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2019 fantasy drama television series
TV Editor Sabrina Barr reviews The Witcher Season 4
In 2022, it was confirmed that Henry Cavill would be stepping down as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher and would be replaced by Liam Hemsworth, which returns today with season 4, officially marking the changing of the guard.
When the news first broke, fans across the world claimed that the show would never be the same, and might as well be considered as finished.
I won’t lie – when the first episode opened with a Geralt who was not Henry, I was taken aback. It felt odd to watch someone else’s face with the protagonist’s signature white hair and bulky armour. Almost as though his head had been superimposed onto another body.
However, the way that they introduce Liam into the series is smart, bringing his version of Geralt into the fold through a romanticised retelling of their adventures in a storybook. As strange as it was at first, I became accustomed to Liam being in this universe faster than I thought I would, and quickly came to the realisation that he more than holds his own. He’s not trying to imitate Henry – and let’s face it, if he did just try to mimic his predecessor, he’d be ripped to shreds for doing so.
Nonetheless, he still maintains the essence of Geralt, while bringing his own flair to the role. I have to give him credit for taking up a mantle that he knew came with a lot of baggage, and not being afraid to try something different.
If you’re a fan of The Witcher, if you enjoy fantasy, if you love losing yourself in other worlds, then season four should be right up your street. There might be some viewers who are critical of the direction of the season after Henry’s exit, but you won’t know what you think of it unless you give it a chance.
It’s getting back on the books a lot compared to I think season 2 which fucked things up. Compared to season 3 which I thought was a slog, season 4 moves things along a lot more. Liam honestly kinda is growing on me. Loved Henry, but appearance wise and kinda performance wise he always kinda reminded me of a hollywoodficaton of geralt from someone who only played the games. Liam feels a lot more like the books for me where Geralts a lot more quiet less bulky
They make a point of showing off viglefortz a lot more compared to when he fucks off in the books for a bit. The choreography feels a lot more like the fight season from the first episode of season 1. You also get some great reveals that tie back to previous seasons and they also try to make the nilfguardians armour more accurate to the books. Regis is also in this season and I think they did a good job, though he spends most of the season just saying wise words, I was kinda hoping to see him fight.
Now for the cons. If you read the book, ciri spends most of her time with the rats this season, which I’ve never liked in the books in the first place. Geralts jacket uniform is kinda distracting. If you’ve read the books and played the games, there’s a change to a certain characters trajectory which I didn’t mind but I know other people will. Specifically if you’ve played the games. Since Freya Allan is older they had to age up the rats which kinda threw me off. Someone needs to fix Jaskiers awful haircut.
This thread is for sharing your thoughts and discussing Netflix’s The Witcher Season 4. Feel free to share your reactions, theories, and opinions full spoilers are welcome here.
S04E01: What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
S04E02: Dream of a Wish Fulfilled
S04E03: Trial by Ordeal
S04E04: A Sermon of Survival
S04E05: The Joy of Cooking
S04E06: Twilight of the Wolf
S04E07: What I Love I Do Not Carry
S04E08: Baptism of Fire