Wicked: For Good

The sequel to the retelling of L. Frank Baum's timeless classic, 'Wicked: For Good' picks up precisely where its predecessor had left off - with the dynamics between its titular characters at a breaking point. Elphaba, the complex and fiercely emotional witch, has been forced to confront not only the machinations of the manipulative Wizard of Oz, but also the consequences of her own actions and how they've impacted those she cares about, most notably her former friend and confidant, Glinda. As the film progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the Wizard has been using all the might of his authority to turn public opinion firmly in his favor. The entire nation of Oz now sees Elphaba as a threat - a monster to be feared and abhorred, with no mercy shown to those labeled as 'wicked'. Feeling isolated, betrayed by Glinda, and disowned by society at large, Elphaba goes to increasingly desperate measures to achieve her ideals - more precisely to uproot the root cause of the problems faced by her people: oppression and enslavement. This brings her into direct conflict with Glinda - who is rising through the ranks to become Oz's next leading lady, courtesy of her unrelenting resourcefulness, unwavering composure, and her enchanting charm. Glinda believes that, to rise to power and rule like male leaders of Oz, she needs the social currency of being liked. In this dynamic, Elphaba becomes obsessed with stopping Glinda's ascent, fearing that their former connection, now transformed, could still have changed Glinda to an even greater extent, essentially, a monstrous version. Their disputes are even more likely to escalate due to their association with someone Glinda could be extremely trusting of; the small town of Munchkinland lies at the edge of the famous yellow brick road, at whose heart they frequently and at the end, walk. An unsuspecting, innocent girl from that place, also takes this chance in the whirlwind of an imminent 'mystical or supernatural wind, cyclone'. This, too, proves significant, further shattering whatever thread remained between Elphaba and Glinda. Dorothy Gale's unproclaimed addition, caught within this whirlwind with equally her bewildered, though different in character companions Scarecrow, Tin Man and the amiable Cowardly Lion, joins the heart and soul in Oz's conflicts, each trying for power, which has changed all their lives. Little does Elphaba or Glinda know that what develops is their entire struggle, altered by three innocuous people entering their extremely pivotal time. Both the protagonist and antagonist see with tragic fate through the prism of similar friends that their inescapable actions have now caused so much and even further divided their nation entirely, breaking any thread between them. This puts the girls face-to-face with catastrophic realizations that these outsiders are innocent people, looking to get into this whirlwind in search of shelter during which they must live with the heart-wrenching, painful, and bitter truth that their own ideal principles fueled an immense pain, chaos, and suffering for and to all - individuals caught in their battle for dominance over a very innocent pair. In their sorrow and disillusionment with society, they finally agree upon moving beyond. Their last public, almost forlorn spectacle of compassion starts the snowball effect, with many joining forces that they too could break the cycle by using their power for good, not just for Elphaba's beliefs, but to truly progress, evolve, reform society based on principles such as, true concern and respect for one another. However, before taking this unified stand, it all transpires in a powerful display of love for one another and courage, fueled through their introspection - this may ultimately define their true connection being long over. Given people, an unforgettable event helps set the record straight; a young outsider bearing harmless motives to her family finds herself in their central dispute, triggering a force that ultimately reconciles the conflicting causes and convictions of its two leading ladies. In that moment of mutual awakening and realization about their ongoing actions, as powerful an existential breakthrough for two powerful women would be nothing less than its heart and spirit. It brings home that once so close female friends know truly the magnitude of changes this power brings not only them but essentially Oz's entire lives, that finally break down societal barriers of power all previously driven only because an unfortunate individual came into contact with its catastrophic and powerful action when no damage was intended to them.