Trickster Review: Episode 3 (Season 1 Episode 3)

Trickster continues to deliver on Trickster Season 1 Episode 3, as Jared finally learns the truth about his magical roots and gets his first taste of the dangers surrounding him.

Pacing 

With “Episode 3” marking the midpoint of the season, we find ourselves right in the thick of it. Each week we get new pieces of the magical puzzle, but we still don’t know how they all fit together. 

The picture is becoming clearer, and despite my initial concerns that the show might move too slowly, they have done an excellent job keeping the show’s pace engaging and exciting. 

In my review of Trickster Season 1 Episode 1, I said that the episode was setting up a slow burn for the season. Halfway through the season, that appears to be only partially true. The pace of the show is much more interesting than a simple slow burn.

The series moves at a fast clip episode to episode with new twists that pique viewer interest and undercut what we thought we knew.

Yet, it maintains that slow burn for the season’s larger arc, revealing that mystery much more methodically and continuing to build the pressure and foreboding that so wonderfully marked “Episode 1.” 

It’s one of the most effective elements of the show’s writing and style.

Turning Point

“Episode 3” is a turning point. Until Georgina confirms for herself who Jared is, the story had been a primarily personal one for Jared and his family.

Similarly, the magical elements of the show were still on the periphery of Jared’s world.

That world was no doubt closing in on Jared even before he meets Georgina, but it was still just vague, weird incidents rather than confirmation of the supernatural.

Georgina’s inevitable confrontation with Jared not only raises the stakes beyond his personal story but also makes it impossible for Jared to dismiss what he sees or explain it away.

The confrontation is also the catalyst that leads to Jared learning about who his parents are, which will shift the focus of the final 3 episodes from a more intimate journey to a grander supernatural adventure.

I’m looking forward to the second half of the season and seeing how Jared’s story connects to these mystical forces and history that he’s finally being fully pulled into. 

Mother and Daughter

The big developments on “Episode 3” might be Jared meeting Georgina and what he learns about his parents, but my favorite development is the introduction of Maggie’s mother, Sophia. 

Maggie is by far my favorite character, and Crystle Lightning does a fantastic job bringing her to life. 

Lightning brings an unpredictable combative energy to Maggie, and has a presence that lights up the screen. Trickster is Jared’s story, but Maggie is the captivating enigma that we can’t quite figure out yet.

I’ve been eager to dig into Maggie’s backstory, so meeting her mother is especially exciting. 

Learning that Crystle Lightning’s real-life mom, Georgina Lightning, plays Sophia is a very cool bonus given their great rapport on screen. 

Like her daughter, Georgina Lightning has a strong screen presence.

Where Crystle plays Maggie as an explosive live wire, Georgina brings a calm gravitas and authority to Sophia. It creates a strained tension that underscores their emotionally fraught relationship and makes them immediately compelling.

I hope we see a lot more of their relationship and Sophia in general.

There’s no turning back for Jared now. Whether he likes it or not, he is all in on this magical ride, and happily so am I.

Stray Thoughts

• Richie is the worst. It seems unlikely we’ve seen the last of him, but hopefully, he’s gone for a while at least.
• I am eager to see where the pipeline story goes, especially now that it’s been alluded to by Sophia as well.
• I didn’t guess that Crystle and Georgina Lightning were related, but I should have because that family resemblance is strong.
• Finding out Maggie didn’t know what Wade was, makes me more confident her intentions are good. I’m curious to learn the history between witches and tricksters now.
• Speaking of being curious, what does Georgina want from Jared? I really need to know more about her and her history with Wade.

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

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Trickster airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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