“The Witcher” is a thrilling, must-see medieval series

By FRANCIS NIERMAN

Staff Writer

If you are experiencing a “Game Of Thrones” hangover and haven’t found a way to cure it, Netflix may have just released a solution for you. Just imagine John Snow as a monster hunter killing the Demogorgon from “Stranger Things” and you have experienced the first five minutes of “The Witcher.”

Based off of the “Witcher” CD Projekt Red video game, the show stars Henry Cavill as the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Cavill brings the same action audiences have come to expect after portraying Superman in the DC Extended Universe and the villain August Walker in “Mission Impossible Fallout.” Cavill is accompanied by Anya Chalotra who plays Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Freya Allen who plays Ciri.

Set in a land called the Continent, this strange medieval action-adventure is full of kings, princesses, mutants, monsters and magical misfits. Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, part of an old order of warriors who gain special powers through mutations to kill beasts of the realm. For instance, when one monster pins him underwater, Geralt has to develop the ability to see through the murky visibility and breathe underwater.

 The first episode begins with a Demogorgon-like monster giving Geralt the work. After disposing of the monster, Geralt becomes intertwined with destiny as he is hired to track a local witch who is threatening the livelihood of a nobleman. After a seduction gone wrong and a massacre, the local populace turns on the Witcher. Throughout the first season, the order of events is mind-boggling and each episode brings a new gore-riddled battle to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

There is also no shortage of romance in this series as Geralt befriends and becomes intimate with a witch by the name of Yennefer. Yennefer used to be disfigured, but with the help of black magic she trades the ability to bear children to transform herself into the ideal woman.

UMW alum and Witcher enthusiast Richard Hunter said, “My absolute biggest complaint was about the lack of timeline explanation. How it didn’t explain the jumps in time and how absolutely confusing that was starting off. It was not until after I looked up the timeline of the show that I began to enjoy it. In the first episode the combat choreography was incredible and some of the best I’ve ever seen. Beyond that Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt was extremely well done and even the author of the books said that it was the best portrayal of his character he’s seen yet.”

Although there are many fans, some students weren’t as impressed. Sophomore Eli Hanisan had some compliments and grievances about the show, “The cinematography and special effects were really good. However, multiple main characters existing on multiple timelines makes it hard [to tell] who is doing what and when.”

If you are looking to get into a new action-adventure, then this series is right for you. As a college student looking to escape the stress of papers and exams, draw your sword and get ready for some monster slaying.