Getting To The Bottom Of The Bottle: 25 Best Bottle Episodes

Photo: SyFy

The Magicians – “The World In These Walls”

Let’s forget for a second that this episode of The Magicians is a total rip off of the “Normal Again” episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and judge it on its own merits.

This particular episode, although entertaining, marks a departure from the books, and features one plot that connects both the characters, which is also a detour from its normal form.  Quentin, like his more capable predecessor, Buffy, is trapped in an mental hospital in an alternate reality, and audiences are forced to wait an excruciatingly long time to figure out who’s doing this to him. (A spoiler follows.) It’s the hedge witches who are using him to force the Dean to lower the school’s wards so Marina can regain her school spell memories.

Although the entire premise is familiar and a little anti-climactic (as one of the two leads we know he’ll make it out. Besides, we know magic exists, so we’re not fooled) it does have some fun moments. Most notably, all its Taylor Swift references. The show calls up Quentin’s love for all things Swiftie and there’s even a nod to the “Shake It Off” routine among all the dark and twisty secrets. Maybe that’s what all shows need: more Taylor Swift.