What an episode. “Cheat Day” consistently gave me chills, from the beginning right until the end. The episode focused on Quentin, and Julia, with some important subplots from Penny and Eliot.
Let’s start with the small stuff. Eliot is going to be a dad! His subjects have a secret rebellion called the FOO Fighters! His wife used to be with the man who tried to kill him! So much nonsense in Fillory. Eliot is growing, and I love it. There’s not much more to say about it.
Penny’s Mr. Miyagi scheme was lacking, but I did love the lead up and the tie in with Quentin’s timeline. Who could have guessed that Emily and the South Pole professor were lovers? He’s responsible for a lot of bad things at Brakebills, and even major emotional damage in Emily Greenstreet.
Cheat day refers to Emily Greenstreet’s day off from abstaining from magic. Quentin pointedly states that “You can’t cheat every day.” So true, and such a good wake up call for Q. Will he walk away from magic? I don’t think so, or I hope he won’t.
The illusion spell was freaky when she turned Q into the professor, but downright upsetting when she turned into Alice. This scene was important for Quentin, but it was hard to watch. Not the hardest in this episode, and if you watched, then you know why.
Everything leading up to that illusion spell with Alice was sad to watch, too. The writing was great, and I thought the progression of the scenes was appropriate. It felt important for both Emily and Q to move on, but neither were successful this week.
In one swift moment, Q sees Alice’s ghost across the street and she mouths “Help me,” to him. I got chills. It looks like Alice will haunt Q next week, and I’m not sure if I’m ready. She looks so scary!
Now, for the worst part of this terrifying episode: Julia. Julia finds out she’s pregnant, saw that coming. Katie and Julia have a serious and important conversation about abortion. Normal, except that the man who raped her is not a man at all, but a god. I loved the reference to old magical abortions, as a reference to the actual practices of women before abortion was legal.
Unfortunately, because the writers do not like giving Julia nice things, (or even just okay things) the appointment for the abortion goes in the worst possible way. First, the nurse deletes her appointment without knowing why. Hey, Raynard. Then, the doctor stabs herself in the eye with a medical tool. What’s worse? Katie decides that they have to take care of the dead body. Why? No, you do not! You have magic, get out of there.
Even writing about this gives me a sense of unease. It’s strange to give this sort of situation such power in a fictional show. I can’t place any judgement yet, but I am concerned that this plot with Julia will just get darker until there is no light left for her.
This was, by far, the most terrifying episode of season two. I can only say that I hope the writers do not try to top it. Please, let Julia be happy! Unfortunately, I bet it’s not in her future anytime soon.
Some lighter notes:
The talking sloth on Eliot’s council. Amazing, more of this, please.
A pregnant-detecting rabbit, that ALSO talks.
“My own people are trying to kill me? So French.” Yes Eliot, I agree.
“When we’re the least snobby people in the room, there’s something wrong with the room.” Margo, preaching the truth.
(Photo by: Eric Milner/Syfy)
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