I know nothing of the source material, but I did expect this to be a lot better than it was. It's reasonably entertaining, but nothing remarkable. There are several levels on which it fails to score: Most notably, the writing, which is workmanlike, the direction, which is uninspired, and some of the main characters, who are noticeably contrived, particularly when it comes to the comic-relief, lute-playing side-kick of Geralt, the hero. Henry Cavill is, as usual, gorgeous to look at, but is frustratingly two-dimensional in the role of Geralt and has chosen to invest his character with a monotonous kind of "I'm Batman" voice throughout, which often becomes tedious and which never seems natural. One of the most interesting characters - a physically deformed woman - becomes less interesting after about three episodes, in a way which is completely predictable. The parallel tale of the wandering princess seems a little underdeveloped and is rarely gripping, although the actress who plays the character does a good job with her role, and her original royal family are the best characters in the whole thing. The romantic elements constantly fall flat, since there is no chemistry between the characters who engage in them. The scenery is as good as you would expect, and the effects are acceptable, but no more than that. I don't agree that comparisons can be made between this show and Game of Thrones (apart from the odd massacre), mainly because the characters and the drama are significantly weaker throughout. If anything, this reminds me more of my vague memories of the TV show, Merlin. I've only seen the first six episodes, so maybe this will rally round in the final two episodes - in which case, I'll change this review. I would have rated this show at about four our of ten, but the scores are so ludicrously high at the moment that I'm knocking it right down as an attempt at balance. This isn't offensively bad, but I'll forget about it very quickly and won't be concerned if it doesn't return for a second season. Post Script: Having seen the final two instalments, I can now say that the makers saved the big guns for the final episode, and flung most of their resources at it. The magic and mayhem was big enough and bold enough to distract me from the fact that I'd come to understand very little about this world, its ideologies, its history, its factions and its motives, and it was a little difficult to root for characters I didn't feel I'd come to know. Those who are familiar with the source material probably had the advantage there. I think it all had something to do with destiny and promises, but I wouldn't swear to that. As for the Witcher himself: I still don't really know what he's about. He started off as a handsome, humourless, blank space, and remained that way until he delivered his final, whispery growl of dialogue.