Major Spoilers for The Magicians 309 Ahead
It’s Good to be King
The fourth key from the underworld unlocks the next chapter, unveiling a strange code medieval sheet music. Kady FINALLY makes herself useful, pushing Alice away from the piano. She plays the tune in the correct key, and the room fills up with party kids. Todd ( I keep waiting for a Todd episode) announces the “King of Party-O’clock” himself, Josh Hoberman, taking an epic bong rib and launching us into the first musical performance of the episode. I’m not sure of the song’s origin, but I am almost positive”wham bam thank you ma’am” is a nod to David Bowie’s “Suffragette City.” What are your thoughts, readers?
In case you’ve been wondering where Josh has been since we last saw him turnt up with Bacchus earlier this season, wonder no more. Josh has been living in his own wet dream, an alternate reality where he’s the life of the party, complete with actual magic (party tricks only!). Oh and only good vibes allowed! The slightest raised voice turns the party kids into an emotionless attack mob. Kady unleashes her hidden musical/striptease talents (Yes! That is Jade Tailor’s voice!) on the party kids to buy the gang time to figure out Josh Land.
Here’s the thing. While Quentin and the gang have been tracking down keys, Josh has been feeling a little left out. He’s gotten pretty comfortable ruling Party Town. The problem is his dream word is actually a trap set by a demon to feed on his happiness until he parties himself to death. The pressure is on to find the key and set him free!
Holy Razor Rocks, Batman!
Remember last week when we got a glimpse of Eliot and Margo on trial back in Fillory? It didn’t go so well. There was a slight mix up when Margo went full Game of Thrones and requested Trial by Combat, getting Trial by Wombat instead. His Wombatness found them guilty, and sentenced them to death. Bonus! They get to pick how they die. Which would you choose?
[polldaddy poll=9953616]They go with infinite waterfall thinking this will give them time to come up with a plan, preferably before the freezing water, razor rocks, or starvation take its toll. Surely their obedient servant Tick will help them? Not bloody likely! He’s joined the resistance. He has a dream of a free Fillory: of, for, and by Fillorians. How about the Muntjac? Remember way back when Margo had that heart-felt exchange with the Muntjac’s Heartwood and saved the ship from submitting to the pirate ship? The pressure is palatable as the ship remains silent, continuing it’s course towards Margo and Eliot’s watery fate.
The Little Fairy That Could
Julia and Fen are off on a side mission this week. Julia uses the truth key to see Skye, whose leg was ground up to make magical fairy dust, providing a power source to Irene and presumably The Library.
Skye believes Irene to be her protector, keeping her safe from bad magicians. Skye is also clueless to the fact that fairies have magic, and should be able to use it to free herself. Julia works with Sky to show her she can do magic, but that necklace she’s wearing isn’t for decoration. Perhaps I should add bleeding from orifices to the execution poll? That looks pleasant. Julia is hard pressed to find a solution before the poison necklace kills the fairy.
Grand Finale
Kady’s musical knowledge leads the gang to the 5th key hidden inside the piano. A rather convenient neon sign appears showing them the way out of Josh’s party world. But they can’t just leave Josh behind, right? He’s part of this whole key quest, too. He’s the “Lover of Tomatoes,” I think? Wasn’t that his quester nickname? The key brought them to Josh for a reason, giving them the temporary ability to hear each other. Quentin’s quick thinking solves this particular quest. They are all “Under Pressure” to unite, save Josh, and each other. With a little inspiration from the Thin White Duke, Quentin sets them singing one of the greatest songs of all time (in my opinion).
Their performance allows them to distract the party kids who have turned on Josh, and rescue him from their assault. Julia’s magic levels up allowing her to reverse the effects of the necklace and save Skye. Right when it looks like the Muntjac is taking Margo and Eliot to their infinite plunge, she soars away to safety. As the gang finishes the final snaps of their song, Todd shape-shifts into the demon who’s been pulling the strings in Josh’s Party Palace. The demon makes a curious comment suggesting this whole quest has a mysterious organizer yet to be revealed. Is this the real big bad of the season?
What was your favorite musical number?
