The Witcher Season 4: More Porn Parody Than Epic Fantasy
The fanfiction has reached its conclusion. When Netflix released The Witcher Season 4 on October 30th, my immediate reaction was: “Is this a porn parody?”
The screen genuinely began to resemble one. Western reviewers had early access, and my feed transformed into a spoiler-filled stream of low ratings comparing the season to adult entertainment. My expectations were set accordingly—and the new season completely lived up to them.
Multiple Problems Plague Season 4
Season 4 suffers from numerous issues, both narrative and behind-the-scenes. The plot problem centers on Yennefer’s character arc, which has transformed her into a typical superhero. It’s unclear how the creators will escape this trap they’ve built for themselves. The production problem involves the recasting of Geralt (and Vesemir), a change that couldn’t possibly go unnoticed.
The Geralt Replacement Challenge
Replacing a main actor between seasons is challenging for any show. For The Witcher, the difficulty multiplies when you’re replacing Henry Cavill—beloved by gamers and women alike—with Liam “Chris Hemsworth’s younger brother” Hemsworth.
Accepting such a role is mentally hazardous, especially if Liam reads online comments about himself. Although the show has long focused on the problems of heavily made-up women with lip filler, audience attention primarily fixates on the recast.
The new Geralt is adequate—better in some aspects, worse in others. Liam handles the role competently, but he’s no replacement for Cavill, at least physically. He delivers the characteristic gruff hums, maintains silence, pierces the camera with intense stares, and behaves as if he wants to escape society by dozens of kilometers. Initially, adjusting to the new face is challenging, but overall, the result exceeds expectations. He embodies Cavill’s version of Geralt—grim and antisocial.
Where’s the Family Dynamic?
According to Cavill’s interpretation, Geralt only blossomed within his family circle, becoming more human in those moments. However, Season 4’s plot separates Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, having them travel independently until reuniting at the end. If Geralt remained the series’ protagonist, this could have been explored in depth, but the witcher is no longer the central figure.
Disjointed Storylines and Character Arcs
The narrative splits three ways: Geralt assembles a team including Dandelion, Milva, Zoltan, Regis, and Cahir to rescue Ciri from Emhyr.
Yennefer visits every sorceress she knows to gather an army and kill Vilgefortz (despite Triss correctly noting the plan’s dubious nature). Meanwhile, Ciri, under the alias Falka, lives and travels with The Rats—a band of thieves. Her rejection of family and past comes surprisingly easily. While the show accurately portrays the dangerous pursuit of the young princess, it sidelines her to highlight the true star.
Yennefer’s Mary Sue Transformation
I’ve previously noted Yennefer’s evolution into a Mary Sue in this series, and Season 4 reinforces this observation.
Netflix transforms Yennefer into an all-powerful superheroine—an absurd development. Suddenly, she’s a strong leader commanding an army of surviving sorceresses, planning to kill Vilgefortz (who sports a rather budget-friendly prosthetic for his disfigured eye) and protect her daughter. Considering the established lore, this character direction feels increasingly disconnected from The Witcher’s roots.
