The Witcher’s first season is unconventional and messy. It’s failed by its convoluted structure, which ultimately restricts character growth, and prevents the show from having any true sense of depth. This makes for an unsatisfying big picture, but thankfully there are plenty of things to enjoy in its individual components. Henry Cavill has found his perfect match in Geralt of Rivia, and his appreciation of the role helps elevate all of the White Wolf’s storylines above their imperfections. Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer doesn’t get the depth of character exploration that her character deserves, but does demonstrate the show’s ability to weave a complex, consequential journey. And, weak CGI aside, the show is filled with beasts - both human and monstrous - that give the show a unique, Slavic flavour. <br /> <br /> This eight-part season is effectively a prologue for the show’s main story, which has only just begun in the finale’s last scene. And while that does mean that these hours do feel somewhat inconsequential and exposition-heavy, they do establish a fascinating world worth exploring. Indeed, as the credits roll you’ll almost certainly reach for a copy of The Last Wish or boot up the games to continue that adventure. But if you do, you’ll likely discover that Netflix’s The Witcher has a bit of work to put in before it hits the high quality bar set by the story’s other mediums.