The Dark Side of Magic: Exploring The Magicians

The Unconventional World of The Magicians

In The Magicians, magic is different. Though The Magicians is no longer airing, it still stands apart from other fantasy-based TV shows thanks to one crucial element that makes it smarter than other shows in the genre. The Magicians, based on Lev Grossman's books, follows the Brakebills University students as they work to learn to awaken and control their magical abilities. Studies, however, always take a back seat to the various crises and monsters they face along the way and the trips they take to the not-so-imaginary magical world of Fillory.

Reynard The Fox holds up his hand covered in his victim's blood.

On the surface, it's easy to compare The Magicians to Harry Potter, with both franchises involving students going to a school to learn magic. But the sweetness of Harry Potter doesn't exist in The Magicians. For starters, the students are older–older, even, than traditional college students. The Magicians grapples with much darker themes: drinking and partying, rape, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, and other more unpleasant aspects of reality. Even magic itself is treated differently in The Magicians, and it's what sets it apart from other fantasy TV shows.

Julia Wicker holds a ball of light in her hands in The Magicians

Magic In The Magicians: A Steep Price to Pay

Magic in The Magicians is unlike any other portrayal in fantasy TV shows and movies. It comes with a steep price, affecting both the characters and the world around them. While magic is often portrayed as a purely positive force in other universes, The Magicians takes a different approach. Using magic virtually always rebounds negatively, creating more problems than solutions. The show's universe dictates that magic doesn't come from talent, but from pain - the more pain one has felt, the stronger they are as magicians.

The use of magic in The Magicians is metaphorically compared to substance abuse, as the characters often crave the feeling of using magic even when they know it will harm them or others. The dark and complex themes explored in The Magicians make it a standout in the fantasy genre, offering a unique and compelling perspective on the consequences of magic.

The Dark Realities of Magic: A Problem, Not a Solution

The Magicians isn't afraid to delve into dark and complex themes, presenting magic as a problem rather than a solution. Magic in this universe is not a silver bullet, but the problem itself, leading the characters into darker and more challenging situations. The show's exploration of magic as an addiction and the dangerous consequences of its use sets it apart from other fantasy shows, making it a compelling and thought-provoking series for mature audiences.

One of the most intriguing aspects of The Magicians is its direct engagement with magic and the inherent pain and loss associated with it. Instead of presenting magic as a solution to every problem, the show portrays it as a source of conflict and suffering, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.