#because there’s no way elphaba would have stayed with glinda or for glinda to go with her

[cto10121]

Me: [pacing in the therapist office] But what really kills me are the people who believe that Musical Gelphie has more development than Fiyeraba and that Fiyeraba came out of ~nowhere. Putting Book Wicked aside for a hot second, the whole reason why Musical Elphaba and Glinda became friends in the first place in the musical is because Glinda played a mean trick on Elphaba, and Elphaba completely misunderstands it. She thinks Glinda gifting her the black hat was genuine! This leads her to ask Madame Morrible to include Glinda in her seminar and Glinda feeling guilty about her cruel attempt at humiliation and trying to assuage it by dancing with Elphie. That’s when they truly become friends. In so doing, the musical bases their entire friendship on a misunderstanding (!!). That’s what I mean when I say that Musical Wicked is fundamentally the Glinda Show. The two of them don’t become friends when they recognize their similarities or as a natural reconciliation of their differences. They are friends because Glinda felt white liberal guilt for a hot second. And then in the very next scene, Glinda tries to make Elphaba “popular” by making her to act and look like her. She still doesn’t accept Elphaba! So yeah, Musical Gelphie is a cursed ship to me, very cursed. I may bitch about Musical Fiyero being a Glinda clone (basically Book Avaric + Book Fiyero’s background), but at the very least he did accept Elphaba, green skin, Animal rights, and high C#5s and all. And the musical has at least a handful of Fiyeraba interactions pre-As Long As You’re Mine which shows their attraction to each other. I don’t know, does that make sense?

Therapist: Musical Wicked just sounds cursed all around.

Me: I know!

[gonkaccino]

hey hey another thing. Everyone noticed how subdued movie Elphaba is relative to book/musical Elphaba, right? Book Elphaba's whole thing is being loudly independent and making her own bold choices (then getting [metaphorically] pushed down 5 flights of stairs for having the gall to exist). Musical Elphaba is less of a reddit atheist than her book counterpart, but still plenty abrasive and, ultimately, forges her own path (with its own relatively less tragic consequences).

Movie Elphaba? She doesn't choose to go to Shiz. Her father's planning on keeping her tucked away in their family home until the day she dies, where she can't hurt anyone or further embarrass the Thropp name. Morrible's the one who gets her enrolled, fully aware that Elphaba has no choice if she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life stuck at home, only ever leaving to accompany Nessa. This Elphaba doesn't choose to go to school, she doesn't choose to go to the Emerald City, and, really, she doesn't even choose to defy gravity -- there is no alternative, she can't live if she stays with the Wizard, especially not after Morrible's preemptive announcement of her wickedness. Movie Elphaba's trapped by her destiny, walking the path laid out for her. With one crucial exception, of course: Glinda, baby, that's right, the only thing this Elphie's ever chosen for herself, the only thing she's been allowed to choose, is to have Glinda at her side!

This softer, more noticeably scared Elphaba creates the extremely juicy dynamic of visibly relying on Glinda for support. As soon as they become pals, Elphaba's latched onto her, the only person who isn't scared of her magic, the first person to care for Elphaba's well-being. She chooses to befriend Glinda, she chooses to bring Glinda to the Emerald City, she chooses to ask Glinda to defy gravity with her. This is what makes this version of Defying Gravity so delicious: Elphaba's never truly believed in herself! The only reason she ever started was because Glinda was there to encourage her, and now, at this crucial moment, this Elphaba, who has lived her life so terrified of the harm she could cause others, has the confidence to not only risk her own life with a spell she's never tried, but the life of her one and only friend!

And Glinda refuses! And it's totally understandable now! Of course this Glinda would say no -- she's not scared of what could happen to her, she's scared of what will happen to Elphie, and standing there, she gets it. She understands the role she's played in Elphaba's life. Glinda knows Elphaba wouldn't be there, ready to declare war on the Wizard, if Glinda hadn't been by her side the entire time, and she has to refuse. She has to. Elphaba's request isn't come with me, we're stronger together, it's I can't do this without you, I'm not strong enough, and Glinda KNOWS that's not true. The only way she can express this is by sending Elphie off on her own, to straighten her hat and wish her luck. It's the only way Elphie will take flight and finally realize that she's got the power to do anything she wants, if she just tries.

[moghedien]

the way Glinda’s name change happens in the book is just so much more it always makes me a little upset of how shallow it is in the musical

like it’s more or less a trauma response for her. Because it’s still more or less because of Dr. Dillamond, but it’s because Dr. Dillamond was murdered

And its not only “I feel bad about getting upset that Dr Dillamond said my name wrong” but it’s also like, a response to Glinda realizing the kind of world she’s in

Because Glinda is the only person who would immediately know that Madame Morrible was responsible.

Because the only witness was Ama Clutch, who immediately upon witnessing it fell ill with a relapse of a disease that she supposedly had, and the only people who knew about this supposed fake illness was Galinda and Morrible.

And then suddenly Ama Clutch has it for real and right when she could reveal what happened to Dr. Dillamond?

Glinda obviously knows that Morrible is involved because they point out immediately that she won’t go to see Morrible anymore and when she tries to reassign her and Elphaba to the main dormitory, Glinda just accepts it when she had been repulsed by the idea before. It’s Elphaba who has push against that and to get Nanny (and Nessarose) to Shiz so that they can stay roommates and “preserve Glinda’s dignity.”

Like Galinda would never have let herself meekly get shuffled in with the common students. That’s what got her in this in the first place.

But Glinda knows shes in a dangerous world with dangerous people who can and will use her. It’s not all social climbing and polite company, it’s two people she knew having their lives ended and her being directly tied up in that, and knowing that she knows who did it and that she can’t do anything.

It’s a very, very scary world suddenly and that’s the reason why Galinda makes way for Glinda. She can’t be a naive girl anymore and literally has to become someone else to go on

[lily-onher-grave]

I’m fucking dying about the Elphaba’s promise scene holy fuck. You could’ve posted this shit on fanfiction dot net back in the day and it would’ve fit right in

“You could’ve picked me” holds so much weight I almost feel like they had to cut it just so it doesn’t seem like Glinda slides backwards in character growth at the train station scene. But I love it so much because yes she’s jealous of Elphie and Fiyero yes she’s hurt she was left behind (foreshadowinggggg) but also this is her vocally and intentionally picking Elphaba right back. It feels as significant as Glinda telling Elphie it was the milkflowers’ fault, not hers. And it’s so freaking delicious because we as an audience know that it’s also not 100% true. Glinda means it here, and she wants Elphaba to choose her, and she would choose Elphaba, but soon that choice will come with too many consequences for both of them, and they won’t be able to choose each other anymore, no matter what promised they made or how much they want to

AND Elphaba promising not to leave Glinda behind again?? Excuse me???? “I won’t leave you behind” then proceeds to bring her to the emerald city, to the wizard’s palace, on a daring but doomed hot air balloon escape, etc etc. Elphaba promised not to leave her behind and then she kept her at her side until Glinda stepped away

And all this of course makes Glinda’s part in defying gravity so much richer, because she’s silently begging Elphaba to choose her, to listen to her, to stay and make this work from the inside. But she doesn’t. And when Elphaba keeps her promise, asks her to come so she doesn’t leave her behind again, Glinda can’t go

(And don’t EVEN talk to me about all the times Elphaba starts breaking that promise in act 2)

Also I feel like the “maybe magic is hard for you because you’ve always had it easy, you’ve never needed it” conversation is either supposed to come in play again in act 2 or it’s just foreshadowing to the passing of the grimmerie but either way I have feelings about it. I kinda wonder if the first half of this scene was supposed to be a lot meaner/pettier, but Cynthia and Ariana kept playing it soft and earnest instead. Either way I’m thinking about post-musical Glinda finally getting her magic to click because elphaba’s gone and the nation is looking to her and nothing is easy anymore, so she needs it more than ever

[fishbonex]

Flower crowns and you all

Elphaba Thropp x fem!reader x Glinda Upland

Summary: A peaceful attempt at making flower crowns with Glinda and Elphaba.

Word Count: 0,5K

Warnings: none 🤍

ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE.

"You keep copying mine." Glinda's overly sweet voice grumbled, earning a snort from Elphaba, who was sitting next to you.

"I don't know if you noticed but we're in a field of flowers, all the flowers here look alike." Elphaba said, not bothering to lift her head to look at the blonde girl, who had an annoyed pout on her lips.

"I'm not talking about that, you know. You're braiding in the same pattern as me." Glinda held up the flower braid in production to prove it.

You frowned and shrugged your shoulders even more. The two of them had been arguing since they arrived. Uninvited. You were making flower crowns alone, enjoying the cool breeze of the late afternoon. A moment of peace, away from the typical chaos of Shiz.

But Galinda seemed to have a radar that pointed straight at you, because it wasn't long before she appeared, dragging Elphaba by the hand.

She blinked her big eyes at you and you gave her permission to sit down and join in your activity. Everything was fine, but soon Glinda began to get annoyed with Elphaba's crown.

"That's nonsense! I'm braiding them so they stay firmly attached." the green girl argued, starting to work harder with her hands.

"That's envy." Glinda hummed, pursing her lips so that her dimples were visible.

"Why would I be jealous of the way you weave flowers, Galinda?" Elphaba finally lifted her face to look at her.

"There are many reasons for this. You don't have the ability-"

With a loud huff, you stood up from the grass, dropping your flowers and brushing the dirt off your uniform. Grabbing your bag, you began walking away from the pair.

"Look what you did! You pissed her off," Glinda's voice whispered.

"Be quiet." Elphaba ordered, and turned to you. "Hey, where are you going?"

You stopped in your tracks and turned to them, "To my dorm."

"Don't you want to go study with me?" She stood up, her expression embarrassed.

Glinda hurriedly stood up and stood in front of her, "Don't you want to go try on dresses with me? Or watch me practice with my wand-"

"No, thank you." you turned around and continued walking towards campus with heavy steps.

A few days later, you buried your face even deeper into the book you were reading when you heard Glinda's melodious voice approaching. You squinted your eyes as she let out a happy little squeal upon spotting you.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, then turned to Elphaba. "I told you she'd be here."

"I'm reading." you grumbled.

"Oh, we see." Glinda continued to act excited, pulling Elphaba closer to her. "We just want to give you something."

Elphaba opened her bag and took out a wreath, making you look up from your book, "We finished yours for you, you left it lying there."

You closed the book and stood up, taking the crown in your hands delicately, it was sloppy and had some flaws, but it was closed and someone had placed extra flowers on top.

"Which one of you did it?" you asked, not wanting to cause another fight.

"Both of us! Did you like it?" Glinda asked, looking at you expectantly.

You sighed in relief, finally. They did something without fighting.

"I- yes, I love it, it's beautiful." you replied and Glinda quickly took the crown and put it on you, Elphaba adjusted it slightly so it wouldn't be crooked.

"Oh, you look like a princess." Glinda said, pretending to wipe away tears.

"It suits you very much." Elphaba said, pressing her lips together in a smile.

Oh, how you loved those two idiots.

[aparticularbandit]

I RAN OUT OF TAGS.

Still turning Wicked around in my head.

Rotating it in the tumbler.

Debating writing something with it but like. Not quite there.

There's a couple of moments that scream to me.

Not sure my grasp of the characters is strong enough and like it....

It's Wicked, with its huge fandom, and it's....

I want to make sure I have the grasp on the characters I want before getting into it.

[kayhi808]

Hey girly!

Another idea what if Abby’s parents take her to see wicked and she just sings popular and defying gravity ALL the time. I also feel like Bucky isn’t into musicals but he would like wicked because he can relate to Elphaba so he and Abby see it a couple times after.

** spoilers**

Popular!

You're gonna be pop-u-lar!

I'll teach you the proper ploys

When you talk to boys

Little ways to flirt and flounce

Ooh!

You and Abby have been singing this song for days. It's been stuck in her head. She hasn't seen "The Wizard of Oz," but your read her the story. She was always too young and with her imagination, the Wicked Witch and the Wizard scenes would give her nightmares. She'll be waking you up telling you she saw the witch in her eyeballs.

But once Abby saw the commercials, the billboards, the ads in the Metro, on the sides of buses and taxis she's been begging and pleading daily to go. Arianna Grande as Glinda became Abby's obsession. That's all she talked about. She'd only wear her pink clothes. You were worried that some of the scenes would be too scary for your toddler. You told her you'd think about it.

Then Abby switched her attack to Bucky. "Papa, you knows what?"

Putting down his book & getting comfortable, "What, Abby?"

"Cans you pweeeease comes with me and Mama to sees Wicked?"

Bucky had no interest in going to watch that movie. Musical? Witches? They aren't on the top of his list of things to watch. Bucky scrunches his nose & groans, "Why can't just you and your Mama go?"

"Oh pwease! You had to come." Abby climbs on the couch to stand beside him & squish his face between her palms, "Cos, what if I gets scared? Only my Papa can save me." She gives Bucky big doe-eyes. "You'd keep me safe."

Bucky in a drawn out sigh, "Fiiinnne." Sucker!

"Yay!! I go tells Mama!" She bounces down on her butt & then off the couch. "Mama! Where's you??" She turns back to Bucky, "tank you, Papa," and continues her search for you.

******

The following weekend, you took in a matinee of Wicked. Abby was decked out in her finest pinkery, sitting between you and Bucky at the theater. She was so excited. She's been listening to the soundtrack for her after dinner dance parties all week. Your little girl was ready to get this party started! Currently, she's doing a happy wiggle because Bucky gave her popcorn to eat. Bucky looks over at you and gives you a wink.

Abby knows she's not supposed to talk during the movie, but that doesn't stop her from keeping 2 inches away from your ear, yakking non-stop. Being courteous to theater patrons doesn't apply to her Mama.

"I wants to ride in a bubble & have her dress."

"Why Gwinda don't like her??"

"Ooh her so smart in magic!"

"Look Mama, the cuuuute mans!"

"I want to be like Elphie & do's magic, too."

"That twain is not like the Metro."

The first part of the movie she was stuck to you like glue, but as soon as she saw the Wizard's big head, she hopped over into Bucky's lap & stayed safe with him. She did not like what happened to the monkeys either.

Abby was too young to catch all the nuances of the film, but she understood that the 2 friends weren't going to be together and she felt that & started to cry. Then at the end of Defying Gravity, you were in your chair trying to get your crying under control and Abigail was sobbing into Bucky's neck. He's rubbing her back trying to console her.

The lights come up & you reach for your baby. Abby leans over to grab you. "It's ok baby. It's just a movie."

Bucky moves closer and pats your head, "It's okay, Doll. It's just a movie." You give him a sad frown & he kisses your forehead.

"Abigail?" You pull away, trying to wipe her tears.

"She didn't go with Elphie, Mama. She stayed with the bad teacher and fake wizard! How could she?!"

"I know, baby. Everything was happening so fast for her."

"She the bad witch. Not Elphie. Mama?"

"Yes?"

"Elphie sing and I hear her with my ears & she sound so...the BEST! So pwetty. And then she sing loud and I hear her in my heart too..." Abby starts to cry again, "And it makes it like...too much, Mama." Abby places her palm against her heart and curls into you.

Bucky chuckles & kisses her head, "Lots of feelings?" He had to admit he enjoyed the movie so much more than he thought he would. "Too much feeling, huh?"

"Ya, too much."

"Well, you saw it. You don't have to see it again."

Abby's head whips up, "Oh, no! I wants to see it again!"

Confused, Bucky tries to reason with her, "Look how it made you cry."

Abby's chubby hands wipes away her tears, "Papa, it was the BESTEST!"

Girl Logic.

@waywardhunter95 @rebeccapineapple @ordelixx @onceithough @thezombieprostitute @ilovetaquitosmmmm @julvrs @unax @s-a-v-a-n-a-34 @winterslove1917 @mrs-bucky-barnes-73 @mrsnikstan @hisredheadedgoddess28 @itsteambarnes @otterlycanadian @purplecolordeer @buckitostan @littleredwolf @mcucatlady @silas-aeiou @hzdhrtss @florie1 @thecubanator2 @enchantedbarnes @selella @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @cjand10 @pancake-05 @ozwriterchick @crazyunsexycool @baw1066 @nommingonfood @jvanilly

[briarlovesclara]

Choices and Consequences: A Wicked Analysis

"If Movie 1 [of Wicked] is about choices, then Movie 2 is about the consequences." -- Jon M. Chu, interviewed by @/mayaegbo on tiktok

Here's the thing: there's a pivotal choice that is presented to each of the main three (Elphaba, Fiyero, and Glinda) at least once in every configuration within the two acts (of the musical, presuming this transfers to the movie):

Character A asks Character B to run away with them.

Often this is talked about in the context of Defying Gravity, but it actually happens TWO TIMES before that! And it all starts with...

Now, this is the movie's rough draft, so the scene does change slightly on screen, but it's for dramatic emphasis and the important part's fairly consistent through both the musical and movie. Same for the rest of these :)

Fiyero asks Elphaba to run away with him, albeit temporarily, to do a criminal or socially unacceptable act. Elphaba accepts this, which jumpstarts their relationship in earnest (in contrast with him asking her to ride with him and Feldspur in the forest, where she denies what would be an understandable request).

The next example of this situation, interestingly enough, shows to be the exception to the rule.

Elphaba asks Glinda to come with her, and Glinda accepts. What makes this different from the other times? There is a) no loss if she accepts, and b) active gain. Even though she can't expect to get her heart's desire, meeting The Wizard and even going to the Emerald City is huge for anyone, especially someone like Glinda!

The heartbreaking effect of this being the first time someone asks Glinda to come with her is that the audience may be prepped to think she will say yes in the future. Maybe she's just adventurous; maybe she'll follow Elphie anywhere, or can't bear to miss out on excitement. The rug pull is that she won't always say yes, and you deliberately are able to mischaracterize this choice until she makes a different one in Defying Gravity. Speaking of which...

Elphaba asks Glinda to come with her again, this time to truly become a criminal, wanted and unwanted, to cast herself out from society irrevocably... and she can't. Glinda refuses.

Some people like to talk about the tragedy that by the time Glinda would have come with her-- at the end of the story, maybe-- it's too late. And I agree that if she ever reaches that point, that's true. But I want to make it clear that this isn't just an Act 1, pre-time jump way of thinking.

I don't have script for this one, because the second movie isn't out yet, and it's not included in the musical script provided in The Grimmerie, but Fiyero asks Glinda to run away with him to find Elphaba in the middle of Thank Goodness after Glinda says that she hates staying and listening to the slander about her. Not only does Glinda refuse, she admits that it's because of the glamor and love she's grown used to. Crucially, she asks who could give it all up, and Fiyero answers, "you know who could, and did." (Pretty certain that's the wording.)

Fast forwarding, we get to the Wizard's Throne Room. There's no way that Elphaba would ask Fiyero to come with her-- but he decides he's coming anyway, and she accepts.

Now we get to Fiyero's only denial of Elphaba-- in Munchkinland, when it's obvious that he is going to die either way. If he tries to run, they will both be caught and killed. If he stays and dies, she has a chance, so of course he's yelling at her to go without him.

(And maybe, just maybe, he's paralyzed with fear and guilt, staring down the barrel at Glinda as he yells to Elphaba, unseen behind him. Despite it all, he can't seem to turn his back on his fiancée. He won't leave her again.)

Finally, Fiyero and Elphaba run away together in the finale. That's not an ask, is it? But Elphaba wants Glinda to know. She's hesitating. Fiyero starts walking, but she holds back, and he reaches out a hand to her and says "come". After a pause, she follows him, and he puts her hat on as they leave together. So as it started, Fiyero asks Elphaba to come with him, and she accepts.

But wait, you might be saying, what about Glinda? When does she ask either of them to come with her? And the answer is that she doesn't, not explicitly, because that's not who she is.

Glinda wouldn't ask someone to come with her, because she'd never be caught doing something that needed persuasion. The other two are the revolutionaries, who inspire the best in her, but just like she doesn't go through with following any serious rebellion, she doesn't incite it, even as a joke.

That being said, she does tell Elphaba to do something big one time: when Glinda asks Elphaba to listen to the Wizard and Madame Morrible at the end of Act 1. Then, during Defying Gravity, she says, "Listen to me. Just say you're sorry." Even when she is finally trying to convince someone to do something rebellious, it's rebelling against what Elphaba knows is right, her sense of justice. The audience should have known by the time Elphaba asks Glinda to come with her that it wouldn't work; the Glinda that begged Elphaba to let go of Animal rights for her own comfort would never fly away from a life in the Wizard's Palace.

Some loose ends with Glinda:

Glinda similarly asks Elphaba to come with everybody else to the Ozdust, but she leaves without her and we know where that motivation came from.

I can't think of Glinda directly asking Fiyero to come with her anywhere, besides discouraging him from leaving with Elphaba in Act 2, which I don't feel like counts.

So yes, Jon M. Chu, choices and consequences. The two best words to describe this incredible story :)

[into-fiction]

Ok here's another idea. Pirate AU where Elphaba is the captain of a pirate ship and Glinda is a wealthy noble on board a ship Elphaba attacks. She holds Glinda for ransom and they fall in love or Glinda begs to join the crew because she was on her way to be forcibly married to someone she didn't know.

It's kind of shades of Pirates of the Caribbean in my head but less supernatural. Maybe Elphaba has magic and that's how she got her own ship and crew and it's full on misfits like her who were shunned because they're different.

idk if u wanted a drabble for this but i did one anyway lol

///

Elphaba was not in a good mood.

First, because their sail had been significantly more damaged in the attack than she'd expected. Second, because the weather on the horizon looked sour and formidable.

And third, the reason currently making her fists clench and her blood boil, is that their hostage is not being cooperative.

"A bunch of incompetent fools," Elphaba mutters, though the few crew members hustling to keep up with her know she doesn't truly mean it. Elphaba loves her rag-tag crew, and they'd found a family here on the seas that the land had never given them.

But seriously: they couldn't even handle a single prissy noble girl?!

Elphaba slams into the cabin with enough force for her grimy footprint to leave a permanent mark on the door. The single occupant doesn't even flinch, just cocks an eyebrow like the behavior is beneath her.

Glinda Upland is one of the richest nobles this side of Oz, and it was pure luck that Elphaba recognized her family's flag flying from that ship. The small, sleek ship had put up more of a fight than expected, but eventually, she'd been forced to retreat, her most precious cargo locked in cuffs and dragged aboard The Broomstick.

Elphaba had been ecstatic. There was nothing she and her crew hated more than those obnoxious, stuck-up nobles with their fancy parties and their wasted money and their utter lack of empathy or care.

The only thing they did care about, was themselves. The Upland family were well-known for doting on their only daughter and would surely pay out the wazoo to get her back. She was the perfect ransom.

Except that, apparently, she refused to cooperate.

As though she thought she had a choice.

Elphaba tries to impart this on the girl, her blonde hair tangled and her pink dress rumpled and stained. But there is not even a hint of fear in the stupid girl's eyes, not even when the swords come out, and not even when Elphaba brings in her largest crew member.

"You aren't going to hurt me," Glinda says confidently. She crosses her arms and tilts her chin, a tiny smirk pulling on the edge of her lips.

"And what makes you so sure?" Elphaba growls, leaning in to loom over the smaller girl.

Glinda's brown eyes sparkle- not with fear, but with delight. She's enjoying this, the little brat.

"You need me unharmed for this ransom to work. That's why you want me to write the letter myself. Momsie and Popsicle aren't going to pay for a corpse."

"Is that so? Are you sure your parents wouldn't be just as happy to pay up....after we chop one of your fingers off?"

Not even a flicker.

Glinda grins, leaning forward on her toes to get right in Elphaba's face. "What if I gave you an even better offer?" she whispers, glossy pink lips just inches from Elphaba's own.

"Oh?"

"Mmhm." Glinda rocks back, smiling winningly. "You want money, right? Well, I can get you that. I can get you anything you want. I know people."

"And what, pray tell, do you want in return?"

To leave, Elphaba expects the girl to say. To go home.

But Glinda hasn't cooperated with anything Elphaba has assumed so far. Of course, she wouldn't cooperate here either.

"If I help you," Glinda says, brown eyes sharpening into something intelligent and cunning. "Then you have to let me stay. Unharmed."

"What?"

Glinda's hair curls wildly around her face, her dress sways gently by her knees, and her hands, which Elphaba stupidly stupidly hadn't been watching, are slipping out of a pair of cuffs that clatter uselessly to the floor.

"I want to join your crew."

Glinda leans in once more, close enough that Elphaba has to force herself not to lean away.

"I want to be yours."

[dearreader]

i’m sorry but the fact they cut a scene where glinda is mad at elphaba for not taking her with her to free the cub because she left her alone and elphaba promises to never leave her alone is so infuriating to me! the way that could give some interesting and new background to glinda and that it would add an interesting level to the fieyro and elphaba love triangle by having glinda being mad at both the people she loves bonding without her and her being afraid of being abandoned. AND how when elphaba chooses to go but glinda stays and gets everything she ever wants like majoring in sorcery and being e have to fieyro and having a private dorm and being the most beloved person in oz- but she was abandoned by the one person who saw her for her and loved her AND WHO SHE LOVES inspite of everything… universal, drop your location i just wanna talk

[sukibenders]

Glinda mentions to Elphaba how Fiyero can't stop thinking about that moment in Dillamond's class, or that he's having thoughts in general and how it worries her because it's not something she's used to from him (which is him thinking about actual things), in contrast to Elphaba, who doesn't seem all that bothered and, even more so interested in the manner when Fiyero brings up how he can't stop thinking about when they rescued the lion cub. I don't know about everyone else but for me, even with this scene probably being added for lighthearted value, I also see it as another piece in the puzzle cementing how Fiyero's and Glinda's actions will, eventually, either pull them closer or further away from Elphaba. I lowkey don't like it when people act surprised or confused as to why Glinda was spelled or get annoyed that Fiyero is in her place but I, personally, don't think she would have helped in that moment, specifically in the movie.

Prior to the train scene, Glinda is shown to, not only, be completely rude and spoiled (as shown with her literally fainting over not getting her way), when in class, she publicly points out Dillamond's inability to pronounce her name correctly even though it's an obvious struggle, parading in front of the class how easier it was for her other teachers to do it, then being dismissive during the rest of the lesson when learning the importance of history and why to learn from it (correct me if I'm wrong, as it has been a minute since I've seen the movie). All that already tells me that she doesn't really care for the animals' cause, let alone enough to follow Elphaba and Fiyero into the woods after stealing the lion cub and I think, subconsciously, Elphaba knew that. In fact, I can only see Glinda trying to sway them to leave the cub and how what their new professor wanted to teach probably wasn't all that bad (not saying that she would want the cub to be harmed, just that she would try to rationalize what's going as we've seen her do before). This is the same woman who, after learning that the Wizard was a fraud and responsible for the missing and harmed animals, still tried to justify his actions and berated Elphaba for not "acting accordingly" to the news, but yet we still think she should have been there to save the lion cub? That she would have helped those animals alongside Fiyero and Elphaba? I think it could allude to how Glinda could/will be used to help further push propaganda for the Wizard, especially given how it benefits her socially, as figures of propaganda often don't think too hard, or enough to critique the system around them not because they aren't smart enough too (for the most part), but more so because they understand how their world works and understand the consequences that follow when stepping out of line.

You don't have to like Fiyeraba or even find Fiyero interesting, but to purposely ignore what the movie is presenting you is such a cop-out. Fiyero enters the film being a sort of anti-establishment-like character, caring little if he gets kicked out of Shiz for breaking the rules, or just hardly caring in general (something Elphaba calls him out for), and so on. Why wouldn't he be down to rescue the lion? Even if it was to just feed his rebellious streak, he still would have gone, but when he and Elphaba meet, he's on a talking horse and they are conversing like lifelong friends. That might add another layer to the pair saving the lion. Even if he wasn't on the same level as Elphaba at that moment, the train scene shows that it had a profound impact on him that he couldn't shake. I think, had he been presented with the choice of joining Elphaba or staying, he would have gone, not only for her but also because he now knows that the Wizard is a fraud and most definitely wouldn't stand for what he [Oz] is doing. This is what sets him apart from Glinda which, isn't necessarily me hating on her but just stating facts. Glinda isn't/won't be willing to sacrifice her position and what it brings her, until it's too late (which is the tragedy of her character and her relationship with Elphaba), while Fiyero risks everything, even to some extent his own body (Scarecrow) and, in the end, gets to stand with Elphaba.

[rag-doggy]

Okay, I just thought of a more disturbing alternate Nick Chopper-esque story for Boq that leads up to him becoming Tin Man.

Imagine that scene where Nessa ends up walking for the first time ever, and Elphaba decides to leave after that so no one would notice and get the impression that she's there to hex the Governess.

Boq, during this and essentially the entire time he's been working for the Governess, had taken up a woodcutting job, and had been talking to this kind Munchkin baker named Nimmie and keeping it a secret. He already had to accept that he's probably way out of Glinda's league, and won't ever get a chance with her, but talking to Nimmie and getting to know her had seemed to have made him not as upset about it (as he thought it make him).

He pretends to be thrillified for Nessarose when he finds out she can walk now. Elphaba had long since left the house. He then tries to leave Nessa, but she then convinces him to stay a bit longer, excusing it as "You've taken such good care of me, Boq. I feel I should return the favour". She, as said, insists HEAVILY on taking care of him, doing what he asks.

At first, Boq is reluctantly okay with it, and likes it. But over the next few days Nessa just overwhelms him to the point he can't hold it in any longer and has something to confessa;

He never loved her, he loved Glinda before, but now he likes a new girl. He only stayed because of guilt and wanting to initially impress Glinda. But that's not what he wants, not anymore.

With that, he announces he will leave her to go be with Nimmie. But the Wicked Witch of the East didn't want that. She at first gives off the impression that she understands, and leaves the room. But when Boq is distracted with hurriedly packing his things, Nessarose finds his woodcutting axe. Full of jealousy, fear, anger AND desperation, she picks it up.

Nessarose then just sneaks up behind Boq, and swings the axe at his leg with all her strength. Boq ends up losing a leg, and Nessa insists on helping him, which he's got no choice but to accept since it hurts too much. Thus, it results in him staying there longer under Nessa's control.

After a while of bed rest and healing of the gorey stump of his now missing leg, Boq tells Nessarose that he's leaving in the morning, another mistake on Boq's part. During the night, Nessarose does it again, lopping off Boq's other leg while he's high on sleeping pills (or whatever sleeping pills are referred to in Oz) and bandages it up.

It becomes a temporary but nonetheless horrifying routine; Boq wakes up with another missing limb every couple mornings, which left him no choice but to stay with his tormentor. He had become an armless, legless munchkin in the end, only being moved around by Nessarose and too afraid to say anything. Nessarose would even go as far as to threaten Nimmie by leaving a bloody gift for her, being Boq's severed arms and legs as a way to get her to back off.

One morning, Elphaba comes back, and upon seeing Boq's horrific state, she and Nessa get into a full on heated argument, and Boq ends up lashing out, telling Elphaba all the horrible things Nessa did.

Angered and impossibly desperate, Nessarose snatches Elphaba's Grimmerie and recites a love spell, but as it goes in the musical, it goes horribly wrong. Boq's heart shrinks, and Nessa begs Elphaba to save him.

Of course, Elphaba agrees and recites the tinification spell. She then leaves to save the monkeys and Nessarose is on her own. Boq is revived and is the Tin man, now with his arms, legs, and freedom back, he runs away in a panic.

[nobodysdaydreams]

Accidentally a Long Anon, and not really a question or anything, just waxing on about silly ideas

In my imaginary perfect Wicked, one of the things I’d change (among other stuff) would be to extend the “as long as you’re mine” era (not in a sexy way (personally the canon sexiness doesn’t make sense to me but I’m very ace so maybe that’s why?)) where Elphaba and Fiyero are hanging out together— and they get to kick ASS. They’d be such a wild team together (“together we’ll be the greatest team there’s ever been…” musical motif wistfully in the background) it might give Elphaba an energy boost, and she’s got direct insider knowledge from her new sidekick. And they’d help lots of Animals escape Oz, swashbuckle guards, and they’d realise that they for-reals love each other 🥺 as they gaze into each others eyes, 🥺🥺 which are obviously reflecting the romantic lighting from a huge explosion of an Animal prison or something. 🥺🥺��

Actually have a little happy time together where things look up, until the Twister incident happens. I’d give them a montage of badassery before it all goes wrong.

Since they’re not cohabiting at Kiamo Ko castle HQ at this time, (I wish, haha. Wicked witch and her traitorous henchman living in their cartoonishly evil lair, wreaking havoc and dastardly deeds upon the poor wizard 😔 maybe in another life) would they be camping in the woods and hiding out in charitable Animal’s barns and Airbnbs? Windmills and such. Oh oh oh, an abandoned windmill date/song sounds awesome- Fiyero would be climbing all over the moving parts like it’s Tornado Wheel 2. They could climb onto a big outer blade and ascend uuup, into the last sun rays of the day, looking out over the landscape as far as the eye can see, before it rotates them back down, back into evening shadow. (Maybe in a foreshadowing way T_T oh it would be even more foreshadowing if it was just Fiyero on the windmill blade, and Elphaba was up on her broom, staying in the light for a little longer as the wheel rotates Fiyero down and away, grinning up at her. Putting my head in my hands ;_; Hyping her up saying that she can do anything, and he’d do anything for her T___T)

…

I kinda chuckle at the mental image of poor Prince Fiyero, living out in the woods without his fancy shampoo and razor and lotions and monogrammed pyjamas and slippers and satin sheets, and going a bit feral. Getting a bit unkempt. (In a perfect world he’d get an “I work with elphaba now” outfit, and it would slay) Growing his hair?! A love so strong not even a terrible terrible moustache can’t keep them apart :,) Ok maybe not the moustache. 😂 Unrecognisable to everyone except Elphaba and Glinda, maybe save for his eyes. (Glinda would scream, then recognise him, then scream again with renewed horror at what has become of him: he’s become… rugged…) So scruffy he’s compared to a scarecrow. But having the best time of his life.

That’s what’s floating around in my head right now, hopefully you enjoy 😂

I love everything about this anon. If Fiyero and/or Galinda tried to join Elphaba and live on the run in the woods with her, she'd have to stop them from eating poisonous berries. Actually, she'd only have to stop Galinda, but the only reason Fiyero wouldn't need to be stopped is because he already tried to eat the berries as a child and his horse stopped him.

[deeplyshalllow]

Omg I’m a moron… for over a decade… I’ve interpreted the DTL lyrics as being:

Nothing matters, [except] knowing [the mantra] “Nothing Matters”.

Like hakuna matata. But just now I realised it’s

Nothing matters, [so] [the act of] knowing nothing [is what] matters

🤦🤦🤦

Still. Oof, depressing.

The causes you care about don’t matter to those in power. Trying to do or say anything about it is not fashionable, nor acceptable amongst your rank of society. It’s futile and only makes you look like a fool, it brings embarrassment and ridicule upon your associates and family, it causes disagreements and fights. All of which will make your life miserable. (There’s a cost, there are things you’ll lose, there are bridges you’ll cross…) So don’t talk about it, stop thinking about it. Heck, don’t think at all. And life will be so much easier for you. More bearable. Yikes to go grimdark, Fiyero is lucky he was just kept away in universities and not sent away for a lobotomy or something, that is if Winkie Country’s politics weren’t aligned with Animal rights

to get lighthearted again:

Don’t wish, don’t start, wishing only wounds the heart. […] Elphaba could be that activist, but Fiyero can’t be like Elphaba….. OR CAN HE *dramatic music change* (❗️Fiyero has been emboldified. ❗️Fiyero no longer gives a twig. ⁉️ Fiyero has been given a gun— wait who signed off on that, wai—)

My ex therapist once said that I overthink and care about things too much, so I’d better stop, because it was making me sick and was going to kill me. And yet, the thinking and caring too much, was also what was keeping me alive. What a Catch-22! /s Go figure!

I also realised:

Make sure you’re where less trouble is rife!

Is not

Make sure you wear less,

And therefore not suggesting that Fiyero’s go-to defence mechanism, if he finds himself in trouble, is to start stripping off. Turn that fight break-out into a fight make-out. Make love not war. For over ten years I’d thought “yeah that sounds like a philosophy he’d have.”

Ten plus slutty, slutty years

The notion of “you’re not here to be politically controversial, you’re here to promote cheer/ your job isn’t to think, your job is to stand there looking handsome” (a variation of being seen and not heard, oh dear [FOOTNOTE]) … like when Mme Morrible and Glinda prevent Fiyero from speaking to the crowd in Thank Goodness comes to mind. On the one hand, the assumption that he’s incapable of knowing anything would allow him to acquire great information as a double agent, but on the other hand he’s successfully barred from knowing that the public celebration is for his own engagement, which he wasn’t even asked about. They didn’t think he could be trusted to consent to an engagement?? Ouch. And yet they trusted that he would perform/feel socially pressured enough to people-please and accept without fuss.

To take it way further, it could even be argued as if Glinda couldn’t trust him to not be “stupid” and choose the “wrong” fiancée… (even if she thought it would be for his own good and keep him safe from trouble in the long term. If this had been the case it backfired spectacularly)

Fiyero really do be out there getting objectified and treated like an object in Act 2- it seems out of his control compared to Act 1 where it was on his own terms.

What are your thoughts on the engagement, by the way?

Do you think it encouraged any spark of resentment towards Glinda?

If they had gotten married— ie, if there was a larger time gap between Elphaba returning to the Emerald City and Fiyero still couldn’t track her down— do you think Glinda and Fiyero’s married relationship might echo that of Nessarose and Boq? In which one feels kept/caged [FOOTNOTE] by duty, and the other possessive/fearing abandonment?

(Even more grimdark au where this married Fiyero’s growing stress, depression, and risk of disobedience puts him on Morrible/Wizard-prescribed medication, which Glinda wants to believe is helping him stay happy and carefree, when really it’s just keeping his thoughts muddled… I’d cry… why did I make myself sad like that??)

* THE FOOTNOTE: any comparisons of Fiyero with Animals (given his book origins as ambiguously indigenous/a poc) outside his political alignments is unintentional on my part. But the ammo is present, I guess. Dehumanisation is a Wicked theme. But I’m leaving that potential can of worms to the pros though

This Ask turned into a terrible flow of consciousness, SINCERE apologies, *hits ask anyway*

Yeah, honestly, poor Fiyero. I think the interesting conundrum about him, and one of the reasons he's so depressed, is that he should be in a position where he has some power. He's a prince possibly an heir to the Vinkus, he's what everyone in Oz loves, handsome, charming and generally good. But it's very obvious that he thinks he can't actually do anything, so he doesn't try ("those who don't try, never look foolish"). He sort of lets life pass him by at the beginning of the musical, doing what others expect of him.

And then there's Elphaba, who isn't at all what Oz wants, but even so she does fight, she does do what is right and she cares more about her cause than what people think. And I think that is what changes and inspires him - because suddenly there is a way to do good, it opens up a world for him that he wouldn't otherwise know, and by act 2 he is happy to divert from his expected path to explore this.

Fiyero and Glinda, on the other hand... Glinda is who Fiyero would expect to end up with - both personally and by society. It's the path everyone expects both of them to take. It probably would be where he ended (or at least with a girl like her) if it wasn't for Elphaba giving him another option - a path he'd prefer. So Glinda, who is different to Fiyero because she does her best to stick to the path that is intended for her, ends up having to be the one to pull him along that path (hence the surprise engagement - clearly he wasn't proposing fast enough!)

Ultimately, of course, Fiyero is given the option to choose and follow Elphaba (the unplanned path) but had he not? I think had he not met Elphaba, he'd have probably been content enough, not happy but not knowing much better, with Elphaba but no opportunity to leave? Yeah, I think it would be an unhappy marriage, by this point in the musical, though Fiyero and Glinda clearly do care for each other, they don't actually have much in common, especially not in terms of morals. I think Fiyero would resent standing there smiling when he could be doing good, and Glinda would start blaming him for ruining the happiness that she always expected to have when she married him. I think you can already see traces of this in Thank Goodness tbh.

I hope that answers your question :)

[media-thots]

I’m thinking about Galinda and her song Popular and how it demonstrates her understanding of how to get what she wants.

This has probably been talked about before, I know. I read the book Wicked but over a decade ago. I knew very little about the musical until now.

Anyway, Popular is about how Galinda decides to alter Elphaba’s social image for the better, to make her popular. Surface level, this just seems to be the typical move of a popular girl, to make the unpopular girl more like herself, to “help” her. But Galinda understands that image is sometimes more important than content, how you are perceived can have more impact than what you stand for. She’s her own best example of this, Galinda stands for no real cause, but she’s molded her image to be seemingly Good, beautiful, and charming, so Galinda is popular. This informs her greater view of how to get what she wants, as in if she’s likable and popular, then she can achieve what she dreams of, magic. It’s always worked for herself before but popularity won’t help her gain the ability to use magic.

Galinda’s perspective of how to achieve what you want is at direct odds with Elphaba’s perspective. Her whole life, Elphaba’s mere existence, her presence has been a disturbance, in more than one sense of the word. She’s naturally done her best to go unnoticed and when that isn’t possible, she will stare down the mockery and derision. In munchkinland, she had no possibility to be popular so she has to achieve what she wants another way. Through pure hard work and talent for magic. And this ultimately leads to Elphaba’s perspective that it doesn’t matter what people think of her, as long as she is doing the right thing.

These differences in perspective ultimately comes to a head with Defying Gravity. Elphaba and Glinda learn the truth of the Wizard, Madame Morrible, and their vilification of the Animals. For Elphaba, there is only one course of action, to tell the truth and stop the Wizard from causing more harm. If this makes her a fugitive then so be it, she will be doing the right thing. But she can do this because she has raw magic power. For Glinda, popularity is power (look at how well that works for the Wizard), if she is hated then she has no power because at the time of this song, Glinda isn’t magically powerful, not like Elphaba. As much as they care for each other and say that their partnership makes them unlimited, Glinda’s decision to stay behind demonstrates that she knows, that as she is right then, she would be of no help to Elphaba’s cause. So they part, heartbroken but accepting of the path the other person chooses.

It’s a catchy song, I understand now why my mom will hum it out of nowhere. But it has so many more layers to it than that, quite like the character who sings it.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun watching the movie and am looking forward to Act 2.

[nevis-the-skeleton]

TinMan of Oz (My design, Oz AU)

Here comes TinMan ^^! Also known as Nick Chopper! Scarecrow's husband best friend!

(Press Show More to learn more about my version of TinMan of Oz)

CHARACTER:

First Name: Nick

Name: Chopper

Alias: Tin Man, Tin Woodsman

Gender: He/Him

Place of birth: Munchkins Land (East)

Race: Munchkin (Cursed)

Age: 21 years

Height: 1 m 80

Weight: 80 kg

Eyes: Greys

Hairs: None

Skin: Tin

*

RELATIONSHIPS:

Best friend: Scarecrow

Friends: Dorothy Gale, Cowardly Lion, Ozma, Jack Pumpkin Head, Sawhorse, Patchy (Patchwork Girl), Glinda the Good

Love interest: Scarecrow

Enemies: Elphaba Thropp, Nessarose Thropp, Nome King, Mombi, Jinjur

*

PERSONALITY:

Qualities: Empathy, Altruism, Loyalty, Strenght, Organization

Default: Impatient, Stubborn, Franc

MBTI: ESFJ

*

Short story:

Nick was the son of a lumberjack, and took over after his father's death. He lived a sweet and pleasant life in Munchkinland, until their ruler was overthrown by the one later known as the Witch of the East. Things then became much more difficult for everyone.

Nick didn't try to know more. He was just doing his job, as expected of him. He helped others as much as he could, being known in his village for being a very selfless boy with a good heart.

It was when he was 21 that he met Nimmie Amee, a talented singer. the two fell very much in love with each other. Then, a rumor finally circulated, saying that the Witch was looking for a suitor. All the young men of Munchkins Land were obliged to report to her castle so that she could make up her mind. Nick refused to go. His heart was already give to Nimmee, and he hated the Witch.

But the latter did not hear it that way, and forced Nick and Nimmie to come see her, under penalty of their village being burned. The couple eventually appeared before her, and the Witch announced that Nick would be her husband, whether he liked it or not. Nick suspected that the Witch was only doing this because he had challenged her authority (even if the truth is quite different).

The woodcutter refused, stating that he was already going to marry Nimmie, and therefore could not marry the Witch. He added the fact that he could not marry someone he did not love. She then ordered him to stay with him for a year, and after that time he would marry her. Nick promised Nimmie that he would find her as soon as he had the chance.

Nick will eventually gain the Witch's trust, which will allow him to escape the castle. He often wrote to Nimmie discreetly, so they could work together on their escape plan. Their goal was to go to the Emerald City, which they had heard about so often. They hoped that the new ruler (and Wizard) who lived there could help them and protect them from the Witch of the East.

Unfortunately, their plan did not work as planned, and it did not take long for the Witch to catch up with the couple. Mad with rage, the leader cursed them both. Nimmie lost her voice, her vocal cords torn out, now unable to make any sound. And, Nick was transformed into a tin man, losing his physical heart which was ripped out of him by the Witch.

The couple was left abandoned. Nimmie, convinced that Nick was dead, disappeared into the forest, unable to express her grief. Tin Man will regain consciousness much later, and the only traces of Nimmie will be his blood lost after having his voice stolen.

He will try to resume his life as a lumberjack, but will be pushed aside by the villagers of his village, the latter fearing reprisals from the Witch if he stays with them. The Tin Man will become a hermit in the forest, insensitive to everything around him.

When a terrible storm came, Nick went out in the rain, with the sad hope that it might kill him, but it didn't. The Tin Man was then condemned to be a prisoner in his own body. At least, until a little girl and a little dog, accompanied by a living scarecrow, came by his house.

*

Facts about Tin Man:

He's only real weakness is water

He was the one who taught to Scarecrow what a compliment was

He doesn't know if Nimmie is still alive or not

He must sleep once a week, to fully regain his energy

He becomes the leader of the Winkies after the death of Elphaba

When he learned that Nessarose was dead, he was angry that he couldn't get revenge

Like the others, he felt betrayed by Scarecrow when they discovered he worked for the Witch of the West

It won't take him long to forgive Scarecrow

He can wield any form of weapon, not just the ax

He is quite harsh in the way he does things, especially if it takes too long

Tin Man is the one who trusts the least Witches and Wizards, in his eyes they are people with too much power, and who take advantage of it to harm the weakest

He came with Dorothy and Scarecrow first in order to protect them

Despite his lack of heart, he is the most empathetic and sensitive of the group

When he has an idea in mind, it's difficult to get him to change his mind

He always makes it a point of honor to help others if he can do so