The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06 recap: Season 5, Episode 05 and 06, “Apocalypse? Now?!” and “Oops!… I Did It Again,” Aired Feb. 12, 2020
Most show would have crumbled after losing a lead character (like Quentin), or at least had some growing pains as it found it’s new groove, but not The Magicians. Season 5 is proving to be the best of the series and the apocalypse and time looping double feature in The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06 prove it. Here’s why!
#1 Margo and Eliot
The Magicians shines when it highlights the amazing bond between Margo and Eliot. They have always been this show’s dynamic duo and these two episodes really showcase the brilliance of this pair. Full disclosure, we would watch Margo and Eliot in a time loop for a full season – it was so fun, but what really stood out was the emotion of it all.
The once snarky, hard-partying and snooty duo have really grown into full-fledged heroes – something we really saw in The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06. Yes, they took a mini break in the loop to party/brainstorm like it was the apocalypse, but in the end they came through. The extra time spent with Margo and Eliot wasn’t just fun and games, it showed how far these characters have come.
Another thing we love is how the stories focused on Margo and Eliot always feel so well-rounded. These two are sassy and fun, but they are deep and emotional at the same time. Case and point – it was absolutely devastating when Margo fell out of the loop and Eliot had to “ovary up” on his own, but it was huge for Eliot’s growth.
Season 4 was great, but it kept these two apart for far too long. Yes, they can stand on their own and still be awesome, but we love them together and that’s exactly what The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06 delivered.
#2 Grief and trauma
This season isn’t washing away Quentin, it’s honoring him in a way that is respectful and let’s these characters (and the viewers) mourn his loss. He was a HUGE part of the show and Season 5 has let the characters feel that grief, and even when it feels like they are doing better, little reminders come into play.
In The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06, it was the subtle mention of how moon brain was making Julia reach for her phone to call her BFF. He will always be a part of the characters lives, but never gone – just like someone who passes away in real life which gives this an authentic story-line.
Another thing these two episodes did a great job with was the handling of Eliot and Julia’s trauma from their Monster possessions. Julia was only possessed for a brief period, but the moon brain was making her memories of it harder to ignore. Julia has no problem talking about her trauma, but Eliot had a much longer possession and is having a harder time dealing with it.
Season 5 has let Eliot process it in his own time and in these two episodes he was finally able to face it – sort of. It turned out that he wasn’t opening the door to the Monster like he thought (it was just another monster victim), but still, it was a big step for Eliot. The time loop let him sit and face his pain and trauma, which is good. He was avoiding it for much of the season.
After Eliot found a way to make the time loop start sooner, we got to see a new light in him that we haven’t seen in a long time. The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06 didn’t undo the damage that Eliot had to endure, but it’s the first big step toward healing that we have seen and we are happy to see him smile again.
#3 Teamwork makes the magic work
While we do love that Margo and Eliot got to take center stage in 5×06, another thing we loved about these two episodes and this season overall, is how everyone is on the same page. Julia is stepping into more of a leadership role, with Alice as her right-hand woman, but really, everyone has such a strong role to play in what is going on in Season 5 – even the Maid on the outside (Fen), Katy’s Hedge mission, Penny’s travel troubles and Josh’s – whatever it is that Josh does. #MethMuffins
Having everyone involved in the same problem and working towards a solution together in The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06 was so refreshing and wonderful. More please!
Also, bonus reason we loved these episodes: Margo and Josh are taking steps back to each other! Let’s hope they talk soon!
What did you think of The Magicians 5×05 and 5×06? Hit the comments and let us know!
