Kady gets a puppy. Quentin meets a snake.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Syfy's The Magicians.
"The Bad News Bear" was written by David Reed and directed by Elie Smolkin
A significant portion of this episode focuses on the main characters trying to get magic back in their lives. The entire third season focused on them trying to restore magic throughout their worlds. It was their epic quest. They succeeded despite the numerous sacrifices they had to make. It was personal for them. Sure, it also fed into their obsession with these powers. And now, they are struggling when it comes to finding a purpose to all of this. Julia wouldn't change anything that she did. However, Quentin has doubts because in restoring magic it empowered the Library and allowed the Monster to escape. And now, that creature is terrorizing his friends and they don't have the power to stop him. Margo does some quick thinking in order to send the Monster off on a new quest in Fillory. But that leaves Quentin, Penny, Kady and Julia behind to find a way to get magic back in their lives. There is a very limited amount in any given space on Earth. Once a magician uses it up, it's gone for the remainder of the day. But a process is also given as to how certain individuals can carry around more magic for themselves. It's all an honor system created by the Library. It means there are more branch offices that can approve requests for more major spells for those who have already been validated. Of course, it's a broken system that has spread a narrative that the McAllistair family actually saved magic. As such, they are completely rewarded simply because they cut a deal with the Library. They also happen to be hunting down the magicians who actually saved magic and could destroy everything that they built. The McAllistair family was nearly destroyed. But they are still thriving and have the resources to remain powerful. As such, they will be formidable foes who will complicate the lives of everyone moving forward. That's why the protagonists need magic right now. They need to defend themselves. They need some line of defense against the Monster as well. They hold onto the hope that Eliot is still alive in there. The identity spell has been broken but Eliot is the only one who hasn't returned. Margo has the opportunity to kill the Monster. Marina actually has a god killing weapon in her apartment because she didn't want what happened to her in this timeline happen once more. She knows that she has to arm herself against the gods. But Margo can't ultimately go through with the action because she sees the face of her best friend. She would do absolutely anything for Eliot. And now, she is cutting deals with the hope that her friend is still alive. Of course, she doesn't get any confirmation that he still is. The Monster understands the complicated feelings the friends have towards him appearing in this body. He can use that to his advantage. It means they are still willing to work with him. Sure, he is desperate for a friend and understanding. He wants to know why his parents caged him instead of allowing him to be free like his siblings. An explanation still isn't given as to what he is after or why the other gods are all running away from him. But it's an object that is blinding to fairy eyes which immediately causes pain for Margo. That's an intriguing complication as well. And finally, things seem to be coming to a head in the Library with Alice and Nick too. Nick is actually able to make his escape. Alice is still free from her cell. She is just desperately searching for the books of her friends to ensure the Library can't easily track them down now that their stories are being freely written once more.
