“Xavier’s Not Who You Think He Is”: Unraveling the Mystery in Wednesday Season 2

The highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, which premiered on August 6, 2025, has once again captivated audiences with its gothic charm, intricate mysteries, and the ever-enigmatic Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega. Among the many twists in the new season, one particular plot point has sparked heated discussions among fans: a cryptic blood-stained letter found in Xavier Thorpe’s sketchbook, hinting at a darker side to his character. The tagline “Xavier’s not who you think he is” teases a mystery that leaves viewers questioning whether Wednesday should expose Xavier or protect him. This article delves into the context of this discovery, explores the implications of Wednesday’s dilemma, and offers a perspective on what she—and we—might do in this chilling scenario.

Xavier’s Absence and the Shadow of Controversy

Xavier Thorpe, played by Percy Hynes White, was a central figure in Wednesday Season 1, serving as a psychic artist, a key suspect in the Hyde mystery, and a potential romantic interest for Wednesday. However, his absence in Season 2 is immediately noticeable, addressed in the premiere episode, “Here We Woe Again.” The new Nevermore principal, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), explains that Xavier’s father, Vincent Thorpe, withdrew him from Nevermore Academy after he was falsely accused of murder in Season 1. Xavier is now enrolled at Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland, a prestigious institution for Outcasts, and his father has also pulled his financial support from Nevermore. This explanation is convenient, tying up loose ends, but it’s overshadowed by real-world events surrounding Percy Hynes White.

In January 2023, allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against White on social media, accusing him of assaulting women and underage girls at a party in Toronto. White denied these claims, calling them a “campaign of misinformation” and stating that underage photos of him and portrayals of his acting roles were misused to paint him as bigoted or negligent. Despite his denial, fan campaigns and public backlash led to his exit from the show, confirmed by White himself in May 2024 via an Instagram Story. The controversy undoubtedly influenced the decision to write Xavier out, but the show cleverly integrates his absence into the narrative while keeping his presence felt through a pivotal plot device: the blood-stained letter.

The Blood-Stained Letter and the One-Eyed Crow

While Xavier does not physically appear in Season 2, his influence lingers through a package sent to Wednesday and her roommate, Enid (Emma Myers). In the first episode, Wednesday receives a letter from Xavier accompanied by a haunting painting of a one-eyed crow perched on a headstone. The letter reads: “I tried texting, but I guess you lost the phone I gave you. Consider this my goodbye gift. The image suddenly flashed in my head. Don’t ask me how I know or what it means, but it’s connected to you, I’m sure. Who’s Wednesday Addams without a mystery to solve, right?” This note, combined with the discovery of a blood-stained letter in Xavier’s sketchbook, sets the stage for a new mystery that ties into the season’s overarching narrative involving a flock of menacing crows.

The blood-stained letter, as teased in the prompt, suggests that Xavier may be hiding a secret far darker than his Season 1 persona let on. Was he involved in something sinister before leaving Nevermore? Does the blood indicate a crime, a ritual, or something else entirely? The painting of the one-eyed crow further complicates matters, as crows become a recurring motif in Season 2. In the first episode, a private investigator, Carl Bradbury, is killed by a flock of crazed one-eyed crows while attempting to photograph secret lovers. Later, Wednesday experiences a vision of Enid’s grave, surrounded by crows, with Enid blaming her for her death. By the fourth episode, it’s revealed that the one-eyed crow is controlled by Judi (Heather Matarazzo), an Avian and the daughter of a former Nevermore psychiatrist, who uses her powers to manipulate birds. The blood-stained letter and the crow painting thus position Xavier as a distant but critical piece of the puzzle, raising questions about his true nature and intentions.

Should Wednesday Expose or Protect Xavier?

The dilemma of whether Wednesday should expose or protect Xavier is a moral and strategic quandary that aligns perfectly with her character. Wednesday Addams is a fiercely independent, intellectually driven detective who values truth above sentimentality. Her minimal reaction to Xavier’s departure—“Xavier’s not coming back this year?” delivered in her signature monotone—suggests that she’s not emotionally attached to him, especially after destroying the phone he gave her. However, the blood-stained letter and the crow painting imply that Xavier’s psychic abilities may hold clues to the season’s central mystery, making him a valuable, if unreliable, ally.

The Case for Exposing Xavier

Exposing Xavier makes sense if Wednesday believes the blood-stained letter points to his involvement in a dangerous or criminal act. In Season 1, she mistakenly suspected him of being the Hyde, leading to his arrest. This misstep strained their relationship, but it also demonstrated her willingness to prioritize evidence over personal feelings. If the letter suggests Xavier’s complicity in the crow-related murders or another dark scheme, exposing him could protect Nevermore and its students. The blood on the letter is a red flag—literally and figuratively—that demands investigation. Given Xavier’s history of cryptic visions and secretive behavior (e.g., his hidden artist’s shed), it’s plausible that he’s concealing something significant. Wednesday’s loyalty is to the truth, and if that truth implicates Xavier, she would likely pursue it relentlessly, regardless of his past affection for her.

Moreover, the real-world context of Percy Hynes White’s allegations, while not part of the show’s narrative, might influence viewers’ perceptions. Some fans may feel that exposing Xavier aligns with holding him accountable, mirroring the public’s reaction to the actor’s controversy. Wednesday, as a character who despises hypocrisy and injustice, might lean toward exposing him to ensure no secrets fester at Nevermore.

The Case for Protecting Xavier

On the other hand, protecting Xavier could be a strategic move if Wednesday believes his psychic abilities are key to solving the mystery. The one-eyed crow painting is explicitly linked to her investigation, and Xavier’s note suggests he has no clear understanding of its meaning, implying he’s not deliberately orchestrating events. Protecting him could mean keeping his involvement secret until she can confirm whether he’s a victim, a pawn, or a perpetrator. In Season 1, Wednesday’s false accusation led to Xavier’s unjust arrest, and she may feel a lingering sense of guilt or caution about jumping to conclusions again. By protecting him, she could use his psychic insights—delivered through letters or paintings—to unravel the crow mystery without publicly implicating him.

Additionally, Xavier’s transfer to Reichenbach Academy distances him from Nevermore’s immediate dangers, reducing the urgency to expose him. If the blood-stained letter is a remnant of a past event rather than evidence of ongoing wrongdoing, protecting his reputation could prevent unnecessary harm. Wednesday’s pragmatic side might see value in maintaining an ally who, despite his absence, continues to provide clues through his art.

What Would I Do?

If I were Wednesday, I’d lean toward exposing Xavier—but with a twist. I’d investigate the blood-stained letter thoroughly, analyzing the blood’s origin, the letter’s content, and its connection to the crow motif. If the evidence points to Xavier’s guilt, I’d share it with trusted allies like Enid or Principal Dort to ensure justice is served. However, if the letter suggests Xavier is being manipulated or framed (as he was in Season 1), I’d protect his identity while using his psychic contributions to crack the case. Wednesday’s strength lies in her relentless pursuit of truth, but she’s also strategic enough to know when to withhold information until the full picture emerges. I’d follow her lead: dig deeper, trust no one fully, and let the evidence dictate the next move.

The Bigger Picture: Xavier’s Role in Season 2

The blood-stained letter and the crow painting ensure that Xavier remains a spectral presence in Wednesday Season 2, even without Percy Hynes White’s on-screen appearance. The show’s creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, have confirmed that Xavier will not return, with Gough stating, “We have seen the last of him. [Xavier] is at a boarding school we mentioned in Season 1, Reichenbach, which is like the European version of Nevermore.” This definitive closure suggests that the blood-stained letter is less about Xavier’s ongoing involvement and more about tying his exit to the season’s narrative. The letter and painting serve as a narrative bridge, allowing Xavier to influence the story without requiring his physical presence.

The mystery of the one-eyed crow, potentially linked to the blood-stained letter, is a masterstroke in keeping Xavier relevant while addressing his absence. It also reflects the show’s shift away from romantic subplots, as Jenna Ortega noted in a Vanity Fair interview: “We’re introducing so many different characters that I think it kind of will get lost.” By focusing on horror and mystery, Wednesday Season 2 uses Xavier’s legacy to propel Wednesday’s detective work without dwelling on their past connection.

Conclusion: A Mystery Worth Solving

The blood-stained letter in Xavier’s sketchbook and the ominous tagline “Xavier’s not who you think he is” encapsulate the essence of Wednesday—a show that thrives on deception, danger, and dark revelations. Whether Wednesday should expose or protect Xavier depends on the evidence, but her character suggests she’ll pursue the truth with unrelenting focus. For fans, the real question is how the blood-stained letter ties into the crow mystery and whether Xavier’s psychic visions hold the key to Nevermore’s latest threat. As we await Wednesday Season 2, Part 2 on September 3, 2025, one thing is certain: Wednesday Addams will solve this mystery, and Xavier’s shadow will loom large until the final clue falls into place. What would you do—expose Xavier or protect him? Let the debate continue.