Summary
In defense of criticism thatThe Witcherhas oversimplified plot points, producers have recently pointed to audiences as the reason why.
Since its premiere, Netflix’sThe Witcherhas struggled with its audience relationship. Season 1 implemented different timelines, which many viewers complained was confusing. Season 2 had its fair share of discourse with claims that the story veered away from the books. And fans have had enough now thatLiam Hemsworth is replacing Henry Cavillbefore his contract elapsed. Every season, book fans have tuned in to see if the writers will do what they promised and stay faithful to the source material, but it looks like that was an exercise in futility.
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Spirits are so low that even producers have seemingly given up on defending themselves against these complaints. Producer Tomek Baginski explained in no uncertain terms whyThe Witcherdidn’t stay closer to Andrzej Sapkowski’s books. In an interview with the Polish websiteWyborcza, Baginski addressed concerns that plot lines taken from the books were oversimplified for the television show.Redanian Intelligence, a reliable outlet for all thingsThe Witchercontent, covered the conversation.
“When a series is made for a huge mass of viewers, with different experiences, from different parts of the world, and a large part of them are Americans, these simplifications not only make sense, they are necessary," Baginski said. “It’s painful for us, and for me too, but the higher level of nuance and complexity will have a smaller range, it won’t reach people.” Baginski acknowledged that there are times when they have perhaps overcorrected in trimming down these plot lines but stood firm on the need for the practice.
The Witcherrelied little on the region’s politics for a show that revolved around a continent-wide war. The conflict between Nilfgaard and other territories was distilled down to Emhyr’s (Bart Edwards) desire for control. The show didn’t explore why he wasone of the most evil characters inThe Witcheror his origins as The White Flame. Redania received similar treatment, even when showcasing Spymaster Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) as a main character. Very little of such a formidable and iconic character made it to the screen.
In many ways,The WitcherisGame of Throneslite. Though perhaps not as in-depth as George R.R. Martin’s series of novels,Game of Throneswasn’t easy to followand focused on political intrigue that led to war. But when looking at the history ofThe Witcher, it is hard to blame the creatives behind the show. Season 1 was an intriguing experiment of interweaving storylines that is more engrossing every time viewers watch it. Seeds were planted in the first episode of the non-linear season to a point where it almost seemed heavy-handed.
Afterfans criticizedThe Witcherfor a timelinethat needed to happen, it makes sense that Baginski and other producers would feel the need to pull back on the world’s complexities. If fans can’t hold the attention span for eight episodes, they can’t be expected to follow an increasingly complex political situation further down the line.
The Witcherseasons 1-3 are currently streaming on Netflix.
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