Quirkbag Collection #16 – 26.09.25
It started as a movie starring Noah Wyle as the inconspicuously intelligent and charismatic Librarian. No, not the dull guardians of books from high school libraries. His role is to protect the world from the misuse of magic by finding and storing ancient magical relics inside a mythical library that exists separately from Earth’s dimension. Pretty cool stuff, I know.
“The Librarians” captivated me because of the adventure and lore it explored. They brought to life the stories of Old Kings and Gods, mixing myth and history. I couldn’t have been older than 13 when the show left its deep impression on me. They had a Minotaur and a flying Excalibur! (I am fully aware that may sound dorky.) But most importantly, the show led me to think and imagine greatly, to deeply visualise the stories and feel as the characters do.
For those who feel deterred by their dearth of knowledge about ancient relics and myths, fear not! The storyline is only partially driven by these details, and there is much more to the show. And maybe, it’s even more interesting to learn about them this way. The key to the show is its ability to incite thoughts of possibility and imagination around the everyday things we see and probe at your ‘reality’. The reason and emotions are real, even if the magic isn’t.
What if there’s a super squad of chosen individuals who secretly tread a line between our world and one of magic to ensure balance? Just imagine.
The Next Chapter. Literally.
“The Librarians: The Next Chapter”, a sequel to the original movie and TV series, was released a few months ago. And yes, nostalgia hit me in the face.
That was very hard to ignore. It brought back all the good times I had, or as people like to say, ‘when times were simpler’.
Indeed it was.
A 13 year old me, or younger, was bestowed with the idea of adventure after watching the show. An idea that has since grown subconsciously into a subtle urge. I had that feeling in my gut, that creeping urge to live and work for adventure to ‘save the world’. Of course, there is no Librarian job that keeps the peace in the world (or is there?). But we can all dream.
No one grew up wanting to be just a keeper of old books in a school or public library (even enigmatic architecture has limits right?) and that’s what made the idea of such a job so enticing to me. More than that, it’s that idea of adventure, seeking what the world has to offer for good, and giving back to it. Seeing the new sequel reminded me of the same ideals that the original series introduced. That familiar friendship between strangers, the loyalty that grows, the becoming of an ordinary person into a Librarian.
When the new faces were introduced, it felt like the first episode of the original series again. But, as many fans do, I miss the old team, nonetheless, so the Jacob Stone cameo with dear Excalibur was a delight. The writers probably knew they had to include them or else it just wouldn’t feel right. But having Jacob act now as the mentor that Flynn once was made an endearing full-circle moment.
What “The Librarians” Really Means To Me
I really enjoy and love the magical aspects of the show. From visiting Shakespeare to seeing the Loom of Fate and finding the Sword in the Stone, the epic adventures are poignantly thrilling. Emphasis on poignant. Yes, you might be familiar with this literary term.
The poignant theme treads consistently across the seasons as the team faces troubles and hardship. The tough times are exactly what I think elevates the show from a simple tale of heroism to one about strongly bonded guardians of magic.
The connection (ahem love interest) between Flynn and Eve has always been hinted at from the start, developed rather awkwardly and hilariously over the episodes. There’s something cathartic about seeing their love stand the test of life (and magic) and blossom as the outcome, rather than simply that it exists from the start. They were two similarly lonesome individuals, great at their jobs, being brought together by the Library.
Having been on their many adventures as an audience, and relating to their situations, I see “The Librarians” as a story to imbue the virtues of courage and faith: courage to right the wrongs in the present for a greater good and faith that what we cannot control is not always to our detriment. Any audience can benefit from the virtues and stories told throughout the seasons, the same way I have. Taking in these lessons, apart from the fun of the show, would help guide young minds toward serving the right cause. At least I can imagine it does.
The Final Chapter
It’s a tough and possibly lonely job as a Librarian (both the mythical and practical one) as we learn from Flynn in the early movies. Even Vikram Chamberlain, the Rogue Librarian, says it is ‘ a lifetime of mystery and misery, of loneliness and adventure, but most of all, a chance to make a difference’ in the season 1 finale of the sequel. This is all but what one needs to understand of the primary job as a Librarian. And for some, it is a lifetime well spent.
Imagine, as I had, if you could pepper your life with the same adventure, perhaps not while saving the world from magic, but with a job in which you see purpose. What would that be?
Imagine the possibilities of your life, if well dedicated.
See the past thoughts I had by clicking the arrows!
To return home!
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