Last night’s episode of The Magicians focused on a journey not tackled by Quentin, Alice, Margo or Eliot but actually by Julia and Josh, as they inadvertently traveled into the alternate timeline 23 that was featured last season when Quentin was trying to save his own timeline’s Alice.

It would seem that the Beast exists in that alternate timeline, and he is wearing the 7th key on a chain around his neck. Since the team can’t get the 6th key from the fairies – or else their world will collapse – Julia and Josh leap frog in order, aiming to get that 7th key. But there is one big obstacle: the Beast isn’t Martin Chatwin. He is actually – wait for it – Quentin. At least the Quentin from that alternate time.

That was quite an unexpected twist, but what was even more unexpected was the revelation that the Julia from that alternate timeline was not only Penny’s soulmate – I SO did not see that coming! – but also that she died. What’s more is that that timeline Alice sacrificed her life to help Julia get the key, the Quentin stabbed himself – while Julia’s shade was briefly inhabiting his body – AND timeline 23 Penny and Marina (remember the mean girl witch who lost her life) crossed over into the team’s timeline.

Is your head spinning yet?

Oh yeah, how about watching the brief scenes of timeline 23’s Margo and Eliot – who were ghosts trapped inside that reality’s library. They both faced such horrific deaths that their ghosts seemed to be reliving that moment over and over again. I thought it was hard watching Margo lose her eye but that glimpse of her face blown off – that was harsh!

Now that the team has all but one key let’s guess that the big showdown will be getting that 6th key from the fairies; and we already know how vehemently Margo and Eliot feel about the Fairy Queen while Julia seems to have formed an unusual alliance with the Queen. How is all that going to work out?

With only two episodes left the stakes are going to be even higher and timeline 23’s Quentin warned Julia that with all 7 keys they will open a door that will bring more than magic back to their world but something truly evil. That’s not going to end well at all.

What did you think of last night’s episode? How do you think the show will come to a close for this season? Please chare your thoughts in our comments section below.

The next new episode of The Magicians will air on Syfy on Wednesday, March 28 at 9/8c.

[Photo Credit: Eric Milner/Syfy]