What Happens to Elphaba & Glinda?

Fans of Wicked are curious to know about its ending. Many are wondering what happened to Glinda and Elphaba at the end of Part One. It also explains why Elphaba refused the wizard‘s offer. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this is the first film of a planned duology. The story explores the unlikely friendship between outcast Elphaba and popular aristocrat Glinda (Galinda).

So, here’s Wicked’s ending explained.

What happens to Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked’s ending, explained

Wicked’s ending sees Elphaba and Glinda rendezvous with each other and hide from pursuing guards. Elphaba had escaped from Emerald City. This was after she learned the truth about the Wizard of Oz and Madame Morrible being responsible for Oz’s animals losing their civil rights and suffering immensely.

Elphaba attempts to convince Glinda to flee with her after she learns to enchant a broom and use it to fly. Meanwhile, Madame Morrible ruins Elphaba’s reputation at Oz. Morrible claims that Elphaba is a wicked witch, who is plotting to kill the wizard and bring harm to the city.

Later, after Oz’s hot air balloon is destroyed, the guards arrive and corner them. However, they only apprehend Glinda, after Elphaba manages to escape by enchanting her broom and heading west.

Elphaba then sings “Defying Gravity.” Here, she promises to stop the Wizard of Oz’s cruelty towards animals. Morrible releases Glinda and makes her the public figure poised to stand against Elphaba.

Why did Elphaba refuse the wizard’s offer in Wicked?

Elphaba refused the Wizard of Oz’s offer to join him in Wicked’s ending because her admiration and respect for him dissipated. This was after she learned his true fraudulent and nefarious nature, and that he had no powers.

She also learned that he was responsible for Oz’s animal’s suffering. As such, her strong sense of justice and empathy for the animals, who were deemed “outcasts” like her, also played into her decision to reject the Wizard’s offer.

Wicked is currently playing in theaters. Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage make up the principal cast.