(Review updated after Season 3).

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, a mutant with special powers who kills monsters for money. The land is in a state of turmoil, due to the empire of Nilfgaard seeking to enlarge its territory. Among the refugees of this struggle is Cirilla, the Princess of Cintra, one of Nilfgaard's victims. She and Geralt share a destiny. Meanwhile, another figure looms large in Geralt's adventures: Yennefer, a sorceress.

I was initially unimpressed by this series. The first few episodes are random, rambling and seem like a series of largely independent scenes strung together. Much of this was meant to be background but it could have been done in a more engaging and coherent manner. I started to suspect that the series was only made with those who had played the game in mind.

After two episodes I had given up and was largely still watching in the hope that things became more focussed and ordered. Thankfully, they eventually do. After about four episodes things click into gear and the series establishes an order and rhythm. From then on Season 1 is quite entertaining, as we see Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer's adventures.

The plot is still not perfect - there are a few holes - but at least it's interesting and moves at a good pace. Production values are excellent with some great special effects.

By the end of the first season I found this riveting viewing. The season ended on a high, promising even greater things in S2.

Unfortunately, S2 doesn't quite live up to those expectations though is still reasonably entertaining. While the hocus pocus stuff was kept to the minimum in S1 and what there was was understandable, S2 rachets up the sorcery stuff. Moreover, it's complex to the point of non-understandable and seems like the writers just wanted to show off how complicated they could make it.

There's still enough action and Machiavellian plotting to make S2 interesting but there are certain parts, including the climax, where I just zoned out from all the unnecessarily complex hocus pocus stuff.

There's still enough action and intrigue to make S2 interesting but there are certain parts, including the climax, where I just zoned out from all the unnecessarily complex hocus pocus stuff.

Season 3 is disappointing. The series seemed to be heading for a great confluence of plot threads and characters. While we get the confluence, it's far from great. Quite unfocussed, confusing and pointless. It also becomes more about Machiavellian politics, power and skulduggery, Game of Thrones-style, than about Geralt, Yennefer and Cirilla. Many of the machinations make little sense and are just machinations for machinations' sake.

I definitely won't be back for Season 4.

Season ratings: S1 7.5/10, S2 6, S3 4.5.