I have to admit, I didn't want to turn it on. Part of me just didn't want to let it go quite yet, especially with what we're dealing with in the world right now. After five great seasons, The Magicians came to a close on April Fool's Day 2020 on Syfy. In a way, it's kind of fitting, because the show sort of fooled audiences early on. Let me explain that.
For anyone who wasn't familiar with Lev Grossman's novels, it would have been easy to dismiss The Magicians as just another show about young adults who are going to a school for magic and that we would almost have some coming of age story. Perhaps, even a few quests along the way. Sure, there was some of that, but The Magicians was so much more right from the start. Not just with the larger than life personalities of it's characters, but the way that it's stories were told. Take a story like losing magic, for example. You wouldn't think that it had anything to do with a God using the wellspring as a toilet. A quest for keys saw a talking dragon and a boat who wanted to have sex with another boat. Who does that? The crazy part was...it always worked. Somehow, some way, it always came together because of the perfect blend of cast and creative team that the show boasted over it's five seasons.
There were certainly more than laughs to be had. The show dealt with loss and pain in a way that felt authentic when it mattered most. Who could ever forget Eliot and Quentin solving the impossible puzzle that took a lifetime in Season 3. That is on the short list of television episodes that will be burned into my brain forever. The show also dealt with mental illness, sexual assault, addiction and so many other issues. Every time this show took on an issue, it did so in it's own unique way. The beauty came in always finding that balance between the heavy and lighthearted moments. There were even times where they somehow managed to blend the two together. Of course, they would even break the fourth wall a time or two over the last five seasons.
As I said before when I reported the news that the show was ending, The Magicians was that flagship series that really got viewers interested in Syfy's original programming again. From there, the network was able to take a few risks and build a solid lineup of programming. Now it feels like Syfy is moving in a different direction, and it will be without the show that gave them that boost that they needed. Whether that will work in their favor or not remains to be seen.
Even as I say that, it really did feel like it was time for The Magicians to say goodbye. While I could have watched Margo, Katy, Julia, Eliot, Josh, Penny and the gang for another five seasons, the way things had played out the last two seasons tied things up fairly well. You know how the old saying goes, "why mess with perfection?" Too often you see shows go on longer than they should, and it just becomes white noise at that point. This show made a living always preparing to go out on their own terms, and it felt like they were able to do that. Your fandom does not have to start here. This amazing cast will have new projects soon enough. They are still excellent follows on social media. Let your fandom for this show possibly open your eyes to a new series or movie that you might not have watched otherwise. Think about how many people decided to watch The Magicians, and got hooked on it, because they were drawn in by the outspoken and incredible fan base. You know how talented this cast and writers are. They will tell you where they plan to go next.
For me personally, I had the opportunity to talk to several members of the cast over the years. Whether it was by phone or as San Diego Comic-Con, they were always full of energy and passion about the show. It was also incredibly obvious how much they loved working together. That kind of energy is so infectious, and just made me love the show even more. So, to each and every one of them, I say thank you for that passion and for five unforgettable seasons. I can't speak for the whole fandom, but for me personally, the magic that this show created will always be there. Your books might be in the library, but the next volumes are just starting to be written. I, for one, can't wait to see what's next.
Photo Credit: Jeff Weddell/SYFY