‘Where’s Wanda?’ Recap: ‘The Novaks’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Lea Drinda as Wanda Klatt in Episode 105 of ‘Where’s Wanda?’ – ‘The Novaks’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Where’s Wanda?’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally, stories that revolve around people that are kidnapped or go missing, don’t reveal the truth about what happened to them until the end, and with good reason. Because that… is how you build some amazing tension in this kind of story. For now, the fate of the missing or the taken is a mystery, one that demands we continue the journey to learn the truth be it good or bad, and this formula is so impactful that stories rarely deviate from it, and we the audience love it. Because it does wow us in the end. But now and again, you encounter a story that wants to shake that up, with fascinating results. For some, ruin what it was working toward by toying with the structure, while others… offer up a brilliant twist that works, the latter of which applies to this week’s episode of Where’s Wanda? on Apple TV+.

For ‘The Novaks’ took the time to do the impossible and inform us what happened to Wanda. As it turned out, on that tough day a few months ago, Wanda made her way into the woods to spend time at a special place that she and her grandfather used to visit to find peace and watch the birds. Of course, while she was out there, she saw that influencer be violently murdered and she sadly… was captured by the killer’s accomplice while trying to escape. That man’s name, happened to be Chris, and he knew Wanda from grade school and didn’t know what to do here. But what he did know was that he was not a killer, at all. So, he spared Wanda’s life and put her in his basement. Which just so happened to be the basement at a house that the police have already visited, the one that happened to be home to the absent-minded grandmother.

There… she has stayed since that fateful day, out of the understanding that everything needed to blow over with the killer first. But clearly, that’s not the case and that was a stunning reveal for certain, one that led to more surprises, such as the fact that Chris played nice with Ole, after joining him at a gaming convention. A move that deeply complicates the situation put forth because now there are friendly ties to Chris’ actions and the surprises didn’t end there. Because this episode also revealed some serious truths to everyone else that have been lurking in the shadows. For instance, Dedo’s secret is now in the open, and we now know that Carlotta’s brother isn’t a monster but is doing some highly illegal things. Such as buying tigers to perhaps become the new Tiger King.

Granted, that doesn’t answer our questions as to who THE King is, and whether or not things went awry with the henchman, since he could have been ordered to scare over kill. But that’s fine, because clearly this show is eager to give us answers no problem, and those will come in due time. But what matters more, is that this gambit paid off. Because it made it clear that this show truly isn’t a crime drama, it is about healing, it is about communication and the choices we make. As evidenced by the long talk that Carlotta and Dedo had about their feelings, and their struggles and it of course… set the stage for newfound tension regarding Wanda and her family. Since this episode ended with Dedo and Carlotta being trapped in a cellar and with Wanda facing down the very man that wanted her dead. 

But truly, this is the kind of story that can get away with making major changes to the structure of a story in this vein. Because of its subject matter and because of its desire to be unconventional and explore the impact of tough times on people. All of which made for an amazing episode. One that was intense, fascinating and funny in all the right spots. Plus, it was exciting to learn the truth and incredible to know that Wanda has been in one of the most obvious places to date, and all this does, is get us excited for next week’s episode. To see what kind of resolution awaits the new trouble that Carlotta, Dedo, and Wanda now face and of course… to learn more about the complex situation that has brought this family to this strange moment in their lives. Until next time.

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