Ep 1. The Tale of the Seven Keys

The Magicians season 3 episode 1 "The Tale of the Seven Keys" picks up where the previous season left off. After the loss of magic in the end of season 2, the students of Brakebills University and the magical creatures of Fillory are left without the source of their power. The episode kicks off with Eliot, Margo, and Quentin making their way back to Fillory after their previous adventure. They are met by Prince Ess, who informs them that without magic, the realm is in chaos. There are beasts on the loose, crops aren't growing, and people are starving.

Meanwhile, Alice is trapped in a niffin form and can only communicate with Quentin through a series of visions. She appears to him in the form of a young girl and tells him that before he can fix magic and save Fillory, he must find the seven keys scattered throughout various magical worlds. Quentin initially doubts that Alice's visions are real, but soon realizes the truth of her message.

Quentin sets out on a journey along with Margo, Eliot, Julia, and Penny to find the keys. Their first stop is Brakebills South, where they meet with Dean Fogg. Fogg tells them that the keys were created by the gods themselves and that each key will take them to the next. However, there are also magical creatures and forces that will stop at nothing to prevent them from collecting them. Fogg warns them that they must be careful and work together if they are to succeed.

As the group journeys to find the keys, they encounter all sorts of obstacles and challenges. First, they are thrown back in time to the 1940s, where they have to deal with Nazi occultists who are after the same keys. They eventually find the first key, which takes them to a mysterious underworld where they have to defeat a monster in order to retrieve the second key.

Along the way, each character learns more about themselves and their place in the magical world. Julia begins to explore her newfound powers and deal with the consequences of her previous actions. Penny is still struggling with his own physical limitations and his ability to astral project. Eliot is also dealing with his own personal demons and trying to figure out how he can be a good ruler for Fillory in the wake of its magic-less state.

The episode ends with the group only having two of the seven keys, but they are determined to keep going. They now have a greater understanding of what they are up against and what they are capable of. They also understand the true weight of the task ahead of them and the sacrifices that may need to be made in order to restore magic to their worlds.

Overall, "The Tale of the Seven Keys" is a strong start to the third season of The Magicians. It continues the trend of the previous seasons in exploring the complexities of magic and the impact it has on those who wield it. It also sets up an interesting mystery for the season and pushes the characters into new and exciting places.