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deeplyshalllow · 22 days ago

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An in depth study of the Lion Cub Scene in the Wicked Movie

Elphaba and Fiyero's meeting

Dancing Through Life

Sorry it’s taken a little longer than I expected to come out with this essay, I’ve been busy general pre-Christmas stuff and then recreating the entirety of Heather the Musical with Funko pops – you know, the usual. In any case, in a way I’m glad that it’s taken slightly longer as it’s meant that the movie screenplay has come out in the meantime so I can make the odd reference to that.

[Elphaba practices her ‘toss, toss,’ Fiyero notices.]

“You’ve been Galindafied.” [smiles at her fondly,] “you don’t need to do that, you know. Come on, let’s get to class.”

This is essentially the same line as in the musical (though my best friend was quick to point out removed Fiyero imitating the ‘toss toss’ and I’m pretty sure she nearly walked out of the cinema in outrage), and I think it serves the same purpose. The idea that Galinda is indeed continuing on her mission to make Elphaba popular and Elphaba is somewhat receptive to it. Fiyero, though fondly, kind of thinks the whole thing is a little ridiculous and finds Elphaba fine the way she is.

This scene is actually the one most impacted by what was cut from the screenplay. In the screenplay version we do not have the “Let’s get to class” line as it’s actually set a considerable amount of time (potentially a few months) before the Lion Cub. I go into much more detail here but basically there is a montage between the “toss toss” scene and the Lion Cub scene that shows time passing and Elphaba, Galinda, Fiyero, Nessa and Boq becoming friends.

Elphaba is wearing different clothes when she enters Dillamond’s classroom than in the “toss toss” scene, so I am going to take this as canon that there is still the same time jump, as it makes a lot more narrative sense (otherwise there’s very little time before Elphaba goes to the Emerald City for anyone to become friends). Therefore, by the scene in Dillamond’s classroom we are to assume a few months have passed, and Elphaba regards Fiyero as somewhat of a friend that she’s comfortable enough being around, if in a bit of a superficial “my best friend’s boyfriend” sort of way.

The scene continues mostly as it does in the musical, Doctor Dillamond tells the class he’s no longer permitted to teach, Elphaba is cross and tries to stop it, Doctor Dillamond is taken away. All this is expected and as expected of Elphaba’s character considering her previous scenes.

What is new is Fiyero’s reaction to Doctor Dillamond being taken away, he also stands up and shouts “hey!” he’s clearly not the only student distressed, but aside from Elphaba he appears the most distressed. It’s immediately clear that “Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters” is not as true as he makes it out to be. In my opinion, this is a very good change from the musical, as it sets up his actions later in the scene, he’s on Elphaba and the Animals’ side, he’s always been on their side.

Fiyero, however, does not react like Elphaba. After the initial outburst, he is silenced and sits down like the rest of the class (albeit he is one of the last to do so) and does not respond to her challenge to the class of “Are we all just going to sit here in silence?”

Elphaba, never one for staying silent, like her musical counterpart, continues to challenge the teacher and get increasingly distressed through seeing the Cub in the cage (the premonition of seeing Dillamond in a cage here is, obviously, new to the movie and I think mostly serves to show how distressed she is – I don’t think she’s really realised what she’s seeing is the future, but it may haunt her later).

“Can you imagine a world where Animals are kept in cages and never learn to speak. This Lion Cub seems so frightened. What are we going to do?”

“I’m sorry, we?”

And here we see the dichotomy between Elphaba and Fiyero, both care, both are upset, but Fiyero is not one to spring to action in this situation without outside provocation – again, he’s sung an entire song about how he’ll get less hurt if he pretends not to care. While Elphaba wants to do something no matter what the cost, Fiyero is stuck on the practicalities of the situation: they are powerless students, they will immediately be stopped so, at least for now, he does not try.

“Well someone’s got to do something,” [Elphaba slams her hand on the desk, causing poppies to float in the air, putting everyone to sleep]

[Fiyero, stares around, not falling asleep but somewhat bewildered, Galinda falls asleep on his shoulder] “hey, hey, c’mere,” [lays Galinda’s head on the desk].

The spell going from making everyone crazy dance, to poppies putting everyone to sleep is a change for the movie, and I think a good one. I don’t think the crazy dance would have worked as well in film format, and the poppies is obviously a lovely reference to the Wizard of Oz – ultimately though, I don’t think it changes much about the narrative.

What I do find really interesting about this scene is the inclusion of Galinda and Nessa. In the musical, neither are in the class, so the casting of Elphaba’s spell seemed to imply that she didn’t magic Fiyero because he was the one person she liked. In here, the two of them are present, and are spelled too, so Fiyero being left out has got to be for a different reason – I read somewhere on Tumblr that apparently they’ve said this will be explored in part 2 and I hope so, because my reading is that it’s another sign that Fiyero alone cares as much about this as Elphaba.

“What is happening?”

“I don’t know, I got mad and...” [Elphaba notices that Fiyero has already got up and is heading towards the Lion Cub] “Fiyero, what are you doing?”

[Fiyero, having already got the Lion Cub out of the cage like the amazing, kitty saving, hero that he is]

“Well, are you coming?”

I love this. I love this so much. Script wise this is not very much of a change from the musical, in fact only one line of Fiyero’s is cut, “Alright just don't move! And don't get mad at me!” but the fact he moves the beat before, that the moment he realises there now is something they can do, which won’t get them stopped or in more trouble than the good they can do, he springs into action – does so much for his characterisation. It’s so very clear from this that he’s doing this because he cares about the Cub too, he’s doing because he wants to himself rather than to help Elphaba, I also like that the removal of this line takes away any idea of blame or frustration at Elphaba’s powers – Jonathan’s Fiyero never really judges her for being unusual.

This scene, both in show and film, is always excellent at showing why Fiyeraba suit each other. Elphaba is all passion and fire, she cares and will fight, but will also go in headfirst without thinking of the consequences. Fiyero, meanwhile, needs the spark of passion and push to act, but when he does act he is careful and tactical, he gets what he wants but in a way that smoothes the consequences of Elphaba’s rash actions and gets at least the majority of them out safely (see also: Throne Room Scene, Corn Field Scene).

There’s nothing particular to note in the bike scene, but I appreciate the cute reference to Mrs Gulch and Toto in the Wizard of Oz (that reference alone made me pleased I watched WOO a few days before I saw Wicked).

[Madame Morrible enters the classroom and sees everyone asleep] “What in the name of Oz?” [immediately writes a letter to the Wizard]

Not Fiyeraba related but I think it’s important to note what’s going on here. Madame Morrible has seen not only that Elphaba has cast a spell, but what she has cast the spell to do (to free an Animal). She’s not writing to the Wizard because she sees Elphaba is already talented enough to see the Wizard (as a first time viewer is led to believe), she’s speeding up the process so Elphaba is safely at the Wizard’s side before she can become any more pro Animal rights. It’s another great addition to canon, showing how much Morrible is in control even in act 1.

Also, Fiyero, who is also not in class, is completely overlooked, because being seen as a himbo often puts him beyond suspicion (she probably assumed he was just skiving off).

We have a few lines cut from the show here:

Elphaba: Careful! Don't shake him!

Fiyero: I'm not!

Elphaba: We can't just let him loose anywhere, you know. We have to find someplace safe...

Fiyero: Don't you think that I realize that? You must think I'm really stupid or something!

Elphaba: No, not really stupid.

These lines are in the screenplay so they’re a recent cut, but I think it’s still important to see the impacts of them being taken to. Again, we see the Fiyeraba relationship being a little less antagonistic than in the show. They still wind each other up a bit, because they defend themselves from the world in such radically different ways that they don’t quite understand the other at times (which we’ll see later in this scene), but they’re not actively sniping at each other in the movie. It’s times like this where we see their similarities, they are supporting the same cause, they have the same end goal in mind and, when they are both sure what they’re doing is right, they’re both very focused on getting it done.

It’s probably important to note that from here on out the musical and movie script is almost identical, so this becomes more of an analysis of the scene in both works, though I will point out where I think the movie particularly differs.

[Elphaba puts Lion Cub down so he can drink water] “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Why is it you’re always causing some sort of commotion?”

“I don’t cause commotions, I am one.”

“Yeah, well that’s for sure.”

Now the Lion Cub is somewhat safe, and resting Elphaba and Fiyero are finally given some time to think and interact.

These are musical lines, but again they hit differently with the meeting scene in the movie. Fiyero constantly uses derogatory humour about himself/his persona, so offhandedly that I’m not sure he even realises he’s doing it anymore. So it’s natural for him to think that Elphaba’s response is the same semi-joke at her own expense as he so frequently does to himself, so he plays into it.

“So you think I should just keep my mouth shut, is that what you’re saying?”

Elphaba, however, does not share quite the same self derogatory humour, any time she insults herself she truly means it. While Fiyero is desperate for people to see him for who he pretends to be, Elphaba wants people to like her for whom she really is. So she doesn’t see Fiyero’s reaction as him laughing at her joke, but instead as him also insulting her and, again, she goes on the defensive.

I get a feeling this also harks back to Elphaba’s relationship with her father, and the general reaction whenever she talked back or accidently did magic. Elphaba is used to being told to shut up, used to be seen as lesser and it’s just happened again with a boy she’s beginning to like and trust.

“What? No, no, I’m saying-”

And, again, Fiyero answers back, because he didn’t mean that – Elphaba puts him on the back foot once again when interacting with her – for all his smooth talking and easy charm Elphaba cuts right through it, because she simply will not let him act like that with her. If she is to trust him she needs to see his true feelings.

“Do you think I want to be this way?”

“I th-”

“Do you think I want to care this much?”

“I mean-”

“I know that my life would be much easier if I-”

There’s so much self loathing in Elphaba’s feelings about herself, so much of an assumption that everything she does is the wrong thing, that she could be better. Fiyero has basically said nothing against her, even less than in the show. This is all her criticising herself.

But it’s interesting what she says. It’s not the usual “no your opinions on why I am green are stupid” stuff, it’s vulnerable stuff. It’s her admitting that all the things people say to her, and the way she’s treated hurt, that she would dearly like to just be normal. Without really realising it, she’s allowing Fiyero to see a lot more of herself that she usually lets on.

“Do you ever let anyone else talk?”

This is a mask slip for Fiyero. Not in a big way, but it’s him suddenly having to be direct and real with her. Elphaba makes Fiyero have to express real feelings and emotions (even if at the moment it’s mostly frustration).

“Sorry.”

Fiyero letting his mask slip breaks Elphaba out of her rant. Again, it’s the same in the musical, but I do think there’s an added part in the movie where it references Fiyero calling out her defensiveness in the first scene. It gives Elphaba a second to reassess and realise it wasn’t an attack. She apologises, she’s also out of her natural comfort zone of unrelenting defensiveness.

“I just-”

“But can I just say one more thing?”

[Fiyero motions for her to go ahead]

“You could have walked away back there”

The realisation the Fiyero isn’t attacking her has allowed Elphaba to rethink, and for it to sink in what Fiyero has actually done, that he didn’t just freak out and run away, that he cared, that he helped her. And I think this sobers her up a little, to question and to see Fiyero in a new light.

[Fiyero shrugs] “So?”

I always find this line so interesting, because Fiyero hasn’t noticed yet that his mask has slipped. He acted on instinct to help Elphaba, to save the Cub, we see here that Fiyero’s natural instinct to care about things has never been very well hidden (which is why the mask is completely off by the time we hit Act 2).

“So, no matter how shallow and self absorbed you pretend to be.”

“Um, excuse me, there is no pretence here, I happen to be genuinely self absorbed and deeply shallow.”

I love this line. Obviously I love this line. I’ve loved it for 15 years. Have you seen my username?

But anyway, now he’s been made aware of what he’s been called out for Fiyero pulls himself back, tries to put his walls up again.

It’s interesting, because this line is obviously an old one, but it fits very well with Jonathan’s movie Fiyero persona, it’s more self derogatory humour, it’s more deflection, but it’s also something so dumb that someone genuinely dumb probably wouldn’t say it. It’s not really up to his usual standards of charm, Elphaba has, once again, put Fiyero on the back foot.

“Oh please. No you’re not, otherwise you wouldn’t be so unhappy.”

[awkward silence as they stare each other down]

Elphaba is not buying Fiyero’s words. She tells him straight out that he’s more than that, completely rejecting his happy, carefree, persona. She’s seen that he wants more out of life than this.

Again, such interesting parallels to Fiyero calling out Elphaba’s defensiveness in their movie meeting.

“Fine, if you don’t want my help.”

Fiyero is scared. And for the first time we see him react in anger. His normal act of charm and stupidity has not worked at all, so he falls back to having to try and push her away without this.

“No, I do.” [Elphaba grabs Fiyero’s hand]

I mean obviously there’s supposed to be some kind of electricity here, but I think it’s more than that. I think it’s Fiyero and Elphaba having realised they’ve found a kindred spirit. That both of them have suddenly found themselves vulnerable, without masks, and really seeing each other for the first time. They have let each other into more of their feelings than they expected to and it’s both elating and terrifying.

[Back in the classroom Galinda wakes up, notices both Fiyero and Elphaba are gone]

I feel like this is supposed to be the first niggling hint Galinda gets that there are feelings between Elphaba and Fiyero, especially because the “I’m not that girl” chords in the background start here rather than in the background of Fiyero and Elphaba’s scene. Like nothing right now enough to truly alarm her, but something she’ll look back on and realise this was the start.

“What did you mean to do back there? And why was I the only one you didn’t do it to?”

[long silence]

“You’re bleeding.”

Suddenly Fiyero is the one challenging Elphaba, asking her questions she’s scared of answering. And she, like Fiyero, isn’t quite ready to face what it means, so she changes the topic.

“Mhmm” [Elphaba reaches out to touch Fiyero’s scratch, at first Fiyero flinches, but then lets her], “there. It must have scratched you.”

“Yeah, or maybe it scratched me or something.”

This change of topic does not work at all, just ends up bringing them closer. Although, I must say, I miss how much it was an almost kiss in the musical. I feel like this version had a bit less chemistry, which was a shame. Still, it is the pinnacle of the sexual tension, where something more could happen and they both know and want it.

[Fiyero retreats] “I’d better get to safety, the Cub.”

With this line and the last we see Fiyero go back to full on saying dumb shit when Elphaba flusters him (we saw it when he first met her, and will see it again in the throne room). Fiyero is often very smooth with words so it’s always telling when she renders him unable to use this.

“Of course.”

“Get the Cub to safety.” [Fiyero grabs the Cub and runs away]

[Elphaba gets up and shouts after him] “Fiyero!”

Fiyero chickens out, scared by his feelings. Elphaba calls out after him. Both of them are changed by the day and the challenge to their personas but both end up, in their own ways, talking themselves back into them. Fiyero goes back to Galinda, who loves him for his dumb playboy persona, while Elphaba sings a song essentially saying she’s not good enough for him because of who she is and how he’ll like Galinda better. But we know for the future that it is obviously something that sticks with them and will alter their actions and perceptions of each other going forward.

Fiyero and Elphaba have always been a story of two people afraid to show the world who they really are, who dislike the other’s persona but who discover that they both love the other for the traits they hide from the world. While this scene isn’t necessarily that different from its musical counterpart (which is also excellent), I do think the softening of Fiyero and some of the antagonism from Elphaba, puts a little bit of a different spin on things. It makes it very clear that they are two people that share ideals and, while they hide from the world, both, when push comes to shove, will do anything to make it a better place. I think the movie does an excellent job to show why they suit and are attracted to each other, and also a good job of foreshadowing that neither of them will ultimately shy away from giving up everything to do what is right.

An In Depth Study of Elphaba and Fiyero in the Train Station Scene

#wicked the movie #wicked musical #wicked #fiyero #elphaba #fiyeraba #wicked movie #wicked meta #Lion Cub Scene

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nobodysdaydreams · 1 month ago

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I have a theory about Wicked Part 2 and what they are going to add to it, and why it's going to add so much to the movie.

I think they are going to add Dorothy's POV.

In the musical, she's mentioned, but Dorothy never appears on stage. We never know her POV or how much she knew about the witches, Fiyero, Boq, the lion, or what was actually going on in Wicked beyond the Wizard of Oz plot. But in the Wicked two trailers, we see scenes of Dorothy and those scenes are shot as if from the Wizard of Oz, not the traditional Wicked musical, in which Dorothy's character is only briefly mentioned or shown as a shadow. Which means we're going to get to see her story this time!

However, if I was going to include Dorothy's POV for Wicked, I don't think it would be anything like the Wizard of Oz, for a few clear reasons:

Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz is a perceptive and animated child and unless they plan on erasing that aspect of her character, she is not going to go home from Oz at the end of the Wicked movie with the same beliefs as the Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She sees the Wizard is a fraud and calls him out just like Elphaba does. Besides this, there is no way she would just not pick up on the fact that Galinda, the dead witch, Boq, Fiyero, Elphaba, and the lion have a deeper history together than meets the eye for the entire trip.

This one might sound stupid, but trust me, it's important: Toto as a character. Here me out. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's distress in the real world is centered around a mean lady trying to drown her dog and the Witch of the West tries to do the same in Oz. However, in this version, Elphaba's whole thing is animal rights. She'd probably be horrified that Toto can't talk or Dorothy would be surprised and delighted to find that in this world, Toto can talk depending on what they decide to do with the dog. And if Dorothy comes to this world distressed about a lady trying to kill her poor dog, Elphaba would surely empathize. There might even be a misunderstanding between them if Elphaba believes Dorothy is working for the Wizard and Toto is a dog that needs rescuing.

So how does this change things?

There are a number of wonderful options.

The most obvious one is that we could see Dorothy put together and discover the story of Boq, Nessarose, Galinda, Elphaba, Fiyero, and the Wizard. She and the rest of the gang would formulate a plan to help Elphaba fake her death to save her from the people of Oz and the Wizard.

Within that narrative, we could see Elphaba enchanting the sleeping poppies to stop them from getting to the Wizard with the goal of protecting them from the Wizard (rather than to stop them from getting home). In Act 2 of Wicked, the Wizard again tries to form an alliance with Elphaba but Elphaba rejects his offer when she discovers what he's done to her Animal friends. It's possible that Elphaba believes the Wizard is trying to use Dorothy too and is trying to protect her from the same fate.

We could also see conversations between Dorothy and Fiyero about Elphaba (and there are many AO3 fics that have been going with that concept. I see y'all, thank you for doing the Lord's work 🙏🏻) and possibly some conversations between Dorothy and Boq since they'll be traveling together and we don't really get to hear about Boq's ending in the musical. I think the last we see of Boq is that he's angry at Elphaba for his condition and rallying crowds against her, but with all that traveling time and secrets coming out, I could see him getting, I don't know if I'd call it a "redemption arc" per say, but finding his heart again (a real one). Additionally, conversations between Dorothy and the lion about how Elphaba saved him would be nice too. Even if the lion had learned to blame Elphaba for what happened to him, I'm sure Dorothy would be quick to correct him once she discovered the full truth.

But my favorite, my absolute favorite and darkest possibility is the interactions that Dorothy can have with the Wizard. In the Wizard of Oz, she exposes him as a fraud, but in the Wicked movie, he's much worse than that, and I can totally see Dorothy being the one to point that out to him. Why?

First of all, Dorothy is not from Oz. Most people there would never question the Wizard, but if he's so powerful and generous, why is he sending an innocent little girl and three down-on-their-luck guys to go murder his dangerous enemy? That right there is a red flag, and again, if they don't change Dorothy's character, she's going to be a very honest child and comment on how strange this is.

Second of all, if anything I speculated above is true and Dorothy realizes this the Wizard is an animal abuser who vilified an innocent woman, she's going to be very angry at the Wizard, and rightfully so (I hope Toto bites him).

Third of all, and here's where it gets good: in the musical Wicked, the Wizard discovers he is Elphaba's father at the very end because of the bottle Galinda has. Dorothy is not on stage for that because she's not in the main cast of the musical, only mentioned by the other characters, but what if she was? What if she's the one that discovers the connection? What if she calls him out the exact same way Elphaba did after the Wizard gave his little "I always wanted to be a father" speech?

What if the Wizard had a little animal-loving girl who reminds him so much of the daughter he just sent to her to kill standing in front of him with a horrified expression while he puts the pieces together?

What if Dorothy's POV in Wicked isn't about her exposing the Wizard as a nervous fraud, but as a heartless monster?

What if Dorothy's POV is about her exploring this new world and discovering for herself who is truly wicked or good?

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orkbutch · 11 months ago

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ok ok, i know this isnt a wicked blog but its time for me to say my thoughts on the Wicked movie trailer.

I'm not stoked. I'm not much of a musical version lover already, but two things really rubbed me wrong, and I believe they apply to the musical as much as the book in their importance within the Themes.

Elphaba being played by Erivo and being black is cool. Erivo is a great singer, and her hair looks sick, and Elphie's hair is important. However, that casting choice being combined with a white Fiyero (who is Not White in the book, and very much experiences colonialist racism) and with no prosthetic effort to make Elphaba Not Beautiful (which is a Significant Element of Her Experience And Character), spoils any truly transgressive or progressive bite to that casting decision.

The only of the core mains thats not white is the character that is green. Interesting. The character who is extremely belittled for her appearance because she has a deformity, and because she's unattractive by conventional standards (esp because of her hawkish nose and strong chin), is a beautiful woman. Interesting!

Something about this just rubs me wrong. I think the musical has always made me skeptical in this area because its core adaption decisions were always bent toward stripping Wicked of much of its commentary on racism. In the book Fiyero is Vinkan, clearly coded Native American, and Winkie is a slur. They made the slur the name for the Vinkans in the musical. If I recall correctly, Quadlings aren't even mentioned in the musical. But Fiyero in the musical... I don't even know Why they keep him being a foriegn prince because he isnt written like hes foriegn from Gillikin at all. His ethnicity seems totally flattened, a slur that indicates no cultural or experiencial distinction from Gillikin.

I think that may have happened because Animals were already considered an allegory for racism, and they wanted to make that allegory cleaner and easier to condense into a musical plot. Thats my theory. However, that is a misreading. The Animals are not a perfectly singular allegory, and I think you could argue several inspirations, but the most apt interpretation for sure is that the Animals are an allegory for people with disabilities and neurodivergence, as Elphaba's experience is.

The Animals are not merely culturally different or isolated. They are not falsely believed to be different from the Gillikins or the Munchkinlanders or Vinkans. They ARE different, not because they aren't people but because their basic needs are different, and are not adapted to by society. They have hooves, and different skeletons, and different senses, and different mouths that can't necessarily make the kind of speech humans use.

This is important because Elphaba uniquely relates to the Animals, and its because Elphaba has a deformity and is super autistic. This is the other thing that always rubbed me wrong about the musical: it always implied that the only thing that made Elphaba "ugly" to people was her green skin. Thats... weak shit!!! In the book, Elphaba is Not beautiful. She is hatchet faced. She is tall and androgynous and looks weird. And this is IMPORTANT, because it makes Elphaba a genuinely transgressive character!! Her experience is layered! She is green but also breaks gender rules, is awkward, is self hating, is rude, ect. ect. It strengthens her empathy she feels toward Animals, because she feels so othered from society that she feels non-human, alienated.

The book also handles Elphaba's attractiveness much better; it does a great job of depicting someone who is not beautiful but is nevertheless Hot, which Elphaba is. When Glinda looks at her for the first time and thinks that shes beautiful, she is not looking past Elphaba's skin and she does no make over. She puts Elphaba in an orange hat as a joke, and sees how it matches her skin and suits her, and it makes Glinda realise that the green of Elphaba's skin can be beautiful to her. And that changes how Glinda sees Elphaba; Elphaba does not change.

okay im just complaining about the musical now. But idk, I wish that they'd used this opportunity to do better by Fiyero, make the themes a bit better... and just... put some light prosthetics on Erivo. Just make her look a little uglier! A little more hatchety. Its not like it'd be out of place, Ariana Grande as Glinda looks spooky as fuck. Why does she look like that. I like it bc I like Glinda looking intense and spooky but it IS weird

#Wicked #Fiyero being white is always the most annoying thing with the musicals tho. Come on.#just musical fiyero in general. they really butchered u king

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contrarian-grammarian · 1 month ago

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Glindafication, or the Trap of Persona in Wicked (2024)

So I recently saw Wicked for the second time in theaters (this week). As a longtime fan of the musical, I think I'm one of the few people who has always loved the love triangle in it... actually, I think I'm one of the few people in fandom spaces who is willing to be open about loving love triangles when all of the characters are narratively and/or emotionally connected. Idk what to tell you other than I love mess and when shipping echoes the themes of the text.

Anyway, that's a longwinded way of saying that while the movie adaptation didn't make many changes to the story (including not adding a lot of extra Fiyero/Elphaba scenes, which I thought they might given how much that ship drives the plot in Act 2), I thought it highlighted/made me realize a number of things about Elphaba, Glinda, and especially Fiyero that I think are both really interesting character moments and foreshadow their eventual arcs in Act 2. (Spoilers for all of Act 1 below).

:readmore:

Most of this character analysis is coming from one scene that really stood out to me in the film, even though it is basically unchanged from the musical. It's a very small moment between Elphaba and Fiyero, right after 'Popular' (though I think we can assume some time has passed in the actual timeline) and right before Dr. Dillamond is fired. Elphaba is practicing her hair tossing that she's learned from Glinda, and the camera cuts to Fiyero, watching her with a slight smirk, who then says: "You've been Galindafied." Pause. "You don't need to do that."

I didn't really notice this on my first watch--like I said, it's almost the exact same dialogue as in the musical--but it did stand out to me on my second watch because of a few other acting choices for F & E that I will point out later. But on my second watch, I was like, "Wait... what do you mean, 'Galindafied' (derogatory)?" Dude, that's your girlfriend?

In Act 1 of the musical, Fiyero presents way more sincerely as a male version of Glinda. He makes a much ruder comment about Elphaba in their first meeting, and (at least in the stage versions I've seen) really seems settled into his playboy persona in 'Dancing Through Life.' However, in the movie, I think it becomes clearer earlier on (due to the sincere interest displayed in his and Elphaba's first meeting, as well as some other small acting choices during his first meeting with Galinda) that Movie!Fiyero does not actually like fakeness. Which means he doesn't like himself, because he knows how fake he is.

I think in Fiyero's mind, he is two people: Fake Fiyero, who is selfish and shallow and stupid and hot, and Real Fiyero, who knows that Fake Fiyero sucks and it's all a bullshit cover to make his life easier. And Real Fiyero is onto Galinda in a heartbeat--at least, the version that he first sees of her, which I'm sure he considers Fake Galinda. In Fiyero's mind--as seen when he compliments her machinations with Boq and Nessa--Fake Galinda is selfish and shallow and manipulative and hot. And he thinks Fake Fiyero and Fake Galinda "deserve each other" (derogatory).

Interestingly, I think Glinda also knows about Fake Glinda and Fake Fiyero... but she thinks they're the best versions of themselves. In Glinda's mind, everyone is supposed to wear their shiniest, most perfect versions of themselves as a mask in front of their real face. It's why 'Popular' happens right after she connects with Elphaba--in Glinda's mind, the best thing for Elphie is to develop her mask, so that everyone else can learn to love her too. Glinda is aware that it's possible to love the person under the mask--that's how she feels about Elphie and Fiyero ("I don't even think he's perfect anymore and I still want him!") but the mask is preferred.

To tie this back to the Galindafied scene, I think Fiyero sees someone doing what he thinks is the height of bravery at the OzDust dance--being themselves, unabashedly, in front of everyone despite the mockery. "I'll say this for her, she doesn't give a twit what anyone else thinks," is, in Fiyero's mind, the best thing a person can be. He's obviously misreading how much Elphaba does care, because I don't think Fiyero can fathom how somebody could care and still do the brave/embarrassing thing, but when Glinda explains that Elphaba really does care, he becomes even more impressed. And when Glinda joins Elphaba and then they both run out of the ball together, you can tell by the look on his face that he's just been impressed by both of them.

And then, it's the next time he's alone with Elphaba, and she's doing Fake Galinda's hair toss. And Fiyero's like, goddammit. He thought that Elphaba and Glinda might both be real, and now Glinda's making Elphaba into a Fake Elphie. And he's done the fake persona thing himself, he's going to keep doing it, but he really doesn't want Elphaba to think that's her only solution. That Fake Glinda is better than Real Elphaba, and she needs to change for people to like her.

In the musical, "You don't need to do that" always kinda came across to me as a "you're not like other girls" line, but Movie!Fiyero's delivery comes across as both very sincere and something of a warning. He's willing to play a fake person, and he's willing to date a fake person, but he knows perfectly well that being fake sucks, and he doesn't want Elphaba to do it. And Real Fiyero, who's not stupid or selfish, follows this advice with another comment that could never come from Fake Fiyero: "C'mon, let's get to class." And Elphaba gives a small smile before following him. Because, for the first time, I think she appreciates that Real Fiyero exists, and that he would stand up for Real Elphaba.

And speaking of Elphaba... Once she becomes friends with Glinda and Fiyero, Elphaba basically ignores the false front that Glinda and Fiyero put up and judges them based on how they see themselves. Like Fiyero, she prefers their real selves to their fake shells, but she accepts all of the parts of them that they accept. Which is why she is so much more patient with Glinda than Fiyero. She sees that Glinda is both much happier and more integrated into her mask role, and sees that it still allows her to have a basically good heart. (It's also why she's so accepting of Glinda's decision not to leave with her in the end.) She prefers the real, genuinely kind Glinda, but she can accept Fake Glinda as a protective covering.

But Elphaba sees that Fiyero is deeply unhappy with his persona, and tells him--as he just told her--you don't have to do that. "No, you're not. Otherwise you wouldn't be so unhappy." She knows that it's harder to go through life as a Real Person, but it is possible--and now she's learned that it's even possible to have friends.

At the same time, Elphaba, who otherwise is so clear about her friends' true selves, is still incredibly blind about her own worth and identity. And if she can't (or chooses not to) be Galindafied, she'll have to build a different type of mask/persona to protect herself from getting hurt. And she chooses the role of the lonely outsider who would never even be considered as an option for romantic love. "He could be that boy... but I'm not that girl." That ends up being her Fake Elphaba... one that I'm very interested to see how she sheds in Act 2.

#wicked #wicked 2024 #wicked spoilers #elphaba thropp #fiyero tigelaar #glinda upland

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irresistiibles · 4 months ago

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plotting/starter call under the cut! they're lightly capped at four per muse but if you have a good idea and it isn't last minute i'm happy to add it. i'll also being doing memes at the start of the event, so don't feel like you have to go crazy. like and i'll come to your dms or reply with some starters and i'll get to queueing! glad to see so much love and hype for the event!

achilles : unaware any change has occurred

achilles is technically a lord but is currently serving as a knight and thinks this has been his life forever. he's fine with it though he does think he deserves a higher up position than what he currently has and isn't thrilled he has to do this service as a knight for image or whatever it is that got him there. he is probably some sort of officer or commander not just one of the guys in the crowd. he spends a little too much time at the tavern starters (2/4): hades, patroclus

angel dust : aware things have changed

aware something happened but doesn't know how to explain it and is really worried he took something since everyone else is acting normal. he's also worried about how to find drugs here and will be very on edge all the time. starters (3/4): sir pentious, niffty, vaggie

asami sato : unaware any change has occured

working as a blacksmith and having a good time with it honestly. sure, it's less high tech than what she's used to back home but asami loves to learn new crafts and get used to new environments. actively involved in guild life and she's probably poking around with magic and monsters more than she should as well. starters (1/4): ben skywalker

ben hargreeves : unaware any change has occurred

honestly he's got no magic but would sign himself up to be a wizard's apprentice so fast. like that seems cool of course that's what he's doing. he likes adding ingredients to potions and chilling. absolutely will approach magical monsters even if he shouldn't starters (1/4): klaus hargreeves

clara oswald : unaware any change has occurred

she's happier now than she had been in modern washington. this is way more interesting to clara. she's working as a tutor but is absolutely getting too involved in nobility politics, and could get caught up trying to overthrow someone. also very interesting in the magical creatures all over the place starters (0/4):

deena johnson : unaware any change has occurred

a farmer who lives on the outskirts of town. she's really good with animals, and is probably one mistake away from being accused of witchcraft for one reason or another. she's not doing any witchcraft, but it probably way too comfortable talking to people who are. starters (1/4): rosamund du prix

emery anden : aware things have changed

he is very concerned with everything going on, especially in the medical field, and it's not making him feel great about the chances he's actually aware of his real life in modern washington also. get this man some help (not leaches please) starters (1/4): kaul hilo

fizzarolli : unaware any change has occurred

truly living up his best life as a jester for charlie. i would say they're a pretty well acclaimed jester in general, so even though he's a court jester they will come and perform in taverns when possible, and he's really just thriving in this sort of environment. starters (2/4): louise belcher, charlie morningstar

glinda upland : unaware any change has occurred

your local witch, but glinda has a very good reputation. she doesn't do any curses, just things like charms, good luck potions, healing spells, love potions, what have you. she's very chill and not worried about any accusations cause she's very good at keeping people happy and on her side starters (3/4): fiyero tiggular, lee hongjo, elphaba thropp

gu zi : unaware any change has occurred

you know what i'm committing. he's living as a rat catcher, and is honestly pretty chill about it. he absolutely also tries to befriend some of the bigger monsters and creatures running around washington even though he's got basically no way of defending himself. starters (0/4):

inej ghafa : unaware any change has occurred

she's actually gone from trying to work a respectable job in the modern day to going back to thievery and criminal activity. it's just easier and she doesn't trust as easily here with magic way more available and difficult to deal with starters (2/4): nimona, dom toretto

irina yang : aware things have changed

knows things changed suddenly, but has realized this is a great way to start scamming people. anything she can remember about the modern world she's selling as information, and they're also just kind of pretending to be a witch because she's got enough magic to get away with it, and when they ask for something she can't do, they're just putting drugs in potions. starters (0/4):

jang man wol : aware things have changed

she's working as an inkeeper but she's very upset to be back in the past. she already lived through this era! been there done that! where's her phone? her dramas? she will absolutely be complaining about this to anyone who will listen even if they think she's mad starters (0/4):

jin ling : unaware any change has occured

nobility. probably a whole king and very stressed and unhappy about it. made a ruler very young and has no idea what he's doing. he can't catch a break even when he's not home okay. starters (2/4): wei wuxian, jin guangyao

jonathan sims : aware things have changed

he's going to become fully aware after the event. right now he's still unaware of his real life but he's aware of his life in modern washington and knows this is not right. probably accidentally became a local prophet because of how he's just starting to Know things now, but he's mostly running around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on starters (0/4):

kyoshi : unaware any change has occurred

she's probably gotten herself involved with a local crime group because with her luck she would absolutely catch too much attention and get kicked out from her nice servant job. give her a crime group to join, she's got way too many morals and will be annoying but she's also good muscle. another one of my characters who's one wrong statement away from a witch hunt starters (1/4): jester lavorre

luo qingyang : unaware any change has occurred

living her best farmer life. she's got a bunch of chickens and is truly just chilling. is a good place to go to if anyone needs to hide from monster hunters or a witch hunt starters (0/4):

madoka kaname : unaware any change has occurred

give me a witch for her to apprentice under! she can't do magic but she can get ingredients, and help make potions, and bring a cat and some good energy along and she would love it a lot okay! she will also defend them as much as she can when the inevitable witch hunt comes along. starters (1/4): homura akemi

mei nianqing : aware things have changed

he's aware things are different but honestly he likes this better so he's kind of keeping his mouth shut i'm afraid. he's thriving as an astrologer/tutor/priest for the rich, and kind of hopes things will stay like this. don't mention how things were different he will gaslight you starters (0/4):

nico di angelo : unaware any change has occurred

he's a priest, does exorcisms and everything. obviously he still has his powers and knows who his dad is, but he just uses that to genuinely be able to help with ghosts and gain trust with people. he's living surprisingly comfortably here. starters (2/4): bianca di angelo, satana hellstrom

nie huaisang : aware things have changed

he knows things have changed but he's not really making that clear to anyone. sure, he'll talk in fantasy about a modern washington, but there's no need to stress everyone out by making them think he's more than just an airhead. he's a lower noble who spends his time chilling and painting. he's very interested in the mythical creatures and will try and adopt a baby dragon starters (1/4): nie mingjue

ning yingying : unaware any change has occurred

apprentice under shen qingqiu and learning about european swords and clothing. the problem with her being more confident and a little bit better at fighting in a world where duels and jousting are possibilities is she keeps considering it. girl is mostly living as a scholar but is ready to brawl do don't encourage her. starters (1/4): sha hualing

pearl: unaware any change has occurred

she's obsessed with the human concept of knights so this is great for her. she is of course serving as a knight, and though i'm sure she's under a specific kingdom but i would love to plot someone who she's specifically guarding. she's very protective and will be willing to throw herself in front of danger without hesitation pls employ. starters (1/4): sella palpetine

roronoa zoro : unaware any change has occurred

working as a bounty hunter/sword for hire again for both humans and mosnters, whatever gets him a paycheck. he'll work for whoever, but he's less inclined to work for people of power, he just doesn't really get along with them that well, and he's mostly looking to fight more than get a massive paycheck. starters (2/4): sanji, sgaeyl

shang qinghua : unaware any change has occurred

advisor to some sort of noble! overworked and a schemer, so if anyone's plotting against nobles he is a good person to go to. he's happy to do a lot of underhanded shit to get rid of people. give me a noble for him to work under. starters (1/4): kaul shae

shi qingxuan : unaware any change has occurred

honestly living a chill life as a barmaid/occasional beggar when funds are low. qingxuan is actually really comfortable and having a fun time with the common people in this form of washington, so it'll be a nice time for them. a good friend to have if you want cheap drinks starters (1/4): syala eren

toph beifong : unaware any change has occurred

technically somehow got herself stuck as a noble lady, and i think it would be funny for someone to plot being the poor knight/guard looking after her because i know toph is quite literally always running away from them and trying to get into fights or start trouble starters (4/4): katara, mai, jamie, zuko

yin yu : unaware any change has occursed

he's a gravedigger lmao, and not obsessed with it for obvious reasons. catch him sulking around in graveyards on the regular. he's staying away from most of the new mythical creatures and is trying to convince the people he knows to stay away from the dragons as well. starters (1/4): astrid hofferson

zagreus : unaware any change has occurred

he's a prince but doesn't actually like doing that and is working a small apothecary job on the side and just hopping he doesn't get recognized. loves going to watch jousting and see if he can get included somehow. starters (0/4):

#hwevent18 #hw: starter call #hw: plot call

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ur-typical-nerd · 2 months ago

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I just saw Wicked (the movie), here are my thoughts! (Spoilers under the cut!)

It was actually really good! I didn’t think I’d like it (mostly because I still believe there should be an animated adaption), but I was pleasantly surprised! The movie stayed accurate to the story of the musical, and actors did a good job in their roles. Overall, it was beautiful looking, beautiful sounding movie musical.

(Also for everyone complaining about the 2 and a half hour runtime and the fact that it only covered the first half of the musical, trust me when I say the filmmakers needed that time to stay accurate to the musical while expanding on the world. Every single minute of that time was used well, and I can’t wait to see what they do with part 2. While I do admit they could’ve done more to make this split more obvious in the marketing, I’m not surprised because a) they want more money and b) the team for this movie put the name of a porn site on the packaging for their dolls. No offense, but I do not expect that much from the marketing team/whoever is in charge of that sort of thing after that fiasco)

Alright, here are my more spoiler-y thoughts:

-Me when I saw the musical as a child: The other students are so mean to Elphaba just because she’s different! They’re such jerks for no reason at all!

Me watching the movie as an adult: This is just existing as a disabled/neurodivergent person. Everyone in this play is just ableist.

-Seriously though, I could rant about how Elphaba’s skin is an allegory/metaphor for disability/neurodivegence and how other people’s reactions are just ableism.

-Like I was CRINGING when Glinda said she could “cure” Elphaba of her green skin. Like girlie no-

-Props to Elphaba for clapping back though!

-“Well, at least they aren’t ableist towards Nessa!” (literally five minutes later) “nEvErMiNd ThEn-“

-(For anyone worried about that statement, it’s nothing overtly abusive; someone just pushes around her wheelchair without her permission. Yes, that’s ableist; well-meaning ableism is still ableism)

-Gosh I relate to Elphaba a bit too much-

-Cynthia and Ariana do a really good job playing the characters!

-Tumblr, I am proud to announce that Elphaba and Glinda still have more romantic chemistry with one another than they do with Fiyero (no hate to Fiyero-)

-“What is This Feeling” is just as campy and gay as I expected it to be and I love it. My only complaint is that Cynthia and Ariana go for similar vocal ranges during some parts, and it made it hard for me to distinguish their voices; like, I know Cynthia can go low, she does so in multiple songs

-I love Elphaba and Dr. Dillamond’s extra scenes together, it really makes them feel like friends and allies against a world that won’t accept them for who they are. Also Glinda pleas chill, he physically CANNOT pronounce your name properly-

-Also the change of Dr. Dillamond singing his song to other animals makes the song so much better, y’all-

-I love Glinda’s friends that follow her around at school. They share exactly one braincell between them and I adore that about them.

-Fiyero is absolutely the kind of guy that has makes both men and women attracted to him, kudos to the filmmakers for acknowledging that.

-While the spinning library is a cool idea, it seems pretty inconvenient solely based off of the fact that I would absolutely injure myself trying to use it.

-Also, while I love the choreography for “Dancing Through Life”, I’d be SO MAD if I was looking for a book and some random guy turned it on while I was inside

-Whoever they picked for Boq sounds so much like the Boq from the musical when he’s singing. Does anyone know who plays him?

-I know she’s objectively a terrible person, but Madam Morrible is so sassy? Like, she absolutely ROASTED Glinda when she was giving her the wand-

-THE! ENTIRE! DANCE! SCENE! BETWEEN! ELPHABA! AND! GLINDA!

-“Popular” is so goofy and gay and I love it. Also, Glinda was definitely a bit tipsy during that song

-Dr. Dillamond’s scene is way more disturbing nowadays considering….well, everything-

-There are many love triangles that could be easily solved by turning them into throuples; Elphaba/Glinda/Fiyero is one of them. In this essay I will-

-Glinda looking at the balloon from the wizard with a look of concern as it flies off my beloved-

-Glinda telling Elphaba that she hopes she gets her heart’s desire? Elphaba asking her to come to the Emerald City with her immediately afterwards??? The way the two fall on the floor afterwards??????? They’re girlfriends your honor-

-They were totally on a date in the Emerald City you guys-

-Me: I’m not sure if I like the new addition to “One Short Day”; it feels a bit unnecessary. Was the book even in the original musical?

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth: *appear and begin singing*

Me: Nevermind, totally on board with this-

-Seriously though, their cameo was so fun and kind of touching! Like Idina and Kristin were passing on the torch to Cynthia and Ariana

-Also was the book in the original musical? I genuinely can’t remember.

-The loving looks Elphaba and Glinda gave each other? The constant touching??? They’re girlfriends your honor!

-I don’t know if this will end up being a controversial take, but Jeff Goldblum…kind of works as the Wizard? I’m not sure if I entirely like his singing voice, though; I think I need to hear him sing “Wonderful” to really decide.

-Ah yes, your average lesbian date: having a cute day in the city before denouncing the local political leader and being chased by palace guards.

-“The green one has done this to you.” ONLY BECAUSE YOU BASICALLY PRESSURED HER TO-

-That scene with the flying monkeys in the hallway came straight out of a horror film, what the heck

-THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING!…wait no, the girls are fighting!

-Cynthia rocked “Defying Gravity”; while I still prefer the original, that’s solely because of nostalgia, and the new version is just as good.

-The bridge/middle part of “Defying Gravity” where Elphaba and Glinda are looking at each other like that??? THEY’RE GIRLFRIENDS YOUR HONOR-

-That moment where Elphaba was falling…if ya know ya know

-Finally, I love how we saw glimpses of the other characters (Nessa, Fiyero, etc.) near the end to set up their roles/arcs in the next part.

#wicked #wicked 2024 #wicked the movie #spoilers #wicked spoilers #nerd speaks

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lily-onher-grave · 2 years ago

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Okay I saw Wicked again and I’m reobsessed so anyway some of my favorite things from this performance and just in general

The first word of the show is good and the last word of the show is wicked and if that doesn’t sum up how well the symbolism hits idk what does

Watching NOMTW it really did just hit me all over again the themes of fate and destiny and the limitations society puts on us and the limitations we put on ourselves

Wicked is a tragedy in the truest sense! No matter what Elphaba does she will not win and she cannot change things! No matter what Glinda does she will lose Elphaba!

Glinda’s sad face in NOMTW, and also how she is surrounded by the Ozians but is still so alone. They’re all giving her so much space, she has to walk across the stage and reach out just to get them to look her in the eyes (she’s lost the only people who ever saw her as a person rather than a doll)

The first time Elphaba runs downstage and she’s grinning so wide and she has so much hope for herself and for the world

The silence while Elphaba is dancing alone at the Ozdust, but more importantly, the way the music starts all soft and quiet when Glinda starts dancing with her. It’s the most romantic tune in the first act, maybe in the entire show

All the hand holding

The way that Glinda almost goes with her in Defying Gravity

The way Glinda reaches for Elphaba once she starts flying. Not caring at all that the guards and the Ozians and everyone else on stage can see. She’s just trying to reach her one last time

(The way Elphaba reaches back)

Glinda’s solo in Thank Goodness (Celia Hottenstein nails Glinda’s lower parts and she was an absolute dream especially in this song)

When Elphaba returns and Glinda walks into the room, the first thing she does is run into Elphaba’s arms. She’s horrified at the situation later but at that moment she doesn’t even notice anyone but Elphie

As Long As You’re Mine. Look Fiyero and Elphaba are Not It for me but the intensity of that song, the way the music slides into these dark little motifs, the harmonies. It’s so good

Glinda mourning Nessa when no one else is around

Elphaba blaming herself and Glinda immediately trying to comfort her even though they’re mad at each other

Idk if this is a normal thing and I’ve just never caught it before but when Fiyero was holding Glinda at gunpoint Elphaba was shaking her head, she looked so scared

Glinda tossing Elphaba her hat back and telling her to go

The opt up on FiyeeEErroooOOOOOOooooo

(All of No Good Deed)

Especially when she’s further back and the smoke is whirling around her and everything is purple and gold and it’s so sinister and her cape is flying around her and she is well and truly broken

I actually really love March of the Witch Hunters. It sounds sick af and it makes me imagine a world where the musical was closer to Maguire’s book and kept that super eerie, darkly violent vibe

(I feel the same way about when Fiyero is alone after ALAYM, and the music gets all intense and he’s running around the stage, holding up his lantern. idk those scenes hit a very specific vibe and I don’t quite know what it is but I like it)

Before For Good, when Elphaba started to tell Glinda to run, Glinda sobbed her name and it hit so hard

Have I mentioned the hand holding?

The way that they stand so still in For Good. So many songs have such insane movement to them, or even interludes between parts but For Good is just the two of them

(It’s such a love song)

Elphaba blew a kiss to Glinda and then pressed her hand over her heart when she hid her behind the curtain before the melting scene

Glinda’s sad face in NOMTW pt2

Again idk how common this is but before the lil For Good reprise Fiyero started to lead Elphaba away and she was about to take his hand but then Glinda started singing “who can say…” and Elphaba immediately turned away from him to go walk toward Glinda

#wicked #wicked the musical #gelphie #kinda #back on my bullshit I guess #god this show will always have my heart #Celia hottenstein #Olivia valli #was Elphaba and her voice is stunningggggg

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roseofcards90 · 1 month ago

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Forgot to ask and may have just missed if you did say, but have you gotten around to watching movie Wicked yet and if so, what were your thoughts? (Idm spoilers, think I know most of them by now anyway)

Hi hiii Mun!!! Thank you for asking <3 yesss I have finally gotten around to watch, and overall I did enjoy it! I had actually gone back and compared it by watching the musical side by side and they really didn’t change that much? At least for Act 1, they stuck to the original plot of the musical well. I also heard they put some book stuff in but I can’t really comment on that since I’ve never read the book rip 😭

I think the film is perfectly enjoyable if you have 2 hours to kill and like Wicked enough to check it out. It’s a solid adaptation, and I’m curious to see how they’ll handle Act 2!

Here are some miscellaneous notes I made here as well:

- Ariana actually does hit a lot of Kristin’s high notes really well! As you already know I was a bit worried about how her portrayal of Glinda might be but it wasn’t bad at all

- Also love Cynthia’s takes on Elphaba and her songs, she makes them sound distinct and a bit different from the original which I like

- They kept in the “Boo!” from What Is This Feeling and I’m so happy they did fjfjfkfk

- I thought Glinda’s two friends were new additions the movie put in but then I watched the stage recording and realized they were already characters there LMAO I didn’t remember them at all when I watched it a while back 😭

- I actually like Jonathan’s portrayal of Fiyero! Although I will say I didn’t really enjoy this version of Dancing Through Life that much 😭 at least compared to the original, idk it kinda sounded like it was in a different key??? I probably have to go back and compare but that was the only minor complaint I had for the songs (edit: I think it was the more modern pop vibe they gave it that I was kinda eh on rather than the key)

- The entirety of One Short Day I was just waiting for the girlies to show up and when they did I started screaming DJDJDKDK AND THEN WHEN THEY STARTED SINGING I SCREAMED EVEN MORE

- Child Elphie was a neat touch to see during the Defying Gravity sequence, really shows how Elphaba came to terms with her past and accepted herself fully for who she was

#I’ll tag this wicked spoilers just in case!#thank u again!!!#wicked spoilers #asks #Mun

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tickle-bugs · 2 years ago

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I have a Glinda and Elphaba prompt idea! Feel free to change things or take anything out. My prompt is semi based on the scene in the show where Glinda tells Elphaba that they should share secrets with eachother. Glinda’s secret is that she is really ticklish so of course Elphaba has to take advantage of that. Elphaba then shares her secret which is that she has never been tickled so Glinda (with Elphaba’s permission) helps Elphaba learn what being tickled feels like.

Secrets, Secrets

“Your very first party? Your very first party ever?! How do you feel?” Glinda bounces around in front of Elphaba’s bed.

“Different.” Elphaba crosses her legs beneath her. She tracks Glinda back and forth, back and forth.

“Of course you do! Elphie—“ Glinda comes to a screeching halt, blinking her big, sparkly eyes— “Can I call you Elphie?”

“It’s a bit…perky.” Elphaba grimaces as supportively as she can.

“To christen our new friendship, we should…tell each other something we’ve never told anyone.” Glinda flops onto Elphaba’s bed and they both bounce. She grabs for Elphaba’s hands, loud and insistent.

“I’ll go first. Fiyero and I are going to be married!” Glinda squeals.

“He’s asked you already?” Elphaba frowns.

“No, he doesn’t know yet.”

“Then that’s not much of a secret, is it?” Elphaba raises her eyebrow. Glinda pouts. She hums to herself in thought as her eyes scan the room.

“Fine…I keep a reserve of extra glitter for formal events.” She gestures to a small tub on her shelf that’s genuinely emitting a low level of light.

“No.”

“I’m a natural blonde?” Glinda tries.

“Definitely not.”

“I am—“

“It’s not a secret, Galinda.” Elphaba pulls on one of her ringlets. She pouts, then gasps with an idea.

“My entrance essay was called ‘Wands: Need They Have a Point?’” She gestures as if the title would appear in the air.

“I was there when you announced that.” Elphaba snickers.

“You are so—“ Glinda cuts herself off with a little growly noise that makes Elphaba snicker harder— “I have nothing else to share. My life is a beautifully open book.”

“Dig deep, Galinda. Surely you’ve got something.” Elphaba pokes her stomach and Glinda jumps. She does it again, then again, and keeps going until a stream of squeaky snickers fills the air.

“E-Elphie, that tickles! Let me think!” Glinda swats her hands away.

“Now there’s a secret.” Elphaba grins.

“You wouldn’t dare.” Glinda narrows her eyes.

“Wouldn’t I?” Elphaba mimics the pitch of her voice. Glinda splutters in offense, and then she’s spluttering with laughter as the poking resumes.

“I’ll turn you into a frog!” Glinda shrieks. Elphaba snorts and keeps poking at her waist. It starts to get less and less effective, especially as Elphaba’s touch gets harder. She frowns, but persists.

“Y’know, I—eep! I expected you to be better at this.” Glinda still jumps at every poke, even as her laughter grows quiet. Elphaba recoils as if she’s been burned.

“Oh. You don’t know how, do you?” Glinda murmurs. Elphaba turns sharply away. It’s a silly thing to cry over, but her nose stings with the promise of tears. She can’t help it.

“Well, because I am so noble and full of dignification…I will assist.” Glinda bows. She takes Elphaba’s hands and places them gently at her waist. Elphaba considers tearing her hands away, but Glinda’s gaze is warm.

“Now wiggle your fingers. Gently.” Glinda holds Elphaba’s wrists and nods in encouragement. Elphaba presses her lips together.

“Like this?”

Glinda collapses with a bubbly yelp. Elphaba immediately lets go.

“Did I hurt you?” Elphaba leans over her.

“No, no—you’re just a quick learner.” Glinda looks up with a dazzling smile, her curls fanned around her on the bed.

“Oh.” Elphaba flushes a dark green. Glinda could be so much, sometimes.

“Okay! Your turn!” Glinda boops Elphaba’s nose.

“My turn?” Elphaba swats her hand away but doesn’t break focus.

“For a secret, silly!”

“Oh, I don’t really…have one. I think.” Elphaba fiddles with her fingers.

“Well, I’ll make this easy for you. I expect a rain check on a real secret later.” Glinda scoots so she can sit against the headboard. Her glossy smile tilts into something devious.

“Are you ticklish, Elphie?” Glinda’s voice catches teasingly on her name. It steals the breath from her lungs.

“Isn’t everyone?”

“Dodging the question. Interesting.” Glinda smirks, leaning close. Her eyes rove over Elphaba’s already-warm face.

“I don’t know. I’ve never been…people usually don’t want to be that close to me. Let alone touch me.” Elphaba sniffs bitterly, dropping her gaze.

“That’s a shame.” Glinda says firmly. She stays close. Something in Elphaba flutters.

“May I?” Glinda hovers her fingers over Elphaba’s stomach. Elphaba nods and exhales shakily.

Glinda must not like that shakiness though, because she frowns deeply and takes Elphaba’s hands instead. She clutches one and spiders her fingers across the palm of the other, tracing up and down from elbow to fingertip.

“How’s that feel?” Glinda hums.

“It’s…I…” Elphaba’s nose scrunches. Her smile breaks little by little, like the first sunbeams over the horizon. She tries to keep it together, but her lungs keep doing this indomitable shivery thing she can’t kick. Her whole body trembles with the force of restraining herself.

“I’m barely trying to tickle you. I’m trying to take it easy on you,” Glinda snickers, her glittery nails dancing across Elphaba’s hand.

“I-It can’t possibly get worse than this.” Elphaba peeks at her through one eye.

“Don’t speak so soon!” Glinda says cheerfully, squeezing Elphaba’s side with a viciousness that contradicts everything ‘good’ about her. Elphaba crumples into a fit of ringing laughter.

She wants to crawl out of her skin hearing her own laugh, the shrieky, cackly thing that it is, but every ounce of her self control has fled her. She falls backwards on the bed and Glinda crawls on top of her, tickling with reckless abandon. Elphaba tries to curl up, but she folds right into Glinda’s waiting hands.

Elphaba throws her head back and snorts twice in a row. Glinda gasps.

“You are adorable.” She whispers gleefully. Elphaba hides behind her hands. Glinda tries to pull them away to no avail.

“Kill me,” Elphaba groans, muffled. She resists Glinda until pointed nails poke just right into her ribs and she screeches, immediately flailing to defend herself. Glinda catches her wrists easily and pins them down to the bed.

Elphaba lets out a stream of nervous giggles, hearty and tumbling. Glinda flops on top of her with a dramatic wail. Elphaba’s hand finds her back instinctively.

“What’s happening?” Elphaba hums, confused but not surprised.

“You’re so cute, you don’t understand.” Glinda pops up in a distressed bounce of curls and ruffles. “I just want to tickle you for the rest of eternity.”

And tickle she does. Elphaba squirms and giggles, tossing her head back and forth. Glinda coos at her, terrifying in her accuracy. Feeling another snort coming on, Elphaba grabs Glinda’s hands and pulls them away.

“W-Well, if you keep doing that, you’ll kill me, and you need me for your sorcery tutorial.” Elphaba points at her, eyes wide with a giddy sort of desperation she’s never felt before. Glinda pretends to think hard, but really, she’s smiling.

“You drive a hard bargain, Miss Thropp. I’ll think about it.” Glinda brushes Elphaba’s hair out of her face. Elphaba deflates in relief.

Then: a suspicious tickle at her kneecap makes her release that snort she’d been desperate to suffocate. Glinda cackles evilly.

“W-Wait, Galinda—“

“Oh, you didn’t think I was going to think about it now, did you?”

#my fics #wicked #ticklish!elphaba #ticklish!glinda #glinda upland #elphaba thropp #thank u for this cute prompt!!!!#im incapable of writing them as just friends i swear #they always gotta be a little fruity idk #no but fr they are so much fun to write??? agh

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just-some-guy-at-shiz · 1 year ago

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Here’s an AU: what if, instead of pressuring Boq into inviting Nessarose to dance and opening THAT can of dangerously obsessive worms, Galinda went and said “Hey, you know who’s a perpetually lonely outcast who I would just loooove for you to go dance with? My dorky green roommate!”

How much of the story would change? Elphaba would probably insist that Nessa go to the dance with them, and so she still might have fun and meet somebody who’s into a more controlling, rights-taking-away-ing partner. Boq would attempt to confess his actual motivations for inviting Elphaba, and then immediately start to lie because it’s too awkward to be called out, but Elphaba would probably see through the whole “you’re beautiful” thing and call him out again. So then he’d explain that he would have gone with anyone if it’d make Galinda happy, and Elphaba breaks it to him that Galinda was probably just trying to get rid of him, and they spend the rest of the evening commiserating about the confusing rules of popularity and social gatherings and people not just saying flat-out what they mean.

And the more they talk, the more they realize they have in common. That and they’re probably the only people in the ballroom who actually care about their education. So now, much like the novel, they have become friends.

How much would this change the rest of the plot? What if, as her friend, Boq is the only one un-magicked in the Lion cub lesson, and he helps Elphaba set the Lion free? What if Boq steals all of Fiyero’s character development? (Heck, we could even be seeing a different ship, though I don’t really care.)

If Boq doesn’t get trapped with Nessa and tin-ified, then what is he doing through all of act 2? Is he directly helping Elphaba? Is he just trying to find her again like Fiyero was? And where is Fiyero now? What’s he doing? Genuinely rallying against the evil Witch, or having absolutely zero career because he never moved past his initial attitude at Shiz?

If there’s no Scarecrow or Tin Man, then what changes about Dorothy’s journey? (Actually, I know exactly what happens. She and the Lion both fall asleep in the poppies, and without their non-breathing companions to rescue them, they die a tragic death, the end.)

Without Kiamo Ko at her use, where does Elphaba hide out? Without nearly as many tragedies on her hands (would Nessa not die somehow??), would Elphaba still feel ready to give up? And if she doesn’t fake her death, then what’s the climax? Does she take some new action against the Wizard and win? Is she able to reveal the truth? Does she get to be known as good?

I don’t know. The point is that, back at Shiz, Galinda tries to humiliate two people at once by pushing Boq at Elphaba in much the same way she gave Elphaba that hat she hated, but it actually turns out for the better.

(And hey, if Elphaba still becomes friends with Galinda, and Boq is friends with Elphaba, and Boq then also becomes friends with Galinda… Hey, the guy can dream, can’t he? 😋)

#wicked #wicked musical #wicked AU #elphaba thropp #boq bfeeson #galinda upland #fiyero tiggular #apparently fiyero’s last name is spelled differently in the musical vs the novel #the more you know!

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practically-an-x-man · 1 year ago

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for any oc #s 1, 4, 5, 6, 12, and 32 :)

thank you so much!!

answers under the cut, I'll go with Rae for this one since she hardly ever gets the limelight :)

Do they sing?

Her singing voice is a little raspy and she won't win any awards for it, but she's got a decent ear and can carry a tune well enough.

4. What musical theatre ballad fits them?

No Good Deed from Wicked, for sure. She's a strong-willed, stubborn powerhouse who will do anything to protect her loved ones, and more than once she's chosen to dive headfirst into trouble if it meant keeping her significant other safe. And her partner fits Fiyero pretty well too: the cool guy, the one who seems easygoing but has a lot more going on inside, the one who's intelligent but tries to pretend he's not. I just get major Elphaba and Fiyero vibes from them.

5. If this OC has a love interest, what musical theatre duet suits them?

I mean, the obvious answer would be As Long As You're Mine, since I've already mentioned that they're a lot like Elphie and Fiyero. And really, that one does fit too - there was a lot of danger in the early stage of their relationship, and it almost placed a deadline on them being able to stay together. It really was the idea of "I'll love you as much as I can right now, because you might not be with me tomorrow" (and then hey, just like Wicked, they end their story changed but still together)

6. Which song off of your most recently played playlist are they?

My most recently played playlist has 322 songs on it... no, that's not a typo. So there's a lot to choose from here lol. I think I'll go with Adventure is Out There by AJR, because she's got a very adventurous, sometimes even reckless spirit. She's traveled all over the world and intends to keep doing so, and she'll jump straight into the next adventure regardless of the consequences.

12. What do they most dislike about themselves?

She's pretty secure in herself as a whole, but she does feel inept as a hero sometimes. She's surrounded by the X-Men, who all seem to know exactly what they're doing and how to do it, who always seem to make the right choices, and she's not sure she's on par with them. And while she rarely regrets the (sometimes reckless) decisions she makes, there are times when she wishes she thought about something a little more before diving into it.

32. Rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how likely they are to commit a crime.

Hmm... a solid, even 5. She wouldn't commit a crime just for the sake of doing it, but she also might not have as much of a barrier as most people probably should. If she's motivated, laws wouldn't stop her, but there'd have to be some pretty significant danger to herself or her loved ones to get there.

#my friends!!!#answered asks #ask game #my ocs #my writing #fanfic #fanfic author #rae mckinney

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deeplyshalllow · 29 days ago

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An In Depth Study of Fiyero and Elphaba's interactions in the Dancing Through Life/Ozdust Scene in Wicked the Movie

As a follow on from the post I made the other day analysing the Fiyeraba movie meeting scene, I wanted to do an analysis on the movie’s take on the other Fiyero and Elphaba interactions.

I am writing an analysis of the Lion Cub scene too, but it’s over 1000 words and they’re still only on their bikes. So I thought I’d split this up and post the DTL/Ozdust Fiyeraba analysis. It’s a small one, give Fiyero and Elphaba don’t speak to each other during this scene, but there’s some interesting things to note.

The moment where Fiyero waves at Elphaba, while Elphaba rolls her eyes at him is a good way to confirm both of their feelings about each other in this moment. Fiyero has no hard feelings about Elphaba from the day before (and he’s certainly not taken his cue from how the rest of the student body treats her). If anything, she’s interested him and it’s made him more determined to befriend her and prove he’s got nothing against her. Elphaba, however, still thinks he’s like everyone else and is mocking her for her skin, and him playing up the dumb playboy act even louder, now he has an audience, is not helping at all, and she leaves mid scene. While we see Elphaba’s views of Fiyero at this stage in the musical with this line “It's absurd! This silly, rich boy appears and everyone's off to worship him at some cultish social gathering!” getting Fiyero’s feelings for Elphaba here is new and is a nice addition to his character.

The second important moment is Fiyero’s line in the Ozdust about Elphaba, “Well I’ll say this much, she doesn’t give a twig what anyone thinks.” It is a line taken directly from the musical but it hits slightly differently here. In the musical this line is said because Fiyero cares so much about what everyone else thinks that he rewrites his entire personality and he envies Elphaba for apparently not doing the same. The thing is, with the meeting scene in the movie where Fiyero calls out Elphaba’s defensiveness, we know that Fiyero has already sussed out Elphaba uses aggression as a defence mechanism, he knows she cares what other people think and puts on an act too – so instead this line can be read as Fiyero going “I’m impressed she’s brave enough to do what she wants despite knowing people will judge her for it” which has a nice link to him admiring what she does in Defying Gravity at the beginning of Act 2, “You know who could [resist being popular for doing what is right]. Who has.” As well as foreshadowing his act 2 character development when he too gives up the love of the people to do what is right.

We also get a few shots of Fiyero dancing along enthusiastically and looking admiringly at Galinda and Elphaba together through the Gelphie dance scene. It’s actually toned down from in the musical where he’s the first to go over and talk to Elphaba and Galinda when everyone starts joining in, (which I get – he doesn’t really need to be in this important Gelphie moment), but I think what it does imply is finally a change in Elphaba’s attitude towards him. She’s given Galinda a second chance, Galinda joining in has allowed her to let her guard down and Fiyero, as always is nothing but supportive of her. It’s very easy from this scene to see that, logically, Elphaba will be happy to start afresh with her perception of Fiyero too.

Analysis of Fiyeraba interactions in the Lion Cub Scene in the movie

An In Depth Study of Elphaba and Fiyero in the Train Station Scene

#wicked #wicked the movie #fiyeraba #fiyero #elphaba #fiyero x elphaba #dancing through life #Fiyeraba meta #wicked movie meta

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gliyerabaa · 3 years ago

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Wicked but as an ABBA jukebox musical

Here it is.. the playlist absolutely NO ONE asked for

I am a musician. I love applying music to works of fiction (kind of like in Per Aspera Ad Astra which you should totally read)

was created with gelphie in mind but can really be viewed through any lens

WHOLE ASS ESSAY about song choices and analysis under the cut

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2w03fG5eWUxADqpyLNqQLg?si=bd038f76f8cc447c

Waterloo: I picked this song to match up with no one mourns the wicked. it’s a bit upbeat for NOMTW, but the general vibe of reflection and comparisons to a battle kinda fit

Thank You for the Music: essentially serves as Glinda’s character introduction, in the same way that her little aria does in Dear Old Shiz. Essentially it’s all about being beloved and musical. There’s literally a line about being ‘the girl with the golden hair’. Is Glinda Song

I Have a Dream/Eagle: both these songs capture the dynamic of TWAI, the first song being the ‘I want’ aspect and the second really capturing that vision of being up there with the greatest

So Long/Voulez-Vous: These two capture the general essence of what is this feeling. So Long, being Elphaba’s pov getting stuck with some rich brat, and Voulez-Vous being the general tense dynamic of it all. (for VV I drew inspiration from the scene in Mama Mia!)

Dancing Queen/Honey Honey: This is for dancing through life. Dancing queen needs little explanation. It is about dancing. Honey Honey pretty accurately captures the flirtiness with Glinda and Fiyero.

Head over Heels: Kind of also fits in with dancing through life? also melds a little bit with I’m not that girl. Essentially Elphaba’s observations that Glinda is a flirt and fiyero is pretty

Lovelight: This song captures the budding friendship in Popular, and also encapsulates the unseen Shiz-era gelphie dynamic. Could also be read as the romance between Glinda and Fiyero, or as a secret relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero

Take a Chance on Me: now THIS is for sure I’m not that girl. this is very much Elphaba being all like ‘well... if you change your mind, I’m the first in line...’ WHO this sentiment is directed towards is open for interpretation

Our Last Summer: matches up with one short day. it’s the end of Elphaba and Glinda’s time together but they don’t know it yet...

I Wonder (Departure)/Tiger: captures both sides of Defying Gravity; I Wonder is the sadness of leaving, the lingering doubt, wondering what you’ll be leaving behind. Tiger is more that fury, that fear, that defiance. Neither song quite lives up to the epicness that is DG but both songs together at least capture the emotions

Super Trouper/I’m a Marionette: Super Trouper may seem a bit upbeat to be filling in for Thank Goodness, but I feel like the upbeatness really emphasizes the fame and the joyous facade that Glinda has to put up. Plus, I am a firm believer that Elphaba would hide in the crowd during Glinda’s speeches, fitting with the line somewhere in the crowd there’s you.

I’m a Marionette takes a COMPLETELY different tone, focusing on Glinda’s frustration at being little more than a puppet for the Wizard, and how her being forced into a corner leads her to losing those she loves most. Which leads us to...

The Winner Takes it All: this is very much the reprise of I’m not that girl. Glinda’s missed her chance to break from the Wizard, and now she’s lost both Elphaba and Fiyero... Again, the relationship dynamics are very much up to interpretation here. Could be viewed as gelphie or fiyerabba (get it?) or as glinda/fiyero (gliyero?). Personally, I see it as Glinda realizing her fate and losing people she loves, regardless of romantic connections

Lay All Your Love on Me: You know the scene in Mama Mia where this song happens and the two main characters are making out on the beach? Yeah. ALAYM substitute.

S.O.S: this fits in well, I think, for No Good Deed. Yes, it’s a little upbeat, but it fits as that sort of cry for help/mourning. Particularly the line: when you’re gone, how can I even try to go on?

Soldiers: march of the witch hunters. not a lot to say about this one

I Still Have Faith in You/The Way Old Friends Do: TWO SONGS FOR ‘FOR GOOD’ okay so the first song made me SOB the first time I heard it. it was the debut single from ABBA’s newest album, released just last year. Hearing that song after FORTY YEARS of no new ABBA music felt like reuniting with an old friend. and funny thing is, that’s exactly what the song is about!!! ‘I Still Have Faith in You’ can be interpreted either way- as Glinda having faith that Elphaba can return from her past mistakes, or as Elphaba having faith that Glinda can take over and lead well. either way it makes me SOB

The Way Old Friends Do is about finding comfort in each other and being prepared to face whatever comes next. Literally For Good. Fun fact about this song is that all the releases on the album are live recordings, so they have this really cool rawness and genuineness to them. Almost sounds like a chorus at points. very cool 11/10

Disillusion: GLINDA ANGST GLINDA ANGST like she’s lost everyone that’s gotta hurt man. also midway through the song, it becomes a duet, much like the finale reprise of For Good

Chiquitita: okay, Disillusion was too sad of a note to end on, so Chiquitita kind of represents Glinda wanting to heal, wanting to be better. Also, the piano outro in this song is one of my favorite things ever, it has a feeling of representing hope and sadness at the same time

WELL there you have it, a whole entire Wicked inspired playlist of ABBA songs

pls share if you enjoyed, feedback is much appreciated

#wicked #wicked the musical #ABBA #gelphie #fiyeraba #more like fiyerABBA

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