alright everyone pull up a chair i’m about to walk you through why adding glinda to wonderful was the best decision the wicked films could have made

the reason? well, it completely alters the context of the entire rest of the film in a much, much gayer way (take note of glinda’s use of the word “wish” here as it will become important in a minute)

glinda thinks she’s getting her elphie back which means her reaction to the escape is informed more by this than fiyero & elphaba’s “betrayal” it allows for glinda’s following actions to be read as heartbreak over fiyero getting what glinda desperately wanted: elphaba

when glinda gives up nessa, this can read almost like the moment she realizes fiyero is her mirror. fiyero loves elphaba the same way she does, and now he has gotten her. and elphaba loves him, too. apparently she always has. so glinda has nothing left to lose.

glinda’s ‘i’m not that girl’ reprise echos the “wish” she mentions in my above tweet was her wedding wish to have elphie back? it’s here that glinda realizes she’s “not that girl” in the sense that she can’t be the girl (person) elphaba needs or wants but fiyero can

this allows the context of their “catfight” to change from being about fiyero to the art of subtextual projection elphaba’s use of “someone like him” is directly referring to fiyero being glinda’s mirror, and she resents glinda for not having the guts to choose her

thus, the use of “someone like me” allows for what she says next to be referring to herself despite referring to fiyero on the surface trying to provoke glinda into doing something for once, and the “he loves me” to remind her that he loved her enough to actually choose her

when fiyero pulls the gun on her, this is when she actually accepts maybe he does love elphie more or at least, has the courage she doesn’t. and she can’t blame him; she only wishes she could be for elphie what he can so part of her wishes he would pull it to end her suffering

all which culminates in glinda’s reaction to elphie’s i love you she doesn’t think she deserves it. she never thought she would hear it. she never thought she would be able to say it she doesn’t even know if she means it in the same way, and now it’s too late to ever find out

oh ! also: glinda giving up nessa can be read as less about wanting elphaba to suffer bc she “took fiyero” but as wanting her to suffer *with her* and right then, not caring what it took to get her back she “almost had her” but then *fiyero took her. not the other way around

as much as elphaba wanted glinda to choose her and resented her for not doing so, glinda wanted elphaba to choose her just as much she wanted her elphie to be with her even tho elphie didn’t want to be with *her so she just said it.. before she could realize what it would mean

and it all harkens back to this deleted scene from part one: which implies everything i just said but more overtly, so maybe that’s why they cut it or maybe it was universal’s doing either way, i’m fine with it bc i love when films don’t explicitly spell everything out to me

Did you have to convince me? No. Did I have a seat and read the entire thread anyway? Yes

you’re welcome 😌

Someone said on youtube notice how glinda sings “we will be wonderful” While the wizard sings “you’ll make me wonderful”

Insanely good thread op!!!!

Oh, I thought it was brilliant simply on the merits of Jeff Goldblum not being a great singer and the number already having been such a snoozefest in the stage version.

Okay I actually didn't like that they added her in it when I saw it in theaters (although I did appreciate that we didn't have to hear as much Jeff) but this thread actually changed my mind lol

i’m glad i could be of service 🫡

All of this is amazing. And I just think it’s just because Goldblum wasn’t a strong enough singer on this song alone. Lol Fun to interpret deeper!

and when they put the two ends of the broomsticks together… 🌚

This is actually an INSANELY GOOD fucking thread....and I already had agreed that Glinda being added was 10/10.....We need more

already thought so. but you definitely ate with this

wonderful is one of the few numbers really enhanced by the film

I loooove the sound of their voices singing together. Really gives it that old timey feel. This scene in the movie was fantastic!!

u wrote it so beautifully now i finna cry

💜💜

i genuinely thought that they added glinda to wonderful bc if you think about it, popular and wonderful are kind of the same messages but different ways of approaching what to do w the results. but this thread has changed my mind but now i wish there was a scene of glinda (1/2)

i have horrible conflictions about it, because I genuinely would have preferred she not be there the entire time so we could get to see the wizard being sketch and tricksy, then basically call her ass in as a cherry on top, but I love what her being there does for her arc

Is it already out on digital or something? Where are these clips coming from?

U ACTUALLY OPENED MY EYES TO THIRD EYE SIGHT

This is how I find out she isn't in the original Wonderful

Love this thread ❤️ You explained it so well

YES TO ALL OF THESE

i already agree you didn’t have to make me cry like that

Its so they can scissor those witches broom

Oh my god just let girls have friendships this is insane

ariana herself believes otherwise 🤷🏻‍♀️

This part of the movie is my favorite tbh