The Witcher TV Series

There is lots to admire in the Netflix Witcher series if you like fantasy. At one level, it doesn’t stint on the nastiness of medieval society and the bruttishness of it. At another, it follows all the required tropes for the genre. The way magic is portrayed is really good and its use also has some interesting consequences, so using magic without consideration is not something the various mages do.

One thing I disagree with many reviewers is when they have complained that the production values aren’t as good as those from GOT. It does, on occasion have spectacle and the CGI is well done and the sets are fine if you like the close angle lens and captures the feel of the books. I personally like the smaller, more intimate feel of the series.

In the early episodes, I found myself noticing the number of cliches or tropes that are present. Not that I find this is to the detriment of the series, it’s just that there’s a lot of them. However, they are generally used in a good way.

Just to consider some of the more obvious ones. Spoiler alert! I will be discussing aspects of the plot below.

A medieval kingdom under attack by dark forces that are not well explained.

A beautiful daughter who has to escape via a secret exit, helped by a loyal retainer.

The Witcher himself is a bit of a cliche character of the outcast hero, broody, with a shady past (High Plains Drifter, anyone?). An outsider, a tough guy, but with a heart of gold. A cold man who is drawn to Yennifer, perhaps recognising in her something of himself. And one could go on here.

Then we have the irritating bard who is intent on glorifying the Witcher’s life in music. He gets into all sorts of trouble and has to be rescued. I think we’ve seen this one before.

Or, there’s a secret grouping of mages that is trying to influence events working in the background.

A kingdom that is intent on conquering the whole continent. Oh, that’s not a cliche, is it? Every kingdom wants to expand its reach and build an empire. That’s history.

All evil/conflicted characters wear dark colours.

A kind hearted, jolly prostitute.

Magic items.

A curse that is lifted by love.

And one could go on. Dwarves are gruff, elves are in tune with the environment, etc.

But you know what? It works and for an afficiado of fantasy, it’s a great visual spectacle and a decent plot, generally well executed. My only beef—and this is one shared by many reviewers—is in the way they handled the many switches in time and place.

I can’t wait for the second series!