The Witcher Misses the Mark (Again): Season 3's 5 Cringiest Fails

If you've watched The Witcher, it'll come as no surprise to you that the show is receiving its fair share of criticism. Season 2 left fans disappointed, with many expressing their dismay with the writing, dialogue, and excessive focus on action. Some even went as far as comparing the Netflix series to Tumblr fan fiction. But despite fans' hopes of seeing improvements in season 3, it seems that the show has missed the mark once again.

Let's take a look at the five cringiest fails of this season.

5. The Visuals & CGI

One of the most disappointing aspects of this season is the significant drop in visual quality and CGI effects. Considering the show's budget and the fact that it's been renewed for seasons 4 and 5, the decline in production value is perplexing. The poorly executed green screen work, particularly in outdoor scenes, and unconvincing CGI make it difficult for viewers to feel immersed in the world of The Witcher.

4. Modern Aesthetics

Portraying period clothing accurately is likely not an easy task. However, Yennefer and several other female characters sport flawless (some even acrylic) nails that appear to be straight out of a modern salon in the first episode alone. Additionally, the choices made in clothing have also been quite jarring. Some of the costumes resemble those seen in teenage fantasy shows, while others look like they're more aligned with contemporary fashion trends from the year 2023, not the 1200s.

3. Redundant Character Arcs & Storylines

Fans have noted there's far too much focus on side characters who don't contribute much to plot development or, as a matter of fact, bring anything to the show itself. For instance, Fringilla's new arc this season has left viewers scratching their heads. These types of storylines lack relevance and add unnecessary complexity to an already dense narrative filled with a wide array of characters.

2. 'My Ugly One'

The implementation of the 'my ugly one' nickname given to Ciri by Yennefer has left fans divided. In the books, the dynamic between the two began differently, which made the nickname more meaningful. However, in the show, it felt rather random, especially for non-book readers who were left confused by Yennefer suddenly using that term. Many book fans also felt like the nickname was more of a fan service rather than an earned element of their relationship.

1. The 'Dear Friend' Letters

The 'Dear Friend' letters in episode 1 represent yet another book element, the use of which has been met with criticism. The transformation of such a legendary letter into something different, with the words taking on an entirely different meaning (especially coming from Yennefer), has left fans disappointed. The show's portrayal of Yennefer doesn't seem to justify her addressing Geralt as 'Dear Friend' as it lacks the depth and significance it held in the books.