Important note: If I sound joking, ironic, or condescending, I apologise in advance if my words hit you. I have a sharp tongue and usually joke about things, including myself. For example, I came up with the nude girl example in the last paragraph, because some part of me like the book's version with one girl better, so I was joking about myself more than any of you readers :sweat_smile: Thanks for reading!
I've recently re-read the short stories for the forth (or so) time and played two out of the three main games, so I cannot not compare the different interpretations of The Witcher. But I won't spoil anything beyond the first episode and it's all tagged.
First of all: It was obvious there was and is and never will be a way to cater to all fans. It is impossible if there are only two fans in the whole wide world which have only read the books. Or if there a many of them, all with different first contacts with Geralt and his story, and different backgrounds. A German fan has a different approach to many of the stories compared to for example an American one, because he had heard the fairy tales, which Sapkowski wove into his stories, reinterpreted. Just an example.
So obviously that was something Netflix had in mind and it seemed they cared about it. I would have preferred a different decision (sticking closer to the books), but I see why they did what they did and I think it's the right decision.So what did they do? They chose to use different timelines to introduce Geralt and Ciri with their defining moments: "The Lesser Evil" for Geralt, which marks him as the Butcher of Blaviken, and Cintra's fall for Cirilla (Ciri), which introduces us to her possibilities and sets her on her path. It also hints at the connection between the two stories, but that's for another time.
They also decided to sway in the minor and sometimes bigger details, sticking to the red line of each story and weaving a new telling around it. It reminds me a little of Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology", where he admits that his retelling is deviating from the source in some points, because he is re-telling the stories, not copying them. And that's a good thing. Yes, we might not see some moments of dialogues in Netflix's version, but imagine them as someone telling you Geralt's story as you sit around a camp fire. You don't care about the details, if Stregobor did know Geralt beforehand or not, or if Geralt met the Alderman or his daughter. You want to hear the story of the Butcher of Blaviken, how he had to face this dilemma. It doesn't matter if Renfri and the witcher f*cked (Do I need to censor this word here?) in a room or a forest. You want a good time and you'll have it.And we had it. It was a great first episode, telling two very interesting stories, defining characters, setting up the story. Compared to so many other first episodes of shows, this was a great one. And comparing it to other great first episodes, it doesn't loose either.
Yes, some people may be hurt that they experienced a story that wasn't exactly what they expected. Maybe they are not sold on the cast, maybe they hate that there were more than one nude illusion girl in Stregobor's tower or that Geralt didn't cut someone in two. And that's okay. The Witcher fans are a passionate bunch coming from many different directions. Let's give this retelling of our favorite story a chance. It deserves one.
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Remember, my english is bad, so, if you don't understand any part of my comment, let me know it.
13) I quite like the 8th episode -8 stars/hearts-, but probably you agreed with me: let the best part to the end is a trick with a excessive use, which I find boring, because The Witcher books have more to offer, I mean since the first episode they could make something better. The battle against the nekkers (I think that is their name), was good, but I have this thought, which is, that he shouldn't be hurt almost to die. Vienna was or wasn't there with Geralt; I mean, in the books (I don't remember which exactly), she appears too and save Geralt, but in that book it's clearly something real, and the 8th episode looks more like a dream. That confuse me a lot. Mix three different stories was too much; the serie give us some signals to understand which timeline is which, but it's still hard to keep up, in the books was more easier to found out, because in them, Sapkowski didn't make weird things. But I not gonna lie you, I'm waiting for the next season, but I really hope that season have more action and relevant moments, but less confusing stuff, like the signals, I -think- remember he use 3 signals but just name one. This little details triggered me.
It's fine. I like read, probably no too much as you, but I really enjoying it...
The Witcher was the first saga/franchise that I've read; and the first three books, I finished them before to complete 4 weeks since started "The Last Wish" in 2015 -I don't remember the month-, and that is the reason why I so disappointed with this Netflix's The Witcher retelling... the serie doesn't have the same feeling as the book.
Unfortunately for me, I have a really bad memory (due some accidents in my childhood), so, it's hard to me recollect all the events and details there's in the seven first books... yes, I could read the books again, and I will love it, but you, as lover of series, movies, books and video games -I presume, for your comments and profile-, can understand that it is difficult to re-read (in this case) something already read, cause there's so many more to read, play or/and watch, and that will get worse now with Disney+, or at least that's my situation. My backlog in game, series and movies is massive, and also have some books that I would like to read in this year.
The last paragraph is cause I need that you know that I don't remember even the more important or more impressive things from the Geralt's adventures*. So, I'm sorry if I say something wrong... if you can correct me, I will appreciate.
Let's start it.
0) Yeah, you right, 'The Witcher Serie´ can't please all his gamers/readers fans -and now, "watchers" too, but the result is here, and I found the Netflix version, as they hadn't really ever tried.
1) The director(s) and writer(s) took a lil bit from the books and games, just what they thought would need, big mistake. You know that this actress (as Cirilla) is quite old to play as our dear Ciri, and his hair don't fit with the original (obviously, books); her ashen-haired, in the same thing happens with the "White Wolf", who originally has a white-haired, not gray -that should be Ciri, or at least a pale-blond, but not. >The devil is in the detail<
2) Mix the different timelines: Geralt and Jaskier meets, how Yennefer become to a sorceress and how she met Geralt and Jakier; with Dunny claiming his payment using the 'Law of Surprise' and Gealt starting with a new one; how Cintra fell and Ciri must run away. Personality it's no a mistake, but they should stick -like you said- closer to the books, in every single and simple detail... But that didn't happen and will never happen. Because I think is too much information and character to absorb/meet in only one season with 8 episodes.
3) You say, «Yes, we might not see some moments of dialogues in Netflix's version, but imagine them as someone telling you Geralt's story as you sit around a camp fire. You don't care about the details...» -I couldn't use the quote from the page XD. For me, the details are what make the story, and there's nothing better that the originals, and the "why" is only common sense.
4) About Renfri and Geralt intimation, is quite trivial, yes, but we know how our favorite Witcher is, and he doesn't miss any chance to be inside a beautiful woman. And to be honest, in this Geralt's Universe many women (humans, elves, etc.) want something from the "White Wolf", how could he denied them such experience?
5) I'm not feel 'hurt', just disappointed like I said before. I'm about to watch the last episode of this first season, and I know, it won't like me (I mean, another 7). But whatever, this is just entertainment for leisure moments.
6) And yes, I don't like the main cast, but I don't hate it. Could be better, but also worst.
7) And also yes, Geralt should have cut that man in two parts, no for the fanservice 'per se', but show how strong he is, compare to a simple human. Until now Geralt is a human with gray-haired and eyes-cat, nothing more.
8) The budget for the first season -until the 7 episode- it was kinda mediocre, I hope the second season is better.
9) I got you point about the european-tales (Sorry, I'm generalizing, cause I'm not certain where the tales came from), but for me, from America (no the country), is not necessary have the whole background to understand and enjoying the premise of The Witcher, like my last example, the anime, even those what their base are made from the japanese culture. I can't talk for every person in my continent, but I think the majority will agreed with me.
10) As a American (continent), I'm sure, I didn't notice some curious, greated and probably obvious reference (european-tales), but that didn't make The Witcher (books) a great saga, is how Sapkowski managed to make these fit with his literary work. And, yeah. It's impossible to please everyone... >We are not a gold coin<; A latin american saying.
11) GOT serie (I've not read the books) had a terrible, horrible, awful last season (the 6th and 7th was better, but mediocre if we compare face-to-face with the 1 up to 5 season), but GOT never had the same polemic about the ethnics, if they change something or someone (which I think they did, but I'm not sure), they fans agreed, and everything was fine till the 8th season, with the worst finals episodes from a "TV Show", which many fanatics still defending. That's very sad.
12) There's no exist such thing as a objective opinion... But we have a critical and analytical thinking (I hope the literally translation works), and the common sense too, so, we should understand when something is good or bad. It's not possible to compare a book -with only words- with a videogame (images, and the more important, the interaction) and neither with a live-action (images), but it's normal and justify critic something -the original work- with a new approach for others audiencies, because that new version needed and had take for the original material for came up; understanding that nothing is perfect, they had just one task... don't mess up. Like the showrunners of GOT did with the three finals seasons, only because the didn't have nothing more read to make his own series conclusion; now we know, they aren't good writers without base, that's why they got lost.
Since episode 1 up to 7, I put them 7 stars, and I feel the 8th episode, won't be different... I hope.
Greetings compa.
Important note: If I sound joking, ironic, or condescending, I apologise in advance if my words hit you. I have a sharp tongue and usually joke about things, including myself. For example, I came up with the nude girl example in the last paragraph, because some part of me like the book's version with one girl better, so I was joking about myself more than any of you readers :sweat_smile: Thanks for reading!
I've recently re-read the short stories for the forth (or so) time and played two out of the three main games, so I cannot not compare the different interpretations of The Witcher. But I won't spoil anything beyond the first episode and it's all tagged.
First of all: It was obvious there was and is and never will be a way to cater to all fans. It is impossible if there are only two fans in the whole wide world which have only read the books. Or if there a many of them, all with different first contacts with Geralt and his story, and different backgrounds. A German fan has a different approach to many of the stories compared to for example an American one, because he had heard the fairy tales, which Sapkowski wove into his stories, reinterpreted. Just an example.
So obviously that was something Netflix had in mind and it seemed they cared about it. I would have preferred a different decision (sticking closer to the books), but I see why they did what they did and I think it's the right decision.So what did they do? They chose to use different timelines to introduce Geralt and Ciri with their defining moments: "The Lesser Evil" for Geralt, which marks him as the Butcher of Blaviken, and Cintra's fall for Cirilla (Ciri), which introduces us to her possibilities and sets her on her path. It also hints at the connection between the two stories, but that's for another time.
They also decided to sway in the minor and sometimes bigger details, sticking to the red line of each story and weaving a new telling around it. It reminds me a little of Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology", where he admits that his retelling is deviating from the source in some points, because he is re-telling the stories, not copying them. And that's a good thing. Yes, we might not see some moments of dialogues in Netflix's version, but imagine them as someone telling you Geralt's story as you sit around a camp fire. You don't care about the details, if Stregobor did know Geralt beforehand or not, or if Geralt met the Alderman or his daughter. You want to hear the story of the Butcher of Blaviken, how he had to face this dilemma. It doesn't matter if Renfri and the witcher f*cked (Do I need to censor this word here?) in a room or a forest. You want a good time and you'll have it.And we had it. It was a great first episode, telling two very interesting stories, defining characters, setting up the story. Compared to so many other first episodes of shows, this was a great one. And comparing it to other great first episodes, it doesn't loose either.
Yes, some people may be hurt that they experienced a story that wasn't exactly what they expected. Maybe they are not sold on the cast, maybe they hate that there were more than one nude illusion girl in Stregobor's tower or that Geralt didn't cut someone in two. And that's okay. The Witcher fans are a passionate bunch coming from many different directions. Let's give this retelling of our favorite story a chance. It deserves one.
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@slyazx Important: My english is very bad, so I apologize in advance... Now, let's begin...
I kinda like you review, but I noticed certain condescension. I already read the first 6 books, I'm reading the 7th book, but I found it boring, -the problem: the last 200 pages. I've been trying to finish it since 2015... but that is another topic.
I think your second (now third) paragraph is was unnecessary, because it is totally subjective -as so many opinions about everything, I know. "¿Why?", you may ask; well, the thing here it's, if we review (value) every movie, serie, book, anime, song, etc. like you saying -be familiar- with something that is not the premise- the people enjoying less o more said content, well... Mostly all the anime have many "japanese things" that just someone who knows about the japanese culture could understand... Well, I think you got my point.
The Witcher have 9 stars from you and 7 from me. Personality wasn't a great episode, but I can say that it is much better than the last season (8) of GOT and quite better than the 7th, "THE GREATEST SERIE EVER MADE"
Regards mi amigo.
The cast gives great performances (the kids being the exception, of course) but I thought this was ultimately a letdown but not a compete failure. Baniszewski was sympathized a little too much for my liking. I'm sorry, even for the 60s there's some evil in you if you were abusing children at this level.
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@buttguts That was a dump comment.
