(776-word review) I'm not quite sure what about this episode there is to love – and I'm saying that because there are probably people who loved it; on the flip side, many people likely found it tedious. If I had to throw an assumption out into the howling wind, it's because of the self-containment and simplicity compared to the commonplace unnecessary convolution. And I can understand that, on top of feeling the same way to an extent.
There's no doubt this episode was pivotal, as it dipped its foot into the inevitable reality of Ciri being at the forefront/"taking over" the show: she's alone, fending for herself by herself, and, from what I know about the novels, that's leading the way to an even more prolonged spotlight on her. Even though Geralt has easily felt like the main character, that's essentially her; she's undoubtedly the most important one, but now the time for her to fill Geralt's shoes in that regard is closing in.
Unfortunately, the impact is lacking because of the writing, and it's a shame. This was likely a significant moment in the novels, but it's been diluted by mostly everything that has led to it. There's still more to it – I remember reading about one thing that's close to happening concerning a particular group and something they did, probably at the beginning of the next season if the show's faithful regarding it, not to mention another character that comes along into that part of the story arc, who seems to be considered one of the best-written characters of the novels – and even more, I'm sure, throughout Ciri's solo, without Geralt and Yennefer, character journey, that I'm entirely unaware of, but a lot of faith in Freya Allan's performance (to carry that part of the show) and the writers' ability to do well is required to be optimistic for the foreseeable future/however long Ciri's character arc lasts.
Furthermore, the constant swearing is ridiculous, venturing into the territory of being childish and inadequate behavior, writing-wise (swearing, in general, isn't that upsetting, but this excessive usage is becoming insufferable); Ciri's fight sequence was laughable with how she seemingly has super strength now to rip off one of the monster's shell to then, also, beat it to death with said shell (not to mention that slow-mo was unnecessary), Falka's characterization was contrived (e.g., her banal dialogue about how "powerful women have been labeled insane since the dawn of time" and "the system"), topped by the actress' unconvincing acting, and this whole, I'm 90% sure, show-exclusive (or unnecessarily altered) 'Fire magic is forbidden' component is absurd.
I also liked how Joseph Trapanese's "Power and Purpose" track from the second season was reused, as it's a good score cue; however, that potentially speaks to an onslaught of sudden disinterest and decrease of a creativity spark on his part, especially considering the lacklusterness of his score this time compared to his work previously – the decline in his score is fascinating: why are score cues from a previous season (hell, previous seasons, as Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli's "The Time of Axe and Sword Is Now" from the first season was used at the end of this season's premiere) being used?
A specific female character's introduction stood out the most to me, and that's, yet again, due to some bits-and-pieces knowledge I possess of the source material. I know she'll become a member of a yet-to-be-formed group that includes two people we're already familiar with (one MUCH more than the other; if you know, you know), but more notably, someone that hasn't been introduced yet that, from what I know, is iconic and beloved within The Witcher medium – I suspect there's a member or two I'm forgetting. I knew this person would show up due to the announcement of new cast additions last year in April. It was a pleasant surprise despite that, as it's another reminder of where this show is heading: how, novel-wise, some exciting stuff is on the horizon, which may even be (or be around) the peak of them – I don't know.
The song featuring Freya Allan during the end credits stood out in second place, and I thought it was great – easily the best song; Joey Batey dropped the ball, and by Joey, I mean the writers dropped the ball concerning Jaskier's songs in this season. But I think he has a final song in the finale, which may rival Joseph Trapanese/Percival Schuttenbach/Freya Allan's "A Little Sacrifice" track.
TL;DR: A break from the usual convoluted storytelling makes room for appreciation, and Ciri's pivotal solo focus, while lacking in its effect, indicates what's to come.
Review by LineageBlockedParent2023-08-02T18:45:57Z
(776-word review) I'm not quite sure what about this episode there is to love – and I'm saying that because there are probably people who loved it; on the flip side, many people likely found it tedious. If I had to throw an assumption out into the howling wind, it's because of the self-containment and simplicity compared to the commonplace unnecessary convolution. And I can understand that, on top of feeling the same way to an extent.
There's no doubt this episode was pivotal, as it dipped its foot into the inevitable reality of Ciri being at the forefront/"taking over" the show: she's alone, fending for herself by herself, and, from what I know about the novels, that's leading the way to an even more prolonged spotlight on her. Even though Geralt has easily felt like the main character, that's essentially her; she's undoubtedly the most important one, but now the time for her to fill Geralt's shoes in that regard is closing in.
Unfortunately, the impact is lacking because of the writing, and it's a shame. This was likely a significant moment in the novels, but it's been diluted by mostly everything that has led to it. There's still more to it – I remember reading about one thing that's close to happening concerning a particular group and something they did, probably at the beginning of the next season if the show's faithful regarding it, not to mention another character that comes along into that part of the story arc, who seems to be considered one of the best-written characters of the novels – and even more, I'm sure, throughout Ciri's solo, without Geralt and Yennefer, character journey, that I'm entirely unaware of, but a lot of faith in Freya Allan's performance (to carry that part of the show) and the writers' ability to do well is required to be optimistic for the foreseeable future/however long Ciri's character arc lasts.
Furthermore, the constant swearing is ridiculous, venturing into the territory of being childish and inadequate behavior, writing-wise (swearing, in general, isn't that upsetting, but this excessive usage is becoming insufferable); Ciri's fight sequence was laughable with how she seemingly has super strength now to rip off one of the monster's shell to then, also, beat it to death with said shell (not to mention that slow-mo was unnecessary), Falka's characterization was contrived (e.g., her banal dialogue about how "powerful women have been labeled insane since the dawn of time" and "the system"), topped by the actress' unconvincing acting, and this whole, I'm 90% sure, show-exclusive (or unnecessarily altered) 'Fire magic is forbidden' component is absurd.
I also liked how Joseph Trapanese's "Power and Purpose" track from the second season was reused, as it's a good score cue; however, that potentially speaks to an onslaught of sudden disinterest and decrease of a creativity spark on his part, especially considering the lacklusterness of his score this time compared to his work previously – the decline in his score is fascinating: why are score cues from a previous season (hell, previous seasons, as Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli's "The Time of Axe and Sword Is Now" from the first season was used at the end of this season's premiere) being used?
A specific female character's introduction stood out the most to me, and that's, yet again, due to some bits-and-pieces knowledge I possess of the source material. I know she'll become a member of a yet-to-be-formed group that includes two people we're already familiar with (one MUCH more than the other; if you know, you know), but more notably, someone that hasn't been introduced yet that, from what I know, is iconic and beloved within The Witcher medium – I suspect there's a member or two I'm forgetting. I knew this person would show up due to the announcement of new cast additions last year in April. It was a pleasant surprise despite that, as it's another reminder of where this show is heading: how, novel-wise, some exciting stuff is on the horizon, which may even be (or be around) the peak of them – I don't know.
The song featuring Freya Allan during the end credits stood out in second place, and I thought it was great – easily the best song; Joey Batey dropped the ball, and by Joey, I mean the writers dropped the ball concerning Jaskier's songs in this season. But I think he has a final song in the finale, which may rival Joseph Trapanese/Percival Schuttenbach/Freya Allan's "A Little Sacrifice" track.
TL;DR: A break from the usual convoluted storytelling makes room for appreciation, and Ciri's pivotal solo focus, while lacking in its effect, indicates what's to come.