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I don’t know if the issue was they knew the lead change would be that impactful so they didn’t want to throw good money after bad; or if they figure they’ve maxed out their audience and it’s now them just finishing the story without any growth expectations.

The directing is so over the top melodrama and self indulgent that I had to fast forward certain parts only two episodes into the new season. The makeup is bad, the effects are few and far between and the script feels very “written by GPT”.

The move to Hemsworth (one of the other ones, not THE Hemsworth) didn’t fit either. The use of a thick black shirt and leather jacket isn’t fooling anyone. He’s maybe 2 bills soaking wet.

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

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.

I really don't understand the bad ratings for Season 4...

• Liam was the best possible replacement for Henry and did a really good job!

• Apart from Yennefers story they stayed really close to the books!

• Locations were stunning, production value was high!

• Music was great ("I believe in the blade" is a banger! Wish they made another Jaskier song, but hey, they even brought back the classic lelele in some songs, eg. the end credits: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nFVsDlJEHBY )

• Bonhart and Regis were amazingly cast

Nothing is perfect and people always seem to hate the smallest details instead of enjoying the content they get.

To be honest, I prefer the acting of Liam Hemsworth over Henry Cavill as true portrayal of Geralt. This season seems to come back to the books and games better than the previous 3 seasons.

Kudos to Netflix reeling it back in. The last 3 seasons were meant to lay the foundation. Now we have the action most of the little boys crave for and us women get the Geralt we want. 🫡 his and Yennefer's connection feels more fluid too.

Caveat: I haven't watched the new season yet.

So the review makes the point that the problem is not Hemsworth, but the "bloated mess" of the story. Then the article describes the story... and, er... that's the books! They're doing the books! Which is what everyone was moaning they weren't doing.

Mind you, I knew that if they did the books, people would hate it. The Witcher books are brilliant but they are extremely idiosyncratic. If they end the show the way The Lady of the Lake ends, people will riot.

I'M ONLY ON EPISODE 2, I'M SORRY IF IT GETS WORSE.

Just finished the latest season of the Witcher, and despite it getting review bombed on Rottentomatoes, I actually thought it was slightly better than the last couple seasons. The Ciri storyline was especially engaging, with the new character Bonhart quickly becoming my favourite villain of the entire show. And while the Geralt actor switch was a bit jarring at first, by episode 3 I'd all but forgotten about it.

Yes there's the usual batch of cheesy dialogue and repetitive plot points, but overall still made for any enjoyable binge.

I'm personally going into season 4 giving it a chance. I was a fan of Henry Cavill. (Still am) But when it comes to Actors being hired to do a job I have a strong opinion 😂, like if I was hired to renovate a house I wouldn't walk out on a half complet job even if the client was annoying.

My opinion will rub 90% of you up the wrong way that's absolutely fine I expect it too 😂

After binge watching season 4 while on sick leave due to flu, I felt like nothing happened and I wasted my time. Geralt and Yennefer are still looking for Ciri, Vilgefortz and Emhyr are still alive. Wasted time with rats story line and Geralt walking towards Emhyr’s palace where Ciri is not present.

Do you feel the same?

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.

The Witcher

Synopsis: Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.

Links:

• IMDb

• [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher_(TV_series))

• Trailer