Wicked Ending Explained & How It Sets Up Wicked Part 2

What happens to Elphaba at the end of Wicked: Part 1?

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Adapting the Tony-winning Broadway musical, the Wicked movie explained the epic journey of magic and morality in Oz, leading up to the climactic ending that will bring audiences back for Wicked: For Good in 2025. The film starts with Glinda the Good announcing to the Munchkins that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead. When they ask about her past relationship with the villain, Wicked phases back in time to Glinda (called Galinda in this part of the Wicked movie) and Elphaba arriving at Shiz University.

Galinda and Elphaba are forced to room together after the latter is unexpectedly admitted to the school as a student of sorcery under the guidance of Madame Morrible. Though they start out detesting one another, they develop a friendship. Turmoil grows when the talking animals’ rights are removed, and a beloved professor is dragged out by soldiers, leading to Elphaba and Fiyero taking action. When Elphaba is invited to visit The Emerald City and The Wizard, it leads to the action-packed ending, which serves as the midpoint for the two-part Wicked movie.

Why Elphaba Rejected The Wizard’s Offer In Wicked

After The Wizard and Madame Morrible trick Elphaba into giving the monkeys wings, she realizes that he never did it himself because he has no powers. He confirms this fact and offers her a home with him in The Emerald City that would give her safety and power if she only works with him. He even says Glinda can stay with them if it will keep her happy. However, she rejects his offer with righteous indignation, and multiple factors play into this decision.

Firstly, the knowledge that he never had any powers cracks every ounce of respect and admiration she previously had for him. She’s less easy to manipulate now that the reverence she once held for The Wizard is gone. Additionally, she showed earlier, when offered the chance to change her green skin, that she cares more about justice for others than she does herself. Her life experiences grant her empathy for the talking animals, who are deemed “different” just like she is. To accept The Wizard’s offer would be to accept their oppression.

Why Does Elphaba Go To The West?Elphaba Gains The Title Of "The Wicked Witch Of The West"

At the end of “Defying Gravity,” Elphaba sings the line, “So, if you care to find me, look to the Western sky.” In the Broadway musical, the line is never explained. She doesn’t learn about Kiamo Ko, Fiyero’s castle, until late into the second act, so that can’t explain her decision. The main explanation fans settled on was that Elphaba chose to go in that direction because of the historical, problematic symbolism of manifest destiny and traveling west for a better life. However, the movie hints at an explanation that fits within the narrative instead of relying on real-life knowledge.

During one of the middle songs in Wicked, “Something Bad,” Elphaba intrudes on the animal resistance group, which is being held in a room with a map of Oz. This map shows the terrain and roads connecting each area to the Emerald City. The Vinkus, which is in the west, has harsh terrain that seems difficult to navigate, offering Elphaba more protection if she goes in that direction.

Songs In Wicked

"No One Mourns The Wicked"

"Dear Old Shiz"

"The Wizard & I"

"What Is This Feeling?"

"Something Bad"

"Dancing Through Life"

"Popular"

"I'm Not That Girl"

"One Short Day"

"A Sentimental Man"

"Defying Gravity"

Additionally, the western part of Oz seems to have the least connection to The Emerald City, meaning The Wizard might have the least amount of control there. This is later confirmed again during "Sentimental Man," when the entire model of Oz lights up. The road doesn’t stretch as far west. Ultimately, neither the movie nor the musical provide a concrete answer to this Broadway musical plothole, but the film at least hints at a reasonable explanation.

How Madame Morrible Manipulated Elphaba From The StartMadame Morrible Is The True Villain Of Wicked

At the end of Wicked, Elphaba asks Madame Morrible whether she planned to use Elphaba from the beginning, and the villain’s response inadvertently confirms that she was manipulating the young witch the whole movie. This information retroactively taints all their past interactions, making Madame Morrible’s kindness seem more nefarious.

RelatedHow Old Are Elphaba & Glinda In Wicked

Elphaba and Glinda, the two main characters from the Broadway musical, are played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the Wicked movie.

The teacher took credit for Elphaba’s outburst not because she was trying to help, but because she wanted to bolster her image as a powerful magician, making it so the students would respect her more because of her powers. She planted the idea early on that Elphaba would need to prove herself to The Wizard so that they could ask her later to do the spell on the monkeys, pointing to Madame Morrible’s calculated nature.

During their sorcery lesson, she talks to Elphaba about Dr. Dillamond for two big reasons. One, she recognizes that emotions are Elphaba’s magical trigger. Two, she’s trying to build a false sense of trust and emotional disclosure so that Elphaba will be less resistant to her manipulation later. Later, she let Glinda into her class because she needed to keep Elphaba happy. Ultimately, every single one of Madame Morrible’s actions in Wicked serves her bigger goal.

Why The Ozians Worship The Wizard

The Wizard of Oz and Wicked (the Broadway Musical) both provide small bits of information about why the Ozians worship and follow the leadership of The Wizard; however, it’s never confirmed how he exactly came to power. Wicked changes “One Short Day” to include Elphaba and Glinda watching a show about the history of The Wizard. The Ozians had previous leaders with magic called “The Wise Ones” who could read The Grimmerie and cast spells.

However, they all died out over time, leaving behind a prophecy. The Wise Ones said a powerful person who could read The Grimmerie would one day arrive in Oz when they needed it most. Since The Wizard arrived during The Great Drought and could read The Grimmerie, Ozians assumed he was the prophesied individual and began worshiping him. In reality, the prophecy could just as easily apply to Elphaba as it could to The Wizard.

Dr. Dillamond’s Firing (& How It Sets Up Elphaba’s To Become The Wicked Witch)Elphaba Is Dr. Dillamond's Biggest Defender In Wicked

In a slightly less dark version of the Wicked book storyline, Dr. Dillamond is fired from his teaching job at Shiz University because he’s a speaking animal instead of getting murdered. However, his staying alive doesn’t make it any less emotional when he’s forcibly dragged out of the classroom by the horns. While Elphaba already cares about justice, this moment is a turning point that sets her on the path to becoming The Wicked Witch of the West. She can’t stand to watch the teacher she bonded with get treated as lesser.

RelatedWicked's Timeline & When It Takes Place Compared To The Wizard Of Oz Explained

Wicked isn't exactly a conventional prequel, which makes it difficult for fans to place the story within the original Wizard of Oz timeline.

From this point forward, her entire arc as Wicked’s main character centers on ensuring the talking animals are given the same rights as the humans. She even sets aside the opportunity to make her life better so that she can ensure Dr. Dillamond and the other talking animals are protected.

Can Elphaba See The Future In Wicked?Elphaba Sees Flashes That Could Be The Future

Warning: This section has mild spoilers for Wicked: For GoodIn the Wicked musical and movie, Elphaba sings about having a vision of Oz having a celebration for her, but it’s implied that she’s speaking figuratively instead of literally. However, Wicked draws into question whether she can actually see the future. A few times in the film, Elphaba sees flashes of different moments. In these moments, she sees Dr. Dillamond in a cage.

This could simply be her imagining a terrible future. However, the second half of the Wicked musical involves The Wizard and Madame Morrible taking away Dr. Dillamond’s voice and keeping him captive. Combined with the lyrics in “The Wizard & I,” these flashes seem to confirm that Elphaba has the ability to see the future, though there’s still ambiguity surrounding the question.

Glinda's And Elphaba's Friendship Is The Lifeblood Of Wicked

In both the Wicked musical and Wicked, Elphaba and Glinda go from loathing one another to being best friends within a short span of time. The movie remains pretty loyal to the source material when it comes to Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. When Glinda gives Elphaba the hat, the latter takes it as a genuine act of kindness and returns the favor by insisting Madame Morrible take Glinda on as a student.

Little details like Glinda giving Elphaba a guidebook with a sweet message written inside solidify their relationship.

When Glinda finds this out, she realizes that she’s been too cruel to her roommate and publicly engages with her at the party. Little details like Glinda giving Elphaba a guidebook with a sweet message written inside solidify their relationship, making it all the more tragic when they part ways at the end of Wicked.

How Wicked’s Ending Sets Up Wicked: For GoodWicked: For Good Tells The Wizard Of Oz From Elphaba's Perspective

The Wicked two-part movie splits at the same point as the Broadway show – after “Defying Gravity.” At this point in the film and musical, Elphaba refuses to work with The Wizard to suppress the talking animals. She decides that if the people in charge won’t help, she will break out on her own to protect the vulnerable community. Meanwhile, Madame Morrible tells all of Oz that Elphaba is evil, hurting the talking animals, and trying to destroy The Wizard.

RelatedWicked Part 2's Story Explained: What Happens After Part 1's Ending

The fast-paced ending of Wicked: Part 1 serves as a midpoint to the overall narrative, setting up a compelling story for Wicked: Part 2.

This sets up a clear pathway for Elphaba in Wicked: For Good without the need for a Wicked post-credits scene. All of Oz will be hunting for her while she will be taking action to protect the talking animals. Eventually, Dorothy will arrive in Oz because of a twister, setting forth the events of The Wizard of Oz, which play out in the second half of the musical.

The True Meaning Of Wicked’s EndingElphaba Proves That Villains Are Made Not Born

The core question in the Wicked book, musical, and movie is whether people are born wicked or whether wickedness is created. Across the span of 2 hours and 30 minutes, Wicked solidly answers that villains are made. Elphaba was forced into the role of The Wizard of Oz’s antagonist by the true villains of the story – her father, her bullies, Madame Morrible, and The Wizard. Moreover, Wicked makes it clear that situations aren’t always what they seem at first glance.

How The Wicked Ending Was Received

It is always a danger when a film ends on a cliffhanger, but most people heading into Wicked knew that it was going to be two movies. That is likely why the film was given such high praise, with an 88% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% Popcornmeter score. When looking at Wicked, it is hard not to compare it to the stageplay. One audience member said, "The run time is lengthy, but they use every minute to tell the story in different ways than can be done on stage. All while displaying great reverence for the source material."

When reviewing the film, Peter Travers gave it great praise for ABC News:

"Because of the wonderful things it does, even half of "Wicked" stands as a new gold-standard in movie musicals and a perfect compliment to the immortal "The Wizard of Oz. I've heard it said that movies come into our lives for a reason. And "Wicked" has good reason, especially now, to celebrate the power of women in a world that puts outsiders in cages. These witches can preach. They can also set the screen ablaze. No wonder seeing "Wicked" once is just not enough."

However, one thing about the ending that connected with people when seeing Wicked was the theme of the animals leading Elphaba and Fiyero to rebel against the Wizard. One Redditor wrote, "It's never good to blame a group of people in order to unite the rest of the population. There doesn't need to be further explanation of why it's bad really, because all you need to know is that he's chosen to target them and all they've done is exist as speaking Animals. Their only crime is existing."

As for anyone worried about the Wicked cliffhanger ending, another Redditor explained why that was nothing to worry about in the movie. Pup_kit wrote, "It feels like a complete film and ends at a moment where it's understandable (if you've seen the stage play) that it's 'To be continued' . It didn't feel like an artificial break in the story and it's 2hrs 40mins as it is so this is really just a very long intermission until part 2."

Your RatingWicked Release Date November 22, 2024 Runtime 160 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Gregory Maguire, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, L. Frank Baum

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