Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Wicked.
Wicked’s story largely revolves around magic. This makes it all the more intriguing thatGlinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) is unable to perform magic, despite her future destiny as Glinda the Good. Meanwhile, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) shows a deep aptitude for magic from a young age. Years later, when theWickedcharactersfirst arrive at Shiz University, Elphaba’s emotions lead to a shocking display of magic that catches the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).
Madame Morrible insists on Elphaba joining her training seminar, which she only teaches when someone"special"comes along. Glinda is later added to the seminar as well, but this is not because of any magical talent that Madame Morrible sees in her, but because of Elphaba threatening to quit unless Glinda is added. Despite Glinda’s lack of magical abilities, Elphaba’s decision to defy the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible in theWickedendingwill change the trajectory of Glinda’s future. The full extent of these developments will not unfold untilWicked: Part Two’s story.
Glinda Hasn’t Learned How To Do Magic Yet In Wicked
No Matter How Hard She Tries, She Can’t Conjure A Ball Gown
Even though Glinda has magical aspirations inWicked, she has not yet learned how to perform magic. When Madame Morrible admits Glinda to the training seminar and gives her a training wand, Glinda tries to use it during the “Popular” song. As part of Glinda’s mission to give Elphaba a makeover and make her popular, she attempts to conjure a ball gown for her roommate. It is a humorous sequence, butGlinda is unable to make her intended magic happen.
Wicked Review: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Defy Gravity In Jaw-Dropping Musical Adaptation
Save for the tiniest of things, Wicked is a worthy screen adaptation of the musical, guaranteed to make viewers feel like they could defy gravity too.
The movie does not devote time to Glinda making any progress with her magic, with most of her story instead focusing on her growth as a person, along with how her relationships with Elphaba and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) develop. Madame Morrible and the Wizard are only interested in Elphaba and not in Glinda because of Elphaba’s natural propensity for magic.Wicked’s villains only become genuinely interested in Glinda once they see Elphaba will never help their cause.
Glinda Doesn’t Have Innate Magic Powers Like Elphaba
Elphaba Being A Child Of Two Worlds Makes Her Innately Powerful
Unlike Elphaba, Glinda is not naturally gifted at magic. When the Wizard being Elphaba’s biological father is revealed in the second act of theWickedBroadway musical, it is explained thatElphaba’s unparalleled power stems from her being a child of both Earth and Oz. The Wizard is from Earth and Elphaba’s mother, Melena (Courtney Mae-Briggs), is from Oz, making Elphaba a child of both worlds, which is what enables her to have the rare ability to read the Grimmerie.
Despite what the public believes, the Wizard of Oz is unable to read the Grimmerie.
Glinda’s parents are affluent citizens of Gilliken Country, but they are both from Oz, meaning that Glinda does not have the magic that comes from being a child of both worlds. Elphaba not only has innate magical powers, but is able to channel them through the strength of her emotions. Glinda is not afraid to showcase her emotions and feels things strongly, but her emotions do not lead to magic in the same way that they do for Elphaba inWicked.
Glinda Will Learn “Magic” & Become Glinda The Good Witch In Wicked 2
The Wizard And Madame Morrible Must Rely On Glinda Now
As teased byWicked’s opening scene, the sequel will see her as Glinda the Good, who is able to come and go via bubble as inThe Wizard of Oz. With Elphaba now an enemy of the Wizard and Madame Morrible, Glinda is their only option, and she is far easier to manipulate. Any magical power she can harness pales in comparison with Elphaba, though. Nevertheless, it suits the Wizard and Madame Morrible to have someone who is portrayed as magically gifted and the antithesis of the demonized Elphaba.
With the first movie already making some changes, such as Animals helping to raise Elphaba, it is possible thatWicked: Part Two’s story will choose to dive deeper into Glinda’s magical journey.
The second act of the Broadway musical does not spend time providing significant exploration of Glinda’s magical abilities, and it is even implied that the bubble may just be one of the Wizard’s contraptions. The movie seemingly confirms this by Glinda appearing to touch a button to open and close the bubble. With the first movie already making some changes, such as Animals helping to raise Elphaba, it is possible thatWicked: Part Two’s storywill choose to dive deeper into Glinda’s magical journey. At the very least,the nextWickedmovie will fully showcase her as Glinda the Good and as the witch that the citizens of Oz look to for answersafter Elphaba’s supposed demise.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
