'Wicked: For Good': Satisfying finale to musical saga – minus Dorothy

If the first act of “Wicked” is about choices, the second act is about consequences. Just as Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) decides to become a rebel of Oz to fight for animal rights, Glinda (Ariana Grande) chooses to stay as part of her larger ambition, hoping she can one day clear Elphaba’s name.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

Adapting from the second act of the hit Broadway musical, “Wicked: For Good” takes place sometime after the leads have parted ways. Elphaba is now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, labeled a terrorist in Oz, and pitted against Glinda, who has essentially become Oz’s de facto princess and one of its warriors against her former friend.

While Glinda and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) are uneasy about the lies being told about their dear green friend (who, from the Ozians’ point of view, doesn’t even have a real name), Glinda still plays along, while Fiyero keeps his focus on reuniting with Elphaba — his true love.

Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), is now the governor of Munchkinland, furious at her sister for abandoning her when their father died, while keeping her one-sided partner, Boq (Ethan Slater), against his will.

Elphaba herself is caught in an internal conflict.

After a massive propaganda campaign against her from her former idols, the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), she begins to question her place in Oz and whether her fight for the animals is worth the personal cost.

All of these stem from the decisions Elphaba and Glinda made in the finale of the first act, and now we see how those choices affect them, the people around them, and the whole of Oz in this conclusion to the “Wicked” saga.

Compared to the upbeat optimism of the first act, the second act of the adaptation is darker and more cynical. This shift is reflected in characters who have noticeably matured in the way they think. As one significant event unfolds after another, each with its own price, the film seems to offer a message: someone must become a scapegoat for meaningful change to take place.

While both “Wicked” films will be remembered for their fun, catchy musical numbers, it’s difficult to separate them from the political subtext that makes up the whole story — especially in today’s climate.