The ending of "Wicked: For Good," the second installment of the "Wicked" film saga, adapts Act 2 of the Broadway musical, offering a bittersweet resolution to Elphaba's story. While largely sticking to the musical's trajectory, the film enriches the ending with a few significant additions.
In "Wicked: For Good," Dorothy's arrival in Oz sets the stage for the climax. Summoned by Madame Morrible, the infamous tornado transports Dorothy's house from Kansas, tragically crushing Nessarose, Elphaba's sister. As in the original "Wizard of Oz" story, Dorothy claims Nessarose's magical slippers, prompting Elphaba to pursue her, leading to the iconic moment where Dorothy throws a bucket of water on Elphaba.
However, in a twist that aligns with the musical, Elphaba doesn't actually die. The "melting" is a carefully orchestrated ruse designed to deceive the Wizard and the citizens of Oz. Elphaba, having anticipated this moment, fills a bucket with water beforehand and uses the opportunity to fake her death, slipping through a secret trapdoor in Kiamo Ko castle, a passage previously shown to her by Fiyero.
After the coast is clear, Fiyero, who has been transformed into the Scarecrow to protect him from the Wizard's guards, arrives to rescue Elphaba. Elphaba had cast a spell to protect Fiyero from torture, inadvertently turning him into the Scarecrow. Together, they escape Oz, seeking a new life in the "place beyond Oz," a mysterious and undefined location.
Meanwhile, back in Oz, Glinda witnesses Elphaba's apparent demise and takes on the mantle of Glinda the Good. She confronts the Wizard, exposes him as Elphaba's real father, and orchestrates his departure from Oz in a hot air balloon. Madame Morrible is imprisoned for her crimes, including her role in Nessarose's death and her collaboration with the Wizard. Glinda steps into a position of power, promising to bring positive change to Oz and uphold her "Glinda the Good" title. She vows to honor Elphaba's legacy and allows persecuted Animals to return to their homes.
In the film's final moments, as Elphaba and Fiyero leave Oz, Elphaba connects with Glinda. Glinda discovers that she can now use the Grimmerie, implying that she is coming into her own magic.
This ending diverges significantly from Gregory Maguire's novel, where Dorothy unintentionally kills Elphaba, and there is no escape with Fiyero. The novel concludes with political chaos engulfing Oz after the Wizard's departure.
"Wicked: For Good" concludes with Elphaba and Glinda's emotional journeys reaching a satisfying resolution. Elphaba's decision to fake her death stems from the realization that Oz will never truly accept her, and that Glinda can bring about change more effectively. Glinda, in turn, embraces her role as a force for good, working to create a better future for all Ozians. The ending underscores the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the complex nature of good and evil that have resonated with audiences throughout the "Wicked" saga.
