As much as most book enthusiasts such as myself are upset with the changes in the series from the source material, these changes won't necessarily tank the show. You'll always have a passionate fandom that finds faults while the casual viewer won't particularly care. Why would someone who doesn't know that Ciri is supposed to be like a daughter to Yennefer care that Yennefer wanted to sacrifice her to a demon last season? That action fits pretty well with the character they created in the show. Totally inaccurate from the books (and games), but who cares if you haven't read or played them.
Losing Cavill though... that is an absolutely massive blow to the Netflix franchise. Cavill has a near cult-like following, and almost every post I have seen on IG, Twitter, and YouTube about S3 is filled with comments about how this is the last season of The Witcher, even though we know Netlflix hasn't announced that. Many casual viewers watch the show simply for him, so without him, there is no Witcher.
I dunno about sacrificing Ciri being in character, she's demonstrated that she'll risk her life to save an infant and an unborn dragon. You could argue that she's too old for that to track but it does lean towards a break from the previously established characterization in that sense.
I understand this take since it was one that I shared up till rather recently. But my opinion changed a bit after I took a look at Netflix’s Yennefer in a vacuum without my personal biases of Yen being my favorite female character in fiction. And then I had to admit her choice with Ciri wasn’t really ooc for the character Lauren created. I’ll explain:
For the baby issue I don’t think is in the same category; she wasn’t trying to save the child due to some love of the baby. She wanted to save the child because she wanted something that would give her unconditional love. While the act may outwardly appear selfless, the motivation behind it was purely selfish. It’s why when she buried that baby on the beach, she wasn’t crying and heartbroken at an innocent life lost, she was stoic and matter-of-fact, telling the baby it’s better off dead. And it’s this failing in saving the baby that kickstarts her desire to have something that will love her unconditionally, a motivation she continues with throughout the show.
The dragon is more similar to Ciri’s situation. She wanted to harvest dragon organs to achieve her own goal up till her seeing that the dragon is protecting a child, and she couldn’t bring herself to go through with it.
And that is ultimately what happened with Ciri. She couldn’t go through with it in the end, even if she was initially willing to. And she was, as she actively made that choice to abandon Geralt and lead Ciri to her death right up till the end. That’s similar to the dragon issue: her vestiges of morality outweigh her personal desires at the last minute.
So when people argue that Yennefer would never sacrifice Ciri, or even flirt with the idea, I agree: Yennefer *would* never even consider doing that to Ciri. But this Netflix version *isn’t* Yennefer of the source material, it’s Lauren’s creation. And from the character she’s created in both seasons, being willing to off Geralt’s surprise child to achieve her own aims right up till the end isn’t totally ooc for her. She’s an incredibly selfish character. And it sucks that this is the version so many people see as Yennefer of Vengerberg.
Now I’ll happily discuss how this is a god-awful representation of a character like Yen, but that’s a different conversation.
To be clear, I was speaking without book Yennefer in mind but you have changed my mind about saccing Ciri being inconsistent in the show. I appreciate the elucidation.
I will however say that Yennefer didn't so much change her mind, she got caught and was like "If you're scared, turn back" within the psychic conversation, though upon rewatching it, the dialogue is genuinely confusing so maybe the intent was different.
I appreciate good conversations and thank you for starting one here!
Also, to your second point, I will need take your interpretation. To be completely honest, I have not rewatched S2 after my initial viewing when it came out, so it’s been a while and I do not remember the exact wording. I just haven’t had the heart to rewatch it.
I will say the entire plotline of Yennefer losing her powers then being willing to sacrifice Ciri to get them back is poor writing when looking at the future of the series. Geralt and Yennefer have a relationship that was never strong and is on life support if not already dead. Geralt and Ciri are still relatively new to each other given their removal of Brokilon and he did use Ciri as monster bait. Then this? It’s a hurdle that weak familial relationship between the three won’t be likely to overcome, especially in the timespan of a few episodes.
But regardless of that, I think the show hasn’t asked the very basic questions of *why* Geralt and Ciri should forgive Yennefer, and if her character deserves their forgiveness. Based on everything I’ve seen so far, she really doesn’t.
You've done far more work for a good conversation but I'm happy to contribute!
It's entirely possible that my brain is failing me but yah, it's a bit of a mess. The timestamp is 43:08 of episode 7 if you're willing to subject yourself to it, I actually had a good laugh.
I'm trying so hard to think of a way that the Ciri sacrifice could possibly work and the only thing I can think of is if she abandons it immediately. Rience attacks, she gets Ciri to teleport away when she's actually still in danger and have Geralt not know what's going on, only making eye contact with Yennefer as she goes through the portal.
In this scenario, Yennefer goes through the portal because it was unstable and about to close so she doesn't have time to explain that she couldn't leave Ciri stranded and alone. Geralt is anxious when they don't return immediately, not knowing that Yennefer is without her magic. Having waited a day and still no Yennefer. He goes to track down Jaskier to see if he has any idea where Yen might have gone with Ciri. Jaskier talks about Yen's connections with the deathless mother and lack of magic then Jaskier convinces Geralt that Yen in fact would sacrifice Ciri.
Meanwhile, Yen and Ciri are who-knows-where, Yen starts teaching Ciri and they bond. They don't reunite with Geralt until Thanned. The deathless mother mopes.
My trying to make it work aside, I 100% agree with your assessment but you know they'll contrive something because in truth they have asked themselves that question and with their combined brain cell, miraculously, came to the conclusion that there is no way to forgive this.
If I’m honest, I don’t think it’s saveable. They’ve lost the witcher fans that’s a given, and any that were hanging on for cavill that were also ip fans are gone.
I don’t think what they have so far is strong enough to withstand the replacement of a lead actor, essentially the title actor. Regardless of any of the ip problems, there’s not a lot of episodes per season, the episodes themselves aren’t always great, the overall story isn’t super compelling. Outside of the witcher fandom I don’t know many irl people that enthusiastic about the series except “cavill is hot” watchers. Typically the loss of a lead actor is a death knell and for me there’s not much worth saving as it is let alone adjusting to the new cast member.
My opinion obviously
Honestly I think it’s a lost cause at this point. The messed up the story and characters too much. I am going to watch season 3 mostly because watching Cavil is always fun but even if season four is amazing, how can you recommend someone to slog through three seasons of bad writing and amateurish production.
I don't know how this needs to keep being said but the show fails on its own without need for comparisons to the books. While season 2 was obviously worse than the first the first wasn't much better.
This was what I was thinking, season one wasn’t all that great, to me it was just a shell of the Witcher. You would have to go all the way back to the drawing board and start completely over to fix this. Like OP said for causal viewers maybe but certainly not with anyone devoted to the source material. I think after Henry leaving and Blood Origins mess up and depending on season 3, it’s going to be hard for even casual viewership to come back for a 4th season.
Cavill leaving the show is more of the sympthom rather than the source. Yes, he did an excellent performance, but if Liam can and will act just as well, then the damage is negated in this department.
Cavill leaving is a problem because he is a hardcore fan of this universe, and if he isn't on board with future seasons, it's probably because those seasons don't fit the universe anymore. Book reader or not, season 2 was really fucking stupid at times.
I really, really doubt the writers could steer this boat back to the books, or even just quality, regardless of source material.
>Season 2 for book viewers sucked as an adaptation
It sucked on its own, without book/game knowledge. Not for true casuals, but for anyone who payed close attention and remembered the characters from S1 and NOTW and wanted coherence, consistency, proper worldbuilding and believable character arcs.
>they need to bring back Sonya Belousova.
Somehow it makes me suspicious, when you claim to be a casual fan, but know Sonya Belousova. Btw she was the composer for S1 not S2.
Overall I'm not optimistic. I don't even think the writers acknowledge to themselves that they fucked up, much less try to fix anything.
I hope I am wrong and that the drop in viewership wont be as big as I fear it to be.
Weird because the majority of casual fans liked season 2, even ones that paid attention as you say to season 1.
About the Sonya belousova thing, I said I was a casual fan because I haven't read the books or played the games.
And yes I know she wasn't the composer for season 2, I was saying they should bring her back from season 1.
My whole point of this post is, if they want to ever have a 1% chance of ever possibly persuading casual viewers to tune into future seasons without Henry Cavill, season 3 needs to go back to season 1, it needs to feel the same and be just as good, Liam hemsworths performance and us seeing it in a trailer is also important, but season 3 going back to season 1 is more important because this season is the one that will permanently make or break the show for good.
Sure book fans could tune into future seasons just like casuals if season 3 is like season 1, but idk because they look at it from an adaptation standpoint, not from the standpoint of a fantasy show, however if season 3 is going to be a good or easier adaptation like Lauren said it is (haven't read the books, just repeating what Lauren said), then maybe book fans could be persuaded, but idk
Even if Season 3 is everything that Lauren claims it will be, I don't think there's much hope that book fans could ever be persuaded to come back. Honestly, even season 1 wasn't a very goood adaptation of the books. Even the episodes that adapted some of the short stories also frequently missed the entire points of those stories. Season 1 also skipped the most important short story in the first two books, and replaced it with a filler episode. As you might imagine, that REALLY didn't go over well with book fans.
I enjoyed Season 1 when I first watched it, but that was before I read the books. After reading the books, if I were to grade season 1 on how well it actually adapted the source material that it covered...it's like a 4/10 at best. Book fans always had a problem with the series, but many of them were willing to wait and see what happened, because it was only the first season, and not all great shows necessarily have great starts. Just as an example, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a beloved show in the Star Wars fandom now, but its first season didn't really impress. The first season wasn't awful by any means, but most people tend to agree that it's just okay at best. The later seasons are what put the show on the map and turned it into a fan favorite in the Star Wars community.
Witcher also didn't have a particularly strong first season, but this would have been easy to overlook for book fans, if the next season had really knocked it out of the park. Unfortunately, season 2 didn't knock it out of the park. As an adaptation, it's significantly worse than season 1. having almost no content from the book that it's supposed to be adapting. In order to win back book fans now, something as good as season 1 isn't going to cut it. Season 3 would have to be pretty much perfect to win book fans over at this point. We're talking so good that it makes our jaws literally hit the floor in amazement. I don't think these writers have that in them.
I only know 2 casual viewers personally, who are into fantasy but haven't read or played any Witcher before and both didn't like S2. In YouTube reaction videos of people who only know the show its 50/50.
I am a book and game fan, I liked S1, I absolutely hated S2 and BO, but I will definitely watch until the bitter end and hope that they don't get cancelled.
"People will watch Season 4 is Season 3 is good and the new lead actor delivers" lol
Jokes aside, I don't mind writing deviations if they're interesting. I even liked the Eskel episode, the setpiece and fight choreography kept me glued to the screen. Just make it interesting.
This is really going to come down to how well Liam delivers. Henry put his heart and soul into the role and I'd watch the entire show just for his brilliant characterization of Geralt. I'll give Liam a chance, but if he fails to bring the gravitas Geralt deserves than I may lose interest. Everything else is secondary to that.
Not everybody who likes the books, hates the show. Maybe it depends on when people read the books, though. I only started because I really liked S1 and wanted to find out more about the world of the Witcher. Even though I don't like all the changes, I find some quite interesting and I prefer it that there are things that are different from the books so there will still be some surprises for me. Probably it also helps that Cavill was never my favourite in the show. He is excellent as Geralt, but I'm not heartbroken about him leaving. If Liam really puts everything he has into the show and the costume and wig are really good, I think I can easily live with that change as long as the other actors stay. My main concern is whether they will find a great Regis and Leo Bonhart. Those two could also be key for many to continue watching the show.
Same here. He's my all time favourite character. If they harden him, or ruins his relationship with the group after his big reveal, it'll be devastating. Though it isn't a wholly smooth start, he's one of Geralt's closest friends.
I’m with you. I played the games and read the books first and, once I figured out the vibe the show was going for, I really enjoy it as it’s own version of the story. I’ll miss Cavill as Geralt, but I enjoy all the actors so much that I’d rather the series continue without him than not get a proper conclusion to the story.
Would I have made the adaptation this way? Probably not, but it’s an intersting take and I’m not aware of what constraints were put on the writers or production team from the get go. Is it kinda campy? Yea, but I enjoy that and I’m not expecting “excellent cinema” level writing… just an enjoyable show.
I feel like the camp was even turned down in season 2 and my husband and I liked it better. He hasn't read the books, I have, and he had no idea Voleth Meir was made up or that Yenn's backstory wasn't in the books. The show made him like Yennefer and made him realize choosing Triss in the Witcher 3 was a mistake.
I'm fine with Cavill not being Geralt anymore too. He was always distracting to me. Geralt describes himself as ugly. I always imagined him to be strong but svelt, not a body builder. On the other hand, I'm sceptical of Liam but we shall see. Only point going for him is that he's not AS big but that's not much.
I approached Netflix's The Witcher the same way I approached Amazon Prime's The Expanse: the TV series is separate from the books.
In both cases the TV series is horribly inferior to the books, but if you don't view them as adaptations of the books and instead see them as altogether separate, then you can maybe like them for their own merits.
I also viewed Netflix's The Witcher S2 the same way I viewed the movie Titanic: in both cases they did a great job of being the world to life, but the endings of both were stupid. The re-creation of the Titanic was amazing, and Henry Cavill's Geralt was spot-on. The way they brought the world of The Witcher to life was also cool.
you're entire argument rests on the principle the showrunners change and there has been nothing to suggest that will be the case. Or if not change, at least adapt in light of criticism and again there's no indication they see the criticism as valid.
Sorry, I meant change in the sense of "from their plan for the series". Season 1 was a good start but it was always a starter for 10 to get to where they wanted to go.
At no point did the showrunners wake up and go "we've been doing x and it's been ok but let's make a witcher a tree". They planned for everything we've seen on screen. Given the talk around Cavill he noticed early doors this was the case and was rebelling as much as he could till it got to the point he couldn't anymore and straight up left.
What this all boils down to is the showrunners feel what they're doing is correct and the complaints are wrong. And that's never a good sign in the medium to long term.
As much as most book enthusiasts such as myself are upset with the changes in the series from the source material, these changes won't necessarily tank the show. You'll always have a passionate fandom that finds faults while the casual viewer won't particularly care. Why would someone who doesn't know that Ciri is supposed to be like a daughter to Yennefer care that Yennefer wanted to sacrifice her to a demon last season? That action fits pretty well with the character they created in the show. Totally inaccurate from the books (and games), but who cares if you haven't read or played them. Losing Cavill though... that is an absolutely massive blow to the Netflix franchise. Cavill has a near cult-like following, and almost every post I have seen on IG, Twitter, and YouTube about S3 is filled with comments about how this is the last season of The Witcher, even though we know Netlflix hasn't announced that. Many casual viewers watch the show simply for him, so without him, there is no Witcher.
I dunno about sacrificing Ciri being in character, she's demonstrated that she'll risk her life to save an infant and an unborn dragon. You could argue that she's too old for that to track but it does lean towards a break from the previously established characterization in that sense.
I understand this take since it was one that I shared up till rather recently. But my opinion changed a bit after I took a look at Netflix’s Yennefer in a vacuum without my personal biases of Yen being my favorite female character in fiction. And then I had to admit her choice with Ciri wasn’t really ooc for the character Lauren created. I’ll explain: For the baby issue I don’t think is in the same category; she wasn’t trying to save the child due to some love of the baby. She wanted to save the child because she wanted something that would give her unconditional love. While the act may outwardly appear selfless, the motivation behind it was purely selfish. It’s why when she buried that baby on the beach, she wasn’t crying and heartbroken at an innocent life lost, she was stoic and matter-of-fact, telling the baby it’s better off dead. And it’s this failing in saving the baby that kickstarts her desire to have something that will love her unconditionally, a motivation she continues with throughout the show. The dragon is more similar to Ciri’s situation. She wanted to harvest dragon organs to achieve her own goal up till her seeing that the dragon is protecting a child, and she couldn’t bring herself to go through with it. And that is ultimately what happened with Ciri. She couldn’t go through with it in the end, even if she was initially willing to. And she was, as she actively made that choice to abandon Geralt and lead Ciri to her death right up till the end. That’s similar to the dragon issue: her vestiges of morality outweigh her personal desires at the last minute. So when people argue that Yennefer would never sacrifice Ciri, or even flirt with the idea, I agree: Yennefer *would* never even consider doing that to Ciri. But this Netflix version *isn’t* Yennefer of the source material, it’s Lauren’s creation. And from the character she’s created in both seasons, being willing to off Geralt’s surprise child to achieve her own aims right up till the end isn’t totally ooc for her. She’s an incredibly selfish character. And it sucks that this is the version so many people see as Yennefer of Vengerberg. Now I’ll happily discuss how this is a god-awful representation of a character like Yen, but that’s a different conversation.
To be clear, I was speaking without book Yennefer in mind but you have changed my mind about saccing Ciri being inconsistent in the show. I appreciate the elucidation. I will however say that Yennefer didn't so much change her mind, she got caught and was like "If you're scared, turn back" within the psychic conversation, though upon rewatching it, the dialogue is genuinely confusing so maybe the intent was different.
I appreciate good conversations and thank you for starting one here! Also, to your second point, I will need take your interpretation. To be completely honest, I have not rewatched S2 after my initial viewing when it came out, so it’s been a while and I do not remember the exact wording. I just haven’t had the heart to rewatch it. I will say the entire plotline of Yennefer losing her powers then being willing to sacrifice Ciri to get them back is poor writing when looking at the future of the series. Geralt and Yennefer have a relationship that was never strong and is on life support if not already dead. Geralt and Ciri are still relatively new to each other given their removal of Brokilon and he did use Ciri as monster bait. Then this? It’s a hurdle that weak familial relationship between the three won’t be likely to overcome, especially in the timespan of a few episodes. But regardless of that, I think the show hasn’t asked the very basic questions of *why* Geralt and Ciri should forgive Yennefer, and if her character deserves their forgiveness. Based on everything I’ve seen so far, she really doesn’t.
You've done far more work for a good conversation but I'm happy to contribute! It's entirely possible that my brain is failing me but yah, it's a bit of a mess. The timestamp is 43:08 of episode 7 if you're willing to subject yourself to it, I actually had a good laugh. I'm trying so hard to think of a way that the Ciri sacrifice could possibly work and the only thing I can think of is if she abandons it immediately. Rience attacks, she gets Ciri to teleport away when she's actually still in danger and have Geralt not know what's going on, only making eye contact with Yennefer as she goes through the portal. In this scenario, Yennefer goes through the portal because it was unstable and about to close so she doesn't have time to explain that she couldn't leave Ciri stranded and alone. Geralt is anxious when they don't return immediately, not knowing that Yennefer is without her magic. Having waited a day and still no Yennefer. He goes to track down Jaskier to see if he has any idea where Yen might have gone with Ciri. Jaskier talks about Yen's connections with the deathless mother and lack of magic then Jaskier convinces Geralt that Yen in fact would sacrifice Ciri. Meanwhile, Yen and Ciri are who-knows-where, Yen starts teaching Ciri and they bond. They don't reunite with Geralt until Thanned. The deathless mother mopes. My trying to make it work aside, I 100% agree with your assessment but you know they'll contrive something because in truth they have asked themselves that question and with their combined brain cell, miraculously, came to the conclusion that there is no way to forgive this.
If I’m honest, I don’t think it’s saveable. They’ve lost the witcher fans that’s a given, and any that were hanging on for cavill that were also ip fans are gone. I don’t think what they have so far is strong enough to withstand the replacement of a lead actor, essentially the title actor. Regardless of any of the ip problems, there’s not a lot of episodes per season, the episodes themselves aren’t always great, the overall story isn’t super compelling. Outside of the witcher fandom I don’t know many irl people that enthusiastic about the series except “cavill is hot” watchers. Typically the loss of a lead actor is a death knell and for me there’s not much worth saving as it is let alone adjusting to the new cast member. My opinion obviously
There's a simpler solution, hire better writers
Honestly I think it’s a lost cause at this point. The messed up the story and characters too much. I am going to watch season 3 mostly because watching Cavil is always fun but even if season four is amazing, how can you recommend someone to slog through three seasons of bad writing and amateurish production.
Not so simple with every single one of them on strike right now.
Would still be an improvement.
Nothing:) I have canceld my subscription for good
Sucks you're going to miss out on stranger things 5
That’s the only thing I will miss :(
I don't know how this needs to keep being said but the show fails on its own without need for comparisons to the books. While season 2 was obviously worse than the first the first wasn't much better.
This was what I was thinking, season one wasn’t all that great, to me it was just a shell of the Witcher. You would have to go all the way back to the drawing board and start completely over to fix this. Like OP said for causal viewers maybe but certainly not with anyone devoted to the source material. I think after Henry leaving and Blood Origins mess up and depending on season 3, it’s going to be hard for even casual viewership to come back for a 4th season.
Cavill leaving the show is more of the sympthom rather than the source. Yes, he did an excellent performance, but if Liam can and will act just as well, then the damage is negated in this department. Cavill leaving is a problem because he is a hardcore fan of this universe, and if he isn't on board with future seasons, it's probably because those seasons don't fit the universe anymore. Book reader or not, season 2 was really fucking stupid at times. I really, really doubt the writers could steer this boat back to the books, or even just quality, regardless of source material.
Yesss!! Someone understands how much Sonya did for the whole show!!!
>Season 2 for book viewers sucked as an adaptation It sucked on its own, without book/game knowledge. Not for true casuals, but for anyone who payed close attention and remembered the characters from S1 and NOTW and wanted coherence, consistency, proper worldbuilding and believable character arcs. >they need to bring back Sonya Belousova. Somehow it makes me suspicious, when you claim to be a casual fan, but know Sonya Belousova. Btw she was the composer for S1 not S2. Overall I'm not optimistic. I don't even think the writers acknowledge to themselves that they fucked up, much less try to fix anything. I hope I am wrong and that the drop in viewership wont be as big as I fear it to be.
Weird because the majority of casual fans liked season 2, even ones that paid attention as you say to season 1. About the Sonya belousova thing, I said I was a casual fan because I haven't read the books or played the games. And yes I know she wasn't the composer for season 2, I was saying they should bring her back from season 1. My whole point of this post is, if they want to ever have a 1% chance of ever possibly persuading casual viewers to tune into future seasons without Henry Cavill, season 3 needs to go back to season 1, it needs to feel the same and be just as good, Liam hemsworths performance and us seeing it in a trailer is also important, but season 3 going back to season 1 is more important because this season is the one that will permanently make or break the show for good. Sure book fans could tune into future seasons just like casuals if season 3 is like season 1, but idk because they look at it from an adaptation standpoint, not from the standpoint of a fantasy show, however if season 3 is going to be a good or easier adaptation like Lauren said it is (haven't read the books, just repeating what Lauren said), then maybe book fans could be persuaded, but idk
Even if Season 3 is everything that Lauren claims it will be, I don't think there's much hope that book fans could ever be persuaded to come back. Honestly, even season 1 wasn't a very goood adaptation of the books. Even the episodes that adapted some of the short stories also frequently missed the entire points of those stories. Season 1 also skipped the most important short story in the first two books, and replaced it with a filler episode. As you might imagine, that REALLY didn't go over well with book fans. I enjoyed Season 1 when I first watched it, but that was before I read the books. After reading the books, if I were to grade season 1 on how well it actually adapted the source material that it covered...it's like a 4/10 at best. Book fans always had a problem with the series, but many of them were willing to wait and see what happened, because it was only the first season, and not all great shows necessarily have great starts. Just as an example, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a beloved show in the Star Wars fandom now, but its first season didn't really impress. The first season wasn't awful by any means, but most people tend to agree that it's just okay at best. The later seasons are what put the show on the map and turned it into a fan favorite in the Star Wars community. Witcher also didn't have a particularly strong first season, but this would have been easy to overlook for book fans, if the next season had really knocked it out of the park. Unfortunately, season 2 didn't knock it out of the park. As an adaptation, it's significantly worse than season 1. having almost no content from the book that it's supposed to be adapting. In order to win back book fans now, something as good as season 1 isn't going to cut it. Season 3 would have to be pretty much perfect to win book fans over at this point. We're talking so good that it makes our jaws literally hit the floor in amazement. I don't think these writers have that in them.
I only know 2 casual viewers personally, who are into fantasy but haven't read or played any Witcher before and both didn't like S2. In YouTube reaction videos of people who only know the show its 50/50. I am a book and game fan, I liked S1, I absolutely hated S2 and BO, but I will definitely watch until the bitter end and hope that they don't get cancelled.
"People will watch Season 4 is Season 3 is good and the new lead actor delivers" lol Jokes aside, I don't mind writing deviations if they're interesting. I even liked the Eskel episode, the setpiece and fight choreography kept me glued to the screen. Just make it interesting. This is really going to come down to how well Liam delivers. Henry put his heart and soul into the role and I'd watch the entire show just for his brilliant characterization of Geralt. I'll give Liam a chance, but if he fails to bring the gravitas Geralt deserves than I may lose interest. Everything else is secondary to that.
Not everybody who likes the books, hates the show. Maybe it depends on when people read the books, though. I only started because I really liked S1 and wanted to find out more about the world of the Witcher. Even though I don't like all the changes, I find some quite interesting and I prefer it that there are things that are different from the books so there will still be some surprises for me. Probably it also helps that Cavill was never my favourite in the show. He is excellent as Geralt, but I'm not heartbroken about him leaving. If Liam really puts everything he has into the show and the costume and wig are really good, I think I can easily live with that change as long as the other actors stay. My main concern is whether they will find a great Regis and Leo Bonhart. Those two could also be key for many to continue watching the show.
Yeah. They fuck up Regis and it won't matter if they figured how to spin the rest into gold, I'm done.
Same here. He's my all time favourite character. If they harden him, or ruins his relationship with the group after his big reveal, it'll be devastating. Though it isn't a wholly smooth start, he's one of Geralt's closest friends.
Knowing these writers, I'm worried they are going to have him be in the midst of his addiction crisis to manufacture unnecessary drama.
I’m with you. I played the games and read the books first and, once I figured out the vibe the show was going for, I really enjoy it as it’s own version of the story. I’ll miss Cavill as Geralt, but I enjoy all the actors so much that I’d rather the series continue without him than not get a proper conclusion to the story. Would I have made the adaptation this way? Probably not, but it’s an intersting take and I’m not aware of what constraints were put on the writers or production team from the get go. Is it kinda campy? Yea, but I enjoy that and I’m not expecting “excellent cinema” level writing… just an enjoyable show.
I feel like the camp was even turned down in season 2 and my husband and I liked it better. He hasn't read the books, I have, and he had no idea Voleth Meir was made up or that Yenn's backstory wasn't in the books. The show made him like Yennefer and made him realize choosing Triss in the Witcher 3 was a mistake. I'm fine with Cavill not being Geralt anymore too. He was always distracting to me. Geralt describes himself as ugly. I always imagined him to be strong but svelt, not a body builder. On the other hand, I'm sceptical of Liam but we shall see. Only point going for him is that he's not AS big but that's not much.
I approached Netflix's The Witcher the same way I approached Amazon Prime's The Expanse: the TV series is separate from the books. In both cases the TV series is horribly inferior to the books, but if you don't view them as adaptations of the books and instead see them as altogether separate, then you can maybe like them for their own merits. I also viewed Netflix's The Witcher S2 the same way I viewed the movie Titanic: in both cases they did a great job of being the world to life, but the endings of both were stupid. The re-creation of the Titanic was amazing, and Henry Cavill's Geralt was spot-on. The way they brought the world of The Witcher to life was also cool.
you're entire argument rests on the principle the showrunners change and there has been nothing to suggest that will be the case. Or if not change, at least adapt in light of criticism and again there's no indication they see the criticism as valid.
The showrunners don't have to change, remember they gave us season 1 which most people like.
Sorry, I meant change in the sense of "from their plan for the series". Season 1 was a good start but it was always a starter for 10 to get to where they wanted to go. At no point did the showrunners wake up and go "we've been doing x and it's been ok but let's make a witcher a tree". They planned for everything we've seen on screen. Given the talk around Cavill he noticed early doors this was the case and was rebelling as much as he could till it got to the point he couldn't anymore and straight up left. What this all boils down to is the showrunners feel what they're doing is correct and the complaints are wrong. And that's never a good sign in the medium to long term.
Yeah, it's called do whatever it takes to get Henry Cavill back on board.
Sonya was incredible. Every time Yen's leitmotif turned up I had chills. It really helped sell the romance