Current Events > ITT: I talk about the bad writing in The Witcher season 2.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm a fan of the books, so yes, you'll probably see a lot of "however, iN tHe BoOks..."

I just finished re-watching the first season to refresh myself, and I couldn't help but notice how bad the writing was this time. I'm in the first episode of season 2, and I can already see the trend is going to continue for this season.

Here are my episode 1 nitpicks!

So it's interesting that the writer for this Netflix series decided to take creative liberties for how Geralt and Ciri met each other. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. BUT this version of the tale has no personality between the two. Ciri is a walking history book, that's all. All she does is tell Geralt and people they meet about things her family did in the past, and Geralt isn't much better. None of Ciri's spunky personality from the books is there, none of the banter between her and Geralt as they trudge through frustrating situations. Then the moment I literally facepalmed, Geralt is alone with his horse, and says this:

"It's as if she's determined to do the opposite of the thing that'll keep her safe. Verbose when I need her to be quiet. Stubborn and sullen when I need her to talk."

This is objectively bad writing! You should have been showing us this by having Ciri annoy Geralt. The fact that the main character has to tell us this through a monologue because you haven't shown us through their interactions..... is bad.

Another thing that bugged me closer to the beginning of the episode, Ciri asks Geralt if she's his destiny, to which he replies, "You're much more than that." This line was SO good in the book, SO bad here, because none of the set-up for this line happened.

1. The reasons I mentioned above, we haven't seen Ciri and Geralt have any meaningful interactions that would form a bond between them to induce such a statement.

2. In the book, it is mentioned at least seven times by different characters, "Destiny is not enough, something more is needed." So when Geralt tells Ciri she is much more than his destiny, it creates this surreal, emotional moment that makes me well up inside. All of that was lacking here.

Episode 2

Ciri is so uninteresting. Often you'll see her center stage, reacting to something interesting being said by someone else. But they couldn't bother to make Ciri herself interesting.

When that Eskel guy is all like "who the hell are you," and she responds with that smug look on her face:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/6/4/AAfBKoAACuEE.jpg

So, I get why being the princess is in and of itself a mic drop. But that's the thing. The writers have relied on Ciri's roots and backstory to create impactful moments with her. She's not getting by on her wits and mischievousness like in the books. The writers didn't give her any of that. She is just an empty shell of a person who exists because later the plot will need to revolve around her.

It's a shame, because I think they chose a great actress for her. Her expressions and stuff always impress me.

I'm realizing most of my complaints have to do with Ciri. But that's for a good reason. She is the main character in the books. The plot revolves around her..

I'm kind of interested in the creative liberties being taken in Yennefer's plot. But it doesn't make up for them being completely lackluster on the character that should be their primary focus other than Geralt.

I'm loving it thus far. The new song is great I want the metal version.

Talk2DaHand posted...

I'm loving it thus far. The new song is great I want the metal version.

Oh there's plenty to love about the series. The action/fighting is usually pretty good. I guess the cinematography is pretty good overall. I'm not as knowledgeable about that as I am about writing. Henry Cavill is a spectacle -- one of admiration for me; I'm sure most women want to bed him.. The atmosphere is pretty cool -- kind of a more high-fantasy Game of Thrones. But the writing is what makes or breaks a work of fiction for me, and the writing for this series is absolutely NOT touching seasons 1-4 of GoT.

Episode 3

is probably the best episode of the whole series I've seen so far. Going forward, I hope there are more like this one.

Ciri is starting to have SOME character development -- she's determined and doesn't give up easy. It's something. She and Geralt have some tangibility to their relationship now. They've had some fusses and bickering. I can now accept that these are two people who know each other, because I've seen evidence of it.

Only seen the 1st episode of s2 and never read the books, but yeah from your description at least it sounds like they really devolved her character.

Metal_Bug posted...

Episode 3

Going forward, I hope there are more like this one.

I think it's better if I disappointed you.
You can stop hoping, I pretty much thought the same, but by the end of the season they just butcher most characters.

Idk what's the issue with these showrunners. If you're doing a fucking show based on books, then do it properly and stop being damn egomaniacs who think they know better.

Decent show for people who know nothing about the books, but it's already been ruined for me. I'm fine with some changes, but they literally start start making shit up for no reason. It becomes unwatchable by the end of the season.

I'm fine with wild deviation from the books because honestly, they weren't very good or particularly well written. Now some of that could simply be the issues of translation from Polish to English but not all of it. The narrative structure is just plain bad.

I went into the books expecting something amazing and was very, very disappointed.

That being said, I get where fans might be upset. I've had plenty of source material I loved be butchered.

ScazarMeltex posted...

I'm fine with wild deviation from the books because honestly, they weren't very good or particularly well written. Now some of that could simply be the issues of translation from Polish to English but not all of it. The narrative structure is just plain bad.

I went into the books expecting something amazing and was very, very disappointed.

I'm curious, what are some books that you do think are well written and amazing?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/5/3/AAdk2bAACuHB.jpg