DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Magicians contains more spoilers than the number of times Julia needed to use her magic to save everyone. Hey, it’s par for the course when you’re a demigoddess. You’ve been warned. Prepare for your epic quest, and enter at your own peril.
Welcome back, Fillorians! The Magicians made a pit stop in Timeline 23 this week, with our new favorite dynamic duo Josh and Julia at the helm. If you recall, Timeline 23 contains the version of Alice that Quentin and Julia spoke with last season, prior to the real Alice being resurrected. Thanks to that pesky Jane Chatwin, multiple timelines now exist. So, Josh and Julia helped Timeline 23 Josh, Marina 23 (yes, The Queen of Snark is back), Penny 23 and Alice 23 take down The Beast. Of course, they ended their journey on a successful note by snagging the seventh golden key vital to the restoration of all magic. Woohoo! Six down, one to go!
Alright, ready to delve into “Twenty-Three?” Just be sure to compliment Josh 23 on his snazzy, sleek new coat. His ego needs a good feeding.
We open with High Queen Margo the Destroyer (Summer Bishil) and High King Eliot the Spectacular (Hale Appleman) studying their own “Wanted” poster courtesy of Tick Pickwick. It’s safe to assume that all of Fillory is plastered with our High King and High Queen’s faces. Of course, since this is Tick we’re talking about, the execution leaves something to be desired. Even Quentin (Jason Ralph) and Alice (Olivia Taylor Dudley) are sketched onto the poster, since they’re still considered royalty themselves. Our foursome is floating in The Muntjac, trying to remain as incognito as possible. Q reveals that Julia has been sending them messenger bunnies, beckoning the quartet back to Earth. However, there’s no way they could escape through the portal without being seen. But, thankfully, Josh (Trevor Einhorn) is also aboard with them and could easily travel between worlds without attracting attention. Go, Josh! Now’s your time to shine!
Meanwhile, Julia (Stella Maeve) is filling Dean Fogg (Rick Worthy) in on the gory McAllister massacre that transpired in the previous episode. She also reveals that Irene was the only one who escaped unscathed, and she may return to reclaim Brakebills. Oh, and Julia revamped all the magical wards surrounding Brakebills so it can’t be detected by Irene. The university is now in Fogg’s hands once again! My girl Jules is on a roll.
Then, Josh makes his grand entrance by informing Julia that he was sent in Quentin and company’s place. Julia reveals that the Fairy Queen has the sixth key in her possession, but there’s a catch. It’s literally holding her realm together, and should said key be extracted the fairy world would collapse. So, there’s that. What next?
Suddenly, Julia and Josh are transported inside a dome. Julia recognizes this as the Tesla Flexion she created with Quentin when they sought out the Alice from Timeline 23. Instead, the Josh from said timeline makes his triumphant appearance, looking very much like the cool guy dressed in black. If you recall, this Josh copulated with a werewolf and has a smattering of the lycanthrope curse. Maybe that’s what lends to his “cool guy” persona. Anyway, Josh 23 desperately needs our duo’s help. The Beast has ravaged his world, slaughtering everyone in it. Magic was also shut off in Timeline 23, leaving its inhabitants helpless to The Beast’s terror. Oh, and The Beast has the seventh key round his neck. Bingo! Josh 23 gives our pair some time to dwell on their decision.
Later, Julia urges Josh to accompany her to Fillory so they can discuss the situation with Quentin, since this quest thing is totally in his wheel house. Josh reluctantly agrees, and the two shuffle through the grandfather clock meant to transport them to the magical world. However, the clock plops them smack dab in Timeline 23, at the Physical Kids’ cottage, to be exact. Josh 23 is elated to see them. I think we can all agree that magic is an unruly beast with seemingly no rules and no respect for free will.
Next, a familiar face reappears alongside Josh 23. Marina (Kacey Rohl) springs forth from the shadows, to my absolute joy. The Queen of Snark has returned! Well, she’s Marina 23 in this case, since this is a different timeline. Apparently, in this timeline Julia was a top student at Brakebills and never even crossed paths with Marina 23. Interesting.
Then, our quartet decides to let off some steam while they await The Beast’s arrival. Since the Tesla Flexion required magic, The Beast will surely sniff them out. Unfortunately, Josh 23 and Marina 23 have ulterior motives, drugging our Josh and Julia. Not cool! They tie up our heroes and plan to use them as bait for The Beast, who has been supposedly asking for Julia. However, Julia uses her magic to relinquish their bonds and prove her worth as a formidable ally. Take that, haters! Julia vows to kill The Beast herself using the Rhinemann Ultra spell that previously killed Alice. Of course, that spell was given to Alice by Fogg’s friend Bigby. Julia asks if Fogg is still kicking, to which Marina 23 escorts her to his office.
Now, Fogg is still a heavy drinker in this timeline. He is sequestered in his office, barricaded from the outside world like a hermit. Apparently, Julia died in this timeline, so her presence comes as a shock to Fogg. Fogg reveals that two magicians attempted to cast the Rhinemann Ultra to disastrous results. Their ghosts haunt the school library. Perhaps Julia and co. could glean some information from said ghosts. Here’s hoping they’re friendly like Casper…
Later, our quartet marches onward into the fray – the chaotic interior that is the library. It appears to have been ransacked. They spot Margo 23 and Eliot 23 bickering within, and it’s quite obvious that they’re the ghosts. Margo is trying to convince a paranoid Eliot that they can cast the spell together. Someone has to kill The Beast, so why not them? Suddenly, a distraught and bloody Eliot 23 reappears some time later, clutching a piece of paper containing the Rhinemann Ultra spell. It’s quite clear that Margo is dead, as he continually asks for his Bambi. I know they’re alive in the current timeline but this scene killed me. They love each other so much.
Next, Margo 23 also reappears…missing half of her face. Honestly, this is a great look for Margo. She looks like a bad*** pirate. Anyway, Julia and Marina 23 hastily exit, clearly spooked by the gore and death pervading the library. Thankfully, Julia was able to snag the spell away from Eliot 23. The Magicians Powers That Be really amped up the horror elements this episode, and I’m digging it.
Suddenly, Penny 23 (Arjun Gupta) rounds the corner and is utterly taken aback at the sight of Julia. He plants the smooch to end all smooches on our girl. Say what? Better not tell Kady! Apparently, Julia and Penny 23 were soulmates in this timeline. Well, that explains the hot kiss. Julia reveals that she’s not his Julia, but she is there to vanquish The Beast. Penny 23 decide to join the group, already hoping to seek vengeance for the death of his Julia.
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Meanwhile, Josh and Josh 23 are bickering over something the latter divulged. Josh 23 refers to a mysterious event known as “The Quickening,” which already sounds ominous by name alone. Josh wishes to know what it means and if it’ll intertwine with his own fate. Of course, secrets are a common currency in this world. Josh 23 keeps his lips tightly sealed, but he does give our Josh a sleek new coat to show off. Who’s the big man on campus now?
Later, The Beast makes his grand entrance. Julia, Marina 23 and our Josh dive behind an upturned table, but unfortunately Josh 23 meets his end courtesy of The Beast. RIP Josh 23. We only knew ye for 25 minutes. Julia casts the Rhinemann Ultra but to no avail. Suddenly, the moths swaddling The Beast’s face clear away to reveal…Quentin Coldwater! Yes, Quentin morphed into The Beast in this timeline. Freaky indeed. Julia gives Penny 23 his traveling powers back so he can zap them out of there.
Next, Penny 23 zaps our heroes to the Neitherlands Library to deliberate their next move. Julia has the bright idea to consult Alice 23, who’s currently living in The Muntjac incognito with a horde of bunnies. Alice 23 has become a bit unhinged since Q transformed into The Beast. Since he was initially slaughtered by Martin Chatwin, Alice 23 found a way to resurrect him…but with a cost. When Alice 23 dies her soul won’t travel to the Underworld, but it’ll belong to an elusive man who clearly believes in “an eye for an eye.” So, with the help of this mystery man Alice 23 raised Q from the dead. However, this version of Q has an evil streak, and he murdered Martin Chatwin on his own. He also decimated Ember and absorbed the god’s power. Thus, Q as The Beast came to fruition. So much murder and mayhem!
Now, Alice 23 reveals the god-killing dagger that Julia once had previously. Alice 23 cannot grab it because she isn’t god touched, but our girl Julia is. She lifts said dagger with ease, much to the surprise of Alice 23. They formulate a plan to ambush Q at Castle Whitespire and, well, kill him.
Later, Marian 23 devises her own plan that involves serving Alice 23 up as bait. However, Julia is very much anti-bait in this scenario. She reveals exactly how Marina perished in her timeline – that Julia used her as bait to lure The Beast, which in turn resulted in Marina’s death. Marina 23 agrees to stick with the original plan after hearing that. Good call.
Next, our crew arrives at Castle Whitespire to a full-out Fillorian fanboy’s wet dream. Artifacts and important magical instruments from all of Fillorian history now reside under Q’s domain. Martin Chatwin would have a heart attack. They find Quentin in the throne room. Of course, he senses their presence and catches a whiff of Alice 23’s scent. Alice 23 boldly reveals herself to Q, and divulges her hope that perhaps he can be saved. He scoffs at her, slicing her midsection with the flick of his six-fingered hand. Alice 23 dies on the spot. Uh oh. Time to save the day, Julia!
Julia appears, showcasing her immense magical abilities to a dumbfounded Q Beast. She even deftly removes her Shade and transfers it to him, so he can feel the pain of all the destruction he’s caused. For a brief moment, the Q we know from our timeline has returned. Also, it’s worth noting that Martin Chatwin taught Julia how to remove her Shade in the real timeline as well. And the apprentice has succeeded the master! Q Beast spots Alice 23 lying motionless on the floor. Julia snatches her Shade back, and Q eagerly gives her the seventh key from round his neck. He uses the god-killing dagger on himself, and slips away from the world, dying next to the woman he loved. How Romeo & Juliet.
Later, Josh is waving the seventh key around, attempting to pinpoint a door that can take them home. Penny 23 reveals that he’s planning on joining Julia and Josh in their world. There’s nothing left for him in Timeline 23. Now, the already tenuous relationship between Julia and Kady will certainly snap when she catches Penny 23 making puppy dog eyes at Julia. Hey, there’s a Penny for everyone, ladies. Finally, Josh finds a door and slips said key into the keyhole. Josh is the first to bound through the threshold, with Marina 23 not far behind him. Yes, the Queen of Snark can reign supreme in the real timeline! Back from the dead, baby! Oh, and Penny 23 and Julia also join in on the trip home.
The Magicians is giving us a home run of a season, proving that it really does get better with time. Time travel and timelines are a balancing act, and sometimes the execution of these concepts can appear convoluted. However, The Magicians pulls it all off with aplomb. Everything is bigger and bolder. I’m tickled pink to see where The Magicians takes us in Season 4. Magical things are bound to happen, without a doubt.
Do you think our magicians will use Penny 23 as a vessel for the real Penny, considering his body was burned? How will they convince the Fairy Queen to give them the sixth key? Will Margo and Eliot take down Tick Pickwick once and for all? How will Marina adjust to being in a completely different timeline? Join me next week as I recap The Magicians, here on Geek Girl Authority.
The Magicians airs Wednesdays at 9pm on your SyFy affiliate.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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