As a long-time fan of all things Oz, I must say that the forgotten gem “Emerald City” is a hidden treasure worth revisiting. Despite its brief stint on NBC, this darker take on L. Frank Baum’s world offers a compelling and grittier interpretation that sets it apart from the more familiar versions we know. The characters, though composite in some instances, are intriguingly different, and the violence and tension add a level of suspense that keeps you hooked.
Since “Wicked” hit theaters, the stage musical adaptation (based on Gregory Maguire’s novel) has reignited curiosity about all things related to The Wizard of Oz. Sales of Maguire’s book have increased, and a prequel novel titled “Elphie” is scheduled for release in March. Furthermore, this time of year often sees the 1939 MGM film “The Wizard of Oz” being televised frequently. However, there’s one lesser-known adaptation that fans should definitely explore – especially those who enjoy a more ominous interpretation of the story.
Beginning in 2017, “Emerald City” was a television show broadcasted by NBC for only one 10-episode season. Produced by Matthew Arnold and Josh Friedman, with Tarsem Singh as the director, this series represented a contemporary reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s Oz book series. The story centered around Dorothy Gale (played by Adria Arjona), a nurse from Lucas, Kansas who was swept away to the Land of Oz by a tornado. In her new world, she embarked on a perilous quest to reach the Emerald City in search of the Wizard and a way back home. Yet, Dorothy was unaware that she was about to bring forth a prophecy with far-reaching consequences for all those she met.
In contrast to the traditional tale portrayed in The Wizard of Oz, the television show Emerald City presents a more ominous and grisly interpretation of the classic story. For instance, the Scarecrow character, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Roan/Lucas, is discovered by Dorothy while he’s being crucified, and the show merges Omby Amby and Cowardly Lion into a single character named Eamonn (played by Mido Hamada), who serves the Wizard. The series also features several composite characters and incorporates figures from books other than The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Furthermore, the darker tone is accentuated by the show’s graphic violence, as the Wizard, portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, seeks Dorothy’s demise, and multiple attempts are made on her life throughout the series. A particularly shocking scene occurs in the premiere episode where the resurrected Wicked Witch of the East confronts Dorothy, only for Dorothy to deceive her into shooting herself fatally. This is just a glimpse into the many ways that Emerald City reimagines and expands upon the original story.
What Happened to Emerald City?
Despite having an intriguing darker interpretation of Oz, the show unfortunately struggled to gain an audience and received unfavorable reviews from critics. The series initially garnered a 38% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, being compared to both The Wizard of Oz and Game of Thrones, but not in a favorable manner. Additionally, it was one of NBC’s lowest-rated shows that year. Despite facing creative differences with original showrunner Josh Friedman and the studio, delaying its debut until 2017, the series ultimately got cancelled. However, fans can still watch all ten episodes on Peacock.
There Are Other “Dark” Takes on Oz, Too
If you prefer not to invest time in a brief, 10-episode series, you won’t have to skip another Oz tale with a gloomier perspective. In 1985, Walt Disney Pictures launched an unofficial sequel to the 1939 classic called Return to Oz, primarily based on Baum’s novel Ozma of Oz. The film brings Dorothy (portrayed by Fairuza Balk in her first major role) back to Oz, where she discovers it has been overtaken by the Wicked Nome King. As a result, it’s up to Dorothy and some new acquaintances to rejuvenate the land. Despite its underwhelming box office performance, the movie later gained cult status, largely due to its darker narrative and truer depiction of Baum’s work. You can watch this film on Disney+.
Wicked is in theaters now.
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2024-12-02 05:39