'The Magicians' Season 5 Episode 1 is all about cantrips, clues and conspiracy theories
Spoiler alert for the premiere of Season 5 of 'The Magicians'
'The Magicians' is a dense show, with rather intricate worldbuilding and a lot of disparate threads that don't connect until way after they're introduced. Not everything is easily covered in a review, and there's a lot that merits taking a closer look at.
The Adams St graffiti
The title sequence for 'The Magicians,' subtly changing from season to season, underwent a major change last season as the Library wiped the walls of Adams St. clean, representing the blank slate that had been forced on the show's main characters. However, with the return of magic also comes the return of graffiti. And it highlights the absence of Quentin Coldwater. The large, magic-casting hand in Seasons 1-3 is noticeably absent. In its place is a crescent moon, wrapped in tentacles. According to our interview with Jade Tailor, the moon is something you're going to want to keep an eye on this season, so its central placing on the Adam St graffiti is significant.
Also seen are the return of bees around a pocket watch; last season's notice from the Library decayed and askew; whales, Hedge Witch stars, crossroad signs, a bear with a taco, and vines creeping over a door that once signified the presence of the Hedges inside. The creepers would seem to be indicative of a magical surge causing even plant life to suddenly grow. Alice (Olivia Dudley) has already been witness to something similar.
Fantasy tropes must die
'The Magicians' has always taken pleasure in subverting fantasy tropes and expectations. The 'Time Dwarf' at the heart of fillory turns out to be a man of average height who isn't obsessed with gold so much as he hungers for a ham sandwhich. Speaking of ham, the appearance of a literal male chauvinist pig (Sean Maguire) may have been a little too on the snout, but it does set up an interesting arc for Julia (Stella Maeve). Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph) was the one who waited to be Chosen, but there are choosings a'plenty for while, male protagonists. Julia's having none of it. She's choosing her own quest. She's saving the world now.
Professor Adiyodi
That's a title that's definitely going to take some used to. You have to admire Dean Fogg's (Rick Worthy) manipulation of Penny-23. Fogg knows his students. While Penny is always going to do the least amount of work possible to deal with something he doesn't want to do, the Dean's trickery makes avoiding the teaching job more work than simply accepting it would be. Rick Worthy still manages to steal every scene he's in, and the fact that he's sober now is nothing short of shocking. As for Penny, though, what is this sinister Signal that's been calling out to Travellers? There's little to go on for now, but it's something to keep an eye out for.
The collapse of Library
The Library is in worse shape than ever before. Alice's refusal to join has left them leaderless. There are uncategorized books in piles around ignored shelves, and passive-aggressive "I'm not your maid" signs around messes showing just how little the remaining Librarians even care. One thing of note, however, is when the Librarian that Kady (Jade Tailor) meets, says, "Contracts aren't valid once the place collapses". So what does that mean for Penny-40?
The Great Unshackling
In a hilariously reductive retelling of the events in Fillory, we're treated to a low-budget stage play that shows how the Dark King came to power in an event now called "The Great Unshackling." Apparently he was the only one who could take care of these new, mysterious "Takers". And that's just a little too convenient, isn't it?
Margo and Elliot are back together
Margo (Summer Bishil) and Elliot (Hale Appleman) may have their problems to sort out, but the way the characters play off of each other has been sorely missed. Margo continues to feminize machismo sayings, and “Oh, grow a clit, will you?” might be her most memorable yet. Not to diminish Elliot’s brilliant “Bitch, I would if I could,” of course.
The Living Clay
There's one mystery, at least, that's quickly solved. Dean Fogg complains of stolen clay from school premises, and we learn that the culprit is none of than Alice Quinn. The spell she's conducting has apparently been in the works for a while. It would appear that she's trying to bring Quentin back to life. But there's way that can end well, can it?
What Easter eggs, clues or threads have you picked up on through the episode? Let us know in the comments!
The next episode of 'The Magicians' releases January 22 on Syfy.