Top 10 Things We Notice in The Wizard of Oz After Watching Wicked

Let’s address the flying monkey in the room: yes, we know “Wicked” doesn’t perfectly align with L. Frank Baum’s world, but hear us out. The lion cub—terrified and seemingly incapable of human speech, first appears in a history class on cages. Elphaba and Fiyero free him, but what happens next? All we know is that he grows into that Lion. With Animals losing their human-like traits, how did he even learn to talk? Is there a hidden Animal refuge in Oz? If so, wouldn’t that be where his cowardice came from? And honestly, it’s a bit presumptuous to assume that without Elphie, he would have even had a chance to “fight his own battles” at all!

The central love story of “Wicked” is the one between Elphaba and G(a)linda. They go from enemies to besties, and as we leave them in Part One, they’ve just said their tearful farewells. Sadly, their next meeting isn’t so friendly, but it does fall into “The Wizard of Oz” timeline. Is it just us, or is it hard not to look for subtext in their interactions? Suddenly we’re not just seeing two sworn enemies, but two people who definitely have a history. Within “Wicked’s” context, both have their reasons for being furious, one of which is addressed in this scene. Knowing what’s to come definitely makes us watch it all differently.

Hands up—who else was absolutely terrified of those flying monkeys as a kid? It’s practically a childhood rite of passage. Since they are the Wicked Witch’s minions, we really couldn’t see anything other than the winged beasts that haunted our nightmare. But “Wicked” gives us an origin story for how these primates got their wings, and it’s heartbreaking. Spoiler time: The Wizard manipulates Elphaba into casting the spell, turning them into flying spies to help oppress the Animals. So yeah, still terrifying—but now tragic, too. If their “Wizard of Oz” appearance terrifies you, just wait. We may never stop fearing them, but at least our terror now comes with a side of sympathy.

In Baum’s book, the Emerald City is just a green-tinted illusion—a detail the 1939 movie mostly skips. Though, it might explain why the same guy plays the gatekeeper, guard, cabbie, and Wizard in the “Merry land of Oz.” As “Wicked” makes clear, the Wizard is actually a pretty awful guy. Some have noted the film’s timeliness, but given Oz’s history, the parallels aren’t exactly shocking. Anyway, toward the movie’s end, the Wizard offers to escort Dorothy home himself. A selfless, heroic act? Maybe not. Spoiler incoming: Following some dramatic events, Glinda banishes him from Oz. So, Dorothy’s departure conveniently lets him leave with his reputation intact—at least in the eyes of his devotees. Not that he ends up helping her, either!

The movie’s creative teams watched the stage version of “Dancing Through Life” and said, okay, now watch this! It’s a spectacular showstopper with so much to take in! One thing we think we noticed is some choreography that seems to be inspired by the Scarecrow’s moves in “If I Only Had a Brain.” Nothing to read into there. Also, when the full ensemble dances together, it’s almost giving hints of the deleted “Jitterbug” number from the 1939 film. Hey, if they weren’t using it, why not? Elsewhere, you’ll notice characters tend to have a little skip in their step that feels as if they’re follow follow following in the path of their cinematic predecessor.

Not to get too deep, but after watching “Wicked,” it’s hard not to see the 1939 film as the propaganda version of events, while “Wicked” reveals the truth. Take the tornado, for instance. Isn’t it suspiciously convenient that it struck Oz at just the right time, dropping a house squarely on the Wicked Witch of the East? As “Wicked” reveals, this was no random act of nature. With that in mind, if someone could conjure a deadly tornado, couldn’t they also whip up, say, a catastrophic drought? Now, who in Oz might have a talent for manipulating the weather? Perhaps someone who supports the oppression of Animals? Hmm. It’s like the Wizard himself says:

While watching “Wicked,” did you find yourself thinking, “Where have I heard this before?” Then you re-watched to “The Wizard of Oz,” and suddenly, it all clicked! Yes, that was a nod to “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” just before “No One Mourns the Wicked.” And, yeah! Those were subtle hints of “Optimistic Voices” we could hear in “One Short Day.” Oh, and while listening to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” did you suddenly find yourself singing, “Can’t I make you understand you’re having delusions of grandeur” instead? “Wicked” borrows plenty from “The Wizard of Oz” score, but perhaps the most iconic is the “Unlimited theme,” which uses the same first seven notes as “Over the Rainbow”—just with a few Schwartz-ian twists.

When we first watched “The Wizard of Oz,” we accepted Glinda as the “Good Witch”—she’s beautiful, after all, right? But now, we can’t help but see someone who, like her “Wicked” counterpart, hasn’t fully earned the title. For starters, she seems to enjoy the Munchkins’ celebration a bit too much, especially given her personal connection to the deceased. And Glinda, Dorothy made an enemy of the Wicked Witch? No, hon, you did that when you handed over her sister’s shoes. Also, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road?” What, were the trains on strike? (Yes, we’re aware that’s a new addition) If Dorothy’s life was in danger—and it’s your fault—maybe skip the life lessons and just send her home.

Dorothy’s more... mature companions raised eyebrows long before “Wicked,” but now, with the musical’s backstories, we have even more questions—especially about the Scarecrow. Spoiler again: In Part Two, we learn Fiyero left Glinda for Elphaba, and later, she unintentionally turns him into a Scarecrow to save his life. So, why is he hanging out with the girl who’s wearing his girlfriend’s late sister’s shoes and who’s tasked with stealing her transportation? Maybe he really is brainless if he’s getting cozy with those who want her dead or with the guy who forced his beloved to live as an outlaw. This has to be part of a bigger plan, right? Because, as it stands, it makes zero sense!

Back in the day, good and evil were seen as black and white, but “Wicked” challenges that. We can’t be the only ones who find ourselves siding with the Witch in this scene. Wouldn’t you be mad? We sure would! We might not have gone full Wicked Witch on anyone, but we get her frustration! Also, have you listened to her as she melts? It’s so dramatic, almost like she’s just doing it for show. It would also explain why someone with an aversion to water would leave a bucket full lying around. With our newfound empathy for her, we like to think she found a fresh start somewhere, maybe with a certain Scarecrow in tow.

Is there anything else that struck you about “The Wizard of Oz” after watching “Wicked” Follow, follow, follow, follow, on down to the comments and let us know!