The Magicians Roundtable: A Life In The Day
Eliot and Quentin live their lives in an alternate time on The Magicians Season 3 Episode 5, “A Life In The Day.” Meanwhile, Margo is stuck dealing with more bidding from the fairy queen.
Julia and Alice work together to figure out where her magic is coming from, and Kady gets stuck at Krick Memorial as she tries to leave.
Tell-Tale TV writers Christina Cerutti and Cade Taylor, joined by Starry Constellation Magazine writer Lisa Steinberg, discuss the episode below.
- Lisa Steinberg (@GoodHumorGrl)
- Christina Cerutti (@teen_hale)
- Cade Taylor (@cadehtaylor)
1. If Julia now has part of Reynard’s power, what do you think that means for Julia? Do you think she should give that power to Alice?
Lisa: I think Julia should hold on to the power because she doesn’t know specifically its full extent and as we know giving power to Alice has quite the many consequences. It will be interesting to see if this helps Julia ascend to become a goddess herself or will it lead her down a dangerous path. Too much power can be tempting, and we know the kind of rascal and riddler Reynard is.
Christina: She was given that power for a reason yet at the same time she has all of these horrible memories of Reynard. It’s like her rapist is still inside of her. I can’t imagine that feeling. I don’t really trust Alice or think she’ll be able to handle the power like Julia is.
Cade: I think that Julia should keep the power because she’s the only one who I think can genuinely wield it. Alice is power hungry, and we’ve already seen what happens when she has too much power.
2. What was your favorite part of Eliot and Quentin’s adventure in Fillory?
Lisa: Seeing their beautiful family growing and then the end with the two of them as old men. It was just so bittersweet getting to watch their love and friendship flourish. My heart swelled from the sweetness!
Christina: That moment where Quentin kissed Eliot. I wasn’t sure if that was a dream or not, but I enjoyed it. They’re incredibly close friends who have had sex before. I do think there are feelings still there. Especially when Q’s wife died like maybe they were a real couple raising Q’s son.
Cade: Watching them live their lives together, growing old, and spending their best moments together. Quentin kissing Eliot is a huge moment, as well. I think that there is a connection between the two and throughout their life together they brought it to life.
3. Margo is now married to a psychotic child who killed his own brother, with Eliot and Quentin back do you think things could potentially begin looking up for her?
Lisa: I would like to say yes, but if Margo is the Game of Thrones Margery then there sadly will be no hope in sight. I am glad that Quentin and Eliot are back, she needs someone else on her side, but I think that Margo has her own road to sow that’s going to have to be solo.
Christina: I hope so. Margo has been leading the kingdom since Eliot has gone away and she’s really done the best she can do. She deserves to be happy, and she deserves full control over her kingdom.
Cade: It’s no surprise that Margo is a badass and can handle her own, but we all hit our breaking point, and I feel like she’s severely close to hers. Quentin and Eliot being back should, I hope, alleviate some of her problems. She deserves her own happiness.
4. Why do you think Eliot and Quentin remember their past life together?
Lisa: I think that they have always shared a connection and chemistry, after all, Eliot was the one to greet and introduce Quentin to Brakebills. I think that their relationship and whatever more they may be have been fated and therefore no matter the time they will always be brought together.
Christina: I have two theories for this. The first may be a way off theory, but I wonder if maybe Q’s alternative timeline’s son is here? Or with the floating stone kingdom or something.
Or another possibility is that Eliot and Quentin are soulmates and they’ll always find their way back to each other. Even if they aren’t romantically soulmates, they are friends who are soulmates. That’s a thing. Sort of adding to what Lisa is also saying that they have a strong connection.
Cade: I agree with Lisa, I think that fate could be coming into play. It hasn’t been sexual the entire time, but Eliot and Quentin have had some sort of connection since the very beginning. I think that being back in Fillory automatically brought back all those memories for them.
5. Things aren’t looking good for Kady, how do you think she’ll escape Krick Memorial?
Lisa: I don’t know how she will escape, but Kady is ever resourceful. And if this is her Linda Hamilton Terminator moment, she’s going to keep being a force until she regains her freedom! Never bet against a badass!
Christina: Maybe Penny will see what’s going on and go to Julia and Alice for help so they can break her out.
Cade: I think that the only way she could get out is if Penny realizes whats happening and tells everyone else. Julia and Alice can be the ones to break her out; she’s going to need all the help she can get.
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What did you think of this episode of The Magicians? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of “A Life In The Day,” right here.
The Magicians airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Syfy.
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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.