The "tricky, tricky" happens in the movie when Nancy gangs up on Sarah, and it happens in the book when Gemma has to get Ann out of being expelled for thieving (Internal monologue: "Tricky, tricky. Make this good, Gem.") I know it's just two words, but it's not the most common phrase.

I can see how she'd want a different ending because it's a story with a wider scope. But half the bad stuff in the story happens because Gemma keeps trusting/forgiving people which fits in with your whole essay.

It does, rather! Just another aspect of Libba's Christianity-bashing :D I really must finish that essay - I have a bank holiday coming up (2 1/2 day weekend), so it might be ready for your beta eye by the end of Monday ;)

Wrt the larger issues you address above, word to all of them! I had some vague idea that this movie had an "eyeroll-provoking" reputation, but now I understand just how badly its message was misrepresented. As you say, everyone seems to have shrilled "Wicca! EEK!" or used it as an excuse to pagan-bash ("They're only into it because they think they'll get KEWL POWERZ! Point and laugh!") What's so hard to "get" about the message that what goes around comes around?