The Magicians Season 1 Episode 7 Review: The Mayakovsky Circumstance
Elena Zhang
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If the last episode was a step forward in terms of quality for the show, The Magicians Season 1 Episode 7 is a resounding step backwards.
Not only was it riddled with cliches and unconvincing characterization, the plots (both main and sub-plot) were spectacularly boring and predictable.
Let's start with Mayakovsky, whom the episode title is named after. He embodies basically every Russian stereotype you can think of, from the exaggerated accent, to the constant vodka drinking, to bluntly speaking his vulgar mind.
His character does do something positive in this episode, and that's expressing my annoyance at how immature and annoying all the students are, especially Quentin and Alice. So, thanks Mayakovsky, for telling Quentin how dumb he is for me.
You should have been rendered mute long ago.
But any goodwill Mayakovsky earned from me quickly dissipates when he becomes the instigating factor in Quentin and Alice's horrifying romance.
Let's ignore for a second the complete lack of chemistry that exists between the two. Why exactly are they attracted to each other? Is it just because Quentin was the only guy to ever be nice to Alice? Is it just because Quentin is a guy who enjoys looking at large breasts?
Alice, don't let your low self-esteem get in the way of finding a decent guy, and Quentin...just...I don't know. Give some indication that you like Alice's personality and not just her looks?
I found their whole sex scene ridiculously cheesy, completely feeding into the male gaze, no less. It's now two episodes in a row that Quentin and Alice have gotten naked with each other. Is this supposed to be edgy? Honestly, Harry Potter is starting to seem sexier than this show.
Quentin receives his obligatory lesson-of-the-episode via Mayakovsky about lowering his inhibitions and allowing himself to be happy (which apparently is symbolized by a fox for some reason?), which is not bad advice.
Unfortunately, it's the exact same advice he's been getting since day one, so his ability to retain knowledge is looking a little dubious at this point.
Penny and Kady were mildly interesting at best. I was all about to shout for joy (or at least, sigh in relief) when Kady finally came clean to Penny about her life. Finally, people are communicating in a way that isn't completely dumb! Without any secrets between them, Penny and Kady can finally have a functioning relationship.
Or so I thought. Look, I understand why Kady had to leave. Mayakovsky made it pretty clear that she had no place in Brakebills anymore. But there was absolutely no reason for her to not tell Penny why she's leaving.
It was implied that Penny still needed the training, but I think he's enough of an adult to be given all the relevant information and make that decision himself.
In any case, this is just another unnecessary obstacle in their relationship. Will these two crazy kids ever work it out?
In this episode's B-plot, Eliot and Margo are once again reveling in frivolous debauchery. Eliot's beginning to grow on me, but for some reason, Margo remains as annoying as ever.
It almost seems like she's trying too hard to be sexy and funny, instead of actually being sexy and funny. Eliot, on the other hand, has an abundance of natural charm oozing out of his finely coifed hair.
This genie totally gets me.
Eliot
I'm glad that Eliot is finally starting to become more integrated into the main storyline, however. His boyfriend's connection with the moth will surely make Eliot and Margo relevant to the show once more.
This episode suffers the most from the absence of a Julia-heavy storyline, and I'm hoping she starts being featured more heavily in the future. The incidence with Hannah is sure to have shaken up her already fragile psyche, and I'm itching for another confrontation with Marina.
What did you think of this episode? Are you shipping Quentin and Alice together? What do you think will happen to Kady? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Don't forget you can watch The Magicians online anytime right here at TV Fanatic!
