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The Best Episodes of The Magicians Season 1

Every episode of The Magicians Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Magicians Season 1!

Binge this in 9h 31mPeaking at 8.3/10

Brakebills University is a secret institution specializing in magic. There, amidst an unorthodox education of spellcasting, a group of twenty-something friends soon discover that a magical fantasy world they read about as children is all

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Magicians Season 1 Episode 1 - Unauthorized Magic
    7.7/10(1966 votes)

    #1 - Unauthorized Magic

    S1:E1

    A group of twentysomethings studying magic in New York discover a real-life fantasy world that poses a great threat to humanity in this drama adapted from Lev Grossman’s book series.

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  2. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 2 - The Source of Magic
    7.4/10(1486 votes)

    #2 - The Source of Magic

    S1:E2

    The Brakebills students struggle to deal with the aftermath of a catastrophe that befalls the university. Back in Brooklyn, Julia makes her first foray into the mysterious world of Hedge Witches.

    Director:Scott Smith

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  3. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 3 - Consequences of Advanced Spellcasting
    7.4/10(1305 votes)

    #3 - Consequences of Advanced Spellcasting

    S1:E3

    Alice ends up risking everything to discover the truth behind her brother's disappearance. Quentin and Julia are involved in a volatile reunion.

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  4. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 4 - The World in the Walls
    8.0/10(1363 votes)

    #4 - The World in the Walls

    S1:E4

    Quentin panics when he wakes up in a mental hospital. Meanwhile, upset over her fight with Quentin, Julia commits herself to learning more powerful spells.

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  5. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 5 - Mendings, Major and Minor
    7.6/10(1139 votes)

    #5 - Mendings, Major and Minor

    S1:E5

    The students each deal with a personal matter that keeps them from focusing on the upcoming Welter's Tournament.

    Director:Bill Eagles
    Writer:David Reed

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  6. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 6 - Impractical Applications
    7.9/10(1154 votes)

    #6 - Impractical Applications

    S1:E6

    The first-year students face something called "The Trials," a series of unconventional and emotional tests, which result in expulsion from Brakebills for those who fail.

    Director:John Scott
    Writer:Leah Fong

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  8. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 7 - The Mayakovsky Circumstance
    7.9/10(1157 votes)

    #7 - The Mayakovsky Circumstance

    S1:E7

    An uncompromising professor pushes boundaries both in magic and in the personal lives of his first-year students. Meanwhile, Julia must decide whether she's ready to accept help and what that means for her future as a Magician.

    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 8 - The Strangled Heart
    7.9/10(1042 votes)

    #8 - The Strangled Heart

    S1:E8

    Brakebills is thrown into chaos when Penny is violently attacked by someone who was considered a friend. Quentin tries to find a connection to the Beast. Julia considers giving up magic for good after entering a rehab facility.

    Director:Jan Eliasberg
    Writer:David Reed

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  10. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 9 - The Writing Room
    8.3/10(1125 votes)

    #9 - The Writing Room

    S1:E9

    Quentin, Alice, Eliot, and Penny travel to England in search of a missing magic button. Julia searches for real meaning in her magic.

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  11. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 10 - Homecoming
    7.8/10(1018 votes)

    #10 - Homecoming

    S1:E10

    Penny travels to the world of The Neitherlands, and Quentin and Alice work together to save him. Julia joins an eclectic group of magicians.

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  12. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 11 - Remedial Battle Magic
    7.7/10(985 votes)

    #11 - Remedial Battle Magic

    S1:E11

    Quentin and the others learn battle magic and prepare for a showdown in Fillory. Julia and Kady take on a mission with the Free Traders.

    Writer:Leah Fong

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  13. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 12 - Thirty-Nine Graves
    7.9/10(989 votes)

    #12 - Thirty-Nine Graves

    S1:E12

    The students wake up to foggy memories and regret after a night of drinking; Penny reminds everyone that their lives depend on getting to The Neitherlands.

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  14. The Magicians Season 1 Episode 13 - Have You Brought Me Little Cakes?
    8.3/10(1187 votes)

    #13 - Have You Brought Me Little Cakes?

    S1:E13

    Quentin and Julia arrive in Fillory and try to catch up with the group, who are more than 70 years ahead of them, in the search for The Beast.

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Unauthorized Magic" is the best rated episode of "The Magicians" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 1966 votes. Directed by Mike Cahill and written by Sera Gamble, John McNamara, it aired on 12/16/2015. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Source of Magic".