Queerbaiting Quentin

(Warning: The Magicians spoilers ahead.)

For a long time this evening, I was sobbing uncontrollably with nearly no sign of stopping. The season four finale of The Magicians was a painful watch for queer viewers and viewers with mental illnesses.

This elaborate queerbaiting scheme that spanned over the course of three or so seasons was harmful and resulted in pain.

First of all, how do we identify this as queerbaiting?

In The Magicians, Quentin and Eliot (Queliot) were given about one episode of romance per season. This was to keep queer viewers watching in suspense, and the revival of Quentin and Alice's relationship proved that this was their only plan.

How does queerbaiting, particularly here, negatively affect queer viewers?

Many viewers saw themselves in Quentin Coldwater, a bisexual, depressed character. His death made me and many others feel lost, betrayed, hurt. Quentin and Alice rekindling their toxic romance was also harmful to those who felt represented by Queliot

Additionally, Eliot has had multiple male love interests, but all of them have either died or been forgotten. In addition to this, Eliot, a queer character, was forced into a marriage with a woman. He was even forced to impregnate her, then portrayed as bratty for being upset.

In other words, Eliot has been punished multiple times for his queerness, conveying the message that LGBTQ+ people deserve punishment. This dangerous message often causes violence in the real world.

Finally, not only did Quentin Coldwater's death imply that those with mental illnesses will always lose in the end, it also means that another one of Eliot Waugh's male love interests is dead or gone.

The queerbaiting of the ship known as Queliot was a mistake made by the writers ofThe Magicians, and cost them hundreds of viewers in season five.

For anyone else who is deeply affected by this, remember that you are not alone and to always follow the words of Arjun Gupta!