The Magicians (2016): It often gets pitched as "Hogwarts for adults" because it features a magic college/university, but honestly that is just the initial backdrop and a massive undersell.

It is the rare show where the creators were seemingly handed a blank cheque to be as creative as they want to be, and they make full use of that in more ways than I can list here (but which definitely includes both the magic system itself, and the hilarious nonchalance towards the consequences of magic being a reality); yet all the while, they stay true and fiercely loyal to their characters, who are all deeply flawed, but which you can't help but want to see succeed; plus they managed to write genuinely great humor.

The best summary of the show comes from one of the characters themselves: "Magic doesn't come from talent. It comes from pain."

Be warned: the first few episodes, and possibly the first season, are the weakest and roughest of the bunch, which probably really hampered viewership. They do still manage to find their own tone, but it's nothing compared to seasons 3-5.

[–] trustyturtle@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I think it's based on a book, so the series creators might've been less creative than you think, but an interesting watch nonetheless

[–] ApollosArrow@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

At least one of the book writers once mentioned how the show was more creative than they were. They were really impressed with how the keys were used.

[–] smiletolerantly@awful.systems 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

It is, and I read them. The series creators were very faithful to the general feeling and atmosphere of the books, but most of the plotlines and character beats are show-only. Makes for two very different (but both good!) stories.

[–] Devmapall@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The audiobooks gave a real sense of loneliness and not fitting in/trying to find a place.

I loved them but probably will never revisit them.

Was reading the text like that too? I ask because I rarely read actual novels anymore and wonder how much the narration colored it for me.

[–] smiletolerantly@awful.systems 1 points 5 days ago

That's a pretty apt description, I'd say! Getting everything you ever wanted and still feeling like you don't belong and cannot be happy.

IDK if you've seen the show, but if not: that's definitely still a big theme there, but while it is never dropped completely, it is alleviated somewhat because the characters grow closer as a group than they did in the books. Can highly recommend both.