gtw-168-105516

So I like the Witcher so far, but I've never read the books or played the game. The timelines are fun, guessing where everything fits. Cavill is great and I think most the other actors are as well. The world is super interesting. BUT there is often very little context to the story elements. Episode 4 for example, I have no idea why the characters are acting the way they are and who they know and why and how they feel about each other (you'll see when you get there), and it's partly because we're still piecing together the world. The show is written with some blind spots, probably because everyone involved is a big fan, so it's difficult to ascertain what's known or unknown or needs better explanation because everything is so clear to the show-runners because they've read the books and/or game. Second thing, there are some cheap effects with the magic. If you don't have the budget to put in a cool sorcerer palace, then tone it down. Episode 3 had a painful looking party scene, i.e. the floor, it was the cheapest looking part, the ceiling wasn't great either. It's not like it kills the show though, just would like to see some more editing for season 2.

Good episode. Lots of tensions, great visuals. It's hilarious to see all the angry reviews for this episode considering every aspect of what's complained about has been present in every battle episode from second season to last. Every main character, in every battle has been stuck fighting amongst many and comes out alive (did Jon die when they retook winterfell though he certainly should have?), every battle has stupid logic (was leaving the safety of the walls in the battle of Blackwater Bay any different from the the idiots mustered outside Winterfell waiting to join the army of the dead?). Come on. Game of Thrones does great on microaction, intrigue, character interplay, and tension. This episode had three of those things in spades.