The REASON Behind Eskel's Fate | The Witcher Netflix Season 2

The Witcher Netflix showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich answers the question why they had to kill Eskel (played by Basil Eidenbenz) so soon in the series.
Eskel deserved more...
#thewitcher #witcher

[@ordinaryodyssey7802]

The Writers' Problem: If we kill a character the audience isn't invested in, no one will care. The Solution: Write a new original character who's interesting and compelling enough that the audience will care if they die, even if that's just later the same episode. The Writers' Solution: Kill a character never before introduced in the tv series but developed in the books and games, so that new audience members won't care or be invested and long-time fans will get real mad. Nailed it, guys.

[@piter7239]

like, they should've just done something similar to cdpr in the first witcher, i'm talking about Leo

[@starcitizenaxion9956]

Option 3: just follow the damn story as it was written, don’t reinvent the wheel. Eskel wasn’t even properly depicted in the short time he had on screen. Story was already compelling enough to go from a cult classic to a mainstream tv ordeal, live up to it.

[@helenemuscagorry244]

I fucking hope that the eskel we had was a fucking doopler and we will get the real eskel in S3

[@ChangedMyNameFinally69]

If they made a new character up people would know they're gonna die.

[@SirDankleberry]

Big brain moment.

[@LEOODARTHVADER2]

"Why kill eskel?" "Because i am a terrible writer and showrunner, and can't understand how to develop a character"

[@h.o.g.956]

Such a huge slap on the face to the fans and the author. I’m sure the people who have only ever seen the show are enjoying it but to the 40 years of fans from the novels and the games, this was a kick in the dick. They slandered his character and just offed him. I’m so disappointed by this.

[@Dancergirl961]

I honestly feel like they killed eskel off because he was one of the few witchers at (the school of the wolf anyways) who was more powerful then geralt. Literally one of the main reasons I was looking forward to season 2 was Eskel.

[@cyberspunk9359]

@@Dancergirl961 Eskel was as skilled with the blade as Geralt, but Geralts further mutations kind of put him on his own level compared to the other Witchers, so wouldn't say as powerful but very much not far off. Still pissed Eskel was killed though, was half expecting him to be a dopler in the end or at least hoping and the real Eskel was still out there.

[@Dancergirl961]

@@cyberspunk9359 Eskels magic abilities surpassed Geralts and seeing how they are just as good with the sword that’s why I say more powerful.

[@cyberspunk9359]

@@Dancergirl961 Its more Geralts speed, strength, resilience and such that takes it a step beyond in my own opinion, I love Eskel either way.

[@DashDarrenger]

@@cyberspunk9359 Her first reply to the original comment is the exact same reply she left on another comment. I was disagreeing with her on that identical reply. I said that it's been a while since I've read the stories but I don't remember anything about Eskel being more powerful than Geralt. Eskel is better with signs but that doesn't make him more powerful than Geralt. I suggested she look into Geralt & the Trial of the Grasses. Also who & what Geralt has defeated & overcame. I'm not calling her out or anything like that, I'm just saying that I was having the same conversation with her & that I agree with you.

[@victormuniz695]

They had like a THOUSAND ways to show that Ciri's arrival to Kaer Morhen was dangerous, and NONE would have to kill Eskel! Eskel is a fucking MAIN witcher character. That was absurd, and this was a shitty excuse.

[@Dancergirl961]

I honestly feel like they killed eskel off because he was one of the few witchers at (the school of the wolf anyways) who was more powerful then geralt. Literally one of the main reasons I was looking forward to season 2 was Eskel.

[@Avery9Hopson]

I agree, I would have been a bit less pissed if they didn’t butcher his character as well. They made Eskel into a whiny bitch. At least do his character some justice before tossing it into the garbage for dramatic effect.

[@DashDarrenger]

@@Dancergirl961 More powerful? How? Because Eskel is better with signs? That doesn't make him more powerful than Geralt. It's been a while since I've read the stories but I don't remember anything about Eskel being more powerful than Geralt. Look into Geralt & the Trail of the Grasses & who & what Geralt has defeated/overcame. I absolutely hate what they did with Eskel but I don't think that was the reason for how they treated his character.

[@Dancergirl961]

@@DashDarrenger Several passages that Ive come across which I'm specifically referencing in "blood of the elves"Eskels magic abilities surpass Geralts. I know Geralts durability is extreme but my interpretation is that powerful magic + badass fighting skills makes you pretty fucking powerful lol. Idk to each is own though lol.

[@DashDarrenger]

@@Dancergirl961 I love Eskel but he just hasn't accomplished as much as Geralt & him being better at signs just isn't enough. Look into Geralt & the Trail of the Grasses. Geralt is more powerful & resilient than Eskel & the other witchers. Geralt is the main character for a reason. I have to disagree with you because of everything I've read. & played.

[@xTbone25x]

"You don't kill somebody unless people care about them" This would be the case if you actually developed the character properly... Like the only reason fans know about Eskel is because in the books and games they developed him into someone respectable... Their version is a womanizing dick with who we have 5 minutes of negative interaction with. Newcomers don't give a shit he died, and most likely are glad. It has little to no impact, except just to piss off fans wanting to see how they would take him as a character. That whole character arc was poorly executed and tbh isn't needed to move things along in the story. I was unsure about their direction in S1 and I'm feeling worse about it only 2 episodes in.

[@vlazurah789]

Blows my mind how killing Eskel was the only possible solution, I can think of a million and one different fucking ways that they could have shown the dangers that Ciri brings but lets be honest here, the Witcher’s were made a complete mockery of this season in general and Eskel’s questionable death just proves exactly what we were saying during season 1. She doesn’t know what she’s doing and now we’ve been robbed of a decent character and personally my favourite Witcher from the school of the wolf

[@timvonr2802]

#lorengoaway

[@pheonix894]

Eskel is just to pure to die

[@annanovitskaya4432]

Apart from Eskel being one of the important characters, damn, people, the moment he entered the hall was such a joy, that was some good acting!!! A new character with charisma and emotion, what a gem! No, he's too outstanding, let's kill him asap... My theory is, the very purpose of the season is to deliberately cause disappointment, omg, we're so unpredictable, everyone gonna love it! No.

[@comment2462]

This woman is a catastrophe, she lives in her own delusions that she has good ideas . Eskel's death matter ?? For whom ??? Only for showrunner this is only person who think such way . He die most stupid way total not important for plot that he can at least died in defense of Ciri if he was Geralt's friend but he died for delusions of showrunner . This is not only one problem becouse most of script in this series is trash .

[@Leovarsky]

I’m telling you this person is not right for the project she dosen’t understand the Witcher story like Henry cavill does!!!

[@Leovarsky]

Every time she’s trying to explain things it’s so disturbing because none of that makes senseeeee

[@DerPuppenspieler]

He died like a rookie Witcher, who fight he’s first monster. What a disappointment move.

[@DashDarrenger]

This show wasn't made for fans of the books, or games. The show-runner couldn't care less about them. They hate the fandom just like DC, Marvel/Disney & all the others do. Henry Cavil is the only person involved who seems to actually care, but he can only do so much.

[@rioshelz2924]

It's ironic they don't care when thats why the show is such a huge deal

[@narutorasbat]

You know who they should have killed if he was introduced? Berengar. They already said they're not adapting the games, only the books, so a character who people might recognize but whose death won't affect the story of the books would have worked so much better than killing Eskel, and considering how they made him more assholish than actual Eskel I would argue he was closer in personality to Berengar anyway.

[@ZenaWolf1]

I hate what they did to my favourite Witcher Eskel. They made him an insufferable ass whose death carried no weight instead of having him shine as the charmer that he is in the books and games.

[@TPlays-z5e]

Eskel is a fan favorite character, and has a pretty decent role in the books. One of the things she has been pushing is being true to the books. Yet she is writing things out, killing off characters, and rushing stories that matter to the plot. If the show wants to fix itself she needs to stop pushing stories that don't matter, with characters that aren't as important to the main story.

[@chrisheitzenrater7433]

Agreed, but to be honest, Sapkowski basically spent most of the last 2 books in the series focusing on people other than Geralt, Ciri, and Yen with plotlines that might have mattered to his world as a whole, but not to what the main characters were going through. Instead it was focused on anyone they ever ran into that he gave a name to. Loved the 1st few books and the games, and I'm curious to see what the series does as it moves forward, but Lady of the Lake was a rough read, especially the open ending where the reader needs to decide what happens.

[@amandayvonete9158]

Really man, please change her before it's too late, she doesn't even like fantasy, hire someone who loves fantasy.

[@Leovarsky]

Hire someone who absolutly understand Witcher and read the books and has a great connection to it before they destroys this show!!!🤬

[@lillynumber2]

@@Leovarsky I agree

[@Leovarsky]

@@lillynumber2 seriously if they wanna make the new ”Game Of Thrones show” as they calling it then do it right and stop screwing around and who knows the show could get nomination for Emmy and perhaps get higher score reviews and something real

[@timvonr2802]

#lorengoaway

[@TheChodex]

Biggest mistake: Changing story because certain group of people who already know the story would expect it. This TV show should be made #1 for people who are NOT familiar with Witcher and have not played the games. Imagine somebody watching this show for first time, they will literally have no connection with Eskel and will think he is just some random stupid angry guy who was laughing stock for witchers because he forgot how to kill leshen... Totally butchered a good character - this is why the fans are angry.

[@asefnirumand2355]

Hey mate have you watcht arcane ? That show is a story from a game called League of Legends and let me tell you when you see the League of Legends stories than you see arcane they have made the best show ever and even don't know the story of League of Legends dont worry you can watch arcane blind and it is still going to be amazing because the characters have been shown perfectly and they made the fans happy and they made new people love the world of League of Legends and yeah this is what you are talking about i get it

[@That_sewing_creature]

It's what happened to me. I know virtually nothing about the witcher outside of the show and when they introduced Eskel I thought he was a dick. I've read a little bit about him and so far he sounds like an absolute sweetheart

[@HadrorexHun]

So at first they just killed a random Witcher but because the audience wouldn't know him, his death would have little meaning? How is Eskel not a random Witcher they just introduced for general audiences? What is she talking about having to kill a main character in episode 2, which is an introduction to witchers as a whole? They come off as really incompetent already, not being able to deal with simple monsters at all.

[@ragnar3891]

Eskel does not die in the books or in the game. As a matter of fact he fights the Wild Hunt to protect Ciri. Killing him in season 2 was a ridiculous thing to do in my opinion.

[@brahmabull5000]

guys i like the series.. i watched first season as soon as it launched.. waited for second.. and bought netflix subscription the day it launched.. im not hater but killing eskel.. worst decision.. highly dissapointed. and it was so poorly executed.. i wasnt even sure first that he really died.. his death didnt even mean much.. i dont whos decision it was.. but definitely not the decision of a smart person..

[@cuonganhhoang2911]

This woman knew that fans love Eskel who is like a brother to Geralt, then decided to introduce him in 2 minutes and kill him in the most stupid way. Which makes people who haven't read the book think Eskel was a dick

[@KiWi-vf9tb]

Netflix needs to fire Lauren. Unbelievable shit season for me. 4.5 on metacritic is shit. And they think they are the next GoT. 😂

[@Pagan_0210]

They are the next GoT, GoT's last season to be specific

[@amandayvonete9158]

I agree 😔

[@bronks1200]

So she literally admits she and the other writers didn’t have the skill to make a new interesting Witcher to kill off? Bitch, leave the show now, let Henry cavil take over as showrunner/actor.

[@Punisher18th]

It doesn't take an expert to see that Lauren Schmidt made a huge mistake in killing Eskel. She even could have cut Eskel entirely from the story and made a non-canon character, then kill him off in the same fashion. Exactly the same effect, with none of the sh*tstorm.

[@prestonrutherford873]

First Mousesack, now Eskel wtah 😭

[@antski6894]

You are very simply destroying a great book , game and what could have been one of the best shows ever ... Well done

[@gamingkami9148]

Nah i'm sorry they f***** up and its honetly disapointing and i'm dropping the show.

[@Giacomo_Danna]

I find absolutely meaningless the reasons for this death because, even if it could be true that an important death was needed for the continuation of the series, this was definitely not the right one! - For those who knew Eskel, the choice is meaningless and very wrong given the role played by the character. - For those who didn't know him, the screen time is too short to get them hooked on the character (who is also different from the kind person he appears in the books) and therefore perceive his death as incisive. I'm sorry, but this decision drastically lowered my opinion of the series. I probably won't be watching subsequent seasons.

[@rioshelz2924]

I understand being upset but damn they should at least get another chance lol

[@timvonr2802]

@@rioshelz2924 Ist Season 2…. There were already a lot of complains of fans in season one (some of them they did adress)… this person does not know how to build a character or a world… both the key Elements to the witcher… #lorengoaway

[@friendlyneighborhoodcomrade]

@@rioshelz2924 She shouldn't get another chance, though. Even if this was her first offense to the series, it was still such a huge one and a big kick in the dick to the author and the fans. She doesn't care about the fans or about faithfully recreating the series. If she did, she'd at least understand that he was unbelievably polite in just about any given situation and not the asshole we witnessed in this season. I can't remember whether or not he actually ever dies in the series because it's been a while and my memory is shit, but she should have also understood that right now is absolutely not the time to kill him off. She's butchering the material and she's doing it on purpose. She doesn't deserve to be making this show.

[@Leovarsky]

I’m serious right now if they wanna keep doing the witcher show they have to put another creator in charge because lauren is not right for this

[@kalemsmith405]

What was the point of having Eskel killed off? Hissrich says it was to give Geralt a reason to train Ciri: "honestly, his death is what changes everything for Geralt". Honestly, that's a load of crap. For new viewers (like me): We didn't know Eskel before his introduction to the show. He immediately comes off as a horny douchebag - extremely unlikeable. I didn't care that he died. In fact, I was surprised Geralt didn't drive that sword into him sooner in order to save Vesemir. Then, AFTER his death, the show tries to extract sorrow by showing Eskel in a different life prior to his death - as if he were a completely different character. He's dead, and we don't care. It's poor writing, and a poor trope. Even with the assumption (because it isn't really made clear) that it was the Leshen infection which made him act so weird, the first impression has already been made. Making him likeable afterwards would be an uphill battle for a writer, one which Hissrich clearly lost. There was no point of making the Leshen-Witcher Eskel for new viewers because it might as well have been a new/different character. For Witcher fans: This is obviously not the way Eskel is depicted in the source material or subsequent appearances like in the games. If staying true to the source material is Hissrich's goal like she continuously boasts, then she's full of it. Sure, adapting books to television isn't at all easy or straightforward like many fans might suggest. But this? This was not a matter of adaptation, but a matter of character assassination which, ultimately, is pointless. The only reason why that Leshen-Witcher might have been changed into Eskel is to evoke a stronger emotional response from the fans themselves. Let's not pretend like Hissrich didn't see the backlash coming. The purpose of the character itself is irrelevant. There were 20 (or so) other Witchers there which could have fulfilled the role with an unchanged emotional resonance from new viewers, and an untarnished trust from old fans. This was either bad writing or a deliberate slap to the face of the fandom. Or both.

[@samscopeproductionz]

Killing off a character before you’ve introduced them properly, purely based of how many people like him from the books/games is insane logic. Should have been killed in the end fight with those basilisks if they wanted to do that, or have him be one of the witchers Ciri stabbed.

[@GiantDivineMoth]

I get what she's saying but they might as well have made a new character because the only similarity is the name. I suppose it is easier to be hyper critical in hindsight but to achieve the same message I would have created a new witcher and have him be the "runt" so to speak, maybe have him be teased a bit by the others kind of like a younger brother would. Maybe he and ciri bond over getting teased by the others and then when he dies later on it hurts that much more

[@OZRRR]

This completely changes the story and really ruins the show for me. There were so many ways they could have portrayed the importance of Ciri without butchering one of the most important character of the Witcher. I stopped watching after season 2 episode 2.

[@Xellius13]

And that’s why you really need to limit script writers cocaine use while at work 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@sheenawarecki92]

So I never got to read the books or play the games yet but like...even I thought this death was so...wrong??? And like learning more about Eskel I'm really very upset about this. The actor I like and it could've been such a good foil for Geralt. From my understanding this isn't the first thing the director has done that's really pissed off fans. Also learning about how Eskel is the whole "fuck Ciri" attitude seems wholly out of place they just...this did this man dirty and I don't even know him.

[@mikew4022]

What is a witcher without a brain? :

[@DomMarmelo]

im so dispointed, i dont feel like watching the rest of the season.

[@lillynumber2]

Same here. I'm so disappointed. Like literally. They had millions to kill off. Killing eskel is horrible 😫. I was really looking forward for the three trio. If you're planning to do a show on the franchise don't be killing off important characters. 😡

[@DomMarmelo]

@@lillynumber2 they could kill the other randoms wicthers, but no!!!! Lets kill Eskel! "Because we had to kill someone in this episode" 🙃

[@wingsclippedwolf]

Didn't even finish the rest of the episode.

[@Leovarsky]

you know i really don’t care about laurens ”creative idea” and change the story she’s obvisoully not read the all books which is a little bit lame if you’re charge of this and want to make it work

[@Leovarsky]

Her reason of killin Eskel is so messed up and dosen’t makes a sense

[@estudiordl]

I was researching why the hate since I didn't play the 3rd (yet) and still didn't read the books (in plan) I didn't knew the character of Eskel. So yeah, I didn't give a crap about that random death. Knowing now he was a main character in the books I think it was a poor chose, you don't use the source material in that way. For the average Netflix consumer (me) it means nothing. So you really choose that death to affect the book fans? Why? That's not right. Now I known I gonna feel dissaponted on the tv show as soon I get into the books. 🤔

[@DerPuppenspieler]

So stupid, yeah let’s disrespect the books, the Witcher writer, games and gamer.

[@tuh774]

"We had to kill someone in that episode" No. No you didn't. Also please remove the aouthors and the books name out of your series while you are at it thanks.

[@Leovarsky]

Right me if i’m wrong but is there no way geralt could have used axii on eskel perhaps? I dunno it seems like another option to save him!!!

[@JanKowalski-th5re]

In Witcher tv show vesemir says there is only one way to kill Leshen. But in the anime he says there are many ways to do it. Netflix writers :)

[@animal2990]

What a crock of shit man. Everything she said could have been done without killing one of the beloved secondary characters. She is just out to put her own stamp on the show and tell everyone that it’s going to be done her way. Which is fine but plenty of adaptions have been ruined for similar reasons.

[@eliasdh96]

Its just stiupid to kill a imortant character just because you want the Series to be Special or you need some action for the series... i do not watch the witcher because i want a game of thrones like story where characters die without reason... i watch it because i loved the books and the games... I hope they get theyre well deserved shit storm for this idiotic decision and stop killing important characters because they need some shock or action

[@luisnieves1844]

This feels like when Kevin Smith killed off He Man in the new show they did for Netflix...

[@dillon1759]

Dropping the show good going always gotta hollywood everything like his death matters before any show viewers could get attach to his character

[@courtney3743]

The Netflix Eskel was nothing like the Eskel we know. After episode 2, I guessed they wrote a new character and then some idiot said “wait, if we make him an asshole, no one will care when he dies. Let’s just give him the name of a beloved character from the source material.” And would you look at that, I was right. And that is an example of how NOT to create an impactful death or respect your fan base. His death had no meaning, no one cared, and forcing a narrative that Geralt was at all close with this d bag goes against the rule of show don’t tell and is not believable.

[@bladebitten2766]

They killed off Eskel, and they made Lambert likeable.....

[@juliajanko6335]

I call bull, bc only show people wouldn’t care enough bc there was so little of his character. I’m just gonna live in denial and wait for Eskel to somehow come back

[@Leovarsky]

What the hell man lambert and Coen just Laugh along with lauren that’s so absurd, respect to Kim Bodina aka vesemir who dosen’t laugh along 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@ThisJen]

Shame on you Hissrich. That is NOT what we wanna see. Eskel was too interesting to killing him -.-

[@dezzyhibs]

I was really looking forward to seeing eskel in the series, what they done was a complete character assassination and then they kill him, he acted completely different to how he is portrayed in both the books and the games, they just turn him into a dick head and an idiot when he is meant to be one of the best Witcher’s alongside geralt, absolute joke, season 2 was bad. Let’s just hope that season 3 is much better

[@fehit1446]

This is so dumb. Just make up some new witcher and call him Greg. No one knows who Greg is because he did not appear in the books or games. Tell us that he was good friends with Geralt the same way you told us that Eskel was good friend to Geralt and then kill him. For people who are unfamiliar with books that character's death would be exactly the same as Eskel's since they don't know him or Greg. But his death would have less outlash from fans for killing one of the main supporting characters. Such a stupid decision. I am so mad 😤😤😤

[@verteXval]

I was shockingly surprised, sad and disgusted he just died. I am very disappointed at the fact and not sure I will watch the series any further.

[@limmeh7881]

They already killed a Bruxa in episode one tho that's surely enough monster slaying for a while

[@pootoo8660]

This goes to show that the witcher story will truly remain in the original source which is the book, and no one can take it from it unless they follow each chapter word for word and put it to life, either through animation, or live action. The Witcher game, The Witcher movie, and The Witcher series, are just different takes of the story from other people's perspective who had read the book. Call it fanfiction, if you will, with the permission to use the original title. In any case, these adaptations should not be taken seriously whatsoever but instead be viewed as simply, entertainment consumed with a grain of salt.

[@eliasdh96]

To be fair the games are just a continuation of the books arent they?

[@pootoo8660]

@@eliasdh96 I'm assuming you played the game and taking a stand based on my comment. No worries I'm not mocking the Witcher Games or anything. Yes, the game is proposed to be a sequel which at the same time not a canon to the witcher story... in a sense that Andrzej Sapkowski did not write this sequel, just agreed that they can make a game out of his book. CD Projekt red invented the sequel take, which falls as a fun fanfiction.

[@eliasdh96]

@@pootoo8660 yeah thats true, they are a fan fiction but to be fair i enjoyed the story of the games more then i enjoyed the story of the books... and i read the books first and then played the game

[@timvonr2802]

But even than there’s loop holes, poor dialogue… beside the cast (seems like from the gwent cars / so game) especially Henry, who had to bag to get the role and the fighting that is quite decent, there is not much to like about the show in my opinion… even for the normal Netflix user…

[@_thatperson_1998]

Your friendly reminder that Eskel is hardly seen in both the books and the game, so it's not a big deal.

[@billraptis5410]

Absolutely no respect to the creator. Netflix people you suck. You ruined the story. Not to mention your adaptation of cast. It's supposed to be in a medieval fantasy Poland not New York. There's literally every race in this series. Netflix is garbage 🗑️

[@timvonr2802]

And not even used to advantage… there’s a lot of racism in the books, why not use the cast to show… there was so much potential to use actual racism as a theme in this and show how dire a world like that is. Like seen with the enslaved elves…

[@lordheadass3662]

why not the other 15 witchers in kaer morhen, what a huge slap in the face

[@lordheadass3662]

and if you wanted to kill him at least develop his character, give the people who have only watched the show a reason to care about eskel and see this dramatic change in geralt

[@mratamim]

Makes no sense whatsoever... The audience had no idea who that Eskel was and you expect any kind of impact for his death? Fools.

[@badboy250984]

Should just left Eskel alone, i liked him in game when defending Kaer Morhen.

[@Blue-yk9yw]

But The majority of People Who watch The show have never read The books or played The game and therefore never knew of Eskel or knew Who he was. So for them he is just some new witcher that just gets killed off so The emotinal impact doesn't hit since they never got too know him. Also they made him a huge dick. Season 2 was a complete mess with no red thread that cept The story togeather. Things just happened and it was chaos, also The witch Who possessed Ciri was never in The books or games. Netflix ruined this adaptation completly

[@marcy9125]

The Witcher John...is she serious 💀💀💀

[@metalrain4580]

Nope unacceptable Eskel is not a character to throw away before he is done So what all what he has done in the novels will be played out by another character? Because I know they already confirmed to not follow the games which is fine but still Such a dumb move What's next ? Yennifer gets killed off too to show ciri that magic is dangerous

[@akrash921]

Just kill somebody else then eskel , simply i hate it cuz eskel vas best geralts childhood friend ,i the season 2 he seem like the worst witcher that kaeher morhen can give

[@Yajeeb]

Why do people expect so much from netflix? Her explanation on why they killed him was just.. WOW 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@just-eden]

Its so ironic, cuz it changes shit-all for the show Geralt. Show Geralt isnt even as heartbroken as show Vesemir is, so...

[@CapybaraConnoisseur89]

I hate this excuse "no one is safe" this is moment I gave up on this show, and not going to watch S3 at all .

[@faridonmohammadi5172]

These show runners know how to creat controversies and have people talk and argue more about their show. These changes suck for true fans but at the same time work well for their publicity.

[@yetipotato8567]

In any way it would have been better to have Billy-Bob the younger noobie witcher. They could have the same bond and backround talks where Billy is slacking from training and being careless. That would also have ended Geralt to decide to train Ciri. For show watchers it would make much difference but for game fans it feels like a slap to face to have fan favorite first be a douce and then dying. Recalls and eastereggs should be a net positive not negative ones

[@xXrimjobXx]

I want to cosplay Eskel soon. November 2022 Fanboy Expo Indianapolis, in fact. I have no armor and scant crafting skills, but in 7 months time... i hope to play Eskel. Full cosplay made by me. I have to speak it into existence or it probably won't happen.... The way the show portrayed this character, even the way they played Lambert, hurts the whole community. I enjoy the show. but it is an alternate universe from the books and games. Almost like a multiverse. I have to see it this way or I'd be offended. As would most of the fans. The netflix rendition is valiant, but it falls short 99% of the time. Henry Cavill is a perfect fit undoubtedly, but the way the story is told and the way the characters are portrayed is lazy. So many things we consume today are lazy... politics... TV.... music.... for someone to truly represent this art. This fantasy landscape.... that would be truly rewarding and profitable... the fan base seems small for this endeavor. but it could span so far in terms of relatability. I think they went in the wrong direction. This theme is meant to be gritty and rough, yet understandable. I think they shorted the community in favor of money and relatability.

[@revivrevalchn3503]

Eskel isn't here to stay so does the game's fans

[@minuit6305]

Yea NO hard pass. Some of these writers shouldn't be writing or touching anything EVER.

[@misterrSARCASTIC]

Or they could just follow the books...? I don't know, I'm not a Hollywood writer, so maybe that's too difficult.

[@scribejed8027]

Star wars and now this????? Ffs

[@matthewbreunig977]

fucks sake these people never even read the books did they. Season 1 started off so well, then fell off immediately and severely

[@arandomchicken8421]

I hate it when shows do this.. based on already established works then change/ kill or leave out an important character/ thing. I wish they could fix this in next season. Make him a dopler. Or something. This was so poorly executed. Eskel deserved better. So many possibilities with his character wasted. There was no difference between this Eskel and one of the new witchers they created. I love Eskel in the games but Eskel in the show just was a waste.

[@thewolf9671]

ffs why eskel you could’ve kiled another new witcher

[@ryukjoga]

Why they're laughing? I guarantee no one here is laughing... I delayed to start this and now i remember why. I just watched ep 2 and man... I don't buy any of their bs explanation.

[@tomf1342]

Yeah in other words shock value 🙄

[@carterguitarrr8090]

I like the show, and even I can admit that this is just fucked. Made no sense, should have done something... no... ANYTHING else. I don't get it, I have literally only played The Witcher 3 and read some shit online about the character, yet I can clearly see how misrepresented Eskel was. What the fuck man.

[@oshalomjakistam4593]

Woody had to die. No no Jon, nah Woody! Audience doesn't give a buck if Eskel dies. Noone red the book anyway but show Runner is do wise. Ok Eskel aka Woody dies and Bruce Lee takes his place. Time for karate witcher.

[@jamesstark7685]

They better not kill Vesemir too soon.

[@tomf1342]

It’s not that he died but how that was bad but still why!

[@bboyairrick]

Lazy/shit writing mixed with poor execution. Reason she gave was like someone trying to save face after they got in a load of shit. another thing i just remembered thats more even fucked up. I'm sure she saw how GOT ended and how everyone hated it since they made stuff happen with almost no buildup or explanation. They kinda had a good reason, there were no more books for rest of series, although you can tell they just phone it in. But this showrunner......She has like 8 books to research and base her show off of but nope ill just take names and do whatever.

[@thyrsus07]

She ruined it, that's a fact. She should stop making adoptation films.

[@izzysan4013]

That's so dumb 😂 I'm be surprised if this last's

[@zaheersarang6466]

At this point I lost a lot pf interest in the series. I watch it in the same vain as GoT where it's more just to see what happens more than actually caring.

[@Fluffy_Owl352]

I wonder when they turn geralt into gay...

[@omarholmes8212]

Not a good call sorry

[@goodreason3123]

Cultural appropriation kinda badly tainted recreation of Sapkowskis world. But thats not only content last few years. Really felt agenda of critical race theory. There must be black elf, black witcher, black mage where it doesnt exist in world of Sapkowski which vibes of middle age in central Europe. That agenda was so obvious that I could not stop thinking about it and kinda ruined my experience. New contents(tv show) from Tolkiens world will propably also integrate critical race agenda. Atleast we have LOTR from past that will be sadly never made again.

[@pietrobattiston5907]

Nonsense.

[@finnyarose40]

No😠😭😒

[@darkshadow3083]

Khamki mage

[@601rudeboy]

The show sucks

[@MuricaTurkey]

DUDE. WTAF?! SPOILERS! Not all of us have the time to watch this on the day it drops. It's barely been out a week. Some of us are super busy and can't watch it right away. Look, I'm not usually upset if I watch a video or read an in depth article and accidentally get spoiled. In that case, I watched it, my fault. But this?! I now know shit I shouldn't have to just by seeing the title for 2 seconds in my sub feed. No watching required for my experience to be spoiled 😡 Not cool. Really bad form. Wtf.

[@herrschaft7333]

lambert and all other witcher in the movie have personality like a Ass hold :( in the game all of them are so kind and i dunno why in the "nightmare of the wolf" there only 4 child lived but in this ss2 there are like...... 10x more ??

[@SirDankleberry]

You literally didn't have to kill him off though. You could've had half the rando Witchers you introduced in this episode die off instead and still have a monster attacking Kaer Morhen be a legitimate threat considering it would've killed 5-10 fully trained Witchers. You instead barely introduced Eskel to a new audience so they'll know nothing about him because you haven't established him well and you'll piss off older fans because they know and probably love Eskel and know he isn't supposed to die. You've cheapened his death. This is how not to write your story.