Honestly, if you grew up on the 1939 Judy Garland film, the name Wilhelmina probably doesn't ring a bell. You likely remember the green skin, the cackle, and the melting. But for anyone who has dove into the 2017 Boomerang series Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Wilhelmina is basically the heart of the show’s villainy. Or, at least, the most frequent source of it.
She isn't just another random witch. She's the niece of the Wicked Witch of the West. Yeah, that one. While her aunt was busy getting melted by a bucket of water, Wilhelmina was actually away at Witch Finishing School. Talk about bad timing for a family reunion.
Who Exactly is Wilhelmina?
Wilhelmina—or "Willie" if you're the Cowardly Lion—is a bit of a complicated case. She’s young, she’s spoiled, and she is incredibly sassy. Voiced by the talented Jessica DiCicco, she brings this high-energy, petulant energy to the Land of Oz that we haven't really seen before. Unlike the pure, unadulterated evil of her aunts (both West and East), Wilhelmina feels like a kid who was just raised in a really, really bad household.
Her main goal? Simple. She wants Dorothy's Ruby Slippers. She wants them so she can use their magic to bring her Auntie West back to life and, you know, take over Oz. Typical family goals.
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Why She’s Different From Her Aunt
You’d think she would inherit the whole "death by water" thing, right? Surprisingly, no. In the episode The Old Classic, we see her hair get wet, and she’s totally fine. In fact, she even falls into the Truth Pond once and doesn't turn into a puddle of green goo. It turns out the water allergy might not be genetic, or maybe she just skipped that day at finishing school.
The Dynamics of a Junior Villain
What makes Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz Wilhelmina such an interesting character is her relationship with her henchmen, Frank and Lyman. They’re these two flying monkeys who are named after the original author, L. Frank Baum. It’s a nice meta-nod, but for Wilhelmina, they’re just "banana-brained" minions she constantly bosses around.
She isn't all bad, though. Sorta. There are these rare, fleeting moments where she shows a shred of humanity. Like when she thought Dorothy was leaving Oz forever and actually gave her a tearful hug. Of course, she immediately went back to plotting, but it’s those nuances that make her more than just a 2D cutout.
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- Powers: Invisibility, pyrokinesis, and some serious "above-average" strength.
- Arch-nemesis: Dorothy (whom she calls "Pigtails" or "Kansas").
- Best Friend: Technically a hybrid pet she created named Salvador.
What Most Fans Miss About Her Backstory
A lot of people think she was created just for the 2017 show. While she doesn't appear in L. Frank Baum’s original books, she fits into the lore of the "Wicked Family" surprisingly well. The show creators used her to bridge the gap between the classic "Wicked Witch" era and a new, more episodic version of Oz.
She lives in her aunt’s old castle, which has to be a bit depressing. Imagine living in the house where your aunt literally dissolved on the floor. No wonder she’s a bit cranky. She spends her days looking into a crystal ball, getting advice from the spirit of the Wicked Witch of the West, who acts like a spectral, judgmental life coach.
The Finishing School Mystery
The show mentions "Witch Finishing School" a lot. It’s a hilarious concept if you think about it. What do they teach? Advanced cackling? Broomstick maintenance? Proper flying monkey management? We know she’s a student, which explains why her magic often backfires or isn't quite as potent as Glinda’s. She’s still learning the ropes of being truly wicked.
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Is She Actually Redeemable?
In some fan-made "Sodor Adventures" or "Yoshi's Adventures" (which are wild corners of the internet, let me tell you), Wilhelmina is often portrayed as reformed. But in the actual Boomerang canon? She stays pretty firmly in the "bad" camp, even if she’s more "nuisance" than "world-ending threat."
She represents a shift in how we tell stories in Oz. The stakes in Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz are often lower than the 1939 film, but they’re more personal. Wilhelmina’s jealousy of Dorothy isn't just about the shoes; it’s about the fact that Dorothy has friends, a support system, and the love of the entire kingdom. Wilhelmina just has two incompetent monkeys and a ghost aunt who yells at her.
Actionable Takeaways for Oz Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz Wilhelmina, here is how to get the most out of the series:
- Watch "Mirror Madness": This episode shows her dealing with a "Reflection Beast" and is one of the best examples of her forced cooperation with the good guys.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Pay attention to her room in the castle; it's packed with references to the original 1939 film and the various Oz books.
- Appreciate the Voice Work: Jessica DiCicco also voices Patchwork Girl in the same series, showing off some incredible range.
- Check out "The Return of the Silver Slippers": It’s a major turning point for her character and her relationship with her aunt.
Wilhelmina might not be as iconic as the woman who wanted to "get you and your little dog too," but she’s a vital part of why the 2017 series worked. She brought a modern, bratty energy to a century-old franchise, making the Land of Oz feel a little more relatable—and a lot more sarcastic.