Episode Guide
Episode 1 – The review score for episode 2 is 2/5, and for episode 3 it is 2/5. Episode 4 – The review score for episode 3 is 2/5.
The Witcher: Blood Origin is a production that is worse than Rings of Power. While Willow and Wheel of Time have come close, it’s hard to know where to begin with Blood Origin. The story is convoluted, the characters are one-dimensional, and the plot is nonsensical.
The Witcher: Blood Origin is a prequel to the Witcher, set 1200 years before the events involving Geralt of Rivia. It feels like a box ticking exercise of how not to write fantasy, with a whole bunch of archetypal, cookie cutter characters thrown together to stop a globe-ending apocalypse before it’s too late.
We’ve seen this story a million times before and it’s starting to feel like a familiar pattern. The author introduces a familiar face, who is then told about the story in a clunky prologue. Then they reaffirm our own worries by telling a story that is as clunky and generic as can be.
The thing is, Blood Origin doesn’t have likable characters or a well-told story. It’s just a lot of blood and violence.
The editing is clunky across the board, with an opening episode working to introduce all our characters in the worst way imaginable. The scene feels like a mix between Suicide Squad’s 2016 “cards” and a Power Rangers introduction, using lots of exposition to explain who all these characters are. And then we’re introduced to them properly in the world, one by one.
The other half of these main characters are the embodiment of Mary Sues; unstoppable warriors that have amazing strength and agility with little in the way of flaws. The few that do have character arcs are plagued with such hammy dialogue or crowbarred into romances that don’t work.
The three antagonists of the piece are a dark mage named Balor, a disgruntled Princess called Merwyn, and a large winged creature. Merwyn’s issues stem from the fact she’s forced into marriage, so she enacts a huge slaughter akin to the Red Wedding (but with more deaths and a large winged creature) to then conquer all the realms herself. The three separate clans present – who have been at war for over 1000 years – just accept her rule and get on with it.
The Witcher’s world is full of distinct races with their own gripes and issues with one another. This is shown throughout the games, books, and source material. Source material that this show doesn’t even bother to try and honor. ..
The worldbuilding is nonexistent and the lack of narrative building is a major issue. There are very few examples of story development, and even fewer that are explored in depth. This makes it difficult to understand the overall plot or feel connected to the characters.
Netflix has been known for their original programming, and Blood Origin is no exception. The show is full of nods to other IPs, and it’s not subtle about it. There are direct Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes thrown in, scenes taken right from The Incredible Hulk and even a scene ripped off from Castlevania. This show is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Blood Origin’s production values were sorely lacking. In episode 4, our main character, Eile, is seen wearing a black vest and black trousers. It’s almost as if Netflix wanted to just rush this out to keep interest in The Witcher. ..
The irony with this statement is that Blood Origin is likely to turn you away from the franchise completely. There’s a reason why Henry Cavill is leaving the show and if Blood Origin is anything to go by, fans will leave in their droves too. This is the worst generic fantasy series to come from 2022 and in a year that’s seen Rings of Power and Willow, that’s certainly some claim. Stay away, stay far away from this Christmas misery.
