The Witcher dives straight into the pulse of its narrative, seamlessly capturing the core essence of both the renowned books and video games that inspired it. With a gritty and impeccable production design, and Henry Cavill's stellar portrayal of Geralt, the show emerges as a formidable contender.
The episode opens with Geralt slicing through a monstrous beast in the murky swamp, before he rides, cloaked in darkness, towards the neighboring village. Upon entering the tavern, he inquiries about the alderman, but instead encounters a wall of hostility. Saved by a cunning mage, Geralt is coaxed by Marilka to visit Master Irion. Standing before the intimidating tower, he leaves Roach outside and strides alone through a portal. Inside, he learns of a sinister contract, one that demands the life of a human—Renfri, to be exact. The sorcerer presses Geralt to accept the contract, only for him to later encounter Renfri herself, the mysterious woman he had briefly encountered earlier in the tavern. After issuing her an ultimatum, he rides off, leaving her fate hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, Ciri is whisked away from the bustling streets to the royal palace, where it transpires that she belongs to the royal family. At the subsequent banquet, she reluctantly rises to dance with Martin, while tensions simmer in the Kingdom. As the camera pans across the battlefield, swathes of soldiers line up, ready to charge. Meanwhile, Ciri remains confined within the castle walls, oblivious to the raging battle for Cintra.
At the height of the conflict, Esther was struck by an arrow that penetrated his eye. The Queen screamed in rage and rushed towards her attacker. Back at the castle, a bloodied and defeated queen returns to announce that Cintra has fallen to Nilfgaard. Mossack summoned a force field around the castle from his window, stopping the advancing soldiers. However, the question remains: How long will this respite last?
As Geralt brazenly challenged Renfri's fate, the castle's force-field abruptly shattered, unleashing a flood of soldiers. As they surged inward, the Queen whispered to Ciri, urging her to embrace mercy when the moment arrives, before unleashing her siren-like might in a haunting cry. With the city burning around them, those trapped inside the castle took a noble path and ended their lives.
Geralt awoke, Renfri's presence gone. As he ventured into the town, he swiftly repelled the villagers before engaging Renfri in a breathless sword duel. They traded blows, evenly matched, until Geralt seized the advantage and pressed his blade against her throat. With a decisive stroke, he ended her life, vowing that the girl in the woods would forever remain by his side.
At the episode's crescendo, Ciri harnessed her sirenic powers to immobilize a guard, whose agonized scream shattered a stone column and cleaved the earth in two, enabling her escape. Meanwhile, a sorcerer sought to claim Renfri's body, but Geralt refused, his resolve unwavering. The villagers, convinced that her power had corrupted him, urged him to depart, and with Marilka turning against him, he left, solitary and bereft of Renfri, yet clutching her sigil tightly in his grasp.
The Witcher's narrative unfolds with a captivating beginning, masterfully introducing its characters and the expansive world they inhabit. From the monster hunt at the outset to Geralt's vilification by the villagers, the show brilliantly captures the essence of this enigmatic protagonist. The intricate production design and impeccable choreography enhance the narrative, particularly the thrilling sword fight at the climax, destined to be a defining moment in the series. Inevitably, comparisons to Game of Thrones will arise, but the show's visual effects and cinematography are commendable, igniting a keen anticipation for the episodes ahead.
