The Magicians Review: Escape from the Happy Place (Season 4 Episode 5)

Eliot must fight his way through his darkest memories, Margo breaks the news of Eliot’s death to the castle, and Alice convinces Quentin to let her help with his plan on The Magicians Season 4 Episode 5, “Escape from the Happy Place.”

First things first, Eliot’s alive!! I knew that they couldn’t just kill his character off with no explanation or lead up, but then again this is The Magicians, so the thought was still there in the back of my mind, until this episode.

Having Eliot go through his worst memories to escape the monsters hold is pretty impressive because as open as Eliot is, it’s always fun to see what people don’t open up about.

I can’t explain enough how much I love that Eliot’s worst memory is him rejecting Quentin because we never got an explanation for anything that happened after they came back from acquiring the key last season. I am a little shocked that Quentin is the one who approached Eliot, though.

Quentin has had feelings towards Eliot before, but after living a whole lifetime together, I think he falls for Eliot because he knows that he can live a happy life with him. He knows that he and Eliot can be together through the ups and downs because they’ve already done it before.

It’s obviously a different scenario being back in civilization with other people and not just a total of four, but I think that they’d still work out. Eliot’s reaction is harsh and quite shocking, to be honest. It’s horrible having to watch him turn Quentin down because his form of rejection isn’t letting him down easy, it’s stomping that thought to the ground and making him know it won’t happen.

In no way shape or form does Eliot have to tell Quentin that he’s not the first choice because he wants to take a shot with him. I can understand, partly, where Eliot is coming from because I can see where he would think that Quentin only wants to be with him because he believes he’ll be happy and not have to fight for love again. But, that’s not the right way to let someone down.

Quentin and Eliot have a connection that’s even deeper than Eliot’s relationship with Margo, as hard as that is to beat. They both lived a lifetime together with only a few faces outside of their own; that’s not something that can ever go away. I’m glad that Eliot realizes his mistake of rejecting Quentin in the end because I want this power couple together already.

Saying that I cried as Eliot admits his stupidity and kisses Quentin is an understatement. I have too much respect for The Magicians to believe that this could potentially be queerbaiting, but part of me is still on the fence on if we’ll actually get to see the two together. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

I was tired of seeing Plover’s face since the beginning, and I’m glad that he’s gone, hopefully for good now seeing how Alice threw him in the poison room and not another world as he wanted.

Alice’s relationship with everyone is never going to be the same, and for good measure. But, Alice knows how badly she messed up and is trying to pay for her actions. Quentin’s stubbornness is expected, but Alice is literally reading off how he dies so sometimes I think he needs to get over himself. He acts like he’s perfect and it’s laughable.

I hope that this isn’t the end of Alice and Quentin’s relationship altogether because he’s going to need her help eventually. She is an intelligent and powerful magician who can help take the monster down and, hopefully, save Eliot.

Julia is basically shit out of luck now that Iris killed Shoshana because she was her only real connection to anything happening with her. I hope that what Iris said isn’t true. Julia can’t truly be powerless but immortal. There has to be a way around her missing powers, and I think that towards the end of the season there might be something that the monster can do for her.

It won’t shock me if there ends up being some situation where if the monster gets his own body back he can help Julia get her powers back. At this point, I don’t see any other god trying to help her out.

This season is phenomenal, and I can’t wait to see where the back end of the season will lead us.

Favorite Quotes:

• “I can’t cry out all the sadness, ever. Because if I start, I’ll never stop. Understand? I’ll be useless forever, and somebody has to rule this kingdom.” – Margo
• “Well, shit. Alright, Fen. I think I will do a ritual, earth special, the sleep of solitude. I pop an Ambien, and everyone leaves me alone till noon, that’ll be perfect.” – Margo
• “I’m just saying what if we gave it a shot? Would it be that crazy? Why the fuck not?” – Quentin
• “If I ever get out of here, Q, know that when I’m braver, it’s cause I learned it from you.” – Eliot
• “Peaches and plums, motherfucker. I’m alive in here.” – Eliot

What did you think of this episode of The Magicians? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Magicians airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Syfy.

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