With its Season 2 approaching fast, Netflix’s The Witcher is at risk of reprising the mistakes from Season 2 of Game of Thrones. The Netflix original series is an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s series of novels and short stories. Season 1 of The Witcher brought on a remarkable admiration for the streaming giant following its debut in 2019.
The series featured the legend of the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) and Princess Ciri (Freya Allan). Through various compelling tales and an ominous setting, the show introduced the audience to the Witcherverse. The Witcher Season 1 premiered the same year as the final season of HBO’s exceptionally acclaimed series Game of Thrones. Both shows resembled their medieval dystopian setting. This caused the viewers to notice the similarities between the two shows.
The Witcher copying Game of Thrones Season 2’s strategic approach
The Game of Thrones finale left its fans disappointed. And many former viewers found consolation in the new mystical world of The Witcher. And Netflix did not miss a beat in renewing the show for a second season. Following the success of The Witcher Season 1, the franchise has already been renewed for a third season before the release of its upcoming Season 2.
However, this gradual planning could pose a significant problem for the show’s current thematic release. The Witcher Season 2 is set to introduce a bunch of new characters and locations across the Continent. This will prove to lay the groundwork to build future storylines. As well as explore the rich lore of the books series in greater depth. And for that, the show has already revealed the extensive cast for the upcoming fan-favourite characters.
Although, this extreme amplification of characters in the second season as compared to the first resembles an arc followed by another show. And it is none other than the Game of Thrones. In the second season of Game of Thrones, the multiplication of characters and locations to incorporate more of Westeros was massively felt. And now it seems as if Netflix is applying the same strategy that won the grand and compelling fantastical world of HBO’s Game of Thrones an astonishing amount of viewership. Regardless of the fact, The Witcher could very well stagger into a hole with Season 2 by ushering too much into the story too soon.
Also read: Henry Cavill Reveals How The Witcher Season 2 Will Do Justice To Book Version Of Geralt.
How Game of Thrones went amiss with Season 2
It is true that the audiences greatly admired how Game of Thrones Season 2 presented itself. But the season began with a feature from a large number of new characters and settings. This made it seem as if it was just a prolonged version of the first season. This approach might be confusing to viewers because it minimizes the convincing potential obtained from Season 1. Instead, it feels like starting back from square one can pose as a massive distraction from existing storylines and developing character arcs.
Although, Season 2 of The Witcher already looks more promising than Season 1. It will all depend on the way the show chooses to introduce its new characters. To refrain from repeating the same mistake as Game of Thrones Season 2, The Witcher will have to tread lightly as it begins establishing its forthcoming season.
Similarities between the two shows
The Witcher Season 2 is supposed to feature a bunch of notable characters from the books. These include Sigismund Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) and Philippa Eilhart (Cassie Clare). The two of them will take up a prominent amount of weight to institute themselves into the narrative. This closely resembles Game of Thrones Season 2 introduction of significant characters. These were Davos Seaworth, Stannis Baratheon, Margaery Tyrell, and Melisandre, to name a few.
It is true that their addition essentially polished the overall experience of the show. But incorporating them after Season 1 slightly hindered the pace as they moved forward in establishing their allegiances and motivations. And now The Witcher Season 2 is also teasing some crucial villains. It is only necessary for Netflix’s follow up to put in more significant efforts in the upcoming world-building.
Nevertheless, while Game of Thrones Season 2 went somewhat amiss in the way it introduced so many major characters and settings, there are still worse strategies that The Witcher could likely mirror. Following the tremendous success received by Henry Cavill’s Geralt, Netflix has secured itself a future with the franchise. And the production probably is not highly worried about copying the same mistakes as that of Game of Thrones. Netflix has already renewed the brand for a third season, which is why it is safe to assume that The Witcher Season 2 has a stronghold over its narrative, considering the futuristic expansion.
