Most of you may or may not know that the SYFY network’s adaptation of The Magicians wasn’t picked up for another season after the show wrapped on April 1, 2020. I adored the characters so much and I still do. So, I thought it best to discover them all over again through SONG!
image via nerds and beyond
This isn’t a musical episode per say, and I will be staying away from any songs used in said episodes as much as possible, but this will the first in a series where I take a main and beloved Magician and match them to music. Whether I can find an entire album that can explain a characters soul, or a catchy few songs with a mash-up of different genres to do the very same; we will discover that together.
WARNING: This is all solely based on my opinion and music taste. We can all disagree but let’s respectfully disagree. Oh and spoilers will definitely be ahead.
I have been obsessed with an artist named Rina Sawayama and her debut album, aptly named SAWAYAMA, dropped last month. I’ve been listening to it on repeat for days now, while simultaneously re-watching The Magicians; a happy accident indeed.
image via clash magazine
The entire album has a blend of pop, synth, even some metal that when combined together make a interesting and enjoyable yet cohesive listening experience. As I listened to it more, I thought songs on the album perfectly coincide with Margo or Janet if you are more religious to the books than the show. But for our purposes we will call her Margo.
Margo is one of my favorite Magicians in the entire show. She’s a talented Magician, loyal, glamorous, always speaks her mind, and is absolutely hilarious.
‘XS’ – Margo’s Beginning
image via SYFY wire
Sawayama’s lead single XS is about the rather absurd need for money, shiny things, and the Calabasas, California lifestyle. Sawayama uses the song and the music video to make fun of the idea of water being repackaged and said to have healing properties or de-againg effects. But all the while there is a darker secret underneath.
We are introduced to Margo and her best friend Eliot as a fashionista, a bit self-absorbed, and selfish. But as the series moved forward Margo is still beyond fabulous but we get to see so more. All of that surface stuff gets wiped away as we learn about her. She has a soft side and can often be sweet in her own way, of course. But she has a lot of darkness underneath as well.
‘Love Me 4 Me’ – Margo’s Growth
image via syfy
Like I stated previously, Margo had exponential growth in the fifth season, and we’ve been along for the ride. We know little about her past before we meet her. She’s already at Brakebills, and is the co-HBIC of the physical kids’ housing on campus with Eliot.
But we do learn that Margo has been on a journey of self-love and acceptance of who she is. Her brass and bold personality was used to overshadow her insecurities. This theme is especially prevalent in the second to last musical episode of the series; Season 4’s “All That Hard, Glossy Armor”.
Margo gives up her throne as High King of Fillory to go on a quest to save Eliot who was being a possessed by a monster the gods created eons ago. Anyway, she is ushered into a village where the women are frightened into subservience to their husbands by an “evil” red smoke.
We get mention of her father who was said to have loved her until she got older and couldn’t control her. We are left believing that Margo had to do a deal with a lot on her own. If you can’t love or care for yourself first who will do the same?
‘Chosen Family’ – Margo’s Ending
Image via pure fandom
One of the final tracks on the album, Chosen Family, fits pretty much every character on the show. All of these Magicians are so different. They all have different ways of handling things, especially when it comes to saving the world every few days. But somehow they work together. It took a while for Margo and Eliot to leave their bubble and join the forming group in Season 1, but their inclusion will always be appreciated. Margo’s journey ended separated from Eliot but on the verge of starting a brand new world. LITERALLY.
‘STFU!’ – Margo’s Theme Song: ALL HAIL high KING MARGO!
image via redbubble
If Margo had theme at all, it would be STFU!, another single from SAWAYAMA. It’s extremely metal and gives me nothing but feels about Margo’s reign as the High King of Fillory. She faced a fairy queen who took her eye, treaties, almost-wars, and annoying neighboring kingdoms. But she handled it all with grace, poise and in ways that truly earned her the moniker of High King Margo, The Destroyer. This song – and Margo – let people know what’s up and who’s in charge. Which is why they make the perfect match.