#galinda the great

[gelphiegifs]

Gelphie Femslash February Day 15: Favorite Gelphie Scene

At this point in the story Glinda has spent years cultivating this public persona of Glinda the Good, despite missing Elphaba terribly she doesn't let those feelings get in the way of how she's trying to live her life. We know Glinda is unhappy as hell but she's still willing to put herself in the spotlight as this carefully curated figure and has spent a significant amount of time and effort doing so.

And yet the second she sees Elphaba again, all of that crumbles.

The Wizard is there! The man who could order her imprisonment if he wanted to is right there and Glinda knows this and she does. not. care.

Glinda didn't even know if Elphaba was alive, she's been dealing with these rumors about her for YEARS and she's so incredibly relieved to see her again she just has to hug her and she throws caution out the window to do so. (And this is GLINDA we're talking about. Her whole character relies on NEVER throwing caution out the window---except when Elphaba is involved. Elphaba is the only reason Glinda ever goes against the status quo but that's a whole other post.)

The scene plays a little differently with each performer, of course, but I love when Elphaba is portrayed as an active participant instead of just waiting for Glinda to approach.

Elphaba absolutely knows she's in danger, and yet she reaches towards Glinda and even shakes her arm a little impatiently while Glinda is frozen (sometimes Elphaba even walks up to her, too.) She's in danger and she doesn't care at all, she wants to allow herself this moment of reunion. Even while she's behind enemy lines. Because this is Glinda!! This is her Glinda who is right there!!

I could go on and on and on about this tbh but it's so precious how they haven't seen each other in years and they're on opposite sides and they're in this very dangerous place and through all the shock and disbelief of seeing each other again they still hold each other even for a moment.

Then it's back to business. "Only you shouldn't have come, if anyone discoverates you---" because Glinda is Glinda after all and there is work to do, but for a few seconds nothing but Elphaba mattered. It was like they were alone in that room.

[petr1kov]

really liked the wicked movie!! my only major criticism is that the addition of new scenes sometimes hurt the pacing of the movie, especially so when they were mid-song and got in the way of the flow of the music (particularly annoying on defying gravity imo), but the scenes themselves were not bad and the musical kept the exact same vibe, which is commendable. and elphaba and glinda still have that class s homoerotic situationship going on which is clearly the most important part of any of this

[notearsnora]

Do you get Deja Vu?

[the-patchwork-girl-of-oz]

I love the wicked movie character designs but if I could change anything about Glinda I’d give her her curly hair back like it’s discribed in the book or portrayed in the musical.

Plus I’m pretty sure Ariana already has natural curls, unless it changed over time or was too affected by bleach/heat damage or something

Glad Boq has his messy/curly hair back like it’s discribed in the book though (just ginger instead of blonde, which also fits him pretty well)

[sserendlplty]

I love you Amy March, I love you Posy Fossil, I love you Daisy Buchanan, I love you Galinda Upland, I love you Caroline Forbes, I love you sensitive, ambitious women

[just-some-guy-at-shiz]

Boq: I think if I had the choice to stay short or be really really tall, I would choose being short, because you can always get on top of something to make yourself taller, but you can’t make yourself smaller than you are.

Fiyero: You’re just smug because you and Pfannee are the only ones who can crawl through the vents.

Boq: I am smug about that.

Galinda: Elphaba can fit into the vents too!

Elphaba: It’s true. I use it to spy on people.

Galinda: Only, she’s told me, she has to lie flat on her stomach and squirm her way along—

Elphaba: Like a snake. >:]

[mistoffeleesisawitch]

(Also tried to go with lesser popular ones and putting Alicent on the list just wouldn’t have been fair)

Thanks @playlistashton for the tag!

Tagging (no pressure): @sadlittlecountess @greenqueenhightower @moirailsupport @redrosesandcharmingsouls @amatres @aegonx

The stupid ? Instead of ) 😭

[jely-bely]

What if Elphaba had joined the Wizard

AND GLINDA HAD BECOME THE WICKED WITCH

[omjitskailay]

The new trailer for Wicked? We saw Fiyero once. I didn't even realize he was there the first time throught.

I'm not saying that's gay, but that's pretty gay.

[charmstrangebeauty]

I forgot you’re supposed to want to punch Galinda in the face half the time - suddenly casting Ariana makes way more sense 😂

[kurthummeldeservesbetter]

I literally cannot wait until Jayce (former partner/brother/friend/gay lover?) Heimerdinger (former boss) and Singed (mentor? weird dude Viktor liked for like a small portion of childhood/) see Jesus!Viktor.

like. Jayce has *seen* Viktor and knows somethings up but did get dumped like a minute after Viktor woke up and then Heimerdinger was breaking into the lab with Ekko, then they proceeded to go have guys night while tripping on hexcore runes.

so like. i want him to see Viktor in action. like curing shimmer addicted people and shit. heimerdinger is probably gonna be like wtf (if they ever do meet again, i think there will be a connection between whats going on with the hexcore/runes/ekko's tree and what Viktor can now do).

singed seems busy being fucking dr.frankenstein so who the hell knows. $5 he hears viktor is now a religious figure for zaun and is like right on man *gets back to unholy experiments and crimes against nature*

my guesses for what is actually going to happen:

there will be at least 1 point in questioning if he (jayce) and/or his new boy band have to kill viktor cause clearly somethings going on and while healing people is great it also seems to be very cultish and also probably going to have horrible effects at some point. untimately this is solved by viktor and jayce reuniting and running off to live together in weird ass harmony

but they decide against it and fix whatever influence the hexcore seems to be having on viktor and it stops the weird magic cult thing but viktor is forever stuck Like That so instead Jayce/Viktor are now Galinda/Elphaba (topical)

viktor helps heal the tree???? feels like it could happen

Jinx/Sevika are ignoring whatever is going on in the cult because they dont have time for that, plus it keeps the shimmer addicts out of their hair while they start a revolution

the tree either dies/is healed only in part 3

ekko regrets ever involving topside and only enjoys it cause he got a weird immortal friend out of it and maybe a tree fix

topside only ever hears rumors of said viktor jesus cult and is just so confused

[that-ari-blogger]

Galinda's True Colours

One key theme in Wicked is superficiality. The world of Oz is a place where honest conversation is difficult to come by. Almost everyone is pretending to be something, or believe something, or have something, all to get what they want.

Popular approaches this theme with the subtlety of a hyperactive wrecking ball and gives a musical monologue about how this world works, and why.

Because Galinda has been portrayed as ditsy up to this point, with a bit of the self-serving schemer archetype thrown in for flavour. But here, we see just how intelligent she is. Galinda has caught on to how the world works, and understands what buttons to push.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD (Wicked)

The first element to be brought under examination is Wicked's love for subverting expectations. By this, I mean that certain mindsets in the world have stereotypes associated with them, take idealism and cynicism for example.

From what I have observed, when a writer wants to use one of these archetypes, they will probably draw on a few common ideas. The former is usually portrayed as stary-eyed and naive, or unflinchingly positive. Cynicism meanwhile has a certain sarcasm to it. A cynic might feature a permanent scowl and a dry remark as a kneejerk reaction to anything.

In short, Cynics are usually written to be villains who are overcome by hopeful heroes, or to be heroes who are proven right by a world where hope is meaningless. Idealists on the other hand are either heroes who make the world a better place by sheer force of goodness, or naive fools who the world breaks down.

Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule, but those exceptions are mostly more developed characters in their own right, so the label of "a cynic" doesn't really fit them. Batman is an idealist (when he's written properly).

What is fascinating about Wicked is how the characters are presented. Elphaba is introduced as cynical, she fits the archetype to a tea. But after a musical number, her character swaps entirely. She keeps the sarcasm, but the hopefulness becomes a driving force that goes against the stereotype.

Galinda is... introduced as a bit of a ditz. She's got an ego, she gets what she wants all of the time, she has a well-known family. She's the generic rich kid, essentially. Fiyero gets the same treatment.

For the record, By Galinda, I mean young Glinda, and I am treating them as separate entities until they meet back up.

Anyway, when Galinda starts singing, her real worldview becomes clear. It's possible to argue that it wasn't particularly hidden to begin with, but in Popular, she bludgeons you over the head with it.

"Celebrated heads of state Or 'specially great communicators Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh! They were popular! Please, it's all about popular! It's not about aptitude It's the way you're viewed"

As much as I despise it, Galinda is kinda right here.

In 1964, Henry Littlefield published an essay in the American Quarterly titled The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism in which he gave some opinions on a theoretical metaphor inherent in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book (if you don't want to read it, TedEd has a video discussing it and its legacy). He claimed that it was an inherently political book about the time Baum wrote it.

The sparkly new world looks even better if you put on tinted glasses, and only works if you understand that the wizard's power is empty, so Littlefield proposed.

Scholars since have praised, debated, and debunked Littlefield's essay. Pointing out the fact that this is pattern recognition with hindsight, in the same way that you can look to the stars and see a goat.

Essentially, there is an argument for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz being political, and there is an argument (most famously made by its Baum himself) that it is just a children's book.

Wicked is a satire, and not a children's book, so it gets away with some heavy insinuation, but to avoid landmines and a lack of knowledge on my own part, I am going to talk exclusively about how this affects the land of Oz itself, rather than its implications for the real world. Please don't argue in the replies.

So, Galinda's hypothesis here is that the leaders of Oz do not get to where they are because of any actual skill, but rather because they were well liked by either the people, or their superiors. She gets proven right about this throughout the musical. Madam Morrible moves up in the world by presenting Elphaba to the wizard, the Wizard gained power by giving Oz a common enemy, and Galinda and Fiyero themselves gain status seemingly out of nowhere.

In Oz, it doesn't matter what you know, but who you know, and who knows you.

In the show that I watched, Galinda was played by Courtney Monsma, who knocked this number out of the park. Galinda is an incredibly cynical character, but Monsma played her with what I can only describe as "manic pixie energy", which circles back to Wicked's idea of superficiality.

Because the ditzy pantomime of Galinda present in What is this Feeling and half of Dancing Through Life is nothing compared to the madness that is Popular. This is a character who knows exactly how to toss her hair to get what she wants, who knows how to make people think she is something she isn't.

Monsma played a character who was well aware that perception would get her further in life than intelligence, and was having fun with that confidence. But she is actually clever, Galinda has picked up on this fact that everyone else has just accepted subconciously, but now she can explain it.

This song feels like a hyper fixation rant. The frantic obsession was a mere outlet for the excitement of finally being able to speak to this worldview head on to someone who she respects and knows will actually understand her. This song feels like Galinda and Elphaba are on emotional and intellectual equal footing.

This song is also part of my case for Wicked as a queer musical that only works as a story because the romance doesn't. As in, this is a story about a romance that could have been, and that romance reads as queer to me. I will get more into it next week, but for now, I will say this:

This song doesn't matter, and that's exactly why it does matter.

This is the moment when Elphaba and Galinda connect, and share. This is Galinda trying to give back for the wand and make up for her previous behaviour to make Elphaba less of an outcast. But she has already done that.

The moment at the end of Dancing Through Life when Elphaba and Galinda share the spotlight, when Galinda makes herself look like a fool to match Elphaba, when she lets the outcast lead, and the rest of the room goes along with it. That moment is when the romance is kicked off, that is the moment when she starts making amends. That is the moment when she starts to make Elphaba less of a social pariah.

That dance renders Popular superfluous, or at least it does on paper. In reality, this song is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the foreshadowing department, even more so than What is this Feeling, in my most humble of opinions.

Popular happens because Galinda is right about so much in her world, but wrong about the most important thing. Brains and knowledge are irrelevant in Oz, perception is powerful, but empathy rules them all.

Galinda gives this big show of how amazing she is for helping people. Look at her, she's so good. But, Elphaba doesn't care about that, and Galinda does. The romance doesn't work in the end because Galinda realises too late that in the big scheme of things, superficiality is nowhere near as fulfilling as connection. That's why her romance with Fiyero breaks off, and its why her romance with Elphaba is doomed. She only realises this when both options are off the table.

The romance between Elphaba and Galinda breaks apart, but it can only do that because it was there to begin with. You can't tear down nothing.

You could read the relationship as entirely platonic, a friendship that breaks down. But art is subjective, and to me, the romance makes this story so much more compelling.

Final Thoughts

Popular is a popular song in the fanbase. It's an absolute bop, but it's also one of the simplest numbers in the entire production. The set is two beds, there is no fancy dancing, just one character sitting still and the other jumping around like she's on springs. The set doesn't change, there are no extra characters, nothing.

This song doesn't let anything distract from the character drama that is going on in centre stage, so that the audience can take in what is actually being said and done.

Next week, I am taking a look at I'm Not That Girl, and I will being going all in on the queer reading of this musical. Although, that is a heterosexual love song, right? How could that be queer? I have thoughts, so stick around if that interests you.

Previous - Next

(Images were sourced from this video)

[theamityelf]

I just saw Wicked. Good news: Enjoyed it a lot. Want to see it again. My critiques are fairly small (and I'll probably post them some other time), but right now my main thoughts are:

They didn't Rum Tum Tugger it. By which I mean, they didn't remove the gay subtext. I felt it. Fiyero gazing after Elphaba and Galinda as they left the ball just had me thinking, "Here's how the polycule can still win." And I love that they placed the lyrics "Your life could end up changing" over that.

I'm glad I never check the soundtrack before seeing movie musicals, because the tension in me when I genuinely thought they were skipping Dancing Through Life was incredible. It felt like they were doing what Into the Woods did with "No More," where they played an instrumental version while letting the general content of the song play out in brief spoken dialogue. Thankfully, wasn't the case.

I really enjoyed the choreography. The heightened/unfamiliar reality of Oz really came out in the wardrobe, choreo, language, etc. They kept the wacky words.

Cameos were exciting but slightly outstayed their welcome.

The little details and lines that are going to be called back to in Part 2 were all present, but I don't think the average moviegoer will remember/appreciate that, by the time Part 2 arrives.

They made good use of the format. They did a good amount of visual flourishes that wouldn't be possible onstage, which I consider essential for a movie musical.

Great cast, great chemistry.

[the-patchwork-girl-of-oz]

Galinda: I’m sorry boys, but I’m simply not interested in either of you. I’m in love with Elphaba.

Boq: …oh…ok.😔

Fiyero: that’s fine, I guess.

Galinda: I have a solution. Why don’t you just go out with each other?

Boq: wait what??? I… HIM?!

Fiyero: why would I date Boq?

Galinda: well, you have a lot in common.

Fiyero: what could we possibly have in common?

Galinda: well, you’re both really obsessed with [insert incredibly nerdy movie here].

Boq: *looks up at him* you like [movie]?

Fiyero, confused: yeah, I love it…

Boq: so do I!!! Do you remember when…?!

Fiyero: YEAH AND THEN SHE…!

*proceeds to excitedly rant about their shared hyperfixation*

Boq: I mean… maybe Galinda’s right… maybe we could… watch it together…? I mean just as friends!!! Not in a gay way!!!

Fiyero: I'll pick you up at 6:00?

Boq: okay, great! It's a date! NO WAIT-

*proceeds to go on a date*

[klapollo]

“Madame Morrible, if you please,” said Elphaba, “we never had an opportunity to discuss the Quells that you recited in the parlor last week.” “Discuss,” said Madame Morrible with a generous though shooing wave of the bangled hands. “Well, Doctor Dillamond seemed to think they were in questionable taste, given the Banns on Animal Mobility.” “Doctor Dillamond, alas,” said Madame Morrible, “is a doctor. He is not a poet. He is also a Goat, and I might ask you girls if we have ever had a great Goat sonneteer or balladeer? Alas, dear Miss Elphaba, Doctor Dillamond doesn’t understand the poetic convention of irony. Would you like to define irony for the class, please?” “I don’t believe I can, Madame.” “Irony, some say, is the art of juxtaposing incongruous parts. One needs a knowing distance. Irony presupposes detachment, which, alas, in the case of Animal Rights, we may forgive Doctor Dillamond for being without.”

“So that phrase that he objected to-Animals should be seen and not heard-that was ironic?” continued Elphaba, studying her papers and not looking at Madame Morrible. Galinda and her classmates were enthralled, for it was clear that each of the females at opposite ends of the room would have enjoyed seeing the other crumple in a sudden attack of the spleen. “One could consider it in an ironic mode if one chose,” said Madame Morrible. “How do you choose?” said Elphaba. “How impertinent!” said Madame Morrible. “Well, but I don’t mean impertinence. I’m trying to learn. If you- if anyone-thought that statement was true, then it isn’t in conflict with the boring bossy bit that preceded it. It’s just argument and conclusion, and I don’t see the irony.” “You don’t see much, Miss Elphaba,” said Madame Morrible. “You must learn to put yourself in the shoes of someone wiser than you are, and look from that angle. To be stuck in ignorance, to be circumscribed by the walls of one’s own modest acumen, well, it Is very sad in one so young and bright.” She spit out the last word, and it seemed to Galinda, somehow, a low comment on Elphaba’s skin color, which today was indeed lustrous with the effort of public speaking. “But I was trying to put myself in the shoes of Doctor Dillamond,” said Elphaba, almost whining, but not giving up. “In the case of poetic interpretation, I venture to suggest, it may indeed be true. Animals should not be heard,” snapped Madame Morrible. “Do you mean that ironically?” said Elphaba, but she sat down with her hands over her face, and did not look up again for the rest of the session.

-wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the west (1995), gregory maguire

[jtavington]

I had the honor of seeing the original Broadway cast of Wicked twenty years ago and I've seen the touring company a few times since. I was *really* skeptical about the film. ("Oh great a pop star as Galinda!")

Now the trailer's dropped.

Folks, this movie looks like a million bucks. The sets and costumes are *stunning.* Ariana Grande is nailing Galinda. I never doubted Cynthia Erivo could sing Elphaba and I know she's a good actress, but I didn't know if she could handle pre-Defying Gravity Elphie. She can. The production team has clearly not only seen the stage show, they've read the book.

I know what I'm doing the day after Thanksgiving.