John M. Chu’sWickedis only the first part of the beloved musical’s story, and there are several questions left unanswered by the time the credits roll. Much of the narrative’s most interesting twists and turns take place in the second part, but Chu’s movie does a commendable job of setting up these key moments with the first film’s conclusion. However,Wickedalready changed some storylines from the original book, and Nessarose’s (played by Marissa Bode) character arc seems to suggest that her fate inWicked: Part Twomay surprise even the most dedicated of fans.
Wickedis a prequel to 1939’sThe Wizard of Oz, which follows Dorothy as she’s brought into the magical world of Oz and forced to bring down the Wicked Witch of the West. There are manycharacters who appear in bothWickedandThe Wizard of Oz, with the musical retconning certain details of their journeys and allowing audiences to view their characters through new, more complex lenses.Nessarose is certainly one of these characters, and the ending ofWicked’s first part teases some major developments in her storyfor the next movie.
Nessarose Is Angry At Elphaba, Upset About Boq, & About To Inherit Munchkinland
Elphaba’s Sister Is On A Clear Path of Jealousy
The dynamic between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Nessarose inWickedis some of the film’s most intricate and engaging character work, and the movie’s explosive ending takes everything that’s been built between these sisters and brings it all crashing down. By deciding to take a stand against the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and his corrupt regime, Elphaba effectively seals her fate as the “villain” of Oz, with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) announcing to the students of Shiz University that their former classmate has become a “Wicked Witch.” None of this is true, butNessa seems to believe Morrible’s narrative.
Nessa is also poised to inherit their father’s rule of Munchkinland, where she will do nothing to counter lies about her sister or her image as the Wicked Witch.
Additionally, inWicked’s ending, Elphaba and Nessarose’s father (Andy Nyman) seemingly has a heart attack after hearing the news of his elder daughter’s apparent turn to the dark side. This becomes a major plot point in the second half of the Broadway musical, asNessa only upholds Morrible’s propaganda and blames her sister for their father’s death.Nessa is also poised to inherit their father’s rule of Munchkinland, where she will do nothing to counter lies about her sister or her image as the Wicked Witch. Their father’s death at the end ofWicked’s first part is the kindling of this rivalry.
Does Elphaba’s Sister Nessarose Have Magic Powers In Wicked Too?
After Elphaba becomes The Wicked Witch of the West at the end of Wicked: Part 1, questions arise about Nessarose’s possible magical abilities.
Additionally,Wicked’s ending seems to suggest thatNessarose is becoming aware that her relationship with Boq (Ethan Slater) is mostly superficial, as he’s more interested in Glinda’s (Ariana Grande-Butera). This causes even more stress for Nessa and makes her even more spiteful after becoming the new governor Boq’s home of Munchkinland. All of these factors contribute strongly to Nessa’s transition into the Wicked Witch of the East, neatlybridging the gap betweenWickedandThe Wizard of Oz, which is all subtly established in the ending sequence.
Boq Is Thinking About Glinda & Stuck With Nessarose
The Munchkinlander Is Stuck Between Love & Friendship
The love triangle between Glinda, Boq, and Nessarose plays a huge role in the second half of theWickedmusical,and the foundations for this conflict are put into motion at the end of the first film. When the announcement is made that Elphaba is now effectively an enemy of the state, Boq is likely more concerned about her and Glinda than her sister, the former whom he’s supposedly in love with. Nessa’s suspicions about their supposed romance arise when she notices Boq looking longingly at Glinda, which solidifies him as a manipulator and conniver.
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Boq isn’t interested in Nessarose at all but asks her out as a way to impress Glindaand steal her from Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). When Nessa realizes this in the musical’s second act, she lashes out against him and accidentally curses him; his life is only saved by Elphaba transforming him into the Tin Man fromThe Wizard of Oz. This is the moment that illustrates Nessa as a tyrant and a villain, butWicked’s ending shows that her jealousy isn’t unfounded and that Boq is also to blame for the explosive dissolution of their relationship.
Nessa’s reaction to Boq’s ignorance also speaks volumes to the envy that’s growing inside her.
Boq’s transformation into the Tin Manis a major plot twist inWicked’s second act, and it all comes about as a result of his inability to be happy with a woman who loves him for who he is. Instead, Boq constantly pines for Glinda and ignores the admiration of Nessarose. It’s a tragic dual character arc that’s summed up in only a few facial expressions inWicked’s ending. The last time he is seen in the movie, Boq is merely looking worried as Shiz erupts into chaos. Meanwhile, Nessa’s reaction to Boq’s ignorance also speaks volumes to the envy that’s growing inside her.
How This Sets Up Nessarose & Boq’s Story To Be Different In Wicked Part Two
There May Be Some Important Changes In Nessarose & Boq’s Arcs Coming
Although the seeds of Nessa and Boq’s original dynamic are still planted in John M. Chu’sWicked, the director also makes some important alterations to their characters that suggest their story may take a slightly different route in the second movie. One of the biggest problems with theWickedmusical story is thatit’s always implied that Nessa knew, perhaps only deep down, that Boq wasn’t truly in love with her— and that makes her impulsive actions in the second act slightly harder to believe.
However, in the movie, a genuine connection between the pair comes across, and Nessa seems to truly believe Boq cares about her. Nessa’s repeated delivery of “we deserve each other” is authentic, which may set up a darker path for her character, where she’s actually shocked by Boq’s feelings for Glinda and fully embraces tyranny over Munchkinland. This subtle change could be a huge improvement for Nessa’s character, making her actions more understandable as she’s overcome with a feeling of betrayal.
This shift could also be hugely important for Boq’s character, turning him from a cowardly manipulator into somebody who’s genuinely blinded by loveand doesn’t understand the pain he’s causing Nessa. Thechange to Boq’s character inWickedseems to suggest that he genuinely likes Nessarose as a friend, whereas in the Broadway production, he’s merely using her as a means to an end. This new dynamic could entirely improve their characters inWicked’s second part, making them both more relatable, as neither is acting out of spite nor malice, but a desire for love.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
