SiftPop

by Jake Bourgeois, Contributing Writer

If you’re looking to pinpoint which properties Netflix values most at this point, look at the release strategy. 

Last year, Stranger Things signaled a shift for the streamer as the first show to release a season in two parts. Now, Season Three of The Witcher is here and implementing the same strategy for the season that will serve as Henry Cavill’s last in the role of Geralt. So, what kind of start is the season off to?

It gets a lot of legs out of the investment I already have with these characters and this world. I’m invested in not only Geralt, but Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), Ciri (Freya Allan), and Jaskier (Joey Batey), too. I enjoy seeing these characters, particularly how they interact with each other — including how that changes dependent on the pairings. Even though it’s not at the heights that it is in the first two seasons (no Jaskier banger as of yet), it’s still a narrative and world I enjoy just because I’m interested in what happens to these characters. 

Which is good, because the season gets off to a bit of a slow start. The premiere largely sets our characters up for the path they will take for the rest of the season (and season yet to come). When we leave our characters after Season Two, our trio of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are all on the run, as every faction across the land is on the hunt for Ciri and the power in her blood. For the amount of work and time that goes into getting our main trio together at the end of the season, they split them up almost immediately, which actually works for me. It is somehow less interesting when everyone is together. I like seeing how different collections of characters interact with each other, and what different pairings bring to the surface. 

Perhaps the biggest problem this season has to this point is its pacing. A lot happens, and it happens quickly, with a ton of jumping around that makes things feel a little rushed at points. I skipped the Previously On — which ended up being to my detriment. It took a bit of time to remember everything that was going on and who certain characters were. That becomes even more of a problem when the vast majority of the season is in the political realm, and conversations between characters. 

A big strength of previous seasons has been the show’s creative action. There’s no true “Wow” moment here, but it still provides a couple of good sequences — though the monster fighting takes a bit of a back seat. There’s not much of it, and I found myself hoping the conclusion gives us a little more fighting with swords instead of words in the final three episodes. Though, admittedly somewhat contradictorily, my favorite episode of the season so far is Episode Five — the finale of Part One if you will — which is one giant scheme session. 

Another aspect of the show that takes a bit of a step back is the visual effects, which took me out too often. The fire effects have always been a bit iffy, but now there is truly awful green screen. Though there aren’t many monsters, the ones that were there aren’t standouts.

Overall, it’s the weakest season of the main show so far, at least through 5/8ths, but still significant step up from Blood Origin. Though it’s hard to completely judge a partial season, I was always at least low-key enjoy spending time in the world and with these characters, and it has the benefit of going out on a high and ending with a cliffhanger that made me want to fire up Episode Six immediately. 

One can only hope they nail the final three episodes to give Cavill’s Geralt the sendoff he deserves. 

Rating: Liked it

The Witcher is currently streaming on Netflix

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You can read more from Jake Bourgeois, and follow him on Twitter and Letterboxd