thing tries to scurry away, but Wednesday grabs him as he grips the bed frame. Wednesday is able to tug him off and holds him, glaring at him, “Did you really think my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn’t pick up on the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion?” Thing struggles in Wednesday’s grip, causing him to say, “I could do this all day.”
-- Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe, Pt. Four
“I know I’m stubborn, single-minded and obsessive. But those are all traits of great writers. (Thing signs at her) Yes. And serial killers.”
-- (Ep. 1×02)
Despite their relationship challenges, Thing and Wednesday clearly adore each other. They may not express it well, but the attachment is quite strong. In Episode III: Friend or Woe, when the squatter Fabian threatens Wednesday, Thing leaps at him and strangles him. In Episode VII: If You Don't Woe Me by Now, Wednesday discovers Thing pinned to her wall with a knife. She rushes him to Uncle Fester for revival. It's the only time she cries in the series, and she's visibly distraught by his injury, even if her contribution to the revival is more verbal abuse. The contrast between how badly they treat each other, and how much they love each other, makes for a complicated and fascinating dynamic with great fanfic potential.
(The Thing got stabbed and is not moving...)
Uncle Fester: He's gone, Wednesday.
Wednesday Addams: No, he's not. Thing. If you can hear me... if you die, I will kill you.
This quote comes from a TV series ‘Wednesday’. The scene where this moment comes from is from Season 1 Episode 7, with the title of ‘If You Don’t Woe Me by Now’
The Only Time Wednesday Cries In The Show (& Why)
Also noteworthy is Thing's deep and emotionally intimate relationship with Enid Sinclair. They both value physical touch and contact comfort. They give each other manicures. Enid insists that Wednesday apologize to Thing for being mean to him -- as he is sitting on Enid's bed reading her magazine. Their dynamic really reminds me of the gay best friend. (As Wednesday has given no evidence regarding his orientation, this is actually possible; historically he was involved with a female Hand named Lady Fingers.) However, Thing is better developed, and Enid is much more protective of him, compared to the one-dimensional characters usually in that role. Wednesday calls Thing vain, and mentions that his favorite hand lotion contains neroli and bergamot, a delicate and rather feminine blend of floral and citrus scents. That matches with the manicures and shared teen-girl magazines. Thing also stays with Enid during her first traumatic experience of "wolfing out" and holds her hand. This lays fantastic groundwork for anyone interested in emotional intimacy, because most of the other characters suck at that. If that appeals to you, then check out this list of nonsexual intimacies for inspiration.
8 Reasons Why A Gay Best Friend Adds More Value To Your Life Than Anybody Else
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-10 05:39 pm (UTC)Yes ...
Date: 2024-03-10 07:43 pm (UTC)Re: Yes ...
Date: 2024-03-15 02:20 am (UTC)Because I remember that Wednesday hated those shoes, even if she did like the dress enough to wear it.
Actually, I don't recall if she found the dress pretty, comfortable, or just gave up on arguing at that point (or, heck, some combination of the above.)
I am more impressed with someone who can find something the user will enjoy, rather than someone who just decorates someone regardless of the pleasantness of the experiance.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-11 10:01 am (UTC)Wednesday sits in his room, typing away at his typewriter Is there a reason Wednesday is referred to as he in this paragraph?
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-11 06:53 pm (UTC)Thoughts
Date: 2024-03-11 07:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-13 05:45 pm (UTC)