The Witcher Season 3: A breathtaking journey that stands on its own

The Witcher season 3 strives to replicate the success of Game of Thrones, but unfortunately falls short in its endeavors. Despite having its own established books and games, The Witcher TV show has always lived in the shadow of Game of Thrones. With its release on Netflix soon after the conclusion of Game of Thrones, it aimed to fill the void and become the next big fantasy show.

While The Witcher and Game of Thrones share some similarities, such as delving into the intricacies of a fantasy world, embracing moral ambiguity, and featuring violence, they are fundamentally different. The Witcher thrives when it fully embraces its fantasy and magical elements, a unique strength that sets it apart. However, in season 3, the show's attempt to imitate Game of Thrones is more palpable than ever before. This may have implications for the future of the show, especially with Henry Cavill's departure, but ultimately it does not succeed.

The Witcher Season 3 Tries To Balance A Lot Of Characters & Stories (Like Game Of Thrones)

Content: The Witcher season 3 boasts an expansive cast, dedicating more time to exploring the diverse groups scattered across the Continent, all driven by the common desire to find Ciri. Apart from the core group consisting of Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and occasionally Jaskier (even they often split up), the audience is introduced to numerous other characters. The story frequently diverts to focus on Ehmyr, aka the White Flame, Francesca and her Elves, Dijkstra, King Vizmir, and many more.

This storytelling approach is reminiscent of Game of Thrones, known for its shifting perspectives and multiple storylines within a single episode and across a season. While The Witcher's focus is narrower due to Ciri, it still aims to convey an epic sense of scope by seamlessly transitioning between various storylines and building a rich world. With intricate intrigues and nearly every character pursuing their own agenda, The Witcher season 3 is packed with action, evoking the earlier challenges of keeping up with the extensive cast in Game of Thrones.

The Witcher Season 3 Fails Compared To Game Of Thrones

The Witcher season 3 attempts to emulate Game of Thrones by utilizing a large cast of characters and intertwining multiple storylines. However, it falls short in comparison to the powerful peak of HBO's show. The main reason for this is the lack of interesting supporting characters in The Witcher. While the show has heavily invested in its main characters, particularly Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt, the other characters remain underdeveloped. The constant focus on Geralt and Ciri's journey leads to tiresome discussions and plans revolving around them, along with broader scheming.

In contrast, supporting characters were one of Game of Thrones' strengths. While the show had its main leads, such as Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, it functioned as a true ensemble for a significant period. While there were occasional narrative missteps, such as the underwhelming storyline in Dorne, the majority of the show's elements worked effectively. The strongest episode of The Witcher season 3, part 1, is its conclusion, as it centers more tightly around Geralt and everything starts to come together (aided by some narrative time manipulation to make it stand out). However, the deviations in The Witcher are as mundane as they were exciting when Game of Thrones utilized them. Considering Henry Cavill's departure from the show, this poses a significant problem for the future of The Witcher.