Once again, the best parts were in Kaer Morhen. As much as I like Yennefer and also want to like her plotline, it hasn't delivered as much as the plotline in Kaer Morhen has. But it does seem like it'll become interesting soon, maybe even in the next episode.
This episode also delved more into the political aspect of everything and set up more threads to weave into each other, which is probably an important part; of the novels, but it doesn't seem to be landing right in this season so far. Maybe it's just because that sort of stuff isn't interesting to me, or it could be because of not being written compellingly enough for me to be interested in it.
Dijkstra was introduced. He seems somewhat intimidating so far, and I'm pretty sure that's a huge aspect of his character in the novels/games. Ha! Get it? Huge? Eh, who cares. And I thought his character and involvement in this episode was one of the good things about it, even though all of his scenes had a political aspect.
cont.) And that owl, too, was introduced. I know what "it" is. I'm not sure if there was a big reveal in the novels concerning it. But I think those who've read them would probably consider it a huge spoiler to those who haven't. Well, I know. I don't know anything more than that, though. I'm interested to see what part Dijkstra and the owl will play in the story.
I'm not sure what the monster in the sewers' purpose was. It's like it was only to kill Dermain. It was stupid because Yennefer doesn't have her magic at the moment, but I was expecting there to be a battle, and it gets killed. That can't be the first and only time it shows up. Maybe it'll attack the boat in the next episode.
cont.) And I find it a little weird that Yennefer was dragged down then came back up. She couldn't have broken free while Dermain didn't. It had to have let her go. Am I missing something? Either that, or it was good ol' plot convenience.
Jaskier's back, and I'm neutral towards his return. I know people love him considerably: I, for one, was neither happy nor mad that he's back. He's an alright character. And I'm sure people love his new song, as proven by the number of views it has on Youtube, opposed to the scores in this season's soundtrack. It was alright. I think I liked "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" better. "Burn, Butcher, Burn" wasn't bad.
cont.) I have no idea what his role will be in the following episodes or moving forward. But I imagine his character ended up being somewhat important in the novels. The show feels like it's reaching points where the story starts picking up. I'm interested to see where everything is heading.
I don't know if it's because of Anna Shaffer's acting or what it is, but Triss putting Lambert and Coen in their place for having "a bit of fun" with Cirilla wasn't convincing. I'm pretty sure something similar happened in the games/novels, as Triss is the only other woman in Kaer Morhen. It just didn't come across as convincing or "natural" in this episode. I don't know.
Damn! The writers went meta and did us all in. I mean, they're still doing a questionable job sometimes, but that exchange tells me that they must at least "care." And that they're self-aware of the writing being questionable sometimes. I liked that exchange.
cont.) Yes, the first season was a bit complicated. Yes, that magic kiss between Geralt and Yennefer was a bit "cheap," although I'd use the word "ridiculous." I don't think I spotted the dragon reveal before it happened, but in hindsight, it makes sense how you'd spot it; it's obvious. Fair play, writers. Fair play.
Something tells me Vesemir wasn't in-line with his character in the novels by his seeming desire to use Cirilla to make more Witchers. In the show, I assume his motivation to do so is because of Eskel's death; the thing is: Eskel never died in the novels. I wonder how people felt about that.
Not just Jaskier, but Dara's back, too. I already knew he'd be back because of that promotional photo with Filavandrel, Francesca, and him. I think his character is exclusive to the show, so it's interesting that being used as a spy for Dijkstra is how he was brought back into the story. And Wilson Radjou-Pujalte looks a little bigger than he did in the first season. Hard to believe he's 19 years old, or maybe I'm blind.
I still think the premiere is the best episode so far, but I think this episode was the closest to the premiere. I seem to be more invested in what's happening; most of it seems to be interesting: as well as getting more interesting. I hope that doesn't cease to be the case.
Review by LineageBlockedParent2021-12-28T18:52:15Z
Once again, the best parts were in Kaer Morhen. As much as I like Yennefer and also want to like her plotline, it hasn't delivered as much as the plotline in Kaer Morhen has. But it does seem like it'll become interesting soon, maybe even in the next episode.
This episode also delved more into the political aspect of everything and set up more threads to weave into each other, which is probably an important part; of the novels, but it doesn't seem to be landing right in this season so far. Maybe it's just because that sort of stuff isn't interesting to me, or it could be because of not being written compellingly enough for me to be interested in it.
Dijkstra was introduced. He seems somewhat intimidating so far, and I'm pretty sure that's a huge aspect of his character in the novels/games. Ha! Get it? Huge? Eh, who cares. And I thought his character and involvement in this episode was one of the good things about it, even though all of his scenes had a political aspect.
cont.) And that owl, too, was introduced. I know what "it" is. I'm not sure if there was a big reveal in the novels concerning it. But I think those who've read them would probably consider it a huge spoiler to those who haven't. Well, I know. I don't know anything more than that, though. I'm interested to see what part Dijkstra and the owl will play in the story.
I'm not sure what the monster in the sewers' purpose was. It's like it was only to kill Dermain. It was stupid because Yennefer doesn't have her magic at the moment, but I was expecting there to be a battle, and it gets killed. That can't be the first and only time it shows up. Maybe it'll attack the boat in the next episode.
cont.) And I find it a little weird that Yennefer was dragged down then came back up. She couldn't have broken free while Dermain didn't. It had to have let her go. Am I missing something? Either that, or it was good ol' plot convenience.
Jaskier's back, and I'm neutral towards his return. I know people love him considerably: I, for one, was neither happy nor mad that he's back. He's an alright character. And I'm sure people love his new song, as proven by the number of views it has on Youtube, opposed to the scores in this season's soundtrack. It was alright. I think I liked "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" better. "Burn, Butcher, Burn" wasn't bad.
cont.) I have no idea what his role will be in the following episodes or moving forward. But I imagine his character ended up being somewhat important in the novels. The show feels like it's reaching points where the story starts picking up. I'm interested to see where everything is heading.
I don't know if it's because of Anna Shaffer's acting or what it is, but Triss putting Lambert and Coen in their place for having "a bit of fun" with Cirilla wasn't convincing. I'm pretty sure something similar happened in the games/novels, as Triss is the only other woman in Kaer Morhen. It just didn't come across as convincing or "natural" in this episode. I don't know.
Damn! The writers went meta and did us all in. I mean, they're still doing a questionable job sometimes, but that exchange tells me that they must at least "care." And that they're self-aware of the writing being questionable sometimes. I liked that exchange.
cont.) Yes, the first season was a bit complicated. Yes, that magic kiss between Geralt and Yennefer was a bit "cheap," although I'd use the word "ridiculous." I don't think I spotted the dragon reveal before it happened, but in hindsight, it makes sense how you'd spot it; it's obvious. Fair play, writers. Fair play.
Something tells me Vesemir wasn't in-line with his character in the novels by his seeming desire to use Cirilla to make more Witchers. In the show, I assume his motivation to do so is because of Eskel's death; the thing is: Eskel never died in the novels. I wonder how people felt about that.
Not just Jaskier, but Dara's back, too. I already knew he'd be back because of that promotional photo with Filavandrel, Francesca, and him. I think his character is exclusive to the show, so it's interesting that being used as a spy for Dijkstra is how he was brought back into the story. And Wilson Radjou-Pujalte looks a little bigger than he did in the first season. Hard to believe he's 19 years old, or maybe I'm blind.
I still think the premiere is the best episode so far, but I think this episode was the closest to the premiere. I seem to be more invested in what's happening; most of it seems to be interesting: as well as getting more interesting. I hope that doesn't cease to be the case.