(613-word review) Since I already knew about you-know-what at the end, which, despite my prior knowledge, was impactful, giving the semblance of actual worthiness to be, albeit not 100%, engaged in what's happening (while perhaps being one of the most competently and well-done examples in this entire show at anything of such, and there's likely only a few examples overall) my biggest takeaway was the creativity and unconventional nature, directing and writing-wise.
To me, it seemed to be for adding some extra "this is the Volume 1 finale" seasoning to it, on top of stretching this episode's events out to full length - and maybe even some inspiration was taken from the first season's controversial and divisive 'different timelines' storytelling, which was treated too harshly and is one of a few things that continue to shine more positively, including in the sense of being, in a wishful manner, preferable to what we're getting now (there hasn't been much apparent distinction with the direction and writing in the show after that: it's all been generically routine) - as this would've been more unfitting as a finale without those elements.
That final scene was already abrupt (potentially because this season may not have been written with Netflix's occasional Volume 1 & 2-of-a-season model in mind), so thankfully, Loni Peristere (the director: directed seven episodes of Banshee, nine episodes of American Horror Story, one episode of Queen of the South, six episodes of (HBO) Max's Warrior, plus the last two episodes of the currently airing third season - and he's the upcoming executive producer of House of the Dragon's second season, AND he's the director for the next episode/the "premiere" of Volume 2!) and Clare Higgins (the writer) brought some homemade flavors to the cookout for enhancement.
However, I have one criticism: replaying some of the dialogue/scene sections that already happened "for the sake of" leading up to the new portions, instead of using some visual storytelling to create that connection element, dragged down the execution of an otherwise commendable choice. But the possible reason was to avoid repeating the whole disorder about the different timelines in the first season.
My conspiracy theory? The more accurate reason was to keep replaying, 'All is not...As it seems.' Once was never enough. "They" want you to be haunted by it - molded by it. Mr. "All is not...As it seems," you're not Mr. "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher." Stop it; get some help.
Regarding more general criticisms, and I've mentioned this before, but it was at its worst this time, so here I go again: the hair and costumes for Yennefer are usually dreadful. Did Anya Chalotra get under someone's skin in that department of production? Her hair styling in this episode was the worst it's been, along with whatever, makeup-wise, made her look orange; while her outfit wasn't as much so, it came across as having been picked immediately without any consideration and effort - in a negative way if it wasn't obvious. More borderline palpable thought and care went into Cassie Clare's appearance, which is still appreciated, but come on. Be consistent. What a tragedy.
And to a lesser extent of criticisms: more of that sublime modern language usage - with Sabrina saying the three-letter "S" word to Yennefer, and then, later on, saying, "Artaud's wasted again." Both terms, 'wasted' and the 'three-letter word,' seem too modern. But I'm no etymologist, so perhaps I'm off on that.
This was the best episode of Vol. 1, which isn't that significant of a compliment, as achieving that amid mediocrity is easy - but it was surprisingly decently crafted. Hopefully, Vol 2. (the last three of the season) surpasses it, or at least an episode.
To me, it seemed to be for adding some extra "this is the Volume 1 finale" seasoning to it, on top of stretching this episode's events out to full length - and maybe even some inspiration was taken from the first season's controversial and divisive 'different timelines' storytelling, which was treated too harshly and is one of a few things that continue to shine more positively, including in the sense of being, in a wishful manner, preferable to what we're getting now (there hasn't been much apparent distinction with the direction and writing in the show after that: it's all been generically routine) - as this would've been more unfitting as a finale without those elements.
That final scene was already abrupt (potentially because this season may not have been written with Netflix's occasional Volume 1 & 2-of-a-season model in mind), so thankfully, Loni Peristere (the director: directed seven episodes of Banshee, nine episodes of American Horror Story, one episode of Queen of the South, six episodes of (HBO) Max's Warrior, plus the last two episodes of the currently airing third season - and he's the upcoming executive producer of House of the Dragon's second season, AND he's the director for the next episode/the "premiere" of Volume 2!) and Clare Higgins (the writer) brought some homemade flavors to the cookout for enhancement.
However, I have one criticism: replaying some of the dialogue/scene sections that already happened "for the sake of" leading up to the new portions, instead of using some visual storytelling to create that connection element, dragged down the execution of an otherwise commendable choice. But the possible reason was to avoid repeating the whole disorder about the different timelines in the first season.
My conspiracy theory? The more accurate reason was to keep replaying, 'All is not...As it seems.' Once was never enough. "They" want you to be haunted by it - molded by it. Mr. "All is not...As it seems," you're not Mr. "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher." Stop it; get some help.
Regarding more general criticisms, and I've mentioned this before, but it was at its worst this time, so here I go again: the hair and costumes for Yennefer are usually dreadful. Did Anya Chalotra get under someone's skin in that department of production? Her hair styling in this episode was the worst it's been, along with whatever, makeup-wise, made her look orange; while her outfit wasn't as much so, it came across as having been picked immediately without any consideration and effort - in a negative way if it wasn't obvious. More borderline palpable thought and care went into Cassie Clare's appearance, which is still appreciated, but come on. Be consistent. What a tragedy.
And to a lesser extent of criticisms: more of that sublime modern language usage - with Sabrina saying the three-letter "S" word to Yennefer, and then, later on, saying, "Artaud's wasted again." Both terms, 'wasted' and the 'three-letter word,' seem too modern. But I'm no etymologist, so perhaps I'm off on that.
This was the best episode of Vol. 1, which isn't that significant of a compliment, as achieving that amid mediocrity is easy - but it was surprisingly decently crafted. Hopefully, Vol 2. (the last three of the season) surpasses it, or at least an episode.