What an incredible first 3 episodes, but can we specifically talk about that Merman sequence? I cannot stop thinking about it, not just because it was perfect, but because it had absolutely no right to be perfect! Seriously, HOW?
Think about it for a minute, REALLY think about that scene on paper. Think about it written out on the page. Think about how absolutely ridiculous it would sound.
Now imagine anyone else pitching that or any other creative team trying to pull that off.
In the wrong hands, or honestly probably in any other hands, that scene could so easily have been cheesy, contrived and tacky. It could have been a disaster.
But instead, on this…this pure magic of a show, it ended up being one of the most beautiful, sincere and moving pieces of TV I have ever seen and once again I ask you…how…
Magic in its purest form consists of a dialogue between Earth and yourself, a dialogue whereby you are able to express your desires, receive and recognize a response and are then able to make your wishes and desires come true. Earth’s gift to her children, it is the simplest, most basic and most ancient magical art, open to all.
—Judike Illes, Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting