Ep 5. Cheat Day

Quentin and the rest of his friends at Brakebills University are in for a wild ride in "Cheat Day," season 2 episode 5 of Syfy's hit fantasy series, The Magicians.

The episode opens with Julia and Kady practicing a spell to contact Reynard the Fox, the trickster god who violated Julia in the previous season. Meanwhile, Quentin is struggling with the concept of the unique magic he learned in the last episode. He doesn't feel like he has full control over it, which is causing him anxiety. The group decides to distract him with what they refer to as a cheat day: a day where they're allowed to use magic for anything they want, regardless of the consequences.

The Magicians prides itself on its unique brand of humor, and "Cheat Day" is no exception. The group spends a considerable amount of time coming up with ridiculous ways to use magic, including flying toilets and a talking rabbit. Despite the show's comedic elements, the characters are still grounded in real emotions, particularly when it comes to their relationships with one another.

Quentin finds himself drawn to Alice, his former love interest, who is still a Niffin. He tries to figure out a way to communicate with her, but it's a dangerous situation, as Niffins are known to be destructive and unpredictable. Eliot and Margo are still dealing with the consequences of a romantic fling between the latter and Fen, Eliot's wife. Eliot feels blindsided by this, and Margo is still grappling with her own feelings towards her best friend.

The episode takes a dark turn when the group decides to visit a magic tool shop run by a man named Harpsichord. Harpsichord has a unique item that they need to contact a bank vault. However, Harpsichord is also known to be a powerful and sadistic magician. He forces the group to participate in a twisted version of the game "Never Have I Ever," where the loser has to face consequences ranging from an electric shock to having their skin flayed off. The game quickly becomes deadly, and the group realizes that they may not make it out alive.

One of the most interesting elements of "Cheat Day" is the exploration of complex, nuanced relationships between characters. For example, Quentin and Alice's relationship is fraught with tension and emotion, despite the fact that she's technically not even a human being anymore. Eliot, Margo, and Fen's triangle is also a fascinating exploration of love, loyalty, and betrayal. The group is forced to confront these issues head-on when they're faced with possible death during Harpsichord's twisted game.

The visual effects in The Magicians are always top-notch, and "Cheat Day" is no exception. The flying toilets and talking rabbit are just the tip of the iceberg; the episode's climax is particularly impressive as the group battles a terrifying creature. The creature's movements are graceful and fluid, which is especially impressive considering it's entirely CGI. The show is just as much a visual feast as it is a character-driven drama.

Overall, "Cheat Day" is a standout episode of The Magicians. It balances humor, action, and emotion in a way that only this series can. The group's cheat day may start as a harmless distraction, but it quickly spirals into a life-or-death situation. The episode leaves viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering what other twists and turns this series has in store for them.