The Witcher started with a bang. And with a very confusing timeline. Though there was a reason for all of this, it understandably turned off some fans. The Witcher Season 1, however, could've been a whole lot more confusing. The first season of the Netflix version is primarily based on short stories written by Andrzej Sapkowski that take place in the world of The Witcher. These stories are tied together largely by their protagonist, Geralt. While reading, it is not fully clear in what order these stories take place. Therefore, if the show had followed the books strictly, fans would've been in for even more timeline confusion. And that would've made many fans unhappy.

The writers of The Witcher Season 1 stayed true to the books' spirit while still putting their spin on it. Now that the three main characters' timelines have converged, fans are in for a real treat. Season 2 of The Witcher might be even better than the first. The writers have adapted some of Sapkowski's stories in The Witcher Season 1, but there are still more for season 2. For example, the short story featuring Nivellen, known as "A Grain of Truth."  Game of Thrones actor Kristofer Hivju has already been cast in the role. Don't worry, though. The writers will probably tell these stories through more straightforward flashbacks. However, it is impressive that the writers of The Witcher Season 1 were able to get a somewhat understandable show out of these stories.

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While the stories are good, they can make for a somewhat confusing and intense reading experience. The Witcher Season 1 might be somewhat confusing for some fans, but it is still mostly understandable. And for a show based on loosely connected short stories, that's no small feat. The stories are somewhat tied together by Geralt's presence and, particularly in The Last Wish, through a frame story. A frame story is a piece of writing that allows for other stories to be told within it. For example, in The Last Wish, Geralt reflects on life events while recovering at the temple of Melitele in Ellander.  There are several parts to the frame story in The Last Wish, known as "The Voice of Reason."

Henry Cavill as Geralt in The Witcher

The Witcher Season 1 did not adapt this particular story, though judging by the cast list for Season 2, it might happen then. One of the characters cast is the priestess Nenneke, who appears in several parts of "The Voice of Reason." One of these parts is the part that goes into the story of Geralt meeting Nivellen, "A Grain of Truth."  That might be how Nenneke and Nivellen are featured in season 2, or the show writers might put their spin on it. The Witcher Season 1, had it adapted the books more exactly, would've had Geralt recovering with Nenneke and reflecting on his life experiences. This version would've involved him fighting the Striga earlier in the show and meeting Renfri in Blaviken later. That would've been a different kind of take.

In fact, the book "A Grain of Truth" takes place before the story where Geralt meets Renfri. Renfri's story is told later on and is called "The Lesser Evil." By rearranging the order of the stories, the show's writers also make characters like Renfri more important. Characters like Jaskier are also more crucial in the show's version, as he spends a lot of time with Geralt and is involved in events like the betrothal of Ciri's parents. Without Jaskier in the show, Geralt wouldn't have ended up with a child of surprise, at least according to Geralt himself. In the books, that is not the case. Geralt asks for a child of surprise and wants them to be raised a Witcher. The Witcher Season 1 did an excellent job of keeping the essence of the stories from the books while adapting them for a different medium.

jaskier dandelion the witcher netflix

Increasing the importance of characters like Renfri and Jaskier makes the world of The Witcher Season 1 even more intriguing. Geralt being a reluctant father figure for Ciri only makes things even more interesting.  Nenneke and Nivellen haven't been on screen yet. Fans can only speculate on how the show will adapt their stories. Yet so far they have a pretty good record. It seems that things can only go well from here. Of course, not everyone will agree. Some will prefer the books' take on the characters or the games'. And that's fine. Everyone has different tastes.

No show can satisfy every fan's preferences. Yet The Witcher Season 1 did a pretty good job at adapting the stories in the books to the screen. Luckily, season 2 looks promising as well. Only time will truly tell. However, some fans are likely relieved the show didn't follow the books too closely. Doing so would've only caused more confusion for those fans who didn't like the timelines.

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