The Witcher

I was very apprehensive about this series and I’m glad that my concerns were mostly unnecessary. I admit the final rating could have been higher, but the overall average was ruined by the sixth and seventh episode, which just didn’t sit well with me. Plus, what I thought was completely unnecessary was the fulfillment of quotas, which I really don’t understand. Don't the actors realize how ridiculous they look in certain roles? If not, then it says a lot about them, if they do, it's even worse. But not even such a rotten lemon could put me off this series, so I'm looking forward to the next season. (16.01.2020)

I watched the trailer for this series and braced for a total flop, but hey, the first episode wasn't half bad. Now, about those actor quotas... I get the idea, but every time that black knight in armor popped up, I couldn't help but crack up. Kinda killed the mood for me in some pretty dramatic moments. (15.01.2020)

It's not just because the Slavic fantasy is suddenly filled with folks who look like they stepped out of a modern cityscape, but also because the storyline's kinda dull and the troubadour's got this bizarrely modern haircut. And let's talk about Henry Cavill as Geralt... he's just not hitting the mark, right? There were times in this episode when I was seriously missing the true essence of the Witcher. (15.01.2020)

So, after the last episode, I was all ready to dish out five stars for this one, but... Triss Ranuncul? Seriously? Was that supposed to be a joke? The redhead who is supposed to pass off a nineteen-year-old? This is how the creators imagined her? Hmm... Anyway, The Witcher's fight with the striga was decent, except for the striga itself which looked more like a ghoul. (15.01.2020)

Let me start off by highlighting what didn't quite work for me. The Dryads, and especially Lady Eithné, left me feeling a bit let down — I half-expected Wonder Woman to swoop in from the nearest bushes at any moment. However, I've got to hand it to the creators — they had me worried they'd overlooked a crucial moment with Pavetta, but boy, did they pleasantly surprise me. (15.01.2020)

Overall, I was pretty content with this episode, but I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by how they portrayed the poor mimic. In DnD terms, he'd definitely be more of a confusedly good character, but here, they turned him into a psychopathic serial killer. However, putting that aside, the fun with the genie was enjoyable, and Yennefer's distraction tactics were on point, so I can't complain too much. (16.01.2020)

This time around, the creators decided to take a bit of creative liberty with the source material, and while I usually appreciate innovation, their approach didn't quite hit the mark for me. (16.01.2020)

The seventh episode took my disappointment to a whole new level. The plot felt dull, and Yennefer came off as a spoiled brat. Instead of moving the story forward, we got stuck in an annoying recap of previous events. I get it, maybe the creators thought we needed a refresher, but it just felt like unnecessary padding. It's like they underestimated the audience's memory. 2*- (16.01.2020)

After feeling a bit on the fence with the last couple of episodes, the first season finale really turned things around for me. The Battle of Sodden, a mere "hearsay" event in the book, was brought to life in such a satisfying way. The creators took the opportunity to expand on it, and boy, did they deliver. It was a real treat to watch. (16.01.2020)

After the first season, I was a bit hesitant, but I held onto hope. Now, after the second season, that hope has vanished. It's similar to what happened to Game of Thrones, just a bit earlier on. I get it, the script can't always perfectly match the source material, but in this case, it feels like only the name remains from the original. It baffles me why some filmmakers think they can cover up script and casting flaws with a massive CGI spectacle. Instead, we're left with more and more side storylines that often lead to dead ends. Meanwhile, digital creatures roam around, looking like they've wandered in from Evolution (2001). Then there are the new questions. Why is Geralt called the White Wolf when his hair color reminds me more of Gandalf pre-Balrog encounter? Did the series creators use the Nilfgaardian invasion to divert attention from the Afro-Indian hordes infiltrating Slavic fantasy? Who knows. Undoubtedly, the upcoming seasons of this "masterpiece" will have some explaining to do. To put it in aviation terms, this series is in a descending spiral, and if this keeps up, it's heading into a tailspin. 2*- (31.01.2022)

If the series stuck to Sapkowski's short stories, it would be on a whole other level. Unfortunately, along with the saga, we've got this intrusion of dark Slavs into the plot, whom I find quite distracting. I'm also struggling to get used to the altered appearances - the ugly Yennefer, the overly pigmented Fringilla Vigo - and the dialogues felt a bit weak at times. However, the majority of the episode focused on the short story part, which I appreciated. So, with a clear conscience, I give this episode four stars. (29.01.2022)

This episode took a sharp turn from the first in that it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The disco at Kaer Morhen felt like a bad joke; it's as if Vesemir decided to throw a village fair in spring. Equally ridiculous was the elven mushroom party in the cabin on chicken legs. Add to that a lot of unnecessary chatter and Geralt's repeated posing with the sword, and it all became quite annoying, to be honest. (29.01.2022)

I'm rather underwhelmed by the second season so far, to say the least. There's been a severe lack of meaningful dialogue. Sure, there were discussions, but nothing of substance seemed to happen. It felt like empty chatter, thrown in just to meet the required number of episodes for the series. Now, I don't mind a good, long debate. But it has to be full of intrigue and manipulation, with a clear goal in mind. And I found it to be lacking. (29.01.2022)

Unexpectedly, the plot wasn't as boring compared to the previous two episodes. The only dull moment for me was during the conversation with the deaf-mute dark elf. It was painfully obvious that they ran out of ears at the prop house, so he had to pretend they were cropped. Aside from that hiccup, the episode was quite enjoyable. However, the meeting with Marigold left me in a bit of an unpleasant mood. The troubadour's song in the tavern was as weird as if Morris dancers were doing the twist in Black Adder. It was missing only an electric guitar and keyboards to complete the scene. 3*- (30.01.2022)

The episode didn't quite hit the mark for me. Once again, I didn't see any significant progress in the story; instead, there was a surplus of pointless talking. It's becoming a bit of a trend with fantasy series. They start off promising, then devolve into endless meetings with various characters, engaging in dialogues about nothing. And of course, just to spice things up, someone gets beaten up every now and then because, hey, the viewers need some action. (30.01.2022)

There were moments in this episode where I actually felt like something was happening for a change. It was a pleasant distraction from the unnecessarily long dialogues that could easily confuse viewers who haven't read the books. It's quite a paradox; if you haven't read the books, you might find yourself lost in the situation, but if you have, the twists might surprise you (or perhaps disappoint you). What really amused me was the talk of a timed detonation (even figuratively) - I wonder what's coming next. This episode also taught me that elves give birth to perfectly clean and dry babies (well, different species, different customs, I suppose). And, honestly, the way they push the multiracial casting so forcefully is starting to feel a bit ridiculous (or maybe just plain embarrassing...). 3*- (30.01.2022)

The seventh episode was a bit of a mixed bag - partly amusing (though probably unintentionally) and partly just downright illogical. I couldn't help but wonder, what's the politically correct term for a black elf? Afroelf? Seems unlikely, especially since it feels like the show's creators conveniently left Africa out of the equation. At least, I hope that's the case... Imagine being a different race and also a minority within your own race. That's a minority within a minority. I have this sneaking suspicion that Netflix won't pass up the chance to introduce a character who's a black, gay elf. Killing three birds with one stone, right? (31.01.2022)

Any semblance of the book adaptation is completely lost, and if Professor Sapkowski truly approves of this series, well, he's either gone senile or struck an incredible deal. My bet is on the latter. The plot made absolutely no sense to me. It seemed like the creators were more focused on showcasing their CGI creatures than actually telling a coherent story. The big revelation of his imperial majesty's identity would've only shocked me if I'd never touched The Witcher books. (31.01.2022)

The creators got to the point where the author of the source material seemed to be experimenting with hallucinogenic drugs, which negatively affected the plot. Well, considering the series hasn't really impressed me so far, I can't say I'm expecting much now. With the Tower of the Gull, the books took a steep decline, but the advantage of the series is that there isn't much room for a drop in quality. I really can't imagine how the whole thing will look after Henry Cavill leaves (who didn't even fit the role), because it feels like he carried the whole show. / Lesson learned: Not even CGI can save a weak story. (27.02.2024)

I have to admit, I was expecting a bigger disaster from the opening episode of the new season. Either the plot wasn't as bad as the end of the previous season, or maybe I'm getting used to what they're throwing at me here. Casting Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart surprisingly didn't raise my blood pressure, and I actually liked Yarpen Zigrin's accent. The whole thing was only really spoiled by a strange story that felt like it was just standing still, yet generating bizarre and illogical moments. / Lesson learned: Don't go into the maze, it's full of giant armadillos. (25.02.2024)