The Idea of magic words had always felt misunderstood to me, the magic is not in the words themselves, nor any particular word because they are, after all, empty vessels. The magic is only ever using the exact right words in the exact right way. The secret knowledge lies in arranging, say, the 26 symbols of our English alphabet in a way which reliably produces an intended effect upon an audience. Perhaps and even especially beyond that audience's wishes. -Nic Pizzolatto