Who is the REAL Wicked Witch?

[@jessicaoutofthecloset]

Go to surfshark.com/jessica for 4 extra months of Surfshark at an unbeatable price!

[@josiee1120]

It’s so important to point out that the little girl who plays little Nessarose, Cesily Collette Taylor is also a wheelchair user in real life! So this movie had two actually disabled people playing Nessarose which is huge!

[@Eloraurora]

Oh, that's cool!

[@singingsiren82]

The baffling thing about Wicked right now is how people have been calling it good because it lacks politics and isn't "woke" despite the story line being a person of color goes to school, gets discriminated, gets a questionable ally that doesn't stand by her when she goes against the grain, and is fighting the discrimination of a marginalized group. The book, and play, is a political FU to the conservatives and its been right over their head.

[@CosmicSnails]

Not only that but the wicked witch herself has been political since her debut in the movie at least for the harmful Jewish stereotypes and stuff associated with her

[@jennifers5560]

I don’t know how you can watch the movie and not think it has a political message!

[@takakhan-z3w]

I feel like I've watched other video essays here on YT that have talked about how conservatives generally have really poor media literacy skills, and I suppose Wicked is just further proving that point.

[@oliviastratton2169]

I mean, when most conservatives say "woke" they mean preachy. Movies that are the progressive version of PureFlix. Not just any movie that could have a progressive interpretation.

[@takakhan-z3w]

@@oliviastratton2169 Sure, I get that. I don't mind if someone chooses to watch a movie solely for the entertainment factor. It's when they try to say that a piece of entertainment isn't political simply because they don't recognize the message that I feel like they're being ignorant.

[@ferenczliszt]

The film is DEEPLY sapphic, and I can't express just how much Ariana Grande (who I feel bad about doubting before seeing it) understands Glinda and leaned into her repressed queerness. It really really shows on screen, and in the music. We were FED by this movie, and I can't wait to be emotionally devastated by Part 2 (which I cautiously hope might have yet more sapphic vibes).

[@KristenK78]

1) I’m sure Jessica knows this, being British, but: everything about Anne Boleyn being a witch actually dates from the reign of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. People didn’t like a strong woman who refused to marry being in charge *shock*. They accused Elizabeth of being a man, and then went on to start slandering her mother as a way to prove that something must be wrong with the daughter. (Anne was also never terribly popular as Queen in the first place, but to quote another musical: “but that’s another story, nevermind, anyway…”) 2) Highly recommend the book “Witches, Midwives, and Nurses” for more on how strong women with “forbidden” medical knowledge had their positions in society downgraded over the centuries. It is a bit dated in some respects, first published in 1973, but it is still quite cohesive in outlining how women went from being the possessors of medical knowledge, to only being respected as the male-educated assistant to men educated in exclusively male educational institutions.

[@FOJO27]

The more things (seem to) change, the more they stay the same... 🙄

[@katdeasyy]

that's true but people did call anne a witch after her execution, it wasn't really separated from the accusations of adultery and incest it was all sort of rolled into one

[@Melissandrel]

I'm stealing the misogyny jazz hands as I work in the space industry, they'll come in super handy :D

[@Melissandrel]

Plus the video is amazing as always Jessica :)

[@Aa-st6ml]

Hah I too worked in the space industry until recently! Wishing you luck as misogyny is part of why I left aerospace (wield those misogyny jazz hands!)

[@hkol0730]

Was the pun intended?

[@HelenHenninger]

I worked in that industry too briefly. Misogyny jazz hands all round

[@jemportal4166]

You go girl! 💪

[@trinaq]

As a fan of the stage show, I was worried that the film wouldn't live up to the hype, but it certainly did. I loved that they kept all of the original songs, without adding any new additions, and the casting was sublime across the board.

[@Dollssarawithoutanh12]

Yes, it was great!

[@Llotel972]

I don't see a problem with adding a couple new songs, sometimes it can work well, "you are still holding my hand" from Matilda the musical is a great example.

[@houselemuellan8756]

Ariana and Kristin had been really outspoken about Glinda being gay, and both of them has so much gay energy for their respective Elphaba actors irl, so the movie still not having the gay kiss is insane to me

[@mariahjanes8668]

They say in Wicked like 'Why do you keep harping on the past? Just teach us history.' I love how well researched this is. Also, I'm with you SUPPORT FOR MARISSA/NESSA. I agree, people should pay more attention when watching this movie.

[@KerbalFacile]

That Elphaba started out as intersex instead of green in the original material just makes me happy :) And I loved the movie.

[@KristenK78]

Note: Jessica was talking about Wicked (the book) when discussing Elphaba’s possibly being intersex. Baum’s book doesn’t discuss the witch’s birth, and in fact, she doesn’t have a name at all. “Elphaba” was a name Maguire made up from Baum’s initials: L F B.

[@annataymond9529]

She’s still green

[@kwowka]

In the original wizard of oz, she’s also disabled! She only has one eye

[@ilexdiapason]

​@@annataymond9529yeah, the intersex-ness as depicted in maguire's book comes after the green-ness in the original movie with judy garland, comes after the baum books where the witch is neither of those things

[@LionGrl3212]

Im so glad princess Ozma was mentioned Many people dont know about her (despite her character being in almost all of the books) Because most people only know the first book which she was not in.

[@jennifers5560]

I have not heard of Matilda Joslyn Gage before, but I will be seeking her out now! This is exactly why I love Jessica’s videos, so many of them leave me thinking “Why have I not heard of this before?” I am always thankful to learn something, especially when it is something that I feel I should have already known.

[@ThePurityControl]

IDK if this is something that you might be interested in doing a video on, but this year there was a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that was cancelled by Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre because it contained references to contempory political issues including trans rights and free palestine. Theatre sat emptly for entire run rather than let it go ahead.

[@DawnDavidson]

😮

[@timferguson2682]

Wicked Part 1 certainly passes the Bechdel Test.

[@ClipsByLaura]

It CRUSHES the Bechdel test. There are no conversations between men, unless you want to count the short flirty exchange between Fiyero and Phanne or Fiyero and Boq introducing themselves to each other. But that's it 😂😂😂

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

Here goes Jessica again, educating us about the erased heroes of our world!

[@Starryquill]

I am actually related to Matilda Gage via her daughter Maud, it was lovely hearing someone talk about her so passionately! What a lovely and unexpected surprise on my feed today. I have also been to her house. Susan B. Anthony actually scribled her signature into one of the glass panels of the window and it was still there when my mother and I went there.

[@Bel_catlover]

I remember watching the musical when it hit theaters in my country and going online the next day to defend Elphaba with all my might 😂 Cynthia and Ariana did a great job in the movie, they have great chemistry

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

So basically Oz Lore is feminism all the way down.

[@BirdiNerdi1225]

I'm so happy Matilda Joslyn Gage has been getting so much press lately! I live very close to wear she lived and have visited her house and gravesite ^_^

[@AludraEltaninAltair]

I had never heard of Gage. This video was phenomenol. The writing, delivery, and editing offer a compelling narrative. My brain feels like it is physically effervescing. I plan to share widely!!!

[@ClaireCaoimheRaeMoonshadow]

I named my motorized wheelchair “Matilda” after the magical child, but I think Gage definitely fits better.

[@laramaaike3050]

I named my cane Michael Caine. Now I use crutches and called them Strimpy and Strumpy, but I don't think I like those names, it was just something I said outloud before thinking.

[@Princesslov27]

There are so many times I wish I had a love button or the ability to like multiple times, and this is one of them. Thank you for the new knowledge.

[@HeyItsCettefille]

Without spoilers, they change how Nessa is treated in regards to her wheelchair in the movie in what feels like an encouraging way!

[@meliskoolies]

Loathing is honestly the most sapphic song iv ever heard, both me and my friend watched for the first time seperately and we both went "they love each other right? They end up together"

[@sheHerTheyThem]

Nonbinary American person here, who is married to a Canadian, life feels very... Flying monkey here and your content is a much needed respite, because trust me, some of us here are very aware, we are now going backwards in time. 💔. Stay strong my friends, don't let the 🎃💩 take our light. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[@karinbaird2499]

Yes😁❤️ My daughter born 1984 has Matilda as her middle name after Matilda Joselyn Gage.

[@fighttheevilrobots3417]

Happy 40th to her! ❤

[@karinbaird2499]

@ ❤️❤️❤️

[@jennifers5560]

Nice!

[@missnaomi613]

Awesome!

[@clb6337]

I grew up in Fayetteville ny, where Matilda Joslyn gave lived and near where l frank baum lived! Thanks for mentioning her!

[@Janal_Hoe]

Finishing this educational essay in one sitting feels so rewarding xD Also, I'm actually starting to sense Glinda as an early Elle Woods icon! In the later parts you mentioned her as "an all powerful witch" in the city of Oz, who also happened to present herself in a distinct hyperfemme way; she's showered in pink, a colour traditionally associated with girls and women alike (well blue in the musical but hey, it was still considered one in the older days), as well as poofy dresses of tulle and glitter and her bubbly, campy diva personality. My point is, they have never once downplayed her femininity as a weakness or imply you can't embrace it to be strong when you can be both! This also solidifies my admiration for L.S.B writing the books AND ma'am Matilda Cage for being a pivotal pioneer in the feminist movement

[@bethstovell8608]

Thanks so much for this video. I got here because of Wicked and was so thankful to learn about Matilda Gage!

[@tommcdonald1873]

Flying Monkey. We have a restaurant-concert venue in Plymouth, NH with that name. I'm now convinced the real anti-hero is Glinda. In the end of The Wizard of OZ, she controls OZ by getting her fellow witches killed by Dorothy Gale and OZ leaves. But Glinda gets past the schemes of the Wizard and fights misogyny and her competition. But there was something special between her and Elphaba.

[@nicholetteniekerk6743]

While I hadn’t heard about Matilda I had heard about the women protesting the statue of liberty. They actually tell you about and there is a sign at liberty island. I’m glad to know who one of those women were.

[@Dollssarawithoutanh12]

I watched the movie, the casting was great, I loved the costumes, and of course, the singing! Can’t wait for part II

[@OfficialCrystalSings]

This is local history for me! But I’m still learning a lot from your video. Thank you for elaborating on Gage’s life and activism. People need to know more about her! Thank you so much for this video! (I also love Wicked and it makes the stories so much better to know that a feminist was an inspiration for the original books.)

[@Sophie_Cleverly]

I heard about The Matilda Effect about a week ago because it's a children's book and then my husband mentioned it separately and now I'm getting the Baader-Meinhof Effect about The Matilda Effect 😂

[@jennifers5560]

Merch!!!!!!! Can wait to check everything out!

[@SewlockHolmes]

Omg I'm going to see this today! Bookmarking this so I can watch it tonight!

[@r2Gt06]

Omg, the t-shirts are amazing!! Love them!

[@norikadolmy7274]

I had to Google it, but while Ariana is not openly bisexual, she has hinted that she is and defied labelling herself as such. Maybe she understands how Glinda feels being closeted

[@jamielashell]

I never knew about Matilda! Thank you! Keep shining ❤

[@samanthafigueroa8462]

I’ve wanted to know more about L. Frank Baum! I wondered many times over the years how purposeful Ozma and her transformation from boy to girl was on his part!

[@amyhull754]

This was a delight. I love the you-in-different-outfits. I have NO idea how you synched the sound, though! YAY, awesome editor!

[@sutarikun]

I think an important way to look at the musical is that we're experiencing it through Glinda's retelling, or her slightly more idealized or cleaned-up version of how things happened, to make Elphaba more popular. Even the change of the ending makes more sense if you think of it as being a continued part of Glinda's story, which we know happens from the whole framing device.

[@MouseWhite5]

During Jessica's remarks about the "Matilda" effect, I kept thinking about the women profiled in the movie "Hidden Figures", the strong black women who were so instrumental in the early U.S. space program. (P.S. As soon as Jessica told us about the new line of merch, I went to the site and ordered a T-shirt with the Carnation.)

[@pikmin4743]

first time hearing of Mathilda Joslyn Gage, thank you

[@michaelcaywood6070]

Season Greetings from USA 🇺🇸.

[@ReeniEspino]

i really need to get this from the library. Maybe the original other books too.

[@Casey-ip7ug]

When you were talking about the Matilda Effect I was reminded of the Conway Effect, something I saw on PBS Orgins.

[@mediamom27]

Thank you for filling in this lore. It enriches the enjoyment of the movie knowing who Elphaba was based on. It's also good to hear of unsung heroes of equal rights.

[@DonnaLang42rockglobally]

I'd never heard of Matilda Joslyn Gage before, but I like the information you've presented in this video and am interested in learning more about this forward thinking woman. I might just have found a new role model. Thank you!

[@redbeard3498]

My suggestion for historical queer erasure (besides "they were roommates") would be Leonardo for how frequently Leonardo DaVinci's sexuality is erased, including that recentish TV series.

[@elisakrivas]

I will always ship Glinda x Elphaba x Fiyero, all three together ❤️

[@aceArwen20]

I hate how many people hate on Nessa because of her disability! She deserves so much more!!

[@michaelnewton5873]

You mentioned intersex, have discovered the Australian intersex singer Blume? She is on KZbin. Her band is Mystic Tea Party there on Spotify.

[@evadedenbach1226]

Elphaba is the first three initials of L. Frank Baum.

[@litschisaftkind3925]

I love you so much, Jessica. I send you all my love. On a day, in a phase, where my mental health is as bad as ever, your video and your positive, sweet nature make me smile and feel good for just a bit, nerding about "Wicked",hearing about how queer it actually was supposed to be. It makes me so happy. Thank you, really.

[@cashewthecashew2713]

Could it be?? My favorite KZbin talking about my favorite book and musical? also congrats on the pregnancy!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Thank you for all your hard work (in making these videos) . I appreciate your sharing💚

[@kzisnbkosplay3346]

I grew up with a TV film called "The Dreamer of Oz". It's about how Baum came up with his stories. It's a fictionalized version, but it's still interesting

[@JS_1625]

(explains the Matilda Effect) "ask me why my dog is called Matilda" "I didn't know you had a dog"

[@jennifers5560]

They have two! 😄

[@amanda_marie_143]

Sally Roesch Wagner (cited at 18:30) was my professor for a course titled "Women's Rights: A Native American Tradition." Her work is positively inspiring, and as soon as you mentioned Matilda Joslyn Gage I was hoping some of Sally's work might come through, she's a powerhouse and her work significantly reshaped my world view. Last I knew Sally was working to help restore Gage's house in New York as a historical site. Incredibly neat to hear Sally, Gage, and her connection with the Haudenosaunee (a quick tip that the "s" is pronounced as a "sh" -- kind of sounds like "hoe - den - oh - show - nee") mentioned here. I highly recommend checking out Sally's work and books, Sisters in Spirit is a lovely and relatively short one :)

[@eireannbullimore7763]

I did feel like there was an awful lot of politics missing when I watched the play 😅. Thanks for filling that in, it was juicer than I thought.

[@fikanera838]

I live in Czechia, originally from Australia, & haven't heard of Matilda Joselyn Gage, but I'm initerested to do some research into her now. I have read a biography of L. Frank Baum, so should revisit it to see what I missed first time round!

[@Justagirl4747]

I am an American women's history lover have put countless hours of research into my hyper fixation and had never heard of her. O.M.G.

[@ElicBehexan]

I have watched Wicked. I listened to the book on audio. I have ALL of the L. Frank Baum books (and wrote a small fiction based in Oz.) I didn't know Gage's name, but I did know that Baum's mother-in-law and wife both encouraged him to write the stories he told his children. Do I think Baum is a great writer? No. But I do think he created a wonderful place and I, while I hate what I call 'travelogs,' it doesn't mean I hate the Oz books. Oh, and I wrote the Oz story back in the 1990s.

[@sallyjordan4869]

Another splendid, informative, and entertaining video, Jessica! Thank you! And no, I had not heard of Gage, and I’ve heard of several feminists from her time period. 🎀💖🎀

[@CamronRedinger]

If you make jokes about disability or mental illness etc, then no matter who you are, they will rise above you just by sitting up struaghter. Love to everyone ᰔ

[@oli_kate]

I hadn't heard of Matilda Joslyn Gage! It's cool to know about some intersectional suffragettes

[@taylor3950]

Yeah, lovely to see how ahead of her time she was

[@lanceanderson8318]

Little Boy: Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Endora: Comme ci comme ca.

[@ariadnekesti4969]

30:06 omg me too! the sensory issues hit hard 😭

[@lizzyolsen9326]

Very interesting and definitely not against a lesbian glinda and elphaba. I am already attached to them as friends though since I've only seen the musical. As an aroace person, I do think showing intense platonic relationships is also important (not just for aces), and perpetuation of the idea that intense relationships can ONLY be sexual/romantic makes me cringe. Fairly sure this was not intentional and I understand being excited for the sorely lacking lesbiam rep, but aces and aros are often completely forgotten so wanted to mention.

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

I love Ozma. I have a beautiful illustration of her from a calendar that I'd like to get framed some day.

[@mkcatrona]

If anyone is in the Syracuse, NY area, I recommend visiting the Malinda Joslyn Gage Museum.

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

I had heard of her, as a matter of fact. I would point out that TWO of the Witchs in Oz are good, and the first one we meet is a sweet little old lady, the Good Witch of the North (as opposed to Glinda who is the Witch of the South).

[@KittySapphire8989]

Mrs. Gege sounds really cool. I'm sadden that I never heard about her before. But thank you for bring her to the forefront. We should be inspired by her instead. Also, I've seen Wicked before, read the book, seen parts of the play and now watched the movie. Which I grew up when I was in my high school years. I'm becoming more and more hopefully with stories like this and starting to love Oz a lot more. But my home is still Wonderland. Thanks for the info. ^^

[@madimoe8331]

I want to get the out of the closet t-shirt to come out to my family. But I'm scared. My mom says it's just a phase.

[@jennifers5560]

❤

[@catherinem276]

If you're up for another movie to discuss with the lens of lgtbq+ rights and representation, I highly recommend Nimona It'd work really nicely as a companion video to both this one and your recent one discussing Disney's relationship with depicting gay and queer characters In addition to all that, it's a damn good film

[@PsychGal1980]

I’m not sure if I missed it, but is there a size chart for the garments on your new sit?

[@kwowka]

I really think you’d like the book ‘notorious strumpets and dangerous girls’. It follows the convict women held on lutruwita (Tasmania) in the earth 1800s, particularly those associated with the organisation ‘the flash mob’, a group that ran the female factory and was known for dressing ‘flash’, with bright handkerchiefs and shaved heads. There are many records of them cross dressing and having relationships with other women. I think the book also touches on non-white convicts? Not much, it’s been thoroughly erased, but there was a large population of Sri Lankan women brought as convicts, which has been conveniently erased.

[@chunklars5004]

Ok Misogyny Jazz Hands is my new band name 😂

[@rodentary]

This movie terrified me to the point of a panic attack and i dont mean that lightly. The messages terrify me. I hope act 2 is better

[@alliecat6281]

I hadn't heard of her

[@lyndanickerson1373]

Thank you

[@denisekegler2425]

Fantastic video!! I would recommend looking up Lucy Stone - she is another 19th century, American feminist who has been forgotten!

[@adem6371]

Amazing video!! 👏👏👏 I also find long nails an ick.

[@MamzelleRylo]

Of course I had never heard of her before… But that was a really great segment on witches and suffrage movements, I’m almost sad it’s paired in a “Wicked” video, I wish it could’ve stand alone (my feminist friends are not into musicals, I doubt I can convince them to watch this, even if I guarantee them they would enjoy…) Thank you for the wisdom sharing ❤ and congrats on the babieS!

[@GaasubaMeskhenet]

Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore~ 27:42

[@rianna850]

I feel like this needed a spoiler alert 😭😭

[@twiggledowntown3564]

Man I still gotta read all the books!!

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

You might like the book Waking the Witch: Womrn, Magic and Back power by Pam Grossman

[@LunaIsATuna]

15:52 ive discovered this is the exact halfway point cause why not why shouldn't i figure that out

[@andr0medaz]

me, a wicked book/musical/now movie fan and queer+feminist history enjoyer when this video popped up in my subscribe box: 🤯🤯🤯

[@rkeefer]

I loved everything about the movie, EXCEPT; why did they have to break the final song into weird pieces? (Also, they could have told us it was part one beforehand, right?)

[@BritishCatLord]

As much as I understand your perspective, I wand Elphaba and Glinda to just be friends. It’s something TV lacks these days. Friendship. Especially friendship between girls and friendship between a male and a female. Even Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande said it. The movie is about friendship.

[@jessicarousseau6001]

I read "The Wizard of Oz" in elementary school, and it was my first 'the book was better' moments in my life. The journey in the book gose through these other lands that i thought were more interesting then the what seems like a day or 2 stroll down the yellow brick road in the film. I should re-read the books becouse I know he wrote in so much political subtext that went right over my 9yo head. I do think I have read about Matilda Gage before in passing and I have read accounts that S.B. Anthony was "problematic" to say the least. Look forward to leaning more about Matilda.

[@prismpulseio]

Informative

[@josiewagner8631]

It’s creepy how much older media is combining. I am picturing a wizard still handing out special privileges from his magical bag over there…. Please pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! The guy in the balloon when people are cheering because he doesn’t know how to work a hot air balloon. He is truly the one with out courage, with out a heart and without a brain; but he doesn’t need his own home, because he will crash land in the next small town and be leader there too for a while and he’ll try and hire your daughter to run off to kill his enemies. Or just the woman trying to blow the whistle on how small his power actually is.

[@Sophie-pi4ov]

I really would like to order something from your merch, but unfortunately there are no exact measurements from the t-shirts and so I'm really unsure if it's the right size. Is it possible that you add these details? 😊

[@emperort_]

TEA ☕️

[@danielsykes7558]

I bought this last night :))

[@mariannakaridis4190]

With the merch, is there a size guide somewhere? I couldn't find one when I went to look at the apparel.