Film Theory: Which Witch in Wicked is WICKED?

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Wow, loyal Theorists, Wicked was THE movie event of the year. Everybody and their mother has seen Glinda and Elphaba on the big screen. Or, they're singing along to "Popular" or "Defying Gravity," at the very least. Now, we know from The Wizard of Oz that Elphaba is the Wicked Witch of the West. But is she ACTUALLY wicked? And what about her "bestie" Glinda? Is she actually evil? Let's analyze...
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#Wicked #WickedMusical #Elphaba #Glinda #WizardofOz #Popular #PopularSong #DefyingGravity #NewMovie #Movie #Theory #FilmTheory

[FilmTheory]

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[evesupasecrt]

I like that you pointed out how Glinda wasn’t “wicked” since many just assume she’s the evil one when they see how Elphaba is the good one. Lawful neutral is def an accurate way to say it

[toomanyfandoms]

0:37 "As someone who isn't typically into broadway" And that was when Lee got fired by Theatre Kid Matpat

[BatAmerica]

The fact that Glinda was singing nothing but high notes when celebrating Elphaba's death shows she's more heartbroken than anyone in Oz.

[margarethmichelina]

Also, in the opening scene, where Glinda and The Munckins are singing, "No One Mourns The Wicked", if you listen closely, Glinda sounds like she's trying to hold her cry. She's the only one who mourns her former best friend / roommate while the others celebrated.

[freedompancakes]

Neither are wicked imo. I think they both represent people’s response to tyranny/injustice/abuse of power. Glinda acts within the system, disagreeing with it, but still too scared to do anything that would destroy her reputation. However Glinda can still see the good in people who are ostracized by general society, even if she can’t always stand up for them(though she notably did during the Ozdust).

Elphaba has always been outcasted and thus is more outspoken and willing to call out abuse of power even if it ruins her reputation because she never had a clean one to begin with. This has led to her being more abrasive, but deep down she can see the good in people too.

Glinda clearly comes from a privileged and wealthy background, and has natural charm that allows her to get what she wants from everyone. However, after she is humbled throughout the movie she does grow from that.

[aSentientWatermelon]

Throughout all this Elphaba-Galinda discourse in the past few weeks, this may be my favorite take. One thing I keep going back to is one of the main lessons from "Into the Woods": nice is different than good. Elphaba is good, Galinda is nice.

[GHreyLas]

Bro literally made the Broadway nerds and the Tabletop nerds kiss for this theory.

Bravo, good sir.

[ThomasLJonesJr]

Theory: The main villian/wicked witch is Madame Morrible. She controls the weather. Anti-Animal sentiment was caused by the drought.

**possible spoiler if you haven't seen the play**

Dorothy's house was dropped on Nessa by a tornado that Madame Morrible created. Also, Morrible = Horrible.

[layla]

As a longtime fan of the musical, seeing so many of my favorite mainstream content creators talking about it has been pure bliss.

[Lvely_bnes]

I love when people can actually comprehend the movies they're watching. We'll see Elphie do her fair share of "evil" in part two, the story in and of itself is about how everyone is capable of both good and evil. So seeing a take where Glinda wasn't immediately written off as the bad guy is refreshing.

[harutakami]

A Movie adaptation of a Play which is a rehashing of a Novel which is itself a Fanfiction of the original 40 Oz books. Truly a wild journey.

[PokeTom-yr]

Haven't watched it, but my guess is:

Elphaba: Chaotic Good
Glinda: Lawful Neutral
Nessarose: Neutral Evil

[jare]

The cape was an amazing visual throwback to the stage effects. But I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that about the length 😆

[bbabina]

I'm honestly glad they split it into two parts, like that's way better then trying to condense sit all to 2 hrs and miss the whole essence

[MoiraMcGill]

Elphaba isn't chaotic just because she isn't lawful. Not to mention how lawful doesn't necessarily mean following the law. It means having clear morals/personal boundaries that are strictly adhered to. She should absolutely fall under lawful with her unwavering morals and values. In face of everything and everyone against her, she didn't compromise her own self and character.

Galinda/Glinda is honestly a *lot* more chaotic than Elphaba since she doesn't have strong morals at all. She'll easily change her morals/viewpoint based on others because being popular and liked (and a powerful sorcerer) is most important to her (hence the song Popular). She'd more than likely be true nuetral because, again, being lawful doesn't means literally following the laws...

[KM-nuvj]

Glinda giving a hat to Elphaba being listed as good, when it was really FULLY her bullying her, made me angry, even though I KNEW it would surely be corrected. I was furious even knowing it would be addressed later.

[DarkcIoud.]

I would say Glinda is like Lawful Neutral. She isn't willing to step out of the laws in place by the Wizard, performing good actions for selfish reasons, and her only real motivation is how something will benefit her or those close to her.

[daniellekazemzadeh]

"Goodness is not goodness that seeks advantage.

Good is good in the final hour...

In the deepest pit without hope...

Without witness, without reward."
River Song

[heidifedor]

The problem is everyone is the protagonist in their own story, and no one thinks of themselves a the villain or evil.