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“	Galinda! Um, I hope you'll save a dance for me tonight. I'll be right there, waiting... All night.	”
	— Boq[src]

Boq Woodsman is a supporting character in the film, Wicked. He is "an altruistic Munchkin student".^[1]

History

Let's dance

Boq Woodsman is a native of Munchkinland, who was accepted into Shiz University. At orientation, Boq was the only student whose parents did not attend with him, or even notice he had left home for that matter. Boq was immediately smitten by the popular and beautiful Galinda Upland, quickly introducing himself to her as she bid goodbye to her parents. Galinda however, finds Boq unimportant, and made her indifference for Boq quite clear when she continued to refer to him as "Biq" instead of his real name. Despite their rather misapprehensive meeting, Boq's infatuation for Galinda only grew stronger as their time at Shiz University continued, where Galinda would continue to thrive as the student's campus belle, while Boq remained the school's "Joe Schmoe", but remained as one of Galinda's admirers. Unlike the rest of Shiz University, Boq does not have a blind prejudice towards Elphaba Thropp for her green skin.

Later on, Boq meets and befriends Prince Fiyero Tigelaar of Winkie Country, a transfer student who quickly becomes the school's "hearthrob" for his charming and carefree personality, quickly earning him the admiration and infatuation of the students, including Galinda. Fiyero soon convinces the students, as well as Boq to join him and Galinda at the Ozdust Ballroom, after curfew. Boq hopes to attend with Galinda, but Galinda convinces Boq to take Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba's paraplegic sister, and fellow outcast of Shiz University. Once they arrive, Boq attempts to tell Nessarose the truth as to why he asked her, but upon seeing Galinda and Fiyero together, instead proclaims he thinks she is beautiful and dances with her, effectively pursuing a relationship with her, in the hopes it will impress Galinda. Boq and Nessa soon witness Elphaba arrive at the Ozdust Ballroom wearing a conical hat given to her by Galinda as a prank. Galinda and Elphaba soon partake in a dance until everyone else joins them, including Boq and Nessarose.

Elphaba is later recognized by the Wizard of Oz and is invited to meet him at the Emerald City. Boq joins Nessarose at the train station to see her off, where he meets Nessa's father, Governor Thropp of Munchkinland. Governor Thropp subtly warns Boq to take care of his daughter, giving him a firm handshake, intimidating the young munchkin. Some time after, Boq heard from Madam Morrible's broadcast that Elphaba was proclaimed the mastermind responsible for the subjugation of Animals, labeling her a Wicked Witch. Boq was later seen at the docks of Shiz University, as the student body was evacuated, staring at the ominous storm spreading through Oz.

Servant

Five years later, Boq is working as a servant under Nessarose, who has taken up the role of Governor of Munchkinland. He does not truly love her and longs to leave her. However, when he tries, he arrives at the train station only to find himself not allowed a ticket as the Governor of Munchkinland has decreed that all Munchkins require special permission to travel. Realizing Nessa's game, he has no choice but to return to her.

One day, Boq enters Nessarose's study to discover her floating in the air. In the room with her is her sister, Elphaba Thropp. At first, he is horrified, as Elphaba is considered among the citizenry of Oz to be "the Wicked Witch of the West," a terrifyingly dangerous individual who has set herself against the Wizard of Oz. However, upon realizing that it is Elphaba who is responsible for the spell causing Nessarose to float, he is grateful to Elphaba. He tells Nessarose that surely this will mean that she needs him less and that he can now leave Munchkinland. He explains that he has learned that Galinda, now known as "Glinda," is planning to marry Fiyero, and he must go to her and confess his feelings.

Aggravated, as she had hoped that Elphaba's spell would allow her to recapture how she felt when she first danced with Boq, Nessarose decides that if Boq will not give her his heart, then she will use a spell to “capture” it. She uses the Grimmerie brought by Elphaba and casts a spell, but her mangled pronunciation results instead in Boq's heart being shrunk. Horrified, Nessarose pleads with Elphaba to do something, only for Elphaba to tell her that a spell cast from the Grimmerie can never be undone. ("The Wicked Witch of the East") Elphaba then consults the Grimmerie for something that might negate the spell, and selects one which fuses Boq’s body with nearby metal objects, transforming him into a Tin Man that does not require a heart to live. Horrified by his new appearance, he confronts Nessarose in a rage. She blames Elphaba for everything and he sets off in pursuit of her.

The witch-hunters

Nessarose is later killed by a cyclone purposely summoned by Madame Morrible, one-time Dean of Sorcery Studies at Shiz University and now agent of the Wizard. The cyclone also ends up summoning the home of a girl named Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto, whom Boq ends up together with along with the Scarecrow, who is secretly Fiyero, and a lion that Elphaba freed as a child who blames her for now being a coward. They all travel to meet the Wizard in the Emerald City, hoping he will help them with their respective problems, only for him to tell them that they must bring him Elphaba's broomstick.

Boq then declares their opposition of Elphaba, now firmly cemented in his mind as the Wicked Witch, to the citizenry of Oz. They then all begin in a march to find Elphaba and kill her by melting her with water, under the mistaken belief that pure water is anathema to her soul. ("March Of The Witch Hunters") In the way to Kiamo Ko with his friends, Dorothy is soon abducted and Boq is shown running after her when she gets kidnapped by the flying monkeys. Ultimately, with the help of Glinda, Elphaba fakes her death at the hands of Dorothy and goes into hiding.

Boq is last seen following Dorothy and Toto to the Wizard's balloon as the latter leaves Oz. Boq's final fate is unknown.

Personality

“	So for once I'm glad I'm heartless. I'll be heartless killing her!	”
	— Boq regarding Elphaba[src]

Boq is shown to be polite, friendly, and good-natured. Earnest and eager, albeit clumsy and clueless when it comes to socializing and making friends. Unliike most of the superficial students of Shiz, Boq is not blinded by prejudice, as he did not hold Elphaba in contempt for her green skin, as he knew what it felt like to be an outcast due to his status as a munchkin. Boq's stand out trait of course is his desire for love and acceptance, hence why he is unable to give up his unrequited crush on Galinda. His infatuation for the campus belle, turns into desperation and fixation as he was willing to use Nessarose into making Galinda notice him. Boq of course does feel guilty for playing with Nessarose's feelings, which was why he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. Despite this, he still harbors hope that she will one day release him, but badly miscalculates just how far she is willing to go. Following his transformation into the Tin Woodsman, Boq embraces his darkness, becoming fully murderous and willing to kill Elphaba at any cost, believing her to be responsible for his heartless nature. Despite this, he still does have a heart, as he is shown running after Dorothy to save her when she gets kidnapped by Elphaba.

Gallery

Promotional Photos

Behind the Scenes

Trivia

• Boq's character is combined with another character in the original novel, Nick Chopper, who was in fact the original Tin Man, whereas in the novel, Boq is a supporting character with an infatuation for Galinda, who goes on to marry another woman.
• A deleted/extended scene shows Boq and Elphaba at the train station where the two conversed in private. Elphaba exposes Boq for his false love for her sister, and tries to get him to give up on Galinda, but Boq refused to do so as he also exposed Elphaba for her unrequited love for Fiyero. The scene was cut to maintain pacing, but many viewers believed the scene necessary as neither character were shown together in the entire movie, as it offered a glimpse into Boq's character and his unrequited feelings.

References