The Witcher season four! If you have been watching The Witcher for a while I feel like the most obvious thing to discuss is the change in casting. Originally, the series (from one to three) was led by Henry Cavill playing Geralt of Rivia, however in the latest season Liam Hemsworth has taken on the role. For me, this was a blindingly obvious change, one that I could not really ignore, even though Hemsworth was trying to replicate Cavill’s famous rendition of the character, it was obviously noticeable. Stepping into play an iconic role that has already become synonymous with an actor is a really hard thing to do. It makes sense then that the character did not really feel like Hemsworth’s, but more like he was acting as Cavill, acting as Geralt of Rivia. Nevertheless, props to him for stepping into the shoes and bravely facing the reviews. 

Moving on from this, the series fell back into a familiar route of separation. The three main characters Ciri, (Freya Allen), Geralt, and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) – who have formed a found family type bond – spend more time apart again this season. I really enjoy seeing their dynamic together on screen, but they do not really spend anytime together on screen this season. On a positive note, this does allow for the narrative to follow three separate main routes, bringing in new dimensions and different characters. We follow Yeneffer and her quest to defeat Vilgafortz (Mahesh Jadu) with the help of her other mage friends. Their battle scene kind of felt like that moment in Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video where all the powerful girlfriends gather in immaculate costumes with their strong magic to powerfully go against a villain. 

Geralt is searching to find Ciri with his eclectic band of friends he met on the journey, obviously Jaskier (Joey Batey) is by his side. Geralt is constantly saving the day, slaying demons and monsters, preventing Jaskier from ever having to pick up a sword. The characters’ backstories are laid bare, and it makes them charming and gives the group a deep and caring feeling, which is fun to watch.

While the whole world is off and searching for Ciri (especially Geralt and Yeneffer) she seems to think they will stop looking for her. After season three’s battle at Sodden, she ended up falling in with The Rats, a group of ruffian bandits whose outlaw activities involve stealing and tricking, killing and taking odd jobs from whoever pays. They initiate her into their family, and she begins her time with them pilfering and stealing. Ciri explores her first on screen romance with Mistle (Christelle Elwin), the romance I felt was slightly as fraught and Ciri’s mind was dealing with too much for it to really work. The scene where they first got together felt rushed and advantageous of Mistle to be taking liberties with Ciri thirty seconds after Kayleigh (Fabian McCallum) had just tried to force himself on her. 

Overall, this show and this season are very fun to watch if you are looking for something magical and fantastical. The continuation of the characters is fun, watching them on their missions, and growing. Even if it’s repeating itself (the search for Ciri), it is made interesting by the development around this, with new characters and old, villain to hero arcs, and beheaded kings. What can I say — bring on season five! 

Rating: 3/5

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