Even the best fantasy TV shows aren’t perfect, but this makes it even more exciting when a hidden gem of the genre is secretly a masterpiece from start to finish. From the very first episode of this series, which is one of the best fantasy shows based on books, the viewer instantly connects with the world and characters, willingly suspending disbelief and becoming immersed in the universe.
Most fantasy shows come close to being 10/10, but struggle to maintain momentum in the later seasons, losing focus and providing unsatisfying ends to the arcs of beloved characters. Though there are some discreet moments throughout this series that aren’t perfect, each season is a well-crafted piece of television that won’t disappoint. Even the dated aspects of the project have become nostalgic.
The Magicians Is One Of The Rare Fantasy Shows That Is Great From Start To Finish
Each Season Of The Magicians Is Something Special
It’s no secret that every fantasy fan should watch The Magicians, as it’s become a touchpoint for this genre of television, even if it’s not as widely talked about as it should be. After being introduced to the world of Brakebills and its students, The Magicians keeps the magic system and world-building fluid enough to adapt with the changes in the story.
The Magicians succeeds because it raises and shifts the stakes every season, introducing new pieces of lore that flesh out the world, while still feeling like a natural extension of it. This is a difficult line to walk, but The Magicians makes it look easy, continuing to justify its existence in the final season after the character dynamic of the show shifts completely.
It’s shocking that The Magicians is still an underrated show, as it hits all the marks audiences have come to expect from fantasy. With a strong ensemble cast of characters and nuanced central themes that balance the serious and comedic moments, The Magicians only gains ground and complexity as it continues.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Magicians (2015–2020) |
91% |
74% |
The Magicians Succeeded In Making An Old Fantasy Trope Exciting
The Magicians Put A Fresh Spin On All Of Its Themes
There are some shows that are replacements for The Magicians, but few of these have come close to being such a unique offering within the fantasy genre. Set at the fantastical Brakebills University, where the characters learn magic and are put through their most difficult challenges, The Magicians bravely grapples with the magic school trope.
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The Magicians’ 7 Main Characters, Ranked Worst To Best
There are many beloved characters in the fantasy series The Magicians, but of the central group, the ranking of who’s the best is clear.
Setting any show or book in a magic school is notoriously difficult to pull off, especially if the writers hope to differentiate it from the many other additions to the genre that do the same. However, The Magicians made excellent choices that keep the story fresh; aging up the character to adulthood and introducing new facets of the magical world with time.
The Magicians will be remembered for years to come thanks to the show’s place within fantasy, as the coming-of-age themes, friendships, and romances have already stood the test of time. Even watching the characters make their worst mistakes is a vital part of what makes The Magicians the ideal fantasy show.
The Magicians
8/10
- Release Date
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2015 – 2020-00-00
- Showrunner
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Sera Gamble
- Directors
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Chris Fisher, James L. Conway, Joshua Butler, John Scott, Carol Banker, Scott Smith, Guy Norman Bee, Rebecca Johnson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Meera Menon, amanda tapping, Bill Eagles, Jan Eliasberg, Kate Woods, Shannon Kohli
- Writers
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John McNamara, Henry Alonso Myers, David Reed, Noga Landau, Christina Strain, Leah Fong, Alex Raiman, Elle Lipson, David Reed
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Olivia Taylor Dudley
Alice Quinn
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Jason Ralph
Quentin Coldwater
