Fantasy Netflix's The Witcher - General Discussion Thread

[flickchick85]

Yeah, I think it varies from publication and type of show. TBH I think most of my TV critic friends tend to review an episode at a time, but they work for bigger publications with enough critics that they can do that. If you're one of only a handful of critics, I can see how they'd be more time poor.

Also worth noting I'm based in Australia, so our TV critics mostly only review the bigger, more notable US TV shows from the major platforms. Whereas in the US, you've got so much TV Output.

But I think for a reviewer, there's at least an obligation to watch 100% of what you're provided. In the instances where that's not possible, it should be disclosed in the article.

Yeah the size of the publication probably does have some bearing on it. But EW is probably the biggest mainstream entertainment publication here in the US, and they only do weekly episode "recaps" (that are sometimes semi-reviews) for select popular shows online, not for the print magazine. And as I said, they do reviews for notable season finales as well, which will usually include their thoughts on the season as a whole. I do know some websites/blog critics that do review some shows weekly, but it's usually the geek shows in particular where that's like their main thing. As you say, there's just too much output these days to have people constantly covering everything. Back when most of the prominent shows were on either the broadcast networks or HBO, it was far more manageable.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It's their job to finish it. I expect them to at least finish the episodes they've been given.

There job is the review the show. How they review it, is an editorial decision.

So in this case, the reviewer was given 5 out of 8 episodes. Skipped half of them and brought on another writer to help finish the review.

But Wolvie specifically said they watch the whole season/series, then review the shows. Which is just not reality at this point. Blame the amount of shows, the provided screeners, or whatever other thing you want. That doesn't change the point.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

As someone who liked the 1st season and then even more upon my 2nd viewing where I missed stuff. Hearing the 2nd season is an improvement sounds great to me.

 

[TheVileOne]

As someone who liked the 1st season and then even more upon my 2nd viewing where I missed stuff. Hearing the 2nd season is an improvement sounds great to me.

I disagree on it being an improvement. I think there are some aspects that are better, but the Yennefer subplot felt like a step back.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I disagree on it being an improvement. I think there are some aspects that are better, but the Yennefer subplot felt like a step back.

Ah interesting, never read the books or played the games so I don't have pre-set expectations really

 

[Wolvieboy17]

I disagree on it being an improvement. I think there are some aspects that are better, but the Yennefer subplot felt like a step back.

Yeah, that's what I'm curious about this season, since Yen didn't feature as much at this point in the books. I imagine they've written a bunch of new storylines to fill in the blanks again.

 

[Wolvieboy17]

Actually finishing the thing you're reviewing is 100% the industry standard

But Wolvie specifically said they watch the whole season/series, then review the shows. Which is just not reality at this point. Blame the amount of shows, the provided screeners, or whatever other thing you want. That doesn't change the point.

I feel like I made it pretty clear in all of my posts that my #1 issue was them not bothering to watch all the episodes they were reviewing. If they only have 5 episodes to work with, fine. But watch 100% of what you've been given to review and I think any less than that is slack.

As I've said a few times, everything else was based on my own experience. Beyond that I don't care much, it's a principle thing that matters to me. If it doesn't to you, then fill your boots. If it doesn't matter to you one way or the other, fine. But can we pleaaaase stop pretending like I was suggesting something outlandish. I feel like it's maybe not the HOTTEST take in the world to want a reviewer to have absorbed as much of a thing as they possibly can before reviewing. Is that really so nuts? Would you have the same opinion of a film reviewer leaving halfway through because they "get the idea"? Or a broadway interval? And then giving said show a big fat F, knowing full well that it's gonna drag down it's metacritic average...

If expecting that standard makes me unreasonable then... well, then that makes me feel a little bit sad TBH.

 

[Mjolnir Reborn]

I agree that not watching all the screeners you've been given but then still go on to assume what's in the episodes you didn't watch is laughably bad. Any rational person that hated something would just say that the episodes the person watched were bad and just say that they couldn't stomach going further.

Beyond that it's still pretty pathetic to not have enough work ethic to be able to sit through a few episodes of bad TV when it's your job. Most people have more demanding jobs than that.

 

[TheVileOne]

One other example is the music. I feel like the first season sort of like lucked out with the work of Sonya Belosouva and Gione Ostinelli. They fired and replaced them in S2 with someone who is passable but nowhere near as good.

S1 ended up having some fantastic movie that was actually quite beautiful.

 

[Wolvieboy17]

One other example is the music. I feel like the first season sort of like lucked out with the work of Sonya Belosouva and Gione Ostinelli. They fired and replaced them in S2 with someone who is passable but nowhere near as good.

S1 ended up having some fantastic movie that was actually quite beautiful.

Yeah, that's one thing I'm actively bummed about. I thought Belosouva's approach to the music was super unique. Loved how Jaskier's songs were basically medieval pop songs. I'm willing to bet though she wasn't fired and there was perhaps a COVID related scheduling conflict. It seems CRAZY to me that they'd replace the person who got Toss a Coin to #1 on Spotify for 2 months running?

 

[Bren]

Toss a Coin...

My initial dislike for that song turned to hatred the number of times I heard it played hahaha

 

[P Supreme]

when ever my jobless siblings ask me for money I sing them the toss a coin to yuour witcher
needless to say they hate it lolol so naturally i love it

 

[Wolvieboy17]

It surely was overexposed for a lot of people but would've loved to see what other songs they could cook up. Her Sweet Kiss was one of my faves too.

 

[TheVileOne]

Yeah, that's one thing I'm actively bummed about. I thought Belosouva's approach to the music was super unique. Loved how Jaskier's songs were basically medieval pop songs. I'm willing to bet though she wasn't fired and there was perhaps a COVID related scheduling conflict. It seems CRAZY to me that they'd replace the person who got Toss a Coin to #1 on Spotify for 2 months running?

It's weird though that they get asked about it and it's like this dark secret they can't discuss. It's very strange to me. If was a COVID or schedule issue, I wish they would just say so to put a lot of the speculation to bed. It feels like something happened.

But after worshipping the music of the games and being a bit leery of the series, I was quite taken by their work in S1 despite of myself. It really impressed me.

S2 does have some brief callbacks to S1 in the score but that's mostly it.

 

[Marvolo]

One other example is the music. I feel like the first season sort of like lucked out with the work of Sonya Belosouva and Gione Ostinelli. They fired and replaced them in S2 with someone who is passable but nowhere near as good.

S1 ended up having some fantastic movie that was actually quite beautiful.

I hope they keep Yennifer and Geralt's couple theme. It had a melancholy and sadness to it that fit their relationship perfectly.

 

[TheVileOne]

I hope they keep Yennifer and Geralt's couple theme. It had a melancholy and sadness to it that fit their relationship perfectly.

There's a snippet of it in S2.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The first episode of the season was better then entire first season. It felt more like the Witcher then anything in the first season. Ciri, like Yen, benefits from being with Geralt. She was suddenly compelling, engaging, interesting. They also apparently got a camera that doesn't look like garbage, which was very nice. Ciri should be a little thing, but whatever.

 

[Iceman]

It’s here! My TV backlog schedule takes another hit lol.

 

[flickchick85]

This show has definitely improved.

Also, it's been a while since I played it, but I could swear Jaskier's place in episode 4 looked like a damn near exact replica from the the Witcher 3 game.

 

[Iceman]

This show has definitely improved.

Also, it's been a while since I played it, but I could swear Jaskier's place in episode 4 looked like a damn near exact replica from the the Witcher 3 game.

Ha, you’re so far ahead already. Good to hear from you and @DarthSkywalker that season 2 is looking better.

 

[BlackFox]

The first episode of the season was better then entire first season. It felt more like the Witcher then anything in the first season. Ciri, like Yen, benefits from being with Geralt. She was suddenly compelling, engaging, interesting. They also apparently got a camera that doesn't look like garbage, which was very nice. Ciri should be a little thing, but whatever.

I feel a bit sorry for Roach, Ciri has doubled in size on that single horse ride to Sodden Hill.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

This show has definitely improved.

Also, it's been a while since I played it, but I could swear Jaskier's place in episode 4 looked like a damn near exact replica from the the Witcher 3 game.

I'm not there yet, but they they struck a deal with CDPR to use some of their content. So that is very possible.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I feel a bit sorry for Roach, Ciri has doubled in size on that single horse ride to Sodden Hill.

Well, maybe in season 3 they’ll pull a Skyrim and just have Ciri run along side while Geralt rides Roach alone.

 

[BlackFox]

The visuals have taken a noticeable bump up since series 1 and the fight scenes are glorious. Kaer Morhen is on point as well.

Geralt is no longer just a grunting brute.

 

[TheVileOne]

I feel like they made a lot of pointless changes to me. Yennefer's subplot felt like a forced contrived emotional conflict.

She meets that deaf mute elf who gets promptly Samuel L. Jackson'ed. That was dumb.

The intrigue with the elves was poorly executed. They could've set all that up better.

Also, Cahir is not a raving, religious lunatic. He's a soldier who is trying to do his job.