Once Upon a Time likes to make us think. As Neal lies dying, he asks Rumple to tell Emma about the Wicked Witch of the West. So, if Zelena is the Wicked Witch of the West, then who (and where) is the Wicked Witch of the East?

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Any child who has read “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” knows that Dorothy’s house lands squarely on the Wicked Witch of the East. If we are to believe that Zelena is the Witch of the West, then we have to ask: where’s the one Dorothy killed? Here are five theories about the Wicked Witches of Oz.

Zelena Has the All the Power

Zelena, the daughter of Cora, is now both the Wicked Witches. When the East Witch dies, Zelena takes the opportunity for a power grab. As Cora’s daughter, Zelena deserves everything. If it helps defeat her stepsister, Regina, it just makes Zelena happier. Neal forces Emma’s hand and has her separate the two identities (Neal and Rumple). Neal knows about Oz, so he forces Rumple to tell what he knows. Rumple should know which witch it is but in his sorrow names the wrong direction.

Zelena Is the Wicked Witch but of the East

Zelena is really the Wicked East Witch. Since Zelena thinks she is undefeatable, she hasn’t bothered to read the story of Oz or discounts that a house could fall from the sky and kill her. She wouldn’t socialize with the other Oz witches either because that would demean her royal person. We won’t know which witch she is until a house drops from the sky with a girl named Dorothy inside. At this point, it is going to take much more than water to defeat this wicked one.

Zelena Has a Twin in Oz

The book talks of two Wicked Sisters who rule the East and West of Oz. So far, we only know of one in Storybrooke. Now we all know that a wicked witch wouldn’t leave her realm unprotected. While Zelena’s exacting revenge against Regina, her twin sister is calmly keeping the Oz lands under control. And Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, doesn’t play a role because wicked always wins.

Regina is the Wicked Witch of the East

Could Regina possibly by the Wicked Witch of the East? Lana Parilla (Regina) talks about this issue in a TV Guide interview and only assures fans that there is a twist. If Regina is the Wicked Witch of the East, how can she remain on the side of good? She’s supposed to be wicked. Can she still cooperate with the Charmings? Does story location and character influence her views? Will Regina return to her evil ways on learning the truth in Storybrooke or will her love for Henry always bring her back to the side of Emma and her folks?

Cora Is the Wicked Witch of the East

Forget what we thought about Cora. If Rumple can come back by a spell, so can Cora. We know that Cora was the “off with your head” queen of Wonderland. Now wouldn’t it just be like Zelena to want to impress her mother and bring her back from the dead? Zelena could work a spell and make her mom’s heart start beating with anger. By making Cora the Wicked Witch of the East, Zelena could show her mom just how powerful and awesome she is. By defeating Regina, mommy loses her favorite daughter and will have to deal with Zelena.

Regardless of these theories, we know that Once Upon a Time will reveal all (or will it?) and leave us wanting more. So which of these theories is most believable for you? Better yet, do you have another theory? If so, add it below in the comments.

Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8pm on ABC. 

(Image courtesy of ABC) 

Linda Martindale

Contributing Writer, BuddyTV