Top 10 Things to Remember Before Wicked For Good

#10: Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead?

While most of the first film is chronicled through flashbacks, the opening picks up toward “The Wizard of Oz’s” ending. Some familiar figures have claimed the Wicked Witch’s broom, seemingly leaving nothing behind other than the melted villain’s hat. Oz rejoices upon learning that the land’s most hated enemy has been defeated. As we see throughout the film, though, things aren’t always as they appear. For starters, Glinda the Good Witch was friends with the so-called Wicked Witch of the West. Their bond formed at Shiz University, back when the Wicked Witch was known as Elphaba Thropp. There’s another side to every story. Only half of Elphaba’s has been told. For many in the Land of Oz, the whole story may never be heard.

#9: Animal Cruelty

Growing up, Elphaba received more affection from her nanny, Dulcibear, than from her father. Upon arriving at Shiz, Elphaba forms a connection with Dr. Dillamond. Although animals helped build the university, their contributions have been paved over. Dillamond is among the few remaining animal educators at Shiz. Many Ozians believe that animals don’t have the right to teach… or speak. This prompts some animals to flee from Oz while Dillamond sticks around long enough to be taken away. Elphaba believes she can create a better world for animals with the Wizard’s help. When he has Elphaba cast a spell on his monkey guards, though, it becomes clear that the Wizard isn’t the solution. He’s behind the animal oppression, giving Oz an enemy to rally against.

#8: The Wizard of Lies

Elphaba finds that the Wonderful Wizard isn’t all that wonderful. He isn’t magical either, unable to read from the Grimmerie spellbook like Elphaba. The Wizard was but an ordinary human from our world when he arrived in Oz. While he lacks magic, the Wizard brought with him a scientific background and lofty ambitions to reshape Oz. This paved the way for him to become the most celebrated figure in the Emerald City, as well as the most mysterious, hiding behind a curtain and a mechanical head. To keep the public on his side, the Wizard decides to give them something - or someone- to fight against. Herein lies the Wizard’s true power: manipulation. Of course, he isn’t the only master of deceit in Oz.

#7: Madame Morrible Is the True Villain

While the Wizard seeks to control Elphaba, Madame Morrible is also influencing him. The Wizard is more than happy to conspire with Morrible, although her former student isn’t as willing. Elphaba looked up to Morrible as a mentor at Shiz. Morrible, meanwhile, saw Elphaba as somebody she could use as a puppet. Once Elphaba cuts her strings, Morrible deems her an enemy of Oz, providing the “wicked” moniker. Unable to control Elphaba, Morrible sets her eyes on Glinda, who might not show much promise in the magic department. Yet, Glinda’s ability to win people over makes her just as powerful. Where a part of the Wizard genuinely wants to make people happy, Morrible is all about authority, being this story’s true wicked figure.

#6: Save the Cat

One minute, animals are teaching the students of Shiz. The next, the students are experimenting on animals. Elphaba can’t stand idly by when Dr. Dillamond’s replacement, Professor Nikidik, brings in a caged lion cub. Before he can take away the cub’s ability to speak, Elphaba casts a spell that puts everyone else in the room to sleep. That is, other than Prince Fiyero. While it isn’t explained why Fiyero remained awake, it’s the first sign that Elphaba sees him as more than a brainless pretty boy. Fiyero also sees a different side of Elphaba, deciding to rescue the lion with her. Although they get the cub to safety, this lion isn’t entering the most accepting world, which may leave him cowering in fear.

#5: Love Triangle(s)

Although he secretly carries a torch for Elphaba, Fiyero is in a relationship with Glinda, who believes they’re destined for marriage. That’s not the only complicated love triangle that blossoms at Shiz. The Munchkin Boq Woodsman longs for Glinda to return his affection. Instead, she turns his attention to Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister. Nessarose quickly takes a liking to Boq, although it’s evident that he’s only with her because Glinda is out of reach. So, just to recap, Nessa likes Boq, who likes Glinda, who likes Fiyreo, who likes Elphaba, who likes Fiyreo, who’s with Glinda, who introduced Boq to Nessa! We guess that technically makes this a love hexagon. Maybe a love heptagon since Pfannee also has the hots for Fiyreo.

#4: Elphaba’s Powers

Elphaba might be the most powerful person in Oz. She doesn’t entirely have a grasp on those powers, however. During “The Wizard and I” number, Elphaba has a vision that one day there will be a celebration in Oz about her. Her prophecy is correct, although this celebration isn’t what she thinks. Elphaba also foretells that animals will be held captive, another premonition that comes true. Being tutored by Madame Morrible, Elphaba learns how to control some of the powers she once strove to hide. After cutting ties with Morrible, Elphaba can only rely on her own instincts and the Grimmerie. While Elphaba doesn’t understand everything she reads from the spellbook, she learns just enough to master flight.

#3: Elphaba’s Parentage

Governor Thropp resented Elphaba from the moment she was born with green skin. When Mrs. Thropp became pregnant again, the Governor of Munchkinland forced her to drink milk flowers so Nessa wouldn’t come out the same way. This inadvertently caused Nessa to be born prematurely, resulting in the Governess’ death. Although it wasn’t her fault, the Governor blamed Elphaba, intensifying the animosity toward his daughter. Of course, the Governor was never truly Elphaba’s father. We mean that in more ways than one. Elphaba’s mother had an affair with a mystery man who offered her a green elixir. Elphaba doesn’t know the story behind her conception, but she held onto the bottle that her biological father gave to her mother.

#2: Going Separate Ways

Despite starting as rivals, Elphaba and Glinda are the best of friends by the time they arrive in the Emerald City. Upon peeking behind the curtain, they’re given a life-altering choice. Elphaba decides to flee to the west with the Grimmerie, rebelling against the Wizard in an effort to save the animals of Oz. Although Elphaba invites Glinda to join her, she can’t follow. The two part as friends, wishing each other the best. Deep down, though, the two know that they’re headed in opposite directions. Both seek to do good, but “goodness” isn’t as easily defined as either thought. The same can be said about “wickedness,” something Elphaba and Glinda will have to confront eventually. Will they do it separately or together?

#1: Dorothy Dropping In

Part One only gave us a glimpse of Dorothy making her way down the Yellow Brick Road with the witch’s broomstick. Part Two catches up with the story we know, telling “The Wizard of Oz” from a different perspective. While Dorothy isn’t the protagonist, she is an essential figure along with the Scarecrow and Tin Man, who we’ve also yet to get a good look at… or have we? The real question is how big a role Dorothy will play in “Wicked: For Good.” In the stage version, the most we see is Dorothy’s shadow. If “Wicked: For Good” expands upon the source material, maybe those rumors of a certain child actress being in the film are true. Either way, Dorothy isn’t in Kansas anymore.

Are you looking forward to “Wicked: For Good?” Let us know in the comments.