The Magicians Roundtable: What Will Irene Do Now?

Things come to a halt for the McAllistair’s when Julia and Fen engage their plan with the Fairy Queen on The Magicians Season 3 Episode 10, “The Art of the Deal.”

Penny is stuck in the underworld. Meanwhile, Margo and Eliot must deal with the Floaters and the Lorians to save Fillory from war.

Tell-Tale TV writers Allison Nichols and Cade Taylor, joined by Starry Constellation Magazine writer Lisa Steinberg, discuss the episode below.

The Magicians – Season 3 — THE MAGICIANS — “The Art of the Deal” Episode 310 — Pictured: Stella Maeve as Julia Wicker — (Photo by: Eike Schroter/Syfy)

1. Margo and Eliot left Alice and Quentin to tend to the quest while they convinced The Stone Queen and the King of Loria to stop attacking. Do you think that they’ll back down in hopes of getting magic again?

Allison: I hope so because Margo and Eliot really need a win right now. I am not sure what their next move will be if they can’t stop this war. Another musical number, perhaps?

Lisa: I think it’s a tangled web, but I have faith in the rulers of Fillory that they can make an alliance work. Margo is shrewd, and Eliot is amazing at thinking on his feet. This dynamic duo has it down.

Cade: I hope that they see the best fit for everyone is to back down and let Margo and Eliot take Fillory back in their hands. If not, there’s not much they can do unless they can get Julia to help.

2. Irene escaped the slaughter of her whole family, what do you think she’s going to do now?

Allison: I don’t think it’s going to take her long to realize that Julia and Fen played her. I hope she’s at least that smart. I’m expecting she is going to want revenge or she’ll coerce them into helping her get magic somehow. Is it bad that I’m hoping the fairies track her down and kill her too?

Lisa: She’s going to catch on quickly that she was betrayed, no doubt about it. When she does, she’s not going to let Julia or Fen off easy. I hope they are both ready for her when she comes seeking revenge.

Cade: Fen and Julia better be ready for one fiery redhead. Julia may be touched by a god, but we have no idea how much fairy dust Irene has stockpiled. I hope the Fairy Queen gets to her before anyone else.

3. The Fairy Queen broke a fairy deal, how do you think this will affect things back in Fillory?

Allison: She talked as if everyone would somehow know that she broke a deal. I’m curious as to whether or not that’s true, and if it is true, how exactly word spread about that.

It seems like they have basically pulled out of Fillory, so I doubt this news will affect Tick. I am curious if Margo and Eliot will somehow find a way to use this to their advantage. I have no idea how they might, but they definitely need all the help they can get as they try to take back their thrones.

Lisa: The Fairy Queen knew what she was doing when she broke the deal, and I think she feels everyone will instantly have a clue because of it. I don’t know how it will specifically affect Fillory, but there probably is going to be a great and rude awakening.

Cade: I have a strong feeling that somehow everyone in Fillory is going to know that the queen has broken a deal, but I’m not sure what good that will do Margo and Eliot.

4. Penny gave what looks to be his only way out of the underworld to Sylvia. Why? Could he be listening to Hades and accepting his place in the underworld?

Allison: I think he’s definitely listening to Hades. Right now, Penny’s aimless. He doesn’t have a purpose. He’s been benched from the key quest, and he’s still kind of dead. Hades has alluded to some grand purpose for him, and Penny would have been foolish to ignore Hades’ words. I’m definitely excited to see what’s in store for Penny.

I do think Penny generally feels bad about the hand Sylvia’s been dealt. He is sort of responsible for her death, and I think giving her the metro card is his way of helping her, and erasing some of his guilt.

Lisa: Penny’s gesture was absolutely beautiful, and it made me insanely happy to see him be so selfless. Penny has a big heart and he needs some purpose right now. Helping Sylvia who saved him before was a way of giving back and yes, possibly accepting his place.

Cade: I think that Penny has never truly felt like he fit in and after listening to Hades he realized that maybe he needs to accept it and go along with the way things are now. Although I want him happy, I don’t want this to mean the rest of the group stops figuring out a way to try and get him back.

I think him giving Sylvia the metro card is heartwarming and shows how far he’s come.

5. With one of the keys being in the fairy realm, how do you think the group will get it? It’s obvious the Fairy Queen won’t let it go easily.

Allison: I have absolutely no idea. The queen knows they are hunting for keys, so she’ll be expecting them to try to steal it. This means a stealth mission is out of the question. Maybe some kind of trade? If they get the keys and restore magic, then the fairies will get something in return.

Lisa: No, she won’t let it go easily at all. How will the group get it, I can’t say. But I know how resilient and resourceful they all are, and any effort they make is going to have to be as a total team. The Fairy Queen is well versed in the art of a deal, and I think she is going to make this one come at the highest cost she can.

Cade: I think there’s a good chance that the Fairy Queen is going to try and get Julia to agree to a deal. But, I also see Julia trying to sneak into the fairy realm to steal the key. Either way, it’s going to get nasty.

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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 “The Art of the Deal” 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.