Abhiroop Das
While Netflix’s ‘Wednesday‘ is largely about its titular protagonist and the never-ending shenanigans of the Addams family, another plot thread that runs in parallel concerns the Galpin family. In the first season, Tyler is introduced as a potential romantic partner for Wednesday, with his father, Donovan Galpin, desperately trying to keep things in order as the Sheriff. However, as the secrets of Nevermore Academy come out, Tyler’s true nature is revealed, and all hopes of a positive relationship seemingly go to waste. In the second season, the rivalry between the protagonist and her former friend continues, along with more enemies entering the fray. With too much of woe on her plate, Wednesday sets out to get things into order, but in the process taps into an even bigger plot, with a new face flipping the story on its head. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Francoise is Tyler’s Long-Lost Mother
Wednesday’s enquiry into the truth about Willow Hill Psychiatric Facility leads her to its darkest corners, where the Stonehursts’ secret project thrives. L.O.I.S., or Long-term Outcast Integration Study, was the reason why several outcasts were abducted and later subjected to abuse. Out of these captives, one catches the protagonist’s eye, but their paths separate in the wake of Tyler’s vicious attack. This patient is revealed to be none other than Francoise Galpin, Tyler’s mother, and a fearsome Hyde in her own right. Following her escape, Francoise quickly reconnects with her roots, locating Morticia and, eventually, Tyler. Here, we learn a crucial detail: unlike their male counterparts, female Hydes do not need a master, and this gives her the clear upper hand in her relationship with her son. Donning the role of his new master, she begins controlling his every move, mixing affection and aggression at every step.
Francoise’s story also connects to the larger narrative of the show, as Slurp the zombie’s true identity turns out to be Isaac Night, a former student at Nevermore, and Francoise’s brother. When the siblings reunite, we learn that Isaac’s singular motivation in his risky experiments, which later birthed L.O.I.S., was to create a device that could erase Francoise’s outcast nature. Being a Hyde takes a toll on a person’s body, often leading to their premature death, and she is no exception to that rule. To that end, the pair begins a sinister plot, prepared to sacrifice any and all who stand in their way. At the center of this fiasco lies Tyler, who starts to get disillusioned with the idea of a happy family, but is still devoted to his mother cum master’s care. Things get even trickier when Isaac completes his device, and the real recipient of its service is revealed to be not Francoise, but Tyler himself.
Francoise’s plan this entire time has been to free her son from his outcast nature, as she believes her time is already close to ending. While this stands out as a heartfelt sacrifice on the mother’s end, it also does not take Tyler’s wishes and agency into account, which creates more friction between them. Moments before the machine does its job, the teen is freed from it by Wednesday, and he immediately cuts things short by knocking Isaac unconscious. This triggers a fight between him and Francoise, as two Hydes. While the mother and son duke it out, the police surround the campus, and Francoise slowly comes to realize the fault in her ways. However, with no way to keep both of them from harm’s way, she makes yet another bold choice, choosing to sacrifice herself to save Tyler’s life.
Frances O’Connor Transforms into the Character of Francoise
Francoise’s character is defined by her varying shades of grey, going from a loving mother to a sister who can match her brother’s sinister nature. Actor Frances O’Connor steps into the role with ease and brings her own flair to it. O’Connor’s career began with the television series, ‘Law of the Land,’ where she plays Marissa Green. Following a series of minor appearances in movies and TV, she found her big hit in ‘Mansfield Park’ where she essays the protagonist, Fanny Price. Her performance made her a known name in the industry, leading to roles in ‘Conjuring 2,’ ‘Madame Bovary,’ and ‘Bedazzled,’ where she plays Peggy Hodgson, Emma Bovary, and Alison, respectively. Alongside these, O’Connor has also featured in hit television shows such as ‘Troy: Fall of a City’ and ‘Mr Selfridge,’ where she portrays Hecuba and Mrs. Selfridge, respectively.
Frances O’Connor also has experience working on the other side of the screen, having written and directed ‘Emily.’ This wide range of experience played an important role in shaping her performance and the various intricacies that come with it. Francoise’s nature as a Hyde gives her personality a hidden edge, and the desire to break free of that leads to some deeply emotional moments. By contrast, the presence of her brother, Isaac, works like a switch for her personality, making her livelier and more cheerful. This is likely a conscious decision on the creators’ part, showing how a part of her is still stuck in her past as a Nevermore student, when Isaac’s original experiment went wrong, causing everything to go downhill. O’Connor’s rendition of this past adds a sympathetic touch to Francoise, showing how hatred can often corrode one’s psyche.
Read More: Wednesday: Is Principal Barry Dort Dead? Did Steve Buscemi Leave Wednesday?
