The Magicians Roundtable: Will Julia’s Plan Work?

Things start going well for our heroes right before they take their final trip to restore magic on The Magicians Season 3 Episode 12, “The Fillorian Candidate.”

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

1. Do you think that Alice will keep her word to Quentin or the library?

Lisa: I have a feeling there is plenty of double-crossing to be done still for the season finale. I would love for Alice to be a woman of her word, but I haven’t been given much reason this season to put my faith her way.

Allison: I agree with Lisa. There’s no way we aren’t in store for a double cross or two in the finale. Alice’s loyalty has been an issue for a while now, and I’d love to see her keep her word to Quentin, but my gut says she’ll keep her word to the library.

Cade: I agree with both Lisa and Allison, I want to believe that Alice will stick with Quentin and the rest of the group but I think it’s highly unlikely. There will most definitely me some double-crossing in the finale.

2. What do you think of Julia’s new power?

Lisa: Leveled up Julia just keeps getting more and more badass. She’s making her way towards goddess status, and I am here for it!

Allison: I love it! We’re basically watching the birth of a goddess. It’s fascinating. I love seeing Julia and her magic grow. She went from praying to a goddess to becoming one. I’m interested to see where this goes. When does Julia start getting followers of her own?

Cade: I absolutely am in love with how powerful Julia is now! Julia has always been destined for greatness and now she’s proving it. I think there’s a possibility she could be becoming the next Lady Underground.

3. What are your feelings towards Julia’s plans to go guns blazing towards the door at the end of the world?

Lisa: I am not sure this is the right plan, it’s dangerous, and there are so many variables that could go wrong. I still maintain that Julia is the Buffy of this bunch and her sacrifice will save them all. They have all of the keys now, but I feel like Julia will be the only one who can unlock magic and be her own key.

Allison: Guns blazing is never the right answer. You need to at least have about five back up plans because something will go wrong.

Cade: I think that she needs to slow her roll and take a step back. This plan is not well thought out and could easily get a lot of people killed. I don’t think that Julia has completely thought out the consequences if something goes wrong.

4. The key has replaced our Penny with the Penny from the 23rd timeline, do you think this is a sign about what we could see happen to our Penny?

Lisa: I think something is definitely brewing for Penny. This 23rd timeline has something special in store for him, and I don’t know what it is, but I am very worried.

Allison: I feel like our Penny is in a different playing field now. He’s out of the quest because he’s now on his own — whatever Hades alluded to. I’m curious as to what trouble our Penny could get up to in the underworld. I’d love for him to have a bit a power and have things go right for him for a change.

Cade: It seems like we won’t be seeing our Penny anytime soon and the 23rd timeline Penny will finish the quest in his place. Like Allison said, he has his own quest now and right now that’s the most important thing that he needs to figure out.

5. What was your reaction to Margo being voted the King of Fillory?

Lisa: I was incredibly surprised but so phenomenally proud for her. Ever since she got to Fillory, the patriarchy has been coming for her, and this time she got to have the sweetest revenge.

Her becoming King shows the kind of heart Margo has and that other people recognize the kindness and confidence in her that she doesn’t see. The Fairy Queen’s speech to her was absolutely beautiful and so moving.

Allison: I’m so proud of Margo!! I loved everything about how this came about. Margo didn’t go behind Eliot’s back and get herself on the ballot. She supported him a 100%. Margo earned the title of High King of Fillory because she was herself.

She chatted it up with a bear, and she treated him as her equal. Her kindness and general Margo-ness endeared her to him, and that’s why he and all the other animals voted for her. She’s going to be a great High King.

Cade: I’m convinced that this is the best decision made all season long. Margo is such a genuine friend and amazing person so for everyone to recognize that and vote her in when she isn’t even on the ballot is phenomenal.

My heart is full knowing that good things are coming her way.

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.