Netflix is betting high on The Witcher, and probably assertively because the fans of the books and games are massive. For those ones who doesn't know neither, things can be a little confusing at first, but story development will fill those gaps slowly and satisfactory throughout the episodes and further seasons (the streaming service stated that 2nd season is already in production).
Here's an advice: the show is based on the books. So, if you are a fan of the games only, don't expect the story to follow the same chronology, development or facts that are presented there. The fewer things of the games that inspire the show are mostly visual because all the design concepts are very solid, and also because production wants to please the game fanbase too.
Either being a fan of the books or the games (or both), the first thing to notice is the important characters that cross Geralt's path. Some of them being regular ones, some of them just making guest appearances like easter eggs. For those unfamiliar to the original sources, pay attention to all of them, because every single one is very important to his development as a character and as pieces of the narrative in general. Also because some of them become important friends and allies of the lonely white wolf, making him not so lonely anymore as he always pertended to be.
Geralt's past is unknown, but don't worry about that, audience will have plenty of time to discover why his personality is so unique.
The basics about the character is that, as young man, he went thru a blood mutation, being trained physically and psychologically to become a witcher and hunt monsters and entities that cannot live among humans. And that's what he's been doing for generations until he finally meets princess Cirilla, a young orphan girl that, among every other ones, crosses his nomad path, but will be responsible to twist his destiny forever.
Even Henry Cavill being the most famous one, the others from this very unknown cast are not overshadowed by that. First because each one of them fits perfectly into their respective characters and also because all of them are strong enough to live by themselves in the story, having all of them opportunity to shine. Which means that they are very well written in the show as well as in the books.
It's so that way that even Geralt being the main character we almost never notice his absence or miss his presence when subplots emerge.
I never considered Cavill a great actor, but his commitment here is something I haven't seen before on his career. I never doubt that he could do it as some fans of the character did, but I also never expected he would fit so well as he does. His commitment is solid like Matt Damon as Jason Bourne or Keanu Reeves as John Wick, travelling well trhu the nuances of the character and also delivering great demanding action scenes. And by that, don't expect just an actor posing with a sword swinging it like any kid role playing around. The fighting scenes are one of the best choreographed ones I've seen in the last couple years, mixing sword fighting techniques and calculated movements when character is casting spells, giving brutal and organic feelings at the same time. The visual effects and editing aren't overused during those scenes, which is a relief, bringing realism to a fantasy that could easily feel clumsy or artificial as usually happens on themed shows like this.
The only thing that bothers me a little is that Cavill should be more contained about character's feelings and emotions, because witchers don't have emotions, as it's said by some characters during episodes. They lose them during the mutation process so they can handle all different situations rationally and not emotionally. The emotions exist in their concious, but it never takes over physically. It's a very complex situation that sometimes Cavill quite doesn't do as it should sometimes. It's something that the games do better I must say, making Geralt a very funny character with all that poker face and unfitted social behavior. For example, in the games he does jokes and understands them too, but his apathetic behave makes people often mistake as if he's being rude or provocative, so he always have to explain it all the time. But that's ok, otherwise I think that audience wouldn't get it and mistake the character's personality with lack of actor's talent, which wouldn't be the case. Also, that constant moaning shouldn't be overused as it comes to be after 3rd episode. It's part of the character, but feels annoying when used all the time.
But those are just personal observations, the show in a whole is promissing. Story and characters are so rich that the show has more than enough material to last for seasons.
This first season works as a presentation of this dark phantasy universe. By each episode beginning with a particular one, followed by a single symbol opening its chapter, culminating to a last episode that finally completes its title opening, meaning that entire story finally reached a common storyline. The non linear story is very important to audience notice what was said above, that no matter which way it goes, Geralt's destiny, as well as about other characters, will always be linked to each other someway. So, I hope writers keep it linear for 2nd seasons, developing story, dramatic arcs and character's background more consistently.
Here's an advice: the show is based on the books. So, if you are a fan of the games only, don't expect the story to follow the same chronology, development or facts that are presented there. The fewer things of the games that inspire the show are mostly visual because all the design concepts are very solid, and also because production wants to please the game fanbase too.
Either being a fan of the books or the games (or both), the first thing to notice is the important characters that cross Geralt's path. Some of them being regular ones, some of them just making guest appearances like easter eggs. For those unfamiliar to the original sources, pay attention to all of them, because every single one is very important to his development as a character and as pieces of the narrative in general. Also because some of them become important friends and allies of the lonely white wolf, making him not so lonely anymore as he always pertended to be.
Geralt's past is unknown, but don't worry about that, audience will have plenty of time to discover why his personality is so unique.
The basics about the character is that, as young man, he went thru a blood mutation, being trained physically and psychologically to become a witcher and hunt monsters and entities that cannot live among humans. And that's what he's been doing for generations until he finally meets princess Cirilla, a young orphan girl that, among every other ones, crosses his nomad path, but will be responsible to twist his destiny forever.
Even Henry Cavill being the most famous one, the others from this very unknown cast are not overshadowed by that. First because each one of them fits perfectly into their respective characters and also because all of them are strong enough to live by themselves in the story, having all of them opportunity to shine. Which means that they are very well written in the show as well as in the books.
It's so that way that even Geralt being the main character we almost never notice his absence or miss his presence when subplots emerge.
I never considered Cavill a great actor, but his commitment here is something I haven't seen before on his career. I never doubt that he could do it as some fans of the character did, but I also never expected he would fit so well as he does. His commitment is solid like Matt Damon as Jason Bourne or Keanu Reeves as John Wick, travelling well trhu the nuances of the character and also delivering great demanding action scenes. And by that, don't expect just an actor posing with a sword swinging it like any kid role playing around. The fighting scenes are one of the best choreographed ones I've seen in the last couple years, mixing sword fighting techniques and calculated movements when character is casting spells, giving brutal and organic feelings at the same time. The visual effects and editing aren't overused during those scenes, which is a relief, bringing realism to a fantasy that could easily feel clumsy or artificial as usually happens on themed shows like this.
The only thing that bothers me a little is that Cavill should be more contained about character's feelings and emotions, because witchers don't have emotions, as it's said by some characters during episodes. They lose them during the mutation process so they can handle all different situations rationally and not emotionally. The emotions exist in their concious, but it never takes over physically. It's a very complex situation that sometimes Cavill quite doesn't do as it should sometimes. It's something that the games do better I must say, making Geralt a very funny character with all that poker face and unfitted social behavior. For example, in the games he does jokes and understands them too, but his apathetic behave makes people often mistake as if he's being rude or provocative, so he always have to explain it all the time. But that's ok, otherwise I think that audience wouldn't get it and mistake the character's personality with lack of actor's talent, which wouldn't be the case. Also, that constant moaning shouldn't be overused as it comes to be after 3rd episode. It's part of the character, but feels annoying when used all the time.
But those are just personal observations, the show in a whole is promissing. Story and characters are so rich that the show has more than enough material to last for seasons.
This first season works as a presentation of this dark phantasy universe. By each episode beginning with a particular one, followed by a single symbol opening its chapter, culminating to a last episode that finally completes its title opening, meaning that entire story finally reached a common storyline. The non linear story is very important to audience notice what was said above, that no matter which way it goes, Geralt's destiny, as well as about other characters, will always be linked to each other someway. So, I hope writers keep it linear for 2nd seasons, developing story, dramatic arcs and character's background more consistently.