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)

Once again, it has been confirmed to me that the higher my expectations, the worse the outcome. I saw a trailer for the series and expected an absolute disaster, but the first episode pleasantly surprised me. Are actor quotas really a good idea? Every time that black person in armor appeared on screen, I burst out laughing like a madman, which completely ruined the dramatic atmosphere of some scenes. (15.01.2020)

No, I didn't give the star just because the Slavic fantasy is infested with blacks, but also because of the boring plot and the foolishly modern cut of the troubadour. Although Henry Cavill doesn't fit the character of Geralt at all, I often missed the Witcher in this episode. (15.01.2020)

After the previous episode, I would gladly give the third episode five stars, but... Triss Merigold? Was that a joke? This red-haired cat, which looks like it has experienced a few winters, as a nineteen-year-old? That's how the series creators imagine her? Well, well... The Witcher's fight with the striga was fine, except for the striga itself. The translator clearly translated the word "striga" as "ghoul," and that's how it turned out. (15.01.2020)

Right in the beginning, I will summarize what I didn't like. The Dryads and especially Lady Eithné greatly disappointed me, at times I expected Wonder Woman to emerge from the nearest bushes. However, I want to praise the creators, I thought they had dismissed the important passage with Pavetta, and behold, how pleasantly they surprised me. (15.01.2020)

Except for the fact that they turned the poor mimic, whose character would undoubtedly be defined as confusedly good in DnD, into a psychopathic serial killer, I was quite satisfied. The fun with the genie was fine, Yennefer perfectly distracted attention from her face, so why not. (16.01.2020)

This time, the creators didn't stick too closely to the source material, they started their own game, and it turns out that their innovative approach doesn't appeal to me. Unfortunately, my version of the series is equipped with Czech dubbing, so I had to endure the dwarves speaking like typical fans of Baník, only the club scarves were missing. Nothing against Baník, but it was a disturbing element for me in a fantasy series. And to top it off, both Zerrikánkas were probably too often in close proximity to the dragon's flame for my taste. (16.01.2020)

The sixth episode already disappointed me, but the seventh episode was even worse. The plot was mostly boring, Yennefer acted like a spoiled and extremely annoying teenager, and instead of the story escalating, there was an irritating recap of the previous events. I understand that perhaps the Americans don't have the best memory, but if an ordinary viewer remembers what they saw, they must have been bored. 2 stars. (16.01.2020)

After the previous two parts, I was almost ready to give up on the series, but the finale of the first season pleasantly surprised me. I was especially pleased with the Battle of Sodden, which is only mentioned as a "hearsay" event in the book. The creators could have expanded on it nicely and they definitely took advantage of that. I enjoyed it. (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)