The cinematic overture swelled through the theater, its rich, resonant notes vibrating deep within me. As the citizens of Munchkinland rejoicified, “No one mourns the wicked! No one cries they won’t return! No one lays a lily on their grave!”
The words were not just a chant of celebration but a reminder of the loneliness that comes with being misunderstood, of how easily society casts aside those who don’t fit its mold.
And goodness knows, the wicked’s lives are lonely. Goodness knows the wicked die alone. It just shows when you’re wicked, you’re left only… on your own.
Sitting in the theater, I was immediately transported back to when I first encountered the world of Wicked. Jon M. Chu brought the fantastical world to life, imagining it with such vivid detail that it felt as though I was stepping into a realm I had always known.
I’ve experienced Part One of the film adaptation twice now.
I was so captivated the first time that I returned for a rewatch just a week later. It was in the second viewing that I connected with the wistfulness in Elphaba’s eyes, a longing for a world that could never fully accept her, but also a quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, she could find her place in it.
If you’ve ever experienced trauma in your childhood, Elphaba’s journey is something you can relate to in your bones. Her transformation from misunderstood outcast to empowered individual touches on the deepest desires of the heart: acceptance, understanding, and belonging.
It’s one of life’s greatest paradoxes—the world tells us, “Be like us and you will belong,” yet true belonging comes only when we embrace our truest selves, even when the world may not understand, agree with, or accept us.
And not only can this rejection come from the world, but it most often comes from the ones closest to us. Born into a family that couldn’t love her for who she truly was, Elphaba experienced rejection from the very people she entrusted with her love and safety, both physically and emotionally, leaving her to grapple with a profound sense of isolation.
Yet, Elphaba’s journey is not one she walks alone. Her relationship with Glinda, the epitome of everything the world deems “good,” juxtaposes Elphaba’s struggle for acceptance. Despite their contrasting personalities and beliefs, their bond beautifully illustrates the complexities of friendship, rivalry, and understanding.
In many ways, Glinda is a reflection of the world’s acceptance—what Elphaba longs for but cannot attain. And yet, it’s through their connection that Elphaba can find her sense of belonging, even if that belonging doesn’t look like what she imagined.
The evolving relationship between Elphaba and Glinda highlights the transformative power of connection. Their friendship, tested and tempered through trials, reflects the intricate relationships in our own lives, teaching us that true bonds are forged in the fires of adversity when it’s the most difficult to recognize. But it’s only in that very adversity that the work happens if we let it.
Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Though not from Wicked, this quote beautifully captures the spirit of the journey we witness in the story. It reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful truths are the ones we can’t see—those deep within, shaping our hearts and actions. Much like Elphaba, who is misunderstood and unseen for who she truly is, we all carry invisible forces, driving our growth, choices, and resilience.
Throughout the story, the Wizard’s manipulation tactics expose how power can be used to control and distort the truth. He preys on Elphaba’s insecurities, twisting her perception of herself and her place in the world, all while using charm and deceit to maintain his control. His ability to mask his true intentions behind a facade of benevolence highlights the darker side of authority, where those in power exploit others’ vulnerabilities for personal gain.
This chilling portrayal shows how easily trust can be corrupted, and how true strength lies in seeing through those falsehoods, as Elphaba does when she ultimately takes up the courage to blaze her own path.
“I’m not afraid. It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me.”
– Elphaba
Fear is a force that can either bind us or empower us, depending on how we choose to face it. It’s a primal emotion that manifests physically, tightening muscles, quickening the heartbeat, and clouding the mind with doubt and hesitation. Fear is quick to paralyze, but it can also be the very thing that drives us to stand up, speak out, and embrace our true power.
Elphaba’s defiance in the face of the Wizard’s control exemplifies this. When she declares, “I’m not afraid. It’s the Wizard who should be afraid of me,” it is a moment of profound transformation. It’s not just a declaration of strength but a recognition of the fear that the Wizard has instilled in her, which she now chooses to turn into her weapon. Fear, once internalized, can be a catalyst for reclaiming autonomy, a shift from victimhood to empowerment.
As the credits rolled, I felt something change with me: a profound sense of gratitude. Wicked: Part One is more than just a film; it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of embracing one’s unique journey. It reminds us to embrace the magic within, not for wicked means, but for good–a call to defy gravity in our own lives, just as Elphaba does.