The Witcher (TV Series) Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan (2023) User Reviews

Boring and silly

[mfeierskov · 3/10 · 29 July 2023]

I completely get devoting an episode to Ciri like this. I know a lot of people think The Witcher has to be all about Geralt and Henry Cavill, but Ciri has arguably always been more significant to the universe.

My problem with this episode is that it's just not interesting or well executed. The dialogue is bad and mostly unnecessary. Do we really need her to tell us that she can't see in a sandstorm or that she walked the wrong way at night? It obvious from the context and it's just cringy to watch.

The same goes for all of Falkas dialogue. She speaks only in platitudes and doesn't really say anything. It's all "abandon everyone, give in to your rage, change society" etc. It tells us nothing and doesn't make any sense for Ciri as we know her in the show at this point.

Several times I honestly had to laugh in amazement at how stupid the scenes were. First she kills a giant monster by hitting it in the head a couple of times after she's been lost in the desert for days with almost no food or water. The unicorn is injured, but she puts a small piece of cloth on top of the wound, and somehow that helps and it can walk again. Then the wound gets worse and leaves a huge infection across the body, but she still has to remove the small piece of cloth to reveal that it looks bad. She then instantly masters fire magic om her first try and it heals the horrible infection, which makes the unicorn afraid and run away.

Maybe the episodes makes sense for some people, but to argue that it was well executed is just laughable. I'm glad I can stop watching this show after one more episode.

Ciri talks to herself in a desert for an hour.

[mdkruse2 · 3/10 · 28 July 2023]

That's pretty much it. The games were full of action and this whole series has been boring dialog and slow character progression. This season in particular has been lacking in excitement. Even the action scenes are underwhelming when they do occur. The "mid-season" cliffhanger left us with much to be desired in the remaining 3 episodes in this season, and this episode let us all down. I don't have high hopes for the final episode of this season, and I'm going to need a promise of more than just a Witcher soap opera to get interested in the next season.

If this is Netflix's answer to HBO's Game of Thrones, then so far all they've achieved is copying the latter's final season.

The pacing of this season is infuriating

[yjfgwkc · 3/10 · 28 July 2023]

I don't mind following Ciri through the desert, but did we have to do it all in one episode when there's a lot of other important things happening elsewhere? After another pointlessly slow episode (ep 5), episode 6 finally picked up the pace in such a satisfying way only to come to a halt with this one.

Just because it's accurate to the events of the books doesn't make it a good episode of TV. They could have kept the accuracy and still interspersed the story with other threads in this episode.

Also whose decision was it to have Ciri narrate her every move? Like, we can see what's happening, we don't need to hear about it too.

The worst episode of the series

[tavistrosen · 1/10 · 1 August 2023]

This was by far the worst episode of the series. This was just endless, meaningless dribble... It's like the creators want us to stop watching the show... Every season is worse than the one before it and this episode was a total waste of time. They could have told this story in less than half the time.

I have to find 300 more words to write about this episode for the review but it's so hard because nothing happened other than watching Ciri walk for 45 minutes...I hope that's not a spoiler but it's hard to spoil an episode that has nothing on it.

They completely wasted their talented cast and worse they didn't even involve them in this episode.

I mean we get the point

[minihendo · 2/10 · 27 July 2023]

Feel like they dragged this episode plot to last 50 minutes when it could have lasted 20. Just to get the season to end sooner so they can move on without Henry. As such a big fan of the books and the games it's truly such a shame to see what netflix has done. Couldn't be happier that they are cancelling family sharing as it will mean that I can finally cancel my subscription after 7 years of being a paying customer. Feel sorry for the writer of the books to see his work of art turned into mediocrity. Especially after he said that Henry was Gerelt in his eyes. Actors trying their best to work with poor writers and show runners is truly a shame.

no spoil- most boring episode in entire netflix

[atoulou · 1/10 · 28 July 2023]

Seriously the ads between the show were the most interesting part. I can't believe they create such a boring useless episode. This is crazy how boring a show can be. Ciri was fine.. But the plot the dialogs everything was garbage. Total garbage. Don't waste your time to watch this thing. But if you do.. For your own sanity start using forward button.

OK what I liked though. The episode came to the end at some point. I couldn't believe it but it's true. Magic happens sometime. I hope the last episode is not as crapy as this one.

Summary of review. Boring as hell. Boring is not even close to describe you how boring this thing is.

A tiring episode

[CowieFA · 4/10 · 28 July 2023]

Do the show runners believe their audience to be stupid?

It drives me mad the amount of arbitrary dialogue in TV shows. 'Show, don't tell' should be standard in storytelling with such an enormous budget. Almost everything said by Ciri in this episode was both unrealistic and unessessary. You don't randomly and frequently state the obvious when you are alone, fighting thirst, hunger and heat exhaustion - Ciri looks at bones in the desert "clearly no food to be found here".. thanks for clarifying.

The pacing and rhythm of this season has been a mess. There is no suspense, no build up and release of tension. What was once an immersive watching experience has become a bore. Have they given up?

Poor acting, cheap editing,

That was painfully boring

[antipopestar · 28 July 2023]

Obviously that's the worst episode in this season otherwise not a bad season at all. The second half of the season started so well it would have been a worthy farewell to Cavill if they maintain the level of the 6 episodes throughout.

Of course, I won't miss the next season either, but I feel that this series will not get any better. It's a fact that its beauty is basically based on the visuals, but so far we've also been given content, I experienced this season as a bit empty.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the next season, but I would be happy if we got a little longer episodes, just like the last season of Stranger Things, because a season is terribly short.

Boring

[blamina · 6/10 · 1 August 2023]

Even if it's like this in the books, it's still boring. The episode is not boring because of the lack of action. It's too long and Ciri talking with herself all the time, and stating the obvious, is unnatural. They probably write it like this, because they think, their audience is stupid. It's not enough to show that Ciri is running in a circle, she has to say it, because otherwise we wouldn't notice. Netflix, we're not stupid. When there are skeletons lying around, I wouldn't say: "here's no food". I'd think there must be something around, that has killed the animals or people. So there might be food, but the food could think, that I was the food.

The unicorn was very obviously a male unicorn. I never thought about the gender of unicorns before. But it makes sense, considering they are drawn to virgins.

Can't score with an open goal.

[W011y4m5 · 5/10 · 29 July 2023]

The story being told here is not actually a bad one at all & I feel as though it's really important to stress this point in particular; "The Witcher" has an engaging narrative but nonetheless, is failing because the way in which it's telling the story is bad. Be very clear when making that distinction.

For instance, here is a really great divergence from the main plot (slowing the pace down, allowing for more focus on the ramifications of what's previously unfolded) in order to follow Ciri's character on a deeply personal, emotional journey - now she's alone & without others to rely on for guidance... The execution is just sadly so shoddy & ham fisted, what potential there may be for this to be brilliant (& be in no doubt, there's plenty) is therefore left unrealised.

TimeofContempt

[xslucham · 8/10 · 27 July 2023]

This is probably the most book-accurate (Time of Contempt, chapter 6) episode we get so far. Im kinda surprised with the lower rating and the rant. It almost goes like in books:

Ciri searches for water in Korath desert, Ihuarraquax (unicorn) arrives and helps Ciri find water, Ihuarraquax is poisoned by sand pincer creature, Ciri draws fire energy to heal Ihuarraquax, fire energy overwhelms Ciri, Ciri renounces chaos/conjuring powers to break free, Ihuarraquax leaves with unicorns, Trappers capture Ciri. The end.

Looks familiar, right? In netflix series they added few flashbacks and few monster encounters so ADHD-game viewers can be happy.

They didn't "Rob us of Cavill" in this episode, as someone wrote before me. Its actually a problem with you. Big witcher fans who do not know the source material. You guys are a pure joke.

This episode was 90% from the books, still people hated it...why?

[eclyptix · 7/10 · 31 July 2023]

Everyone mad at this show "jumping the shark" must have read a different book than I did. The lowest rated episode this season also happens to be pretty much all derived from the books outside a few tweaks. I get people are upset Henry is leaving but the chief complaint is supposed to be the show isn't loyal to the source material...well I've read the books twice, I've played the games, this isn't disloyal at all. You don't like Radovid's arc? Or was it a visualization of Ciri's struggles with het powers and destiny that offended you guys? Like I said, 90% of this episode was in the books, same with the previous episode. I'm convinced at this point its not even about accuracy, its deference to Henry Cavill. They could be verbatim from the books next season and it'll still get review bombed by people who don't actually even watch the show.

criShockingly bad in every respect

[er_ouz · 1/10 · 6 August 2023]

Rarely have I seen a major show accomplish such a colossaly bad episode in every respect; atrocious writing, ludicrous over-acting and mornic directing. In a sense it is a true masterpiece, of the bad.

In the episode Ciri is lost in the desert, where she ceaselessly talks to herself , and later on to visions and a unicorn. The monologues and dialogues are utter rubbish, unnatural and over acted. It is cringe inducing. Only slightly better than the ridiculous dialogue, are the long stretches of boredom as Ciri walks in the desert for about 30 minutes of screen time with little happening.

Finally a completly moronic fight scene where she manages to kill an elephant sized monster by hanging on it's shell for a couple of seconds, which causes a huge chunk of shell to just tear off (what?), which she the uses to promply kill the monster. But the monster did manahe to severely injure her unicorn- so Ciri tends to it's severe injury by... placing a tiny piece of gauze on it. Problem solved.

Did no one in the production have eyes, ears or a brain? Astonishing.

Utter drivel...

[phil-903-833557 · 1/10 · 28 July 2023]

Might as well rename the show The Ciri instead of The Witcher. These writers need taking back to cable TV daytime shows.

How can you take such a rich environment of abundant storytelling and make something so boring? Completely lost the plot now that they've struck it on their own. Most disappointing TV since the last few episodes of GoT.

First two seasons were great. No wonder Henry jumped ship after this trite. So so disappointing. Sapkowski would be appalled.

Episode spent almost entirely in a bland desert environment which serves as a good basis for the bland story and dull dialogue that ensues. By the end I wasn't sure if I wanted Ciri to perish or me for continuing to watch this rubbish.

Netflix... when you have winning formula? Stick to it. Don't change the narrative to suit your supposed equalitarian demographic.

Worst episode of the series on multiple fronts.

[triggclark-35213 · 1/10 · 1 August 2023]

The worst acting by Ciri so far, the worst monster fight, the worst CGI both in the monster fight (it looks fine in some shots and cheap and shoddy in others) and in the scene where Ciri is engulfed in flames, it looks like bad video game CGI made by an amateur. I don't care how "book accurate" this is, its garbage. I would also say some of the worst pacing in the show but there are probably other episodes that are even worse. Really disappointing but at least the show will just die now, this like many other season 2 and 3 episodes simply don't respect what they have and continue to force the story into a direction that fans don't want. I probably won't even finish the season now because I already know there is no fixing the damage and no real point to continue watching The Witcher without, the Witcher.

Filler episode?

[ajerrett-91584 · 2/10 · 30 July 2023]

Nearly 20 minutes in the red sand with nothing happening. If you've got it paused and are rushing around tidying up before you start the show, just press play and carry on tidying!

I don't mean to be on the bad season bandwagon but this episode in particular offered nothing other than questions that have no answers.

It eventually had some script and interaction but it didn't offer much or make sense. It eventually turned to a recap of what we've experienced so far in a horror/dramatic way.

We would recommend having subtitles on to see what is being said as the audio is an echo with some loud cackling overlapping.

To us at home it came across very boring. When we re watch this show (as overall it had been enjoyable) this is the episode you can make food during without pausing.

I had to make an account to review this

[guywarwickevans · 1/10 · 5 August 2023]

I had to make an account just to review this episode. The entire season is honestly mediocre at best but this episode might be the worst episode I have ever seen of a hit show, ever.

We all experienced the tragedy that was the final season of Game of Thrones. That was particularly bad because of the character/storyline deaths that it showcased, however, at least it was still entertaining on the most basic of levels.

This episode wasn't, this episode was boring. I found myself skipping through it then forcing myself to go back and try watch it and honestly I feel that I lost a piece of myself doing it.

RIP Witcher.

Boring nonsense

[sophsky · 1/10 · 13 August 2023]

In an already truly dull series riddled with poor writing, this episode was a standout. It is SO boring I struggled to watch to the end, 1 hour of pure tedium with very little plot advancement or really anything at all, and full of exposition with Ciri transparently saying her thoughts allowed for our benefit. But worst, the actual writing, as for the rest of this series is just pure trash. It doesn't make sense within the rest of the Witcher universe and just feels so pointless that I struggle to care about anything that is happening. Every plot device is just a convenience inserted by the writers to achieve a random a they've decided on without it fitting together.

In the interests of balance...

[guyhepworth-649-7156 · 7/10 · 18 August 2023]

Most people's review here is poor because this episode takes time for introspection and Ciri's journey of self discovery, instead of "Blam" "slash"! "POW"! Personally I think many people have the attention span of kittens these days, and if asked to spend a little time actually thinking about something, have a tantrum. I liked it: It's thoughtfully done, beautifully shot, (as always), and I feel it is a piece of the story that is valuable to learn. Maybe there's is a little padding, maybe it's not all action, (there is some though), but if the whole series was all one level then that would be dull.

This is where the books pick up pace

[Spiritus33 · 9/10 · 28 July 2023]

This one, as someone written before me, is actually pretty accurate and good.

For me this is where the books pick up pace and start developing the true story. I loved the whole desert story in the books and after the bad reviews I was afraid they didn't catch it well. But they actually did. This is a defining happening for Ciri, as she grows in the desert from a young, doubtful girl into a strong self conscious woman. I'm glad they took the time to tell this one wright.

Everyone thinks the story is about Geralt but actually Ciri is the main character, but the books are mostly told true Geralt. But here is where he is less and less frequent.

As I said here is where the story in the books pick up the pace. As if Andrzej Sapkowski was telling loose fragments with Geralt and only here found a way the mold the story into a truly briljant tale, with Ciri in the center. Don't be shocked that Geralt will not be the centre and character perspectives change all the time.

I didn't like the beginning of season 3 but after episode 4 they seem to get things straight and follow the books more accurate. Ciri is amazing in this episode, and she will be even more so. I found myself being more and more captured with the books after the desert sequence and I'm glad they aced this one.

Hope the series now keeps up this momentum en continues to tell the story in all it's greatness.

closest part yet to the books

[themadcamel · 7/10 · 6 August 2023]

Funny how everyone complains that the story veers so far from the original material, and at the same time rates poorly the very episode closest to the source material.

I liked this one, it has an almost Stephen King element to it.

This is the main character development for Ciri in the original story's. It stands out as unique, It is unfortunate people no longer appreciate this kind of curveball storytelling. People just see it as wasting their time. They want cookie-cutter stories that get straight to the point.

Lost in the desert, tripping, surviving, hallucinating it's all a little cliche (or perhaps started it?) it's fun it's dark its twisted, and shot very well. The acting is great.

What's not to like?

Deserts don't echo

[ohhjones · 3/10 · 16 August 2023]

I agree Out of the Fire, into the frying pan. This is exactly how bad this series is going. Quite frankly this episode and season is garbage. I completely understand why Cavill is quitting and to be honest I bet he's embarrassed to star in it (his performance however, is stellar). You're better off going into your garden in the pouring rain and praying to some deity for money. I think all I need to say is, deserts don't echo and guess what, this is one of the first scenes; Siri in a desert shouting and there's an echo. I wonder how long the Russia and Ukraine conflict will go on! The Diesel prices seem to be increasing again, will they ever go down? I found a large spider in the toilet today, I wander where it came from.

A promising premise leads to a brutal failure

[robthackery · 2/10 · 6 August 2023]

Overall I'm a big fan of the Witcher as a whole. Whenever Geralt Yenifer and Ciri are together the show sings (see season 1/2). The show especially works well when it follows the monster of the week mold where it organically explores "the big questions" (see season 2 ep 1). I felt like this episode had a chance to do that but missed the mark. The idea of a solo episode to show case the actress who plays ciri is a good one, and it starts out well enough, showing us through action what is happening rather than explaining it through dialogue. Then, for some unknown reason, the writer (or show runner) decides to throw us some of the most "attack of the clones" dialogue I've heard in a long time and absolutely shredding any hope this episode had. The "sorceress" appears to Ciri and essentially just straight throws themes at the viewer. There is very little to earn this. For a good period of time the show turns into a teen drama on the CW complete with incredibly cringy moments as the actors struggle through the terrible dialogue topped off with lazy production and effects. The production goes out the window as well as we see CGI effects that will make you feel like it is 2003 again in the worst way (when studios forgot that practical effects mixed with CGI is actually the best way to create TV.) This season as a whole has been very hit or miss for me. I feel like the main cast have been pulling most of the weight; the show takes a massive dip when it chooses to lean on secondary characters or the writers trying to overly explain the world to us viewers. This episode encapsulates all of that. Ciri gives her all as terrible writing, poor acting from secondary characters, and shockingly poor special effects threaten to grind this show into the ground for good.

A girl walks around in the desert, or is it Paul?

[Naje87 · 1/10 · 4 August 2023]

The penultimate episode of The Witcher's third season, "Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan," disappointingly veered into tedious territory. For a significant portion of the 50-minute runtime, we merely watched Ciri wander a desert, interacting with a myriad of bizarre creatures. The episode's narrative felt eerily reminiscent of a lackluster rendition of "Dune," with Ciri's journey into self-discovery and her unique genetic inheritance echoing the "Chosen One" trope. The parallel was made even more apparent when she encountered figures from her ancestral lineage, mirroring Dune's own 'abominations.' An unexpected appearance of a sandworm solidified the resemblance. While the series has been captivating overall, this episode felt more like a lost opportunity, leaving viewers distracted rather than engaged.

Stumbles with Lengthy Desert Scenes and Diminished Role for Cavill

[nikolas-kelaiditis · 3/10 · 28 August 2023]

This episode of The Witcher had its moments but ultimately fell flat for me, mainly due to the lengthy desert sequences. While the show usually excels at balancing action, drama, and world-building, this episode (and most of season 3, unfortunately) seemed to stagnate with extended scenes that didn't add much to the storyline or character development. The visuals were as impressive as ever, but they couldn't make up for the slow pacing. In addition, Henry Cavill has become more of a supporting character, which is a shame. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity in a series that used to keep me engaged from start to finish.