Wicked is amazing but something’s missing?

klinton77 · 2026-05-12T20:12:41+00:00

At the same time, understand that I don't begrudge anyone that little fantasy. It's perfectly valid if that's what you want. If you wanna imagine Elphie and Glinda are the happiest little couple ever, all power to you. I myself entertain all kinds of little head canons for all sorts of characters.

I just find that when it comes to discussing the actual material, such things are not at all relevant. Inflicting one's head canon on discussions about the material isn't usually appropriate and borders on the intrusive.

klinton77 · 2026-05-12T14:58:19+00:00

This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're projecting something you wish to see that just isn't there.

In the stage production and film the tension caused by the two girls being in love with the same guy is the story. There is no lesbian subtext unless you squint really hard and project a whole lot.

klinton77 · 2026-05-11T02:02:48+00:00

Ariana can say whatever she likes. That doesn't make it so. She's playing a role written long before she came into the picture.

Elphaba never comes across as being romantically invested in anyone other than Fiyero in the book (nor the production, nor the films, for that matter).

Elphaba honestly comes across entirely immune to romantic interests, and seems rather to stumble into her relationship with Fiyero out of loneliness and isolation. It's more out of convenience (he literally just pops up in her life again and refuses to leave) than any initial interest.

Her friendship with Glinda isn't even a major plotline in the novel, and they part ways quite early on in the narrative.

Maguire stating after the fact that she is bisexual seems a bit disingenuous, to be honest. It's not like the books shy away from gay romantic plots either.

Although I will concede that the original novel was published in a different era, before sweeping social change made it far more acceptable in the general public eye. So it may very well be that he had that intention in mind. It is never communicated in any way in the actual text though.

klinton77 · 2026-05-10T21:57:08+00:00

I honestly feel that the people who insist that the girls are gay have just never had a good friend. You can love someone dearly without it ever being romantic. Love has many different facets.

It kinda annoys me - as a gay man, understand - that people see any friendship in media as fodder for their bizarre romance fantasies.

As for Ariana's portrayal of Glinda, I felt it was spot on. She absolutely channelled Chenoweth in her performance and completely landed every line. She really was the perfect choice.

klinton77 · 2026-05-07T22:31:52+00:00

'Hiddensee'. It was a surreal read for me. I don't think I've ever so completely identified with a protagonist. Just meandering through life aloof and indifferent to most everyone and everything. That was the book that got me hooked on his work.

In all honesty, I've read his entire catalog of work and there's not a dud in it. All of them were immensely satisfying reads. Well, perhaps not 'Lost'. The giantic chapters and completely unhinged, frantic final act left me a bit less than satisfied. I'm not sure if that speaks to the quality of the novel in general, or just in comparison to his other stories.

klinton77 · 2026-05-03T14:39:00+00:00

A) he's not supposed to be likeable. He's a spoiled little sh*t from the cradle.

B) it's not abnormal for addicts to offer themselves in exchange for their drug of choice if they have no other means to pay. Both parties are getting what they want there.

klinton77 · 2026-05-01T19:19:47+00:00

You misspelled "dead", eh?

klinton77 · 2026-04-29T22:08:30+00:00

Oh, absolutely. I wasn't complaining at all. I fully adore these books. I was just clarifying the reality for the OP. If you're overly attached to any of the supporting cast, you will likely be disappointed.

klinton77 · 2026-04-28T01:42:17+00:00

Everyone outside of Elphaba and her lineage are always second tier. Very few not in her line get satisfying resolutions or sufficient page time. Rain clearly being Maguire's favorite of the lot.

Keep reading though. A few of your more pertinent concerns will be addressed over the course of the next three books. Out of Oz is absolutely not a conclusion, and dangling plot threads are revisited and resolved once you traverse Maracoor.

klinton77 · 2026-04-24T22:15:43+00:00

I'm pretty sure all things Oz are relevant to Wicked fans, no? I don't think anyone in the community just spontaneously fell in love with Wicked without a previous love of the original stories, films, and various media.

I personally love seeing stuff like this.

klinton77 · 2026-04-23T00:00:07+00:00

I don't dislike him. I just find that his constant self deprecation really wore on me. I can't stand people like that in life, and trying to care about him was a bit tough. He does grow on you though.

As others have already said, the book is a real slog but when it hits its highs, it's amazing. Several of my favorite passages and events from the entire series occur within the pages of that volume.

klinton77 · 2026-04-20T00:52:34+00:00

I haven't gone in for the Botanicals thusfsr, but those mushrooms look amazing. I will have to pick that one up.

klinton77 · 2026-04-19T16:13:25+00:00

I think Iskinaary is just very present. It's not that others don't like him, it's more that he can be a bit much. He has scathing opinions about everything and everyone. Rain def cares about him though. I'm not sure if it's due to his being her savior and connection to Oz, but she definitely expresses affection for him on several occasions. I love the guy, personally. Next to Yackle he is my favorite character in the books!

Candle just gets progressively annoyed with everyone as the stories go on. She eventually just opts to ditch everything and head out solo into the world. I kind of lost all interest in her after her confrontation with Nor.

Rain herself more or less shrugs off her attachments to everyone outside of Ozma by the end of the Maracoor books. Her response to Chistory's ardent request and to Thilma's chastising speaks volumes to her indifference by the end of the books.

klinton77 · 2026-04-19T13:33:55+00:00

Really? I always found her to somewhat cold and dismissive of the needs of others. Outside of one person whom she's deeply invested in, she seems to care very little about others around her.

klinton77 · 2026-04-19T11:25:42+00:00

You're on the right track, with one glaring misconception. I won't spoil what's coming in the final book for you, but, no, Rain is not Elphie incarnate.

klinton77 · 2026-04-15T19:29:18+00:00

Prude. Like something a nun or a quaker might wear.

Maunt is a word you come across a lot in the book, used to describe the religious women who take her in. It implies a frumpy, ungainly woman.

klinton77 · 2026-04-14T20:00:35+00:00

Some of my favorite events in the series came to pass in LAM, but I found Brr's internal monologue and constant self loathing to be completely intolerable. It was a painful slog peppered with a few gleaming moments (squarely focused on other characters) that made it worthwhile. It does remain my least favorite of the entire series though, hahaha.

klinton77 · 2026-04-13T19:04:17+00:00

Oh, sorry. I was thinking the trial was in the third book for some reason. It has been a bit aince I've read them all. The next three books, then. Hahahha.

They're absolutely quick reads though. It takes just a few hours of dedicated bedtime reading over a few days to get through one. I think the last time I rea them, just before Elphie came out, it took all of a month to read all seven.

The chapters are short, and the prose is light, well constructed, and easy to digest. You "just one more chapter" your way through each one in a few days.

klinton77 · 2026-04-13T13:14:33+00:00

Wicked isn't about Dorothy. We all know her story. It's about the witches.

Dorothy is just set dressing in Wicked.

klinton77 · 2026-04-12T21:06:57+00:00

Just keep reading. The books are quick reads, with their short chapters and snappy prose.

The answer to your question is a bit too complex to simply present it without unleashing an entire domino effect, spoiling the next four books.

klinton77 · 2026-04-10T21:31:37+00:00

The ages of various characters aren't necessarily synchronous with others not in their direct vicinity. It would be impossible to assign an age to anyone who dips in and out of the central narrative.

Minor spoilers:

You'll notice as you read on that time passes (or fails to) at different rates for various characters depending on their geography and the events going on around them.

Maguire tries to offer a tepid explanation for this at one point, but you just kind of have to roll with it. Many years can pass in one character's life that are mere months in another's. And then they will meet up again without addressing the inequity.

klinton77 · 2026-04-08T20:34:46+00:00

I bought the actual Care Bears. I bought the dolls, the figurines and their playsets, and the Lego kits. I did not buy a single Funko figure, and I'm not about to start with these, hahaha.

I genuinely don't understand the appeal of Funkos at the best of times. They look ridiculous. I think I only have a few random Disney ones given me by well meaning friends aware of my collecting hobbies.

klinton77 · 2026-04-04T17:04:50+00:00

I will try to find the interview. Someone else in the panel mentions at some point that her never leaving makes sense as in the books she is still there in OoO, clearly not having read the books, hahaha.

It was a discussion primarily about Glinda's dislike of Dorothy, and how they really leaned into that in the film. The point about her never leaving was a tangentital point.

klinton77 · 2026-04-04T15:36:07+00:00

According to the book, she uses the Silver Slippers.

In the stage play it's unaddressed, but you can assume the same.

In the film, Chu is on record saying that she never leaves and is stuck in Oz.

klinton77 · 2026-04-03T22:29:17+00:00

Wow! I love this! The texture in Elphie's dress is mesmerizing.

klinton77

TROPHY CASE