It’s been five years sinceThe Magiciansended, and I still can’t believe that more people haven’t discovered this incredible fantasy TV show. Based on the book trilogy by Lev Grossman,The Magiciansis one of many fantasy series that were adapted from novels, butThe Magiciansisn’t afraid to push the narrative further.The Magicianssurpasses the booksin a few ways, fully developing the character relationships that are hinted at in the novels but never fully explored. Running from 2015 to 2020,The Magiciansmade its mark on the fantasy sphere.
While there’s no part of the series that should go unwatched,The Magicians’highest-rated episodesprove that the show is one of the best additions to the fantasy genre of the 2010s. While shows likeGame of Thronesare more often talked about when it comes to major additions to the genre from this era,The Magiciansshouldn’t be overlooked. The show has a lot to offer, and withfive seasons of excitement, drama, and intrigue,there isn’t a wasted moment throughout this iconic series that should be remembered for years to come.
The Magicians Is A Criminally Underrated Fantasy Show
Every Fantasy Fan Should Be Watching The Magicians
Airing on the Syfy network throughout its run,The Magiciansnever made as much of a mark on the fantasy genre as bigger-budget productions. However, for those who were watching or who foundThe Magicianslater on, it’s shocking that the show isn’t recognized for its ground-breaking work in fantasy and the TV sphere as a whole. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Hale Appleman, Arjun Gupta, and many more incredible performers,The Magicianswas a modern, darker take on the magic school story,bringing it to a new generation of fantasy fans.
While the story was always gripping and kept viewers on the edge of their seats, it was the characters who kept us invested in the series.The Magicianshas one of the saddest scenesin any fantasy TV show, cementing it as a series with the range to affect viewers on an emotional level. In the years sinceThe Magiciansended, the show has become more than a cult classic, butit still has a long way to go before it gets the recognition it deserves.
The Magicians Was Consistently Good For Five Seasons
When it comes to most fantasy series, there’s usually one season that doesn’t measure up to the rest, but this isn’t the case withThe Magicians.From the beginning, the show was unafraid to make changes to Grossman’s textto fit the TV format better and make the characters even more vivid. This meant that afterThe Magicianshad adapted all three of Grossman’s books, the show could continue for two more seasons, which are just as strong as the rest. While season 3 stands out as an especially well-imagined installment, every season pulls the audience in deeper.
Though there’s no question thatThe Magicianschanged a lot and that there were some devastating twistsaudiences never saw coming, this never impacted the quality of the show. It’s hard to find a series that won’t disappoint you at some point, and whileThe Magiciansmight make you cry, almost all of its narrative choices make sense and benefit the overall story. There are dark moments that can be hard to watch, butThe Magiciansprioritizes character and empathy, cementing it as a hit.
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Why The Magicians Ended With Season 5
It Was Hard To Say Goodbye, But The Magicians Ended With A Bang
Despite the hard work of the writers, creators, and cast to keepThe Magiciansgoing and see its characters get the endings they deserved,the show was cut short after season 5.Though Syfy canceledThe Magicians, it’s clear that the series' creators knew this might be the case, providing a satisfying finale for audiences to remember the show by (viaCollider). Of course, we’ll always be holding out hope thatThe Magiciansmight come back one day, but the series finale was a strong ending, regardless.
Watching the show for the first time today is just as fun as it was in the 2010s.
In some ways, it might be for the best thatThe Magicianswas canceled, as the series never had the chance to start losing momentum. To the very end,The Magiciansmaintained the aspects of the story that made it so special to begin with. Some character endings were polarizing, but this doesn’t ruin the legacy and longevity ofThe Magicians. Watching the show for the first time today is just as fun as it was in the 2010s.
