As a massively underrated and underappreciated fantasy tv sequence, The Magicians secretly boasts among the finest villain introductions of the 2010s. Season 1’s “Unauthorized Magic” introduces The Beast because the overarching antagonist for predominant character Quentin Coldwater, however the first episode is cautious about how a lot it chooses to current. Instead of overindulging in character spectacle, the sequence opener opts to be restrained and selectful with regards to The Beast’s display screen time. As a end result, this main Magicians villain stays memorable and impactful when in comparison with modern fantasy reveals.

Adapted from a 2009 novel of the identical identify, The Magicians follows potential magic college students as they intention to enroll in Brakebills University, a prestigious magic faculty within the parallel fantasy world of Fillory. Drawing clear influences from Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, this Syfy sequence establishes a protracted listing of key characters inside the present’s first hour-long episode. It’s simple to get misplaced within the preliminary metafantasy constructions depicted in “Unauthorized Magic.” By sustaining simplicity, the showrunners execute one of the vital efficient villain introductions in a fantasy tv present.

The Beast’s First Scene In The Magicians Is One Of The Best Villain Introductions In A Fantasy Show

Comparing The Beast’s Intro Scene To Other Iconic Fantasy Villains

In Game of Thrones, Tywin Lannister is launched by depicting him carving up a stag while conversing together with his son Jaime. Tywin’s dedication and authority are displayed via his command over dialog and his precision with the blade. Once Upon A Time‘s key antagonist Rumplestiltskin is proven trapped in a jail cell, his sporadic flips and hops greatest contained behind bars. His presence is preceded by a warning, signaling the methods his wit and trickery may cause issues even when bodily neutralized.

While each of those iconic fantasy reveals introduce their villains in extremely efficient manners, they principally do that whereas counting on dialogue. This reliance on spoken phrase goes towards the ideas of show-don’t-tell, the place screenwriters present via character motion somewhat than inform with on-the-nose dialog. The Magicians comply with this screenwriting method to fruitful outcomes, taking part in out most of The Beast’s introduction with none of the primary characters talking a single line. This villain introduction delivers key character symbolism, casting spells with six fingers, overpowering professors and directors of the college, and creating an eerie smiley face with wide-set grin.

Why The Beast’s Entrance In The Magicians Season 1 Works So Well

Simplicity Is Key To A Good Villain Introduction

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A good fantasy villain introduction proposes a menacing pressure with an impending doom, a worthy problem that elevates the chosen one protagonist to hero standing. While different characters in The Magicians fulfill the command and authority of Tywin Lannister or the wit and trickery of Rumplestiltskin, none can match the pressure and doom that The Beast exerts in his intro scene. His presence is indicated by the stoppage of time, and he enters the room via a thin full physique mirror. The present even refrains from a face reveal, obscuring The Beast with an eclipse of moths fluttering round his head.

With a lot of the episode containing heavy exposition, the ending scene forgoes verbal rationalization by executing extra audiovisual storytelling. The pacing, the rating composition, and the shot choice heighten the drama and retains viewers on the sting of their seats. By inserting this scene on the very finish of the primary episode, The Magicians leaves its viewers on a cliffhanger and guarantees a present filled with intrigue and motion. The Beast’s villain introduction is the engine that makes this fantasy present work.