The Witcher Season 4 - Is Anyone Still Watching This Garbage?

Overview

This episode critiques Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher, focusing on its perceived decline in quality, fidelity to the source material, and audience appeal. The discussion highlights issues with the show's writing, casting, and creative direction, particularly in light of Henry Cavill's departure and the broader mishandling of the franchise.

Notable Quotes

- The Witcher at this point feels like some weird holdover from the late 2010s when race swapping and girl bosses and feminist re-imaginings of classic franchises were all the rage instead of shitty relics from a [__] timeline that the rest of us would rather forget.

- One of the problems with hiring a bunch of millennial feminist activists to write your show is that they only really know how to write for a very specific audience—other millennial feminist activists.

- Henry Cavill’s career is going to go down as one of the biggest wastes of talent and potential in Hollywood history.

🎥 The Decline of *The Witcher*

- The show is criticized for straying far from the source material, with The Critical Drinker arguing that it has alienated fans of both the books and games.

- The narrative structure of earlier seasons is described as a confused jumble, with poor pacing and lack of coherence.

- The focus on Yennefer and Ciri over Geralt is seen as sidelining the titular character, turning the show into The Yennefer and Ciri Show.

🖋️ Creative Missteps and Disrespect for the Source Material

- Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of The Witcher books, reportedly had minimal creative control over the adaptation, with Netflix allegedly ignoring his input.

- Former writer Beau DeMayo revealed that the writing team mocked the books and dismissed them as outdated and problematic.

- The showrunners are accused of prioritizing modern political messaging over faithful storytelling, leading to a disconnect with the core audience.

🎭 Henry Cavill’s Departure and Casting Issues

- Henry Cavill, a passionate fan of the source material, is praised for his efforts to keep the show aligned with the books and games. However, his departure is seen as a major blow to the series.

- Cavill’s exit is attributed to creative disagreements with the showrunners, who reportedly labeled him a toxic gamer bro for his insistence on fidelity to the lore.

- Liam Hemsworth, Cavill’s replacement, is described as a cheaper alternative who lacks the gravitas to carry the role of Geralt.

💸 Netflix’s Persistence Despite Declining Interest

- The show is likened to a zombie franchise, kept alive despite losing its audience and goodwill.

- The decision to continue the series is criticized as a waste of resources, with the host questioning who the target audience even is at this point.

- The failure of spin-offs like Blood Origin is cited as evidence of the franchise’s diminishing appeal.

⚔️ What Could Have Been

- The host laments the missed opportunity for The Witcher to become a cultural phenomenon akin to Game of Thrones.

- A hypothetical better timeline is envisioned, where the show could have been a mature, complex, and faithful adaptation of the books.

- Hollywood’s alleged hubris and focus on the message are blamed for the franchise’s downfall.