The young adult genre, commonly known as YA, often gets unfairly maligned, but Syfy’s five-season fantasy series is so good it warrants a total reevaluation of the genre. YA tends to be dismissed as trashy melodrama due to heightened romantic conflict, typically in the form of love triangles, and overreliance on tropes like the “chosen one” — never mind that every genre, including the more respected sci-fi, mystery, and horror, uses tropes as well.

Premiering on Syfy in 2015, The Magicians centers on Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph), a cynical graduate student who discovers that magic is actually real and, after a grueling examination, gains acceptance into Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. Meanwhile, Quentin’s best friend, Julia Wicker (Stella Maeve), is denied entry. Deeply wounded by rejection, Julia joins an underground group of “hedge witches”, putting her and Quentin completely at odds as they learn the very real dangers of their respective magical worlds.

The Magicians is based on the novel trilogy of the same name by Lev Grossman, and the Syfy series cleverly dodged the YA label by aging up its characters. In the books, Quentin and Julia are 17-year-olds about to enter their undergraduate studies, but in the show, they are going into grad school, thus making the show technically more of a “new adult” series than YA by virtue of the characters’ ages. But make no mistake, The Magicians is a YA show, and its approach to the genre’s themes and tropes proves why young adult stories deserve more respect.

The Magicians Adapted A YA Story More Hard-Hitting Than You’d Expect

The Magicians‘ premise certainly sounds like a fun, whimsical, Harry Potter-esque series — multiple publications have referred to The Magicians as “Harry Potter for grown-ups”. However, whereas Harry found the wizarding world to be a cozy, welcoming escape from the harshness of everyday life, The Magicians‘ Fillory is hardly the magical warm hug that Quentin thinks it’s going to be. He soon discovers that not only do life’s problems and traumas follow him, but they’re actually amplified by magic.

Magic in The Magicians functions like a drug: it gives the user a high when spellcasting, but there’s an exhausting comedown. For many characters, the seduction often outweighs the consequences, making magic more of an addiction metaphor than a coming-of-age device in which characters learn their capabilities and grow stronger.

There’s also the protagonist himself. The beginning of The Magicians sets Quentin up as a quintessential chosen-one protagonist, but while he secures a spot at the elite Brakebills, once there, he realizes he’s not special at all. Moreover, there’s no Dumbledore mentor figure in Quentin’s corner; the authority figures he encounters are opportunistic and calculating. The Magicians isn’t a feel-good YA story; it’s often a brutal depiction of the cold, hard truth of growing up.

The Magicians Is One Of The Most Binge-Worthy Fantasy Shows Out There

If The Magicians‘ gritty approach to the YA genre makes the show sound like a miserable watch, it’s anything but. Yes, mileage may vary on the series’ darkness, but it’s still an engrossing, smart story worth checking out, especially if you’re prepared for what’s to come, tonally speaking.

Even if the magic system isn’t all sunshine and roses, The Magicians still has a sardonic, wicked sense of humor that keeps things light without ever putting the show in danger of floating away. Surprisingly, The Magicians‘ musical numbers became one of the series’ most popular staples; not only are they a blast to watch, but they’re an excellent storytelling device for showing how characters process everything from emotions and trauma to magical comedowns. Music-heavy episode or not, you’ll constantly find yourself pressing play on the next episode.

The Magicians‘ lighthearted elements work so well not just because they relieve tension from a dark story but because of their roots in YA. Though other young adult fantasy shows may be sweeter and more earnest, they explore many similar topics to The Magicians. Don’t be surprised if, after you’ve finished the Syfy series, you find yourself going back to the YA well.

Release Date

2015 – 2020-00-00

Showrunner

Sera Gamble

Directors

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

John McNamara, Henry Alonso Myers, David Reed, Noga Landau, Christina Strain, Leah Fong, Alex Raiman, Elle Lipson, David Reed

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  Jason Ralph

  Quentin Coldwater

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  Olivia Taylor Dudley

  Alice Quinn