Summary

Dr. Kinbott, an empathetic therapist, met a tragic end in Wednesday Season 1, leaving a gap in the storyline.
With Dr. Kinbott gone, the arrival of Dr. Fairburn in Wednesday Season 2 could bring healing to Jericho's troubled residents.
Thandiwe Newton's mysterious character, Dr. Fairburn, might hold the key to helping characters like Tyler cope with their emotional baggage in the upcoming season.

Due to Dr. Valerie Kinbott's brilliance, her name came up in the first episode of Wednesday, when the entire Addams family sat down with Principal Weems in her office. As Wednesday's induction was being arranged, Principal Weems brought up a normie therapist — Dr. Kinbott — mentioning that the school had ties to a professional in town who would conduct Wednesday's therapy sessions.

Dr. Kinbott was based in Jericho, and with every interaction she had with Wednesday, she became more embroiled in her story. But by the series finale, Dr. Kinbott was brutally murdered by the Hyde monster (Tyler Galpin) and thus written out of the show. Jericho has its fair share of individuals needing therapy, so that raises the question: Is Wednesday Season 2 bringing in a new therapist to take care of outcasts, freaks, and Normies alike?

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By Bisma Fida

Dr. Kinbott's Exit From Wednesday

Dr. Valerie Kinbott and Wednesday in Wednesday.

In Principal Weems' office, Morticia Addams revealed that Wednesday's therapy was court-mandated, to which Larissa replied that she could see the therapist twice a week. While Gomez was thrilled to know his daughter was in safe hands, Wednesday took the opportunity to deliver a biting remark: "We'll see if she [Dr. Kinbott] survives the first session."

Unfortunately, Wednesday's words proved somewhat prophetic, as Dr. Kinbott didn't live long enough to see Marilyn Thornhill being exposed as the antagonist. Larissa herself drives Wednesday to Dr. Kinbott's clinic in Jericho, where Wednesday displays her usual hostility towards the doctor's methods. Dressed in calming neutral tones, Dr. Kinbott manages to scratch the surface of Wednesday’s psyche in their very first session. She has read her manuscripts in detail and surmised that the traits of her novel’s protagonist— Viper De La Muerte — closely mirror her own. Dr. Kinbott has also realized that Wednesday weaves the surrounding relationships into her writing and correctly points out to the young girl that therapy is a valuable tool that could help her move forward and build the life she wants.

Later in Wednesday Season 1, Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley also pay a visit to Dr. Kinbott, as does Tyler Galpin, the son of Sheriff Galpin. He seems to value Dr. Kinbott, for the most part. When the Sheriff presses Dr. Kinbott for an update on Tyler's progress, she refuses, honoring the sanctity of their doctor-patient confidentiality. It is Tyler who discloses to his father that he discusses his late mother with Dr. Kinbott. His mother, Francois, was a former student of Nevermore and a dormant Hyde, whose monster was unlocked during her postpartum depression. She was institutionalized at the Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital and passed away later.

Francois's death left a gaping hole in the Sheriff's life, and he never addressed it. This situation made Tyler's relationship with his therapist valuable. Had Marilyn Thornhill never gotten to him, Dr. Kinbott would have made significant progress with Tyler. In addition to treating Wednesday and Tyler, Dr. Kinbott also saw Nevermore's artist and psychic, Xavier Thorpe, secretly. Initially, Wednesday wrongly suspected Xavier of being the Hyde monster and believed Dr. Kinbott used hypnotherapy to unlock his monstrous form. The truth is, she was helping Xavier work through his issues. Wednesday later tells Uncle Fester at The Weathervane:

Kinbott has to be Xavier's master. The Hyde lays dormant until unleashed by a traumatic event or unlocked through chemical induction of hypnosis.

What Does Dr. Kinbott's Departure Mean For Wednesday Season 2?

When Wednesday confronts Dr. Kinbott at her clinic, accusing her of being Laurel Gates (Thornhill's true identity) and the Mayor's murder, she firmly denies the allegations. Wednesday questions why an overqualified psychiatrist like her was doing in a small town like Jericho. Angry and concerned, Dr. Kinbott tells Wednesday that she is recommending her to a juvenile psychiatrist facility, and places a call to Principal Weems. But before the two women have a chance to discuss Wednesday's irrational behavior further, Tyler — the Hyde, attacks Dr. Kinbott and kills her. She dies at Jericho General Hospital, leaving Wednesday overwhelmed.

Dr. Kinbott was the most empathetic character in the Wednesday cast. She created a safe space for young outcasts and encouraged free thinking. She aimed to build relationships with her clients based on mutual trust, and would tell Wednesday that she could share anything with her. She welcomed her patients' world views and personal philosophies, leaving behind a rich legacy. Now that she is gone, Jericho needs another therapist to carry it forward.

Who Is Dr. Fairburn In Wednesday

Among the host of intriguing new cast members joining Wednesday Season 2 is Thandiwe Newton, who will portray a mysterious character named Dr. Fairburn. While character description and details remain under wraps, seeing as Fairburn has a "Dr." Prefix, it is likely that she either works at Willow Hill, where Tyler is being held, or is a local therapist. If Dr. Fairburn works with psychotic serial killer monsters like Tyler, she is a formidable character. However, if she's Jericho's resident therapist, she could help bring the town and its residents to heal.

With chaos looming, Wednesday's most valuable characters, such as Enid and Eugene, need help to cope with their emotional baggage. Dr. Fairburn could prove helpful in the upcoming season in improving the well-being of Nevermore students.

Wednesday Season 2 is slated to premiere on Netflix in 2025.