_==[Note: This review is being written prior to the release of Season 4, for anyone who comes across it in the future. I don't know how the series will go from here, but this is my thoughts as of the end of Season 3.]==_

Until recently, _Buffy_ had always topped my list of favourite shows. It was clever, fun, and maintained its plot well from episode to episode. I'm glad, though, that TV and movies seem to be growing as time goes on, able to talk about dark themes and being even more serial in nature.

So, when I came across _The Magicians_ (and also _American Gods_, which I really hope pays off its potential), it quickly found its way into being my favourite show (well, maybe next to _Kamen Rider_ but that's extremely niche). Not afraid to broach some truly dark subject matter ([spoiler]child molestation, rape, intense violence[/spoiler]), while still maintaining the whimsy and charm that is common with the genre (a la _Buffy_). I was, and am, thoroughly impressed by the series.

As the series has gone on, the characters have become more likeable (particularly given that most of them start out as self-centered douchebags, but with enough character that it can be seen that there's really more to them than that). Even minor characters like Fen and Josh have thoughtful character arcs.

==(Spoilers ahead, but kept mostly vague, for a more detailed exploration of why I love the series.)==

The series can be a bit juvenile at time (plenty of sexualized jokes, such as the need to... imbibe a God's "bestowal", aka semen, to gain power), but I find it's handled reaasonably, though not necessarily tastefully. Still, I've never been one to mind a joke made in bad taste. On the flip side, it wholly delves into truly dark subject matter, not shying away from depicting a graphic rape (with literally all everything it can manage to do without nudity or actual depictions of sex), or making the audience sit through a truly uncomfortable build up to a boy being molested.

And the audience should be uncomfortable, these are uncomfortable topics, and the audience should be forced to feel even a fraction of the pain that the people in these sorts of situations have to feel, so that we can begin to empathize with how horrible they are.

Also, a later storyline sees a character rewarded and praised for accepting bestiality, due to the consideration that the animals involved are capable of speech, and thus intelligence and consent. I love this because the show doesn't just write off something complicated as 'taboo' and call it gross, it genuinely considers **_why_** something should be considered wrong, and doesn't demonize something just for being 'distasteful' by social standards. I wholly agree that while I'd never go "horse riding" myself, it's not really my place to decide it's wrong if the horse can give consent.

==(Spoilers ended.)==

The show has its flaws and cracks, but ultimately, nothing is flawless, but I say perfection is subjective; and this is as close to perfect, for me, as I've ever seen a show get.