Fantasy Netflix's The Witcher - General Discussion Thread

[DarthSkywalker]

The more I rewatch the more I like it, even Cavill and his voice has grown on me, I think it just took a few episodes for him to get to grips with the role. I even really like episode 1 now and thats by far the weakest.

I just need to find a way to watch The Mandalorian these holidays and 2019 will be complete and end on a some good highs.

To me, the biggest mistake was starting the show with an episode where Geralt is all dour. Actually starting it with the Witcher would have worked better imo.

 

[BlackFox]

I dont like the song being stuck in my head constantly though, its too damn catchy

Probably should stop playing it on You Tube on repeat mind so my fault

 

[TheVileOne]

I dont like the song being stuck in my head constantly though, its too damn catchy

Probably should stop playing it on You Tube on repeat mind so my fault

 

[DarthSkywalker]

As far as changes, I mean Joey Batey is great as Jaskier and we got that great song from him in Episode 2. Now, if you don't like Jaskier fine but I think having Jaskier create a song that basically changes what really happens in order to glorify Geralt and give the common people a good story he can profit from, I find that fascinating. Now, I highly disliked the abrupt ending of Episode 2 and how they removed a major part of that story and basically it's whole resolution from the book. But the ending with Jaskier creating this great song, that's basically fake news, was amazing.

The stuff with Ciri in Brokilon just felt like a bit of a goofy diversion. I don't think they did a great job with Brokilon, the Dryads or the Dara character. Once Dara started opening his mouth, his acting and delivery were really goofy. Makes no sense that the ultra paranoid Dryads would let a human male into their village without making him drink the waters either.

Also the conclusion with the Doppler subplot was also iffy. I like that they incorporated a doppler into the story, but the way it was done felt sorta pointless. Just an arbitrary way to move the story along.

Dandelion is great. He isn't how I picture the character, but I am enjoying the performance quite a bit.

I haven't liked anything with Ciri so far. I don't dislike Ciri though. The actress seems fine, even if she might be lacking that tomboyish streak I'd expect.

One thing I feel like the show has missed in the first 4 episodes, is that rough edge to the characters that aren't Geralt. There has been a lot of wide-eye fears and sadness.

 

[BlackFox]

To me, the biggest mistake was starting the show with an episode where Geralt is all dour. Actually starting it with the Witcher would have worked better imo.

I dont like really like anything thats isnt about Geralt in that first episode. The battle of Cintra held no weight so early in the season before we really got to know the characters. If the first episode can concentrated purely on Geralt and how he became know as the Butcher of Blavakin then it would have worked better for me, especially as the final fights were so damn good and really showed the character off and why he is feared so much, the "John Wick" of sword fighters.

Still the end saves it for me and there were neat little things in it I didnt notice the first time, like how Geralt now has Renfri's brooch as a sword hilt.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I dont like really like anything thats isnt about Geralt in that first episode. The battle of Cintra held no weight so early in the season before we really got to know the characters. If the first episode can concentrated purely on Geralt and how he became know as the Butcher of Blavakin then it would have worked better for me, especially as the final fights were so damn good and really showed the character off and why he is feared so much, the "John Wick" of sword fighters.

Still the end saves it for me and there were neat little things in it I didnt notice the first time, like how Geralt now has Renfri's brooch as a sword hilt.

I agree on not liking anything with the other characters. My issue is I don't really like Geralt in that episode either.

Renfri is the best part of the first episode imo. But I also think it might have flowed better if it was just Geralt, and they expanded on that a bit. One thing I would have liked is perhaps taking the first for episodes and combining short stories. Not necessarily the whole thing, but perhaps start the episodes with the end of an adventure they don't use, and then use the rest of the episode to tell a new tale.

 

[BlackFox]

I agree on not liking anything with the other characters. My issue is I don't really like Geralt in that episode either.

Renfri is the best part of the first episode imo. But I also think it might have flowed better if it was just Geralt, and they expanded on that a bit. One thing I would have liked is perhaps taking the first for episodes and combining short stories. Not necessarily the whole thing, but perhaps start the episodes with the end of an adventure they don't use, and then use the rest of the episode to tell a new tale.

Yeah, I have read there are a fair few that arent a fan of Cavill in the role, I get that, at first his voice was a bit "Batman voice" and I wanted him to stop at first but as the episodes went on it became less of an issue for me and maybe just got used to it, going back to episode 1 after finishing the series made it work better for me anyways once you know Geralt works well with Yen and Jaskier, which was what this show was going to live and die by for me. In the end Cavill was pretty decent in the role I thought, he is one of those actors that divides opinion, always has I guess.

Its a really odd series in terms of structure and timeline's so I can see why some would be put off, hence the reviews, but for me once all the pieces came to together it added up to more than the some of its parts and going back to early things made a lot more sense and worked better once you knew the context fully. Whether that was by design or chance is up for debate but thats just how things worked out on my watching.

Adapting short stories along with a main overarching theme was always going to be tricky and potential for a bit of a messy series, which is probably a fair criticism, sounds like it will be more conventional going forward going on the words of the showrunner and just the way the books go anyway. I'm glad at least it seems to be going over well with fans mostly if not critics as at least it will have a shot at another series or two fingers crossed and can try and improve on its weakeness, I felt it earned that at the very least.

 

[Iceman]

Renfri was great.

 

[BlackFox]

Renfri was great.

Its a shame she was a one off character but that was sort of the point I guess. Choice is a one off thing sometimes.

 

[Iceman]

Its a shame she was a one off character but that was sort of the point I guess. Choice is a one off thing sometimes.

Yeah, a shame but she totally saved that first episode for me. They got a good actress for a small part and it helped get my interest in the show straightaway while Cavill was, as you say, finding his feet.

 

[Reek]

im on the finale... not sure if ill start it or not.... ive enjoyed it quite a bit... i kind of need to rewatch some of it cause being drunk on the holidays and watching.. i got a little confused with the timelines... but I will say Cavill got better and better IMO. and Yennefer shut the haters down rather early. the dragon had me chuckling though cause i kept thinking of Dragonheart and Dennis Quaid

 

[Flash525]

I’m only three or four episodes in at the minute, Yennefer and Cavill have just had their first seemingly clothed intimate encounter.

Honestly, and bare in mind I’m not quite half way in yet, it feels like a filler series to me. I was expecting something more epic, more profound, more .. immersive but as of yet, I haven’t found that.

I’ll get to the end, but I don’t think this one is going to live up to any expectations I may have had of it - and they weren’t many anyway, I’ve never played the games, nor read the books.

 

[Reek]

i think/hope is a black sails situation

 

[OutOfBoose]

I’ve never played the games, nor read the books.

It's significantly worse than either.

The worst offender for me is that the adaptation barely has any artistry. It's just so... routine in it's execution for the most part. I think only episode 4 had something going for it.

 

[Iceman]

I’m only three or four episodes in at the minute, Yennefer and Cavill have just had their first seemingly clothed intimate encounter.

Honestly, and bare in mind I’m not quite half way in yet, it feels like a filler series to me. I was expecting something more epic, more profound, more .. immersive but as of yet, I haven’t found that.

I’ll get to the end, but I don’t think this one is going to live up to any expectations I may have had of it - and they weren’t many anyway, I’ve never played the games, nor read the books.

So far it feels like support material to the source material. I’ve just finished the 3rd episode.

 

[Silvermoon]

Haven't read the books, haven't touched the games. Binged it over the long holiday weekend I had, outside of it taking me a couple episodes to realize that we were following 3 different time periods (which condensed down to 2 once Geralt and Yen crossed paths), I really enjoyed it. Enjoyed all the cast (including Henry). And I really REALLY enjoyed the music. Was a bit disappointed to find that the soundtrack hasn't been released yet. Apparently the composers pretty much have it ready to go, they're just waiting on Netflix:


So if you're like me and want it (and have social media (twitter, facebook, etc...)) hit Netflix up on their official accounts and ask them to release it.

Here's the tweet I sent out to the US Netflix account

 

[Flash525]

i think/hope is a black sails situation

See, I rather enjoyed Black Sails.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

i think/hope is a black sails situation

What do you mean?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Haven't read the books, haven't touched the games. Binged it over the long holiday weekend I had, outside of it taking me a couple episodes to realize that we were following 3 different time periods (which condensed down to 2 once Geralt and Yen crossed paths), I really enjoyed it. Enjoyed all the cast (including Henry). And I really REALLY enjoyed the music. Was a bit disappointed to find that the soundtrack hasn't been released yet. Apparently the composers pretty much have it ready to go, they're just waiting on Netflix:


So if you're like me and want it (and have social media (twitter, facebook, etc...)) hit Netflix up on their official accounts and ask them to release it.

Here's the tweet I sent out to the US Netflix account

If you like the music here, you should check out the third game's music. The influence is obvious.

 

[Iceman]

Is this likely to get more seasons?

Edit: just read that season 2 was already confirmed before this was even released.

 

[MissMarvelous]

Is this likely to get more seasons?

Edit: just read that season 2 was already confirmed before this was even released.

Lauren said that they were going for the whole 7 seasons but... Don't know if it will happen.

I don't know if the whole crew would compromise for that many years of work. Hope they do because more than 1 show changed characters from one season to another and that's really disappointing.

Edit: 7, not 8!

 

[Iceman]

Lauren said that they were going for the whole 8 seasons but... Don't know if it will happen.

I don't know if the whole crew would compromise for that many years of work. Hope they do because more than 1 show changed characters from one season to another and that's really disappointing.

Oh wow. Whatever happens then at least they are thinking about the long term seriously. It feels like this is the kind of show that could really build into something once we’ve been properly introduced to the characters and universe.

 

[Reek]

See, I rather enjoyed Black Sails.

What do you mean?

just not everyone enjoyed black sails first season... it was a lot of setup and then seasons beyond that were just fantastic... so i hope it all comes together for the majority to enjoy it.

finished the season.... i think its a 7...7.5/10.... but everything was growing...

 

[Punisher_MAX]

just not everyone enjoyed black sails first season... it was a lot of setup and then seasons beyond that were just fantastic... so i hope it all comes together for the majority to enjoy it.

finished the season.... i think its a 7...7.5/10.... but everything was growing...

First season found its footing after 3 episodes but it was much better acted and beautifully shot.

Funny you mention black sails because Zach McGowan(Charles Vane) was my ideal choice for Geralt.

 

[DeadPresident]

Lauren said that they were going for the whole 8 seasons but... Don't know if it will happen.

I don't know if the whole crew would compromise for that many years of work. Hope they do because more than 1 show changed characters from one season to another and that's really disappointing.

Wow that’s a pretty ambitious plan. They must have a decent idea of what they want to do if that’s already the idea.

I’m pretty sure if they dedicated a season to each book and added 2-4 episodes to make it 10-12 total per season that would work. This season felt good but just a little bit short - I’m hoping S2 and whatever subsequent seasons there are have a few more episodes.