Warning Spoilers for the episode “Much More” below.

After eight weeks, I have completed my first viewing of Netflix’s The Witcher, and I do have a fair amount of issues with how the show was written, acted, and how some of the characters were portrayed. However, even if these issues were persistent throughout these last few episodes, I really found myself enjoying the show.

“Much More” acted as a much-needed character-building episode for our burly hero, Geralt of Rivia. As Geralt makes his final trek towards Ciri, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers fight the oncoming Nilfgaardian army, and Geralt is attacked by some creatures that put him out commission for the rest of the episode. During which we get flashbacks to him as a child, seeing him abandoned by his mother. It was nice to see some conflict that is more than just money and killing.

The action was a standout this episode, as watching the mages fight for their lives against the Nilfgaardians, was, at times, both a spectacle and a bore. With a few back-to-back shots of characters that would last far too long. For example, as the battle began we got a shot of a woman building up her power for what felt like a solid minute straight. In the very next scene, we saw Triss gradually reach toward the ground, slowly chanting, and building up her power.

This happened during another two or three scenes and made the episode feel slow and poorly paced. I loved the first fifteen minutes when the build-up felt meaningful; seeing Yennefer take charge was a nice change to her character, as she had to work with the other mages. Seeing her lead a group was a good end to her arc this season.

Ciri, this time around, said very little as she was hiding from the army. The episode finally concluded with her running toward Geralt as they head to Kaer Morhen, most likely to get her trained up as a Witcher herself.

This final episode laid the groundwork for what could be, potentially, a fantastic second season. We still have so many questions; like, how will Yennefer come back, what exactly happened to Geralt and why he was left with his father figure Vesemir, and what’s the exact process of being turned into a Witcher is? Season two has enough intrigue and stakes to make a better more cohesive narrative. As for this episode, I thought it was a stronger one for sure and with a more coherent timeline and the introductions done, I am left with nothing but hope.

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The Witcher “Much More”

0.00

7.5

Score

7.5/10

Pros

• Magic battles
• End of Yennefer’s arc
• The set up for season two

Cons

• Lengthy scenes