The Magicians (2016)

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Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 25, 2016
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 25, 2016
    33
    Most of the characters, however, are written and behave as if they are 14, and not 20-something graduate students. That said, the first episode ends on a terrific cliffhanger, when a creature from another realm--a man with a swarm of moths flitting around his head--attacks. A good three minutes does not excuse the hour that came before it. And the resolution is presented so poorly in the next episode that it sabotages any good will the first episode earned.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Dec 16, 2015
    30
    There's little that's magical about the cold, poorly paced Magicians pilot. It takes 16 minutes until Quentin arrives at Brakebills and feels longer. The pilot is rife with drab colors and while the story has potential, it made me want to go find the book rather than watch more of the TV series.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
32
#32 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 225 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 158 out of 225
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 225
  3. Negative: 38 out of 225
  1. Jenmlx
    Mar 1, 2016
    1
    Having read the books I greatly looked forward to this show. The first episode was not too bad. There were changes to be sure, but noneHaving read the books I greatly looked forward to this show. The first episode was not too bad. There were changes to be sure, but none unforgivable. I found it perfectly allowable to change a few things to get the action going faster than it did in the book. Then I watched the second episode. Things started to get bad. Every deviation from the original book had me wondering why. Every time they changed course from the original source material it got cheesier. By the third episode I completely understood: There was no intention of following the books at all. Obviously the idea was to just use the books as inspiration and create a series that could be continued for as long as the show continued to make money.

    The dialogue and plot quickly became ridiculous and unforgivable.    … Full Review »
  2. luczai
    Jan 26, 2016
    3
    Wow. I can't believe how dumbed down this is from the books. I really hope this doesn't discourage potential readers of this excellent seriesWow. I can't believe how dumbed down this is from the books. I really hope this doesn't discourage potential readers of this excellent series of books. So much is lost in making everyone older (even the kids in Fillory--presumably to set the stage for sex scenes with them in the future as there is no other plausible reason), better looking, and compressing the storyline to the point where you can't imagine what they're going to do if the series gets renewed. I was really looking forward to this and am very disappointed. If you haven't read the books, you might like it better than I did.… Full Review »
  3. Lecroan
    Mar 15, 2016
    1
    Not only are the character descriptions from the novels ignored completely, the magic system isn't even explained rendering the viewer mostlyNot only are the character descriptions from the novels ignored completely, the magic system isn't even explained rendering the viewer mostly confused. The pacing of the story is terrible, the Chatwin kids aren't actually kids. The show is completely butchering the source material. They couldn't even get a tall Quentin, just the height is incorrect. Nothing to redeem this drab affair.… Full Review »
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