[Fixer]

Eight episode series based on the books and short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. My introduction to The Witcher characters is through the video games, although I have read some of the book highlights via Wikipedia and Fandom wiki.

A lot of reviews tend to mention Game of Thrones when talking about the series. Get that out of your head right now. Although both are set in a fantasy land with lots of English accents, that's as far as the similarity goes.

The show focuses on three characters; Geralt of Rivia, a mutated "monster hunter for hire" known as a "witcher". Portrayed by English actor Henry "Man of Steel" Cavill. Yennefer of Vengerberg, a powerful sorceress who had a really crappy upbringing. Portrayed by English actress Anya Chalotra. Ciri, "The Lion Cub of Cintra", a young princess of a conquered kingdom who unbeknownst to her, carries the power of "Elder Blood", and is destined to meet Geralt. Portrayed by English actress Freya Allen.

The interesting thing about the series is that the primary characters each have their own timeline. The show doesn't hold your hand in this regard, so it may be confusing for some. Using Geralt's storyline as the reference point, Yennefer's story begins roughly 30 years prior, while Ciri's is set 15 or so years later. Witchers and sorcerers/sorceresses do not age like regular folk, so keep that in mind. Many things happen through the decades portrayed in the show, and their paths eventually converge.

This is all I have time to type right now. If others wish to begin discussing the episodes, be my guest!

 

[DouglasPHill]

Agreed, all 3 adults in my house find it confusing.

 

[Rob Helmerichs]

After three episodes it is clear to me that the Yennefer story takes place earlier. But I haven't noticed any indication (yet) that the Ciri story takes place later (do you mean later than Yennefer, or later than Geralt?)...

 

[gossamer88]

The modern dialogue took me out and I and done after three episodes.

 

[TAsunder]

I’ve only seen the first episode. Reports during the previous months indicated that the swordplay is great and the first episode demonstrates that. I am not sure the creative choices were wise. They had to significantly truncate the Lesser Evil storyline from the books and doing so rendered it largely nonsensical. If they do that each episode then I’m going to be quite disappointed, because I greatly preferred the short stories to the “saga” novels.

 

[Amnesia]

But I haven't noticed any indication (yet) that the Ciri story takes place later (do you mean later than Yennefer, or later than Geralt?)...

Later than both. It should become clear in episode 4.

 

[Timbeau]

I've just finished episode 5 and I enjoy it quite a bit. It's been a little confusing in places, but just a little. After going back and checking out names, the different timelines became clear.

 

[rharmelink]

I loved it, but I had no previous expectations for it because I've not been exposed to it on any other media. I especially loved the ambiguity of what a real "monster" might be.

The three timelines did confuse me at first. After a few episodes, I was fine. But a quick cited date at the start of each transition would have been so easy to do. There were also a few scenes where I wasn't sure if it was a dream or a memory/flashback?

I watch with closed captions on. There were quite a few "Hmm" grunts from Geralt. Not sure if anyone watching it normally would have heard all of them? I found them quite endearing...

I get the impression that the Witchers are actually more powerful than portrayed in this series?

On another discussion group, I compared Geralt to Mr. Spock. A character who is expected to have no outward display of emotion, yet obviously feels them deeply. And both have a strong sense of right and wrong.

 

[hairyblue]

I'm on episode 7 of 8. I have really enjoyed watching it. I have only ever played Witcher 3 video game and not read any of the book. I could have watched the last one just now but wanted to save it for tomorrow to watch. Great casting on the actors.

 

[justen_m]

Yennefer of Vengerberg, a powerful sorceress who had a really crappy upbringing. Portrayed by English actress Anya Chalotra.

I'm on episode 7 of 8. I have really enjoyed watching it. I have only ever played Witcher 3 video game and not read any of the book. I could have watched the last one just now but wanted to save it for tomorrow to watch. Great casting on the actors.

My only exposure to The Witcher are the commercials I've seen for it. It looks great. Googling brings up various media articles, and they say Henry Cavill was great casting, but Anya Chalotra was a bad, bad choice for Yennefer, but none of the articles mention why she's a bad choice. Too young? I saw one comment stating Kate Beckinsale would have been great.

 

[rharmelink]

I saw one comment stating Kate Beckinsale would have been great.

I couldn't see that working out as it was scripted. Yennefer is a young (late teens?) girl at the start of her timeline. Not sure how it went in the books.

I think Henry Rollins would have made a good Geralt. But it would almost be typecasting him from his role in He Never Died (great film!).

 

[DouglasPHill]

In the first two episodes, a visual indication that we were dealing with 3 different time periods would have gone a long way to lessen the confusion.

 

[hairyblue]

In the first two episodes, a visual indication that we were dealing with 3 different time periods would have gone a long way to lessen the confusion.

This is true. But there is some pay off in episode 7 for doing it this way.

I watched a few youtube videos about the Witcher world. History and why there are monsters or humans or witchers. Rich world.

The author of the books was in the news.

The Witcher author and CD Projekt end royalties dispute with licensing agreement

 

[laria]

Just finished up the last 2 episodes tonight.

I enjoyed it, but now it will be a long wait until season 2!

I liked the multiple timelines and the tied them really nicely together in episode 7.

Spoiler

As soon as Ciri turned her head and looked over her shoulder while they were playing knucklebones, I said, "Oh! This is the first episode!"

 

[rharmelink]

For me, "The Law of Surprise" seems a foolish one to grant anyone, even if they have saved a life. It's about as bad as granting a "favor" to The Godfather, in exchange for whatever small favor he may give (in a situation he may have created).

 

[cheesesteak]

I fell asleep about halfway through the second episode. I'll try again when I'm not laying on the couch.

 

[DouglasPHill]

Everything makes much more sense when you know there are 3 timelines. For reference: if the singer is with Geralt or Yennifer is with Geralt, that is the middle timeline. Jennifer Lawrence lookalike running around in the forest, 3rd timeline.

 

[laria]

Yennefer's original story takes place much longer than 30 years before the middle timeline.

This is spoiler-y, but has a good timeline for all the events and flashbacks: Netflix's The Witcher Timeline Explained - IGN

 

[eddyj]

Yennefer's original story takes place much longer than 30 years before the middle timeline.

This is spoiler-y, but has a good timeline for all the events and flashbacks: Netflix's The Witcher Timeline Explained - IGN

I'm saving that link for later. Don't want to be spoiled, but want a clear timeline.

 

[laria]

I'm saving that link for later. Don't want to be spoiled, but want a clear timeline.

Yeah, my SO sent it to me when I was realizing the timelines were all different in episodes 3-4, but I didn't read it until I was done.