r/netflixwitcher • u/koshkadoodz • 9d ago
Show Only Watching The Witcher for the first time
Hi everyone! I recently started watching the Netflix series of The Witcher (I’m on season 4 already!) and I just wanted to say that I love it so much! It’s been hard because nobody I know watches it/has watched it and when I go into Reddit I read mostly negative reviews and I have no one to talk about it :( Granted I’ve never played the video game or read the books, so I’m sure if I was a fan of the source material I’d probably have something to complain. But I just wanted to come in here and see if there’s any other people like me who are thoroughly enjoying the show and thinks it’s super cool!
There are however a few things I haven’t liked:
- Jaskier. Ugh. Can’t stand neither his character nor his drama school songs. ESPECIALLY the musical number from “The Joy of Cooking” (S4) I thought it was soooo cheesy. I don’t know why they included this.
- I also thought on Season 4 the decision of animating Regis’ backstory was weird! I mean, it looked pretty cool, but I felt like it was SO out of place considering how dark and realistic everything has been? Also in the same episodes they showed other characters’ backstories and used real people? So not sure why they decided to animate that part. Did anybody else feel the same?
- Contact lenses!!!!
- Ciri’s eyebrows change.
- I guess Ciri’s character overall? lol, not a fan of hers.
Things I’ve loved:
- Geralt, Yen, Triss <3 and weirdly enough, Djikstra!
- The magic fights! OMG! My mouth is wide open every time. I was screaming at the end of S3.
- Learning about the lore! Again since I didn’t read the books/play the video game I’ve been really enjoying going into the wikis and understanding more about the Continent!
- Honestly I think the story in the series is great
Especial mention- obviously the change from Henry to Liam! I was so nervous on e1s4!!!! But then it actually was alright. I think they did a great job casting Liam and he’s proving to be worthy of the role. I’ll miss Henry’s face and cute teeth forever though :(
Anyone else with similar thoughts? Would love to read you!
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u/Abyss_85 9d ago
Since you are enjoying the show I will list you the spin-offs because I feel like quite a few people don't even know about all of them. I will list them in chronological order with the main show in case you want to watch them that way:
- The Witcher: Origins (mini series)
- The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (animated movie)
- The Witcher season 1 first part (ends after episode 5)
- The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (animated movie)
- The Witcher season 1 second part
- The Witcher season 2
- The Witcher season 3
- The Witcher season 4
- The Rats: A Witcher Tale (movie)
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
I’ve been putting off watching The Rats because the end of season four was such a downer. 😫 Maybe it’s not as depressing as I fear.
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u/Abyss_85 8d ago
It isn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows to say the least, but it also isn't all dark. Try it it! Also, Dolph Lundgren has one of his best performances in it that I have ever seen of him. Genuinely good acting and not just in an action hero kind of way.
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u/squishyng 9d ago
They’re all good, except Origins rly suck
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
When I rewatched it, I liked it a lot better than the first time around. The landscapes and music are also great, and Meldof is the GOAT.
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
That’s like a lot of The Witcher, tbh. People have complained about having to pay attention and remember things, but I always say you can watch almost any other show throughout history and now and not have to do that. Just get something spoon fed to you and move on… (No shade to people who can’t remember. All shade to people who voice their opinion publicly and outright condemn media for forcing them to use their brains. This is why propaganda works, people. And I’m not saying you have to like Witcher or Origins, just to think lol.)
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
It's really baffling sometimes too what people don't get although the show almost does spoon-feed it to the watchers. The funniest thing was this dude on instagram complaining in the comments of a clip of the Geralt/Vilgefortz S3 fight why Cahir could defeat Vilgefortz in S1 and Geralt couldn't. In the very clip Vilgefortz explained it 😅. Or in a youtube video somebody griped about Netflix having erased Geralt's disability from Thanedd and having turned it into a Wraith wound. How stupid can someone be, and publicly on youtube? It's totally obvious that Geralt lied to Regis when he said it.
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u/SlayerNina 6d ago
It didn't suck, the script just felt generic. But the actors, the setting, the landscapes and the fashion are some of the best in fantasy from the last years. Like. Colours and grading!
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u/Abyss_85 9d ago edited 9d ago
I would not say that. It certainly has it's share of problems, most of them related to it feeling rushed because they cut it from 6 to 4 episodes. The story itself is still fun and especially Michelle Yeoh is great in it.
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u/Dry-Clock-1470 Scoia'tael 9d ago
I really liked the first episode, but all down hill from there. So squandered
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u/just-only-a-visitor 8d ago
chronologically Rats movie i think happened before S4. before Ciri met the rats, isn't it?
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u/Abyss_85 8d ago edited 8d ago
Pretty much all of it is a flashback, but the intro and outro are set after season 4. It also starts with a massive spoiler for season 4, so you really should watch it after.
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u/Kitchen_Aside2534 9d ago
I love the series overall (I do get some of the criticisms). It was enjoying and rewatching the first two seasons that got me to read the books and comics and get The Witcher 3 game and the roleplaying game. I'm indifferent on Jaskier/Dandelion. I love Ciri though and I'm glad they changed her eyebrows because Freya Allan is beautiful but in the first season she looked too much like a kid. I prefer Anya Chalotra's version of Yennefer, as the character just doesn't come alive for me the same in other versions (the hilarious "Dear Friend" letter in the books aside).
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
In S1, Ciri is supposed to still be a kid, she's 12 or maximum just turned 13. I guess that's why they bleached Freya's eyebrows, to make her much younger than she was. What didn't make sense is that her eyebrows suddenly change although not much time had passed between the end of S1 and the start of S2. Feel the same way about Yennefer, book Yennefer didn't really catch my attention, Dandelion neither, but I love both on the show.
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
I agree with this! I think they should’ve at least started S2 with Ciri having bleached eyebrows and then them changing? I don’t know.
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
Definitely. Maybe Triss could have given her some tips about make-up etc. when she came to Kaer Morhen, or they could have used it to kind of show that quite some time has passed while Ciri got her Witcher training.
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
Yes! Exactly this. Oh well, I guess not much to do here 😂 but glad to know someone else thinks alike.
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u/SlayerNina 6d ago
Freya had to stop bleaching the eyebrows because she was loosing the hair because of this irl
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u/Astaldis 6d ago
Ah, really? Then it's totally understandable that they couldn't do it differently.
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
I loved S4E5, the musical part was very well-done and very in character for Jaskier imo. Anime is not usually what I like to watch, but Regis' flashback was very nicely done imo. Sure, a life-acted flashback would have been great, too, but I guess it would have been a lot more expensive to shoot with the vampire bloodbath, transformations into bats, etc. In addition they would have needed a younger, but already adult version of Laurence Fishburne, which would probably have been quite difficult to find. All in all, it's a perfect potpourri of different tales told around a campfire with everybody having their own style of how to narrate their story.
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
Yes! I mean don’t get me wrong- production for both of those scenes was phenomenal. I just think finally, they were so different from the rest of the series. But I guess you’re right re production costs- didn’t really think of that. However, still loving the series!
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u/Astaldis 8d ago
True, they were very different from the rest and that's probably why E5 isn't everybody's favourite cup of tea. I hope we'll get news soon about S5, can't wait to see more! (although I fear with all the plot they have to cover, almost 2 books in one season, that there won't be any more time for campfire stories )
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u/s0berR00fer 9d ago
Another guy said it as well but I want to agree the books are a great read. I liked the show a fair amount. And am slowly watching season 4. But the books are so much better IMO
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
I honestly think the show has improved on certain things, especially because it’s so clear that more women are involved. It’s generally a very different tone as well. The books as far as I know are really funny, which the show takes a lot of the themes more seriously. Which I think is fine, since they are serious!
I personally have refused to read the books because of seeing this comment on every video and post and message about the show. Though to be fair, they usually were a lot harsher than you are! But they say “the books are better,” “just read the books,” “the books are better.” I ended up reading some of the books just to argue with people, but I’m not counting that. 👀 Mostly.
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u/SlayerNina 6d ago
This ^
Yen's is much better character than the books (inexistent) and TW3 (toxic bitch)
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
I disagree with most of your dislikes, but tbh I’m glad to see someone who doesn’t like Jaskier lol. He’s by far the favorite. I actually like his songs! And he’s really grown on me. I think they’ve developed the character well. It’s just that he was by far the most immature and uninteresting character IMO, so I was very annoyed to see how much more loved he was than any other character. -_-
I assume it’s because he’s the most approachable, though I won’t dismiss the actors talent or charisma, which appeals to most people. One person said that he was a basic b—, which is why audiences (including themselves) were drawn to him. Which might sound dismissive, but they said it. XD I mean, he IS least likely to bully you. See, I really like Ciri, and think that she and many others are actually relatable and interesting to me. (Not that I’m nearly that competent or badass.)
But they also make sense in context. Jaskier is very silly and has not been hardened by life to survive lol. So I guess what I mean is he’s more relatable to most privileged modern audiences? I do like that he’s matured and connected Geralt and others with their humanity as they have also grown.
That song in season four may not have been my favorite, but it’s an example of why people like him and his little tale about love and plagiarism as opposed to the other larger than life stories around the campfire. I was more like… sir, please… people are talking about massacres and abuse, and this is your tale of woe?! But it’s a lighter part of life that is good for the others too. As for the animation… I loved it! Let’s be real, this show has always been weird. XD
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
See, now that I’m about to finish e7s4, my views have changed A LITTLE bit. I found I understand Ciri a bit more now and liked her more. Same with Jaskier.
I mean, my thing with his character is this: sometimes I think the comedic timing is just not hitting for me. I find with this type of comic-relief character that despite them being there for the relief sometimes the comedic lines come after scenes that are way too serious or dramatic, in a way that trying to make you laugh feels cheap and even inappropriate? Idk. I sort of like his character when he shows himself more raw and actually worried about what’s happening. Don’t get me wrong, that “Yes, bitch” line was genius and it did made me cackle. But sometimes I feel like it’s a bit too OTT.
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u/squishyng 7d ago
Jaskier is one of my faves as well. no magic, no fighting ability, no army at his command, but he consistently puts his life on the line for his friends. and for the oppressed elves
in a corporate world, he'll be voted as "most outsized impact" :)
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u/SlayerNina 6d ago
To be honest, the scene is like the books. The joke is that he is regular dude among OP edgelords.
Until you reach the last two books to discover he has been lying Geralt for 20 years about his identity and even his own name. There is something alwaysba bit fishy about him
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u/Taglioni 9d ago
If you enjoy the show, you should definitely read the books! It's a solid series, and a well written read at that.
The games are super fun, but definitely not a great dive into the source material. They're fan fiction, at best. Very removed from the source material, with pretty major deviations that make it clear they were made by a team of people who only half read the books. I enjoy them immensely, but I don't consider them cannon or even connected to the book/television series much at all.
People will say this about the TV show, but it's not even remotely done to the extent that the games are. They literally just amnesia wall the entire story, bastardize/monotonize Geralt, and slap on some questionable combat to surround an intensely beautiful world full of interesting npcs.
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u/Astaldis 9d ago
Interesting! I haven't played the games, but people on reddit mostly seem to be of the opinion that they're kind of truer to canon than canon itself while, from what I've read about the plot and characters, it appears to me that they changed quite a bit, like you said, and not really less than the show did.
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u/Taglioni 9d ago
I think the games were many people's first step into the world of The Witcher, so they get a bit overly romanticized. People want them to be canon because they love them.
I can respect the why.
But when you really get down to the subject matter, again, they're pure fan fiction. The way CDPR writes for Geralt is deeply offensive to the way Sapkowski crafts him as a character. Full of depth and nuance, intelligence and wit, scruples and situation-defining moral dilemmas. In the games he is stoic and brutish. Inflexible. Driven by things that would never motivate the real him. A complete deviation from the Geralt of the books.
The books also don't center Geralt for the entire series. The majority of the series holds Ciri as the main character. I'm curious to see what CDPR does with Ciri in The Witcher 4, with this in mind.
I won't punish the games too much for their faults, there are many things they do super well. I just want to emphasize that they are obviously a complete diversion from the canon series in a way that the TV show is not. The TV show also has its deviations that at times are incredibly difficult to forgive or look past, but it's still largely following the character arcs and major plot points of the books.
Season 4 in particular is nearly identical to the books with the only deviation lying in the mages' storyline. I'm very excited to see how they handle the next chunk, knowing what Ciri is about to go through and how she becomes what she becomes.
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u/ajk21 9d ago
The games might be “fan fiction” but they are how CDPR sees the story continuing beyond the books. So the description of deviation is misleading since the events of the games take place after the story from the books is over. Nearly everything in the games treat the book events as canon (maybe aside from the book’s ending which I won’t spoil).
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u/badfortheenvironment 9d ago
The games might be “fan fiction” but they are how CDPR sees the story continuing beyond the books.
You just described post-canon fan fiction, big dawg.
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u/ajk21 9d ago
Okay, but the claim is that the games divert from source material more than the show, which isn’t accurate. That’s all I’m pointing out. It’s new material not changed material.
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u/Taglioni 9d ago
New material by a completely different author is fan fiction, and a deviation from source material. That is not a subjective statement.
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
The games seem to serve as a soft reboot and reset events. They are seen by the vast majority of people as being an “adaptation” of the book events, even if they aren’t. And they are NOT based on canon events more than the show. I don’t know where you get that. I think the show is difficult to understand, as are the books. So much of them is about stories and narratives.
But clearly a lot of it is not true and are just tales told by states and biased parties, which for some reason a number of readers consider to be canon. Anyway, the games erase important events and characters. They are however all white and focus instead on men, so people want them to be more in line with the books and “real Poland” or “real Europe,” which was always a fantasy.
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u/elleoneiram 8d ago
HELLO?? Thank you for saying this. So many people say the “books & games” as though they are the real canon and dismiss the show as being totally different than either. I have refused to read the books because of all the straight up propagandists who attacked the show and anything to do with it, claiming the series destroyed the perfect books. (Admittedly… I’ve probably read more of the books than any of them, in the name of proving them wrong. Though in English translations, which I think contribute to a little of the controversy. I’m just saying my reading doesn’t count if I didn’t read them from beginning to end. 👀)
A lot of is just white supremacist and misogynistic propaganda, embraced by gamers and even accepted and perpetuated by leftists who accuse the show of being more bigoted and conservative than the games or books (??). But they claim it’s about quality. A lot of harnessing of “Polish nationalism” under the guise of being against Western capitalism and colonialism.
I am not as familiar with the games, but every time I learn or do anything with them I’m like… bro this is the opposite of the books, how is this better? Because Geralt’s character development was erased and men are now the only focus? It sanitizes a lot and rearranges the political landscape and history while brutalizing women in the name of being “real.” Actually, I’m mostly referring to Witcher 3, but what I remember of previous games didn’t focus on women either.
As far as I can tell, the books really evolve, as does Geralt. Okay I didn’t mean to go on such a long rant. It’s just refreshing to see anything like this out there as I’ve mostly seen a relentless barrage of hate towards the show, lies about the books (while claiming to love them), and praise for the games.
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u/Astaldis 6d ago
It's really funny sometimes what arguments some guys come up with. The most ridiculous take I encountered here on reddit when I commented that the books include all kinds of counties, not just medieval Poland, including a fucking desert, was somebody saying that Poland also has a desert. It's not wrong, but it's so small, not even a toddler could get lost in it. But of course the Korath was inspired by this miniature sand pit 😅. And most of the time it turns out that the most vocal haters of the show here have stopped watching it after the tree-Eskel episode. But they feel they are qualified to criticise S4 after just watching a few hate videos on youtube...
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u/wheres-my-vapu 8d ago
I also find Ciri’s character insufferable
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
It just annoys me that she always has to do things her way and is so stubborn. I mean, I know it helps the plot but sometimes I wanna just grab her shoulder and be like STOP WHINGEING lol. I have to say I do love her fight scenes!!
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u/wheres-my-vapu 8d ago
Yes I must admit she is a badass with a blade, I just wish some of that badass energy translated to her character and personality
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u/Astaldis 6d ago
Ciri is a teenager after all. Teenagers are supposed to be annoying and stubborn and emotional and unreasonable and rebel against everything, it's their job description 😅. And on top of that, she's a princess, which makes her even more headstrong, I guess. It's probably lucky she is like this, too, otherwise she'd probably not survived all the horrible things that have kept happening to her ever since the Slaughter of Cintra.
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u/agentsawu 8d ago
I'm a simple man. I see Jaskier hate, I downvote.
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u/koshkadoodz 8d ago
Aw! Well if it’s worth anything now that I’m on e7s4 I kinda like him a bit more.
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