Without Eva Green's deliciously tortured Vanessa, this new evolution can't possibly be as good. But I'll give it a fair go just in case.
UPDATE 2nd July 2020
Okay, so I've finished watching the whole series now and I'm hoping they don't make a second. This wasn't a patch on the original and I found Dormer's characters rather hammy and annoying. The themes 'explored' in this series seem all too familiar right now, repeated over and over in many other shows. I suppose it ticks all the boxes for millennials, but they aren't watching anyway. What's wrong with just telling a story? On a positive note, I did enjoy the concept of Elsa and her son, Frank.
Spoiler alert:
I think it would have been more faithful to the original series if they had instead chosen to use multiple actors to play the roles inhabited by Natalie Dormer's demon, perhaps using subtle vehicles to gradually tip viewers off over the story arc until we discover the coordinated plot to expose the inherent discord, conflict and misery in humanity (do we really ever need any help with that?). We could have seen a proxy battle between good and evil played out between characters possessed by the two angels/demons. I suppose they must have decided it would be too confusing to continue with the possession theme from the original series if they spread it across multiple characters, but would we really need to know that until the lame ending anyway?
First of all, coming to the review from the point of someone who has read the books several times (+ played the games), therefore hard to judge how someone completely new might perceive it. On other hand my wife has never read the books and she enjoyed the show very much, mind you I had to explain some things occasionally.
Season 1:
Overall:[9/10] Great effort in bringing the books to Show format. I liked that they started with the short stories and used couple of them to set the world and characters. The ending of the Season 1 is also and ending of the short stories and move to the novels, which was the production and from that stems the most often heard critique (rushed and confusing plot). Some of the stories used deviate from the source, but I felt that they captured the essence and --some-- key moments are there. If you read the books, you might cringe, but it will make sense. It was a tradeoff to fit things to ˜50 minute blocks.
Characters:[7/10] Here it is mixed bag, with inclination to positives.
Geralt (Henry Cavil) is for me so so. He fits, but I would like to see him more seasoned. His body is scarred, but his face is still unspoiled by one (contrary to books? or was it just my imagination). At the end he is fine, acting is ok and he grows on you.
CIri (Freya Allan) is a nice mystery for me. Acting wise, she did good job (for my taste) + there is something in her looks that is "mysterious" and I think she will fit nicely. Big question for me (as with many women in movies + shows ... sorry for that :-( ) is how they will handle swords. She seems too frail. Well will see.
Yennefer*(Anya Chalotra) unfortunately the biggest letdown for me. I really liked her playing the "hunchback" Yennefer, but later she does not cut it for me. She seem too immature. Also she had the most cringeworthy moment in one of the episodes for me (Rare species episode) where she fights with swords with the same skill as Geralt, where her character would fit to use magic, possibly fend one mercenary off, but preferably just watch Geralt do the work..
Jaskier (Joey Batey) is ok for me. I think he plays and is written well. He can sing well which is important. Unfortunately the overall music does not do it for me.
Plot [7/10] good inspiration from the books and some well chosen stories, but overall rushing is felt. Maybe they should have done 10 episodes and work in more character development.
Music [6/10] The main theme is weird, but in longer term in good way as it grows on you. On other hand, I am very spoiled by the game's soundtrack which is superb and I keep expecting those tunes to play in the show as well, which is not the case.
Visuals [8/10] good even, even great from location perspective and scenes and clothing. All really nice to look at. Little minus due to dragon's looks and rarely fell of not so much money/time to make it better (e.g. dwarves were so-so)
rating 8/10 + 1 due to fulfilling my wish to make the books into very satisfactory show.
Kevin Spacey is so great in this show, and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) too. They play their roles so realistic, I believe them every word!
Barack Obama wrote a book as he's got into "higher" politics. I see some parallels from the book and this tv show. Everything is very realistic. The show reminds me a little bit of "Damages" with Glenn Close, where intrigue play a big role too, but in House of Cards it is much more sophisticated. You can't really miss one episode, because you gonna miss so much. And I also do not want to miss an episode , because you never get bored here. That is how a tv show concept should be!
The big thing about the show is also the first season's ending. I don't want to put a spoiler here, but I couldn't imagine that all those different story lines got put together to a big picture in the ending.
That was amazing. Really great written.
I give the first season 9 out of 10 points because it is so amazing well written, the acting is simply awesome and the only annoying thing which comes to my mind is the long intro.
So if you want to see a realistic politics & life tv show: Give it a try.
