The Final Results
(These refer to all 7 of the episodes, including the Pilot)
Highest Score for a Single Routine
33 – Ben Hart (Pilot and Week 1)
Lowest Score for a Single Routine
21 – Dee Christopher (Week 1)
Most Victories
4 - Ben Hart
2 - Damien O’Brien
1 - Chris Cox
Most Killer Tricks
3 - Jasz Vegas
3 - Dee Christopher
1 - Ben Hart
Final Scores
(These are the combined total of the scores each magician received for all 7 of their routines)
Ben Hart – 214/280
Chris Cox – 196/280
Damien O’Brien – 203/280
Dee Christopher – 184/280
Jasz Vegas - 187/280
Top 10 Performances
10. Alchemy (Dee Christopher, Week 3) - After unimpressive performances in the Pilot Episode and Week 2, and the lowest ever Killer Magic score in Week 1, Dee needed to provide an impressive trick in Week 3 and did not disappoint. His “Alchemy” routine allowed himself to demonstrate a different side of himself with some unusually energetic quick-fire magic that contrasted with his usual focus on single tricks and long set-ups. Dee received his highest-ever score for this performance, with Jasz giving it 10 out of 10.
9. Sleight Of Shadow (Ben Hart, Week 3) – The tricks Ben provided do not seem particularly unconventional at first glance, but in this case, presentation was the key factor that turned an apparently ordinary routine into a resounding success. I was particularly impressed by how the coins appeared to move from pocket to pocket at exactly the right moments.
8. Ribbon Shot Through Body (Dee Christopher, Week 5) – Dee brought an old favourite up to date with this performance. The central trick was certainly daring, and Dee provided a perfect presentation that both emphasised the threat and ensured that the trick fitted him perfectly.
7. Robert-Houdin’s Clockwork Contraption (Ben Hart, Week 6) – I loved the idea of applying the week’s “Gadget” theme to fit a historical gadget instead of a modern one. Furthermore, the trick was just as impressive as it had been 200 years ago.
6. Card in Fried Fish (Damien O’Brien, Pilot Episode) – This trick felt a bit like something Dynamo would do, but that’s a good thing. It was a simple, attention-grabbing, and wonderfully British piece of card magic.
5. Champagne Bottle Magic (Damien O’Brien, Week 4) – The main reason why this stood out was the climax. The first half of the routine wasn’t too exciting, but the second half, in which he turned an empty Champagne bottle into a full, unopened, chilled one, was incredible.
4. Predicting Chosen Films (Chris Cox, Week 2) – There was a reason why Chris managed to break Ben and Damien’s dominance over the series with this routine. It was creative and had an enjoyable finish that fitted Chris but also allowed him to do something different. Furthermore, it was a lot easier to follow that Chris’ other routines, because it had a shorter set-up and a simpler, more effective reveal. Whilst I generally liked Chris’ performances throughout the series, this was his best by a wide margin.
3. Lego Car From Stomach (Jasz Vegas, Week 1) – This trick was unique, creative and disgusting. For better or for worse, it perfectly epitomised Killer Magic.
2. The Magical Board Game (Ben Hart, Week 1) – This routine was made up of a number of tricks that became increasingly ostentatious. Beginning with some simple but striking illusions and finishing with a wonderfully over-the-top climax, this routine required a lot of time and effort, and the end result was worth every second.
1. Card from Photograph (Damien O’Brien, Week 6) – This was practically the perfect card trick – an original, impressive, vanish leading into a climax that was both spectacular and hard to figure out.
Top 3 Killer Tricks
3. The Buzzsaw (Week 5) –This was the best of the two tricks in which Jasz appeared to be killed. I did not like the fact that Jasz had to do a second seemingly fatal “Killer Trick” after the Guillotine “Killer Trick” of Week 3, but this one had a better presentation and was more entertaining to watch.
2. The Table of Death (Week 2) – This is always a great trick, and the presentation was very entertaining. I believe that more of the Killer Tricks should have used escapology as a theme.
1. Russian Roulette (Week 4) – This was a unique, shocking and very dangerous Killer Trick. It was fun to watch and probably got a lot of viewers talking, which is what all great magic should do.
Final Review
When reviewing the pilot last year, I described this show as a cross between Come Dine With Me and The Magicians. This concept continued to define Killer Magic, with the show taking the basic format of The Magicians (Magicians compete to avoid a forfeit trick) and adding several of the tropes associated with Come Dine With Me (The competitive contestants observing and scoring each other, the narrator who responds to the action with a snarky voice-over), using these elements to create a unique and interesting show. The magicians were all very good, and managed to provide a number of creative routines throughout their time on the show. Overall, this was a very enjoyable series, and I hope to see this show continue.
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