I set up a new IMDB account just to write this review. I haven't read the books or played the games - I just wanted to enjoy a new fantasy show with kickass monster killing and they even butchered that! Henry Cavill really is the only thing that carries this show. His two main supporting characters Yennifer and Ciri are so bad, it's incredibly difficult to believe. Yennifer had such potential as a base character, but she's been cast far too young and cannot pull off the fact she's apparently one of the strongest mages ever. There is no way Yennifer and Geralt make a believable bond. She went from unable to do anything in her training to "graduating" seemingly only by political trickery. Then don't even get me started on her simpering weak character in season 2 which completely wrecked the flow. Ciri just runs around wide eyed, calling for help and screaming. Then when Yennifer and Ciri meet, it's even more unbelievable as they're both so young looking, they look more like insipid sisters rather than any believable mother-daughter bond. Which goes to show the level of casting and script writing.

Like others have written, it would have been much better had they focused on the Witcher and monster killing. But the political nonsense, poor casting and wasted character development is truly disappointing. I kept watching only for Geralt's character, but just ended up shaking my head at the pitiful shallow potential wasted of Yennifer. The elves also get a special mention as they are more like rain sodden refugees with pointy ears than any special level of their own.

Only giving 4 stars due to the effort Henry Cavill gave. I'm so sorry Henry that they butchered this and your potential!