I can't distinct good literature. That being said, the Witcher books didn't strike me as being masterfully written. But the world that drew from Slavic folklore combined elements which made the stories worth remembering. It was a great world to visit. The dispersed narrative structure in the books gave room to take in the scenery of the place that was currently being visited. If they hadn't begun as short stories in a magazine, perhaps the format would have been different-accidental or not, it worked for me.

The Witcher Netflix series does at times reverberate the world the books did in my mind, but for the most part the impression I'm left with is "generic". I don't see this show echoing the universe. The sets for instance tend to remind you of generic fantasy fare which I attach more with the anglophone world. A bit too King Arthur for me.

During both seasons I found myself just letting the series run on the background after I accidentally passed on my attention. Watching the show can feel a bit laborious. I think I fast forwarded the last few episodes of season 1 just to get it over with. I'd want to see more progression in the story, less empty talk, a stronger focus on the thematics and interactions between characters that carry more weight.

I get the impression that there has been pressure which has forced compromises when it comes to the production value. I can spot odd choices here and there and it's enough to put a crack on the illusion. The script seems like it could have been pruned more, the acting is OK, but doesn't go beyond and in places let's you down. The sets don't ring true. Some of the fighting seems a bit work in progress. A lot of the special effects feel like they could have done with more iterating.

The biggest gripe I have is that the show feels like a generic YA novel. It doesn't seem to have much depth and gives the impression that it has been churned out to be consumed, not enjoyed.

The show doesn't manage to capture the essence of the books nor find its own, which is why it's hard to distinct from other similar series. I feel that the books stand out a lot more than this series does, which inadvertently leaves the fantasy scene as a less vibrant space than it could have been. It transforms a story about relationships into something much more soapy where the meaningfulness of it all is lost.

The Witcher Netflix series is more than a generic fantasy series, but at times I forgot. Ignoring what it could have been, a fair star rating for me would be a bit closer to 7 than 6. But I can't ignore the feeling of disappointment which drags the score down to 6. I hope that there'll be another venture to create a show out of this universe.