Netflix’s latest television series The Witcher: Blood Origin drew attention due to its title. After all, it comes from the same universe and is based on the bestselling novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. But for many hardcore fans of The Witcher, the show was far from what they expected as it had far less witcher-y elements in it than they desired.
The show follows the story of a group of elite warriors – the witchers – and their quest to prevent a powerful entity from taking over the world. However, while the premise of the show is similar to that of The Witcher, the show relies heavily on fantasy elements, leaving the witchers in the background.
For instance, The Witcher: Blood Origin introduces numerous magical creatures, including fairies, dragons, and elves, as well as mystical powers and artifacts such as runes, which are rarely seen in The Witcher. Furthermore, the show also takes place in a new continent, with its own language and customs, far away from the Northern Kingdoms where The Witcher takes place. All these elements make the show feel unfamiliar to those familiar with The Witcher, as if it is a completely different universe, and that inconsistency can be problematic for viewers looking for a show with more of a witcher-y vibe.
Additionally, the series lacks the elements that made The Witcher such a success. It does not have the same level of character development and drama, as there is no Geralt of Rivia, Yenefer of Vengerberg, or Ciri – three of the most beloved characters from the original series – to follow. Additionally, the show does not show as much exploration of the continent and its depths, as Geralt does in The Witcher, which further hinders its potential to be a true continuation of the franchise.
Overall, The Witcher: Blood Origin wasn’t really what witcher fans were expecting. It has interesting concepts, but its execution is lacking, making it fall short of the witcher-y quality the fans love. It is still yet to be seen whether the show will be successful enough to capture the imagination of its viewers, or if it will simply be remembered as another missed chance.