The Ongoing Wicked Discussion Thread

And then some. It’s nice that people are talking about it though isn’t it… 🙂

Agree. I think it's nice that people can choose to interpret a show however they like. It doesn't matter if it's true or not, everyone has their own agendas to push and that is what makes life interesting.

I personally interpret Legally Blonde to be a scathing and searing indictment of the legal system, delivered with post-modern panache. Elle (who is gay) is actually in love with a tree. It's all there in the subtext.

Ah yes, because someone reading queer subtext into something should *definitely* be referred to as 'pushing an agenda', like it's the early 2000s and this is a far right religious group??? No one is pushing an agenda, they're just seeing different meaning in a piece of theatre because of the experiences they've had. That is how consuming and enjoying media works.

It's also worth noting that the interpretation of Wicked of having queer subtext is something the show does seem to be aware of. E.g:

Considering it's based off a piece of media renowned for being read for its queer subtext, it would be odd for them not to be aware.

One can, however, think someone's interpretation is implausible without belittling it using language typically used by people seeking to vilify the queer community.

And yes, while supporting Pride is not unique to Wicked, their choice to depict their two female leads together in rainbow face paint at a pride parade feels slightly different than posting a rainbow flag and calling it a day (as many/most other shows do). They're certainly aware that some people see queer themes in the show. You don't have to see those themes yourself, but many people do and that's far from outlandish. No one is saying Elphaba and Glinda *are* canonically gay in the show, only that there is queer subtext. Personally I'd love them to have written it with queer female leads. I can count the shows that have lesbian characters on one hand.

You're entitled to your opinion. That does not make the opinion of others wrong. I've seen Wicked just as many times, and I can see the subtext throughout. Isn't it nice that we can appreciate the same show in different ways without trying to mock people on the internet for having a different but equally valid opinion!

I’m surprised that anyone who’s read the book wouldn’t think there was queer subtext between the two main characters. Especially since virtually every character is queer in one way or another.

I think the notion of subtext being underlying may have slightly passed you by. You don't need to manipulate the story to see queer subtext in it. Many people do. You do not. That is fine. Those who do are allowed to watch and enjoy the show and form their own thoughts all the same.

It is truly baffling that so many people cannot comprehend that not everyone watches a show with the same frame of mind they do.

The books were such hard going I am surprised anyone managed to read very much at all into them.

I too am gay and have seen Wicked many times, never have a see a gay connection to the lead characters. It just seems a friendship to me.

Forgive me if I take men, gay or otherwise, telling me they don't see lesbian subtext with a pinch of salt. Unfortunately I don't have the time, nor the inclination to write you a thesis on the queer subtext of Wicked - although it would be a great subject. To me it's quite clear and I wouldn't want to condescend to you by pointing out what I feel is rather obvious subtext in Elphaba's narrative, in the manipulation of different literary tropes, the staging of different numbers, etc. You may not see it, but I am far from the only one who does - I think someone posted you a whole video a couple of pages back. Perhaps give that a watch if you're in search of examples (although I haven't seen it so I can't make any promises of its quality). Once again: people take different things from the same show. That is a good thing. The original Wizard of Oz film became a cultural touchstone for many queer people, but to most people who watch it, nothing like that comes across. Different experiences inform different readings( or, in this case, 'watchings'). No one is saying Elphaba and Glinda *are* queer, no one is saying that Elphaba and Glinda are *intended* to be queer (although the show has leaned into the notion on more than one occasion, probably because they know it'll get engagement on social media). People are only saying there is the potential to read queer subtext into their story, which hurts no one and is not a view point that can possibly be wrong because it's an opinion, so I'm really not sure why anyone feels the need to be defensive of not even hypothetically queering the show.

Really not sure how it could be taken in either way. Considering we're having a discussion about female same-sex attraction subtext, those most predisposed to see potential for the reading of the work as queer in this way are likely to be gay women.