Summary
- Quentin & Eliot's dynamic in The Magicians TV show was a refreshing change from the books, creating a deeper and more complex relationship.
- Author Lev Grossman approved of the changes made in the show, allowing for exploration of story threads not covered in the books.
- The TV show adds layers to Quentin & Eliot's relationship that are hard to capture in the books, bringing subtlety and complexity to their bond.
While The Magicians TV show took several liberties with the books, one big character dynamic change was so much better than the books. The Magicians was beloved by audiences, even those who haven't read the books, and it devastated fans when the show was canceled after five seasons. On one hand, keeping The Magicians to a trim five seasons ensured that the storytelling remained strong and gripping to the end. On the other, audiences weren't ready to say goodbye to the series.
That reason for that was down to The Magicians' cast of characters, which was and still is one of the most interesting and complex put on TV. With a true ensemble cast, it can be hard to provide equal time and development to each character; at least one or two always seem to get the short end of the stick. But The Magicians managed the delicate balance of maintaining forward plot momentum while giving ample time to build each character up. With that, the relationship between two characters, in particular, was all the deeper for it.
Related
Magic is treated differently–and far darker and more dangerous–in The Magicians, and it's what sets it apart from other fantasy TV shows.
Quentin & Eliot's Dynamic Is Way More Interesting In The Magicians Show Than The Books
They Got To Spend A Life Together
While all the characters have incredible arcs – truly, some of the best collective ensemble evolutions in modern television – one of the greatest character relationships and dynamics is between Quentin and Eliot. While Quentin is a little aloof at first in The Magicians TV show, in the books, he's pretty much immediately obsessed with Eliot. The pair initially have a mentor-mentee dynamic in the TV series, with the debonair, debauched, detached Eliot taking The Magicians' nerdy, anxious Quentin under his wing and introducing him to Brakebills.
Over time, however, their dynamic starts to change and even out so that they become genuine friends and equals, and, in one alternate timeline episode, the quiet loves of each other's lives, living together until they are old men. That episode was titled "Life in a Day." In the series, there was always queer subtext between Eliot and Quentin. Especially obvious was Eliot's repressed feelings for Quentin, but "Life in a Day" made that subtext the text, period. That wasn't the only episode that showcased their bond, but it was the most memorable. It was richer, deeper, and more complex than in the books.
How Quentin & Eliot's Relationship Is Different In The Magicians TV Show
The Book & TV Show Each Have Their Unique Strengths
Even author Lev Grossman agrees. In a recent Reddit AMA, he commented on some of the changes the show made to the books, revealing that he approved of every single change made. With The Magicians TV show adaptation, he was able to explore story threads he didn't get to in the books. As he explained, "Because of the nature of TV, they had a lot more room to let the stories sprawl, and follow up leads that I didn't have room for in the books. Like Quentin's relationship with Eliot, which they were able to take a lot further than I did, as in 'Life in a Day.'"
That's not to say the book doesn't explore their dynamics and their friendship. They become like brothers in the books, but the show is able to do more, as Grossman said. It also adds a layer to their relationship that is hard to picture in the books thanks to the visual medium of television, and both Hale Appleman (Eliot) and Jason Ralph (Quentin) bring subtlety and life to an often very complex, fraught swirl of feelings between them. For those who loved the show, it's well worth going back and reading The Magicians books, simply to see how the dynamic between Quentin and Eliot develops in a different, but still wonderful, way.
The Magicians
4.0
Horror
Fantasy
Drama
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*Availability in US
Based on the novel of the same name by Lev Grossman, The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant young man who is given a place at a magical college named Brakebills. There, he learns magic alongside his friends Alice, Eliot, Margo, and Penny, and unlocks magical secrets far beyond his wildest imaginings that see him travel to various fantastical locations, including the world of Fillory.
- Cast
- Olivia Taylor Dudley , Arjun Gupta , Jade Tailor , Stella Maeve , Summer Bishil , Jason Ralph , Hale Appleman
- Release Date
- December 16, 2015
- Seasons
- 5
- Network
- NBC , SyFy
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video , Netflix , Apple TV+
- Writers
- John McNamara
- Directors
- Sera Gamble
- Showrunner
- Sera Gamble
