The Magicians

This is Harry Potter for adults. Yes, it's a genre that's been done. But it hasn't been done like this. I read the first book in the series and my dislike for the characters kept me from reading the rest of the series. The good news: the show characters are more likeable... but not entirely. The Magicians embraces cliches. It's very aware of what it is. Harry Potter, meets Narnia, meets The Hangover. Yes, F-bombs are dropped like popcorn. It's laugh out loud funny(seriously, the one liners will make you cry) with a fantastical plot that draws you in and keeps you hooked. Bonus if you're into mythology.

I am surprised by how much I enjoy this series. The wit and intelligence in the writing, the character development, the acting... all of it is terrific. Season 1 is so-so, and at the very end of that season it feels like the writers were told to kick it into high gear because the final episodes build story line after story line to set up the next seasons. In Season 3 there is an episode that is so heartfelt that I weeped both times I watched it and just thinking about the story that was told in that episode (episode 5!) gives me chills. I was very surprised to find this fun/witty show could evoke so much emotion out of me in one episode. That episode stayed with me for a few days after watching it, which to me that is my mark of brilliant storytelling - I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm hooked. If you watch and get bored in season 1, stick with it! You will be very glad you did.

Constant surprises! This show is a fresh take on all the topics you could ever imagine being linked to the umbrella topic that is "magic".

Yes all the characters are annoyingly teen-like despite being in their 20's, with the usual designated roles; the nerd, the bitch, the shy girl etc.

Yet this show is so (!) inventive with how magic is portrayed. I feel like the writers are very much aware of how annoying the characters are (haven't read the books btw) and portrays them this way in order to create this very fast, quirky and weird plot. There's simply not enough time to dwell on the characters while at the same time having this crazy and quite complicated plot unfolding.

The characters in a way becomes secondary to the topics being discussed, the underlying topic being the role, function and meaningfulness/or not of magic.

(Edit: having re-watched the entire show and going on season 4 I have come to actually like the characters. They have grown more complex and I no longer find them shallow which is a big plus.)

It is very 'in your face' and informal, with a lot of swearing and sets/costumes that sometimes look like a high-school play setup.

This show has made me: scared: it has one of the most terrifying characters I have ever come across in a show; it has made me think (on the definition of magic, on the experience of time, of death, of evil..) ; and made me laugh: It has a lot of humor, not in a 'one joke after the other' kind of way, but in the absurdity and craziness that is the show.

There are some VERY dark themes being explored in it, but it manages to do so in a way that doesn't leave you feeling down after watching it. For me partly because I didn't care too much about the characters, but I did care a lot about the plot so I kept watching, and kept being amazed at the inventiveness and strangely light and playful way it is written and delivered.

Just watched the latest episode of season 3 and Im still loving it!

I just finished season 5 and I'm so sad there is not another season or at least a spinoff. A new network like Netflix or Hulu or YouTube need to pick it up! I need more magician's to get through quarantine!

I will just start by saying that this is nothing like the book (which I like) and it is done in an excellent way. They basically just took the names and two or three basic ideas, but that's it. Even the Main Character has a different background and skills.

The premise is that there is an unhappy boy who wants something and finds a magic school. Sounds a bit... used. But:

1) Magic is a tool that the show uses, not a goal in and of itself.

2) The show focuses on many characters instead of just one and it develops their personalities and interactions, independently from the Main Character.

3) The pacing is really good of the show. They cover surprising amounts of subjects in one episode - this is not a show where they will make you wait for the finale for something exciting.

4) What they do is dangerous and people get hurt. Also, magic takes a lot of effort - you don't just say a word and wave a wand.

5) They curse and do not get always get along, and they smoke, sure, but they don't make a big deal out of it. It's not a prude show, but it's not a Spartacus/GoT show (blood & tits) either.

6) The first season has 13 episodes and SyFy has already renewed it for another season. So you won't just start a show, just to see that they cancel it at the end of the first season.

I'd personally recommend it if you are into fantasy. It's not exceptional, but it is good and it got me hooked up and wondering what will happen next. This is why between the first and the third episode, the 18-34 audience has actually been growing.