Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Wicked.
EvilThe story largely revolves around magic. This makes it even more intriguing that Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) is unable to perform magic despite her future destiny as Glinda the Good. Meanwhile, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) shows a profound aptitude for magic from a young age. Years later, when the Evil characters first 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 that Elphaba attend her training seminar, which she only teaches when someone “special” come along. Glinda is also added to the seminar later, but this is not because of any magical talent 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 challenge the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible in the Evil the ending will change the trajectory of Glinda’s future. The full extent of these developments will not be revealed until Wicked: Part Twothe story.
Glinda still hasn’t learned how to do magic in Wicked
No matter how hard she tries, she can’t conjure up a ball gown
Even though Glinda has magical aspirations in EvilShe hasn’t learned how to do magic yet. When Madame Morrible admits Glinda to the training seminar and gives her a training wand, Glinda attempts to use it during the song “Popular”. As part of Glinda’s mission to reform Elphaba and make her popular, she attempts to conjure up a ball gown for her roommate. It’s a humorous sequence, but Glinda is unable to make the intended magic happen.
The film devotes no time to Glinda making any progress with her magic, with most of her story focusing on her growth as a person, along with the development of her relationships with Elphaba and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Madame Morrible and the Wizard are only interested in Elphaba and not Glinda because of Elphaba’s natural propensity for magic. EvilThe villains only become genuinely interested in Glinda when they realize that Elphaba will never help their cause.
Glinda does not have innate magical powers like Elphaba
Elphaba being a child of two worlds makes her innately powerful
Unlike Elphaba, Glinda is not naturally gifted with magic. When the Wizard is Elphaba’s biological father is revealed in the second act of the Evil Broadway musical, it is explained that Elphaba’s unparalleled power comes from her being the daughter of 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 allows her to have the rare ability to read Grimmerie.
Glinda’s parents are wealthy citizens of Gilliken Country, but they are both from Oz, which means Glinda doesn’t have the magic that comes from being a child of both worlds. Elphaba not only possesses innate magical powers, but is able to channel them through the strength of her emotions. Glinda isn’t afraid to show her emotions and feels things strongly, but her emotions don’t lead to magic in the same way they lead Elphaba to magic. Evil.
Glinda will learn magic and become Glinda, the good witch in Wicked 2
The wizard and Madame Morrible must trust Glinda now
As provoked by EvilIn the opening scene, the sequel will see her as Glinda the Good, who is able to come and go through the bubble like in The Wizard of Oz. With Elphaba now an enemy of the Wizard and Madame Morrible, Glinda is her only option and is much easier to manipulate. Any magical power she can control pales in comparison to Elphaba, however. However, it suits the Wizard and Madame Morrible to have someone portrayed as gifted with magic and the antithesis of the demonized Elphaba.
With the first film already making some changes, like Animals helping to raise Elphaba, it’s possible that Wicked: Part Twothe story will choose to delve deeper into Glinda’s magical journey.
The second act of the Broadway musical wastes no time meaningfully exploring Glinda’s magical abilities, and it’s even implied that the bubble might just be one of the Wizard’s gadgets. With the first film already making some changes, like Animals helping to raise Elphaba, it’s possible that Wicked: Part Twothe story will choose to delve deeper into Glinda’s magical journey. At the very least, the next Evil the film will fully show her as Glinda the Good and as the witch the citizens of Oz look to for answers after Elphaba’s supposed death.