As a massively underrated and underappreciated fantasy television series, this major Magicians villain remains memorable and impactful when compared to contemporary fantasy shows.

Adapted from a 2009 novel of the same name, The Magicians follows prospective magic students as they aim to enroll in Brakebills University, a prestigious magic school in the parallel fantasy world of Fillory. Drawing clear influences from Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, this Syfy series establishes a long list of key characters within the show’s first hour-long episode. It’s easy to get lost in the initial metafantasy constructions depicted in “Unauthorized Magic.” By maintaining simplicity, the showrunners execute one of the most effective villain introductions in a fantasy television show.

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 introduced by depicting him carving up a stag whilst conversing with his son Jaime. Tywin’s determination and authority are displayed through his command over conversation and his precision with the blade. Once Upon A Time's key antagonist Rumplestiltskin is shown trapped in a jail cell, his sporadic flips and hops best contained behind bars. His presence is preceded by a warning, signaling the ways his wit and trickery can cause problems even when physically neutralized.

The Magicians follow this screenwriting technique to fruitful results, playing out most of The Beast’s introduction without any of the main characters speaking a single line.

While both of these iconic fantasy shows debut their villains in highly effective manners, they mostly do this while relying on dialogue. This reliance on spoken word goes against the principles of show-don’t-tell, where screenwriters show through character action rather than tell with on-the-nose conversation. The Magicians follow this screenwriting technique to fruitful results, playing out most of The Beast’s introductory scene without any of the main characters speaking a single line. This villain's first appearance delivers key character symbolism, casting spells with six fingers, overpowering professors and s of the school, 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

A good fantasy villain introduction proposes a menacing force with an impending doom, a worthy challenge that elevates the chosen one protagonist to hero status. While other characters in The Magicians fulfill the command and authority of Tywin Lannister or the wit and trickery of Rumplestiltskin, none can match the force and doom that The Beast exerts in his intro scene. His presence is indicated by the stoppage of time, and he enters the room through a skinny full body mirror. The show even refrains from a face reveal, obscuring The Beast with an eclipse of moths fluttering around his head.

With most of the episode containing heavy exposition, the ending scene forgoes verbal explanation by executing more audiovisual storytelling. The pacing, the score composition, and the shot selection heighten the drama and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. By placing this scene at the very end of the first episode, The Magicians leaves its audience on a cliffhanger and promises a show full of intrigue and action. The Beast’s villain debut is the engine that makes this fantasy show work.