The Witcher

Mixed feelings. At times a dark romp, an atmospheric chivalric epic, a visually captivating show. At times a confusing mess of characters, cardboard sets and boring side-quests in the script. A viewer unfamiliar with the source material will sometimes be terribly confused, or even completely unable to grasp the new characters and locations. Praise for the imaginative concept of separate mini-episodes, which in many ways are not very related and yet in individual details systematically bring each character to the point where their fates intersect at expected moments, even in unpredictable situations. The first bold episode, which, by the way, is the only one that offers absolutely every reason the viewer should give Witcher a chance, is followed by others where those unfamiliar with the source material already feel a certain decline in the way the story is presented and conceived. The action in Blaviken in the opening episode remains by far the best moment of the entire season. (09/02/2020)

In terms of story structure, unlike the more comprehensible second season, it's more of a fan-service for the most loyal who devour the game on PC at night. Some sensational moments overlap with those that the ordinary viewer, or those who don't know the source material in detail, often don't really understand and thus lack involvement in the plot. (12/02/2022)

Dark, visually captivating, and the action scenes are choreographed to perfection. It feels a bit like a dark chivalric fantasy, mixed with medieval realities and socio-political issues of the contemporary world. At the same time, it feels like a somewhat barebones introduction to all those fictional kingdoms and a large cast of characters. And it is so catchy that the second episode is hard to resist. (03/02/2020)

The second episode is much weaker and unnecessarily overcomplicated, which may be ideal for the fans of the source material, but for the ignorant is quite a mess. The action is bare minimum, there is enough atmosphere, but maybe too much of a vast and deep world without any crutches and helping hand for those who are not familiar with the story. The viewers thus finds themselves in an unenviable situation, where sometimes they don't know what is going on and are a bit desperately hoping for a resolution in the coming episodes. (03/02/2020)

The pieces of the story are very slowly put together, and it will eventually become clear whether this is scriptwriting clumsiness or mastery. In any case, impressive atmosphere and an even more impressive chilling scene with the Werewolf. (03/02/2020)

A wild time-jump. An episode obviously crucial in terms of the future entanglement of the characters, their motivations and decisions, but a high bar for the layman's attention span and readiness to absorb a complex and intricate story viewed from the different sides and perspectives of the main characters. Considering the interaction and the number of characters, it’s looking like there’ll be five seasons. (03/02/2020)

Another self-contained episode. There really isn't much to go on this time around, except perhaps Yennefer, who generally has a lot of potential, but the important thing will definitely be how they work with that potential and develop her character further. Either way, there's a little mythology and new names and new characters in each episode, which brings a bit of chaos, but in a reprehensible way. (05/02/2020)

The romance of the main characters, complete with a dragon escort right from GoT, but with worse visuals because apparently there was no coin left. I was expecting the action to go further and higher after the fight in Blaviken, but it is exactly the opposite, and this episode is an example of that. (05/02/2020)

Everything around Cintra and the fateful night is impressive and gripping. All the gravy around the main characters is uninteresting, though, but the exact parallel with today's world and Yennefer personifying the modern emancipated woman is perfectly spot on. (05/02/2020)

The final episode doesn’t look at all like the last. There are many things left unexplained, or at most only in hints. The final battle is imaginative in terms of direction, but not technically proficient, lacking the budget that would have ensured a proper epic. (05/02/2020)

A little better than the first season. Though the second season starts great, especially for those who don’t know the source material – it's more accessible, more cinematic, simpler. At the same time, it's appropriately dark and epic, with a hero who continues in cool mode on the edge of good guy and ruthless killer – though he's a little closer to the former. Unfortunately, the second half turns from an adventure ride into a political and conspiratorial maelstrom, with each of the several parties pulling their own strings and having their own agenda. And unfortunately, without the skill of the creators of Game of Thrones, so it's boring as hell. The finale is just satisfactory, not great. (15/01/2022)

Solid opening. The main line of the story continues exactly where the first season left off. The first episode of Season 2 has atmosphere, visual depth and great production design. In barely 50 minutes, we get a mix of Prisoner of Azkaban and Beauty and the Beast, after which nothing much actually happens. As a technically dainty dark fantasy appetizer OK, but the next episodes should bring something more. (06/01/2022)

After two episodes, Season 2 seems much more accessible to the classic viewer not overly familiar with the source material. This is good for many people, but die-hard fans will probably miss more juice. The truth is that so far there is not a single memorable scene, which certainly cannot be said about the first season, which had several already in the first two episodes. (10/01/2022)

Everything is clear, direct, striking. So far, the profile is completely different from the first season. The training of Ciri is great, her indomitable spirit is a bit reminiscent of Daenarys from GoT. The Witcher and his guardian instincts, and of course the unpredictable Yennefer, and the well-made monsters. It's not a total gem, or perfect craftsmanship, but so far it has more appeal to the non-hardcore fan than the first season. Carry on. (14/01/2022)

Shuffling the cards where it all began, before the fateful finale. Interesting mystery moments around Ciri. What is missing, however, are the main character's swordsmanship skills and the overall larger portion of action that was so impressive in the first season. Hopefully, the second half will be more generous in that regard. (14/01/2022)

A bit of supporting mythology and mystery around Ciri so that everything fits together nicely. I want to believe the creators have prepared a proper Witcher inferno for us in the last episodes. (15/01/2022)

An excellent fight that gives a vague memory of the absolute peak of the first season in Blaviken. All this in a visually appealing design and in the exquisite interiors of a spiritual monastery. The rest is just more or less effective filler that sets the stage for the finale. But the preparation is getting too long, tedious and chatty. (15/01/2022)

Awfully boring episode. The political entanglement is clumsily written, mediocrely acted and maddeningly drawn out, with no dramatic arc. Only the banquet scene is worth it, the rest disappears from memory immediately during the closing credits, if not before. (15/01/2022)

Decent dramatic finale with a fine final battle, but with an awkward main villain and odd motivations. Obviously, some viewers expected a different outcome of the story – the political one, but that will probably be (maybe?) in the third season, if there is one, given the very lukewarm reactions to this season. (15/01/2022)