Lev Grossman’s best-selling fantasy book trilogy The Magicians is headed to Syfy’s primetime as the network has given a 12-episode series order to its pilot. The project hails from Michael London’s Groundswell Productions, Universal Cable Productions and writers John McNamara (Aquarius) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural).
Based upon Grossman’s books— the first of which was published in 2009 — The Magicians stars Jason Ralph (A Most Violent Year) as Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant grad student who enrolls in Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his twentysomething friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real — and poses a grave danger to humanity
I actually don't think it's that bad. It's got an interesting style, some stuff is genuinly creepy (like the moth-demon-thingy), the mythology, the world and even the way magic work are also quite intricate - for example, magic is kinda fuelled by negative emotions - fear, anger, sadness etc. Also, it's pretty much a drug, which is kinda logical - I'd assume shaping reality with your will could be quite addictive All of these things are tackled in the series. There's a slight teen show vibe coming out of it, but it's not very prevalent and certainly not like a typical CW show shittiness. It IS kinda like Harry Potter in college, though, so if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, the show probably won't grab your attention. I'm enjoying it so far.
Okay, so... I know this one didn't get much love here, but it just finished its season 1... and, to be honest, it was pretty brilliant - both the finale and the season as a whole.
It starts so-so, but it gets better and better and better still as it goes, turning into something good or even great. It takes time and effort to properly develop its characters, plays with the storytelling, setups story turns in powerful and surprising ways. It's possibly the best thing sy-fy has done in a while - and I'm saying this despite the fact that there are at least two other good sy-fy shows nowadays (12 Monkeys and The Expanse). It's often stupidly funny, putting characters in awkward positions, but it's actually just a pretense (mostly). In truth, it's seriously dark and twisted. Like murder-rape-drugs-cancer-suicide-paedophilia dark and twisted. Heavy stuff.
If you're partial to themes like magic and can deal with some dorky humour and storytelling that takes time to unfold (by episode 12 most questions and most questionable actions will be answered and explained), I implore you to not judge this book by its cover
It's actually a pretty entertaining show, nothing great though after 6 eps. The major problem is the theme, it's stuck between dark/mature and goofy. I really like the mature parts, but most of the goofy parts (at that school mostly) are just facepalm moments. What's the point of the gaylord and his sexy sidekick? Why is the main character so annoying (I hope he grows up soon)? What's with these idiotic trials?
The story/writing also lacks focus and flow, some things seem very random (like characters coming and going).
It's fun, but that's it. As I like the theme (no other magic oriented shows atm right?), I'll finish it.
edit: finished it, it's average untill ep 8 and it picks up very well after that. As I said above, it's stuck between light and dark. Since it takes a pretty dark path after ep 8, that's when it shines. You suddenly get things like rape, drinking god semen for power, people bleeding out from all orifices, hearts being ripped out, hands getting cut and whatnot. The direction is a bit weird since sometimes you feel like you're watching a mature version of Harry Potter, and then suddenly a massacre happens. Definitely a nice basis for a second season.
I've watched three eps of s2, I don't understand this kingdom business. I also do not like the gaylord at all and the main character is as irritating as ever. Does it get better or is this what I can expect for the whole season?
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All of these things are tackled in the series. There's a slight teen show vibe coming out of it, but it's not very prevalent and certainly not like a typical CW show shittiness. It IS kinda like Harry Potter in college, though, so if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, the show probably won't grab your attention. I'm enjoying it so far.
