3x02 Unbound

(722-word review) It's been almost 20 minutes since I finished watching this episode as I'm typing this. And yet I barely remember anything: how it began, the scenes that followed, and the plotlines of those scenes – that's how I "organize" and lay out what I've watched in my head. Everything seems disorganized, and that can be a very effective offense.

The structuring seems so clumsy, which you could attribute to the potential desire of the writers to speed things along, getting straight to the point instead of dilly-dallying, as done in the second season, but having the right idea isn't enough; the execution is even more critical.

The world-building comes across as amateur-like, and the set design worsens that feeling because there are too many similarities to what we're seeing, too many partially obscured close-up shots to avoid the responsibility of having an environment outside of what you're only showing (you still need people who know how to use your "More is always better" budgets efficiently, Netflix – please figure that out soon) and nowhere near enough individual identities, creativity, and distinction to each environmental space.

Not to mention the scope of the world is also lacking, with expository dialogue, of where characters are/what part of the world they're in at a particular moment, being the central identifier instead of a supporting element to things like proper production/set design, proper directing, and the establishment and arrangement of various components to what's going on around and in the background of scenes.

And the "My ugly one" pet name felt unearned without the necessary foundation for it to, perhaps, work, not to mention it didn't land. It may have been the same in the novels regarding the landing because of the English translation and language barrier – however, I imagine it was still easier to "get it" the way it's intended because it's all words on a page, on top of all the likely well-written and strongly present developmental groundwork of the characters and their relationship with each other, whereas, with live-action content, it's harder to have that connection, especially if it feels to be there for no other reason but to attempt goading book readers back blatantly, as it came across unsubstantiated – amplified further if the overall writing is mediocre.

The only things that stand out at the moment before I rewatch it two more times (as is my routine with TV show episodes and films) are the conversation between Yennifer and Ciri as they walked their horses (for a particular reason regarding something Yennifer said, which I surprisingly haven't seen anyone bring up, but I'll refrain from specifying – if you know, you know), and Geralt's fight sequence.

Everything else was a bunch of plot point insertions for more to come – Fringilla's return, Nissa's disappearance (unless she's fake Ciri, which seems likely; either way, there's probably more development coming with that), Cahir's return/relationship with Gallatin, the budding Jaskier/Radovid subplot that's already so enthralling, not at all dull, and fake Ciri/whatever her purpose was regarding her captor.

And the in-between scenes – Emhyr's uncaptivating (but likely intended to be captivating) speech, devoid of a particular charisma and presence that a character like him should possess (but hey, there's time for that; why have that be the case from the beginning, right...?), Codringher and Fenn's return and subsequent comedic disposal (it WAS meant to be comedic?), the return of Triss, Tissaia, Sabrina, and Vilgefortz, within Aretuza, showing more of the Brotherhood's riveting bickering, some tasteful BDSM with Dijkstra and Philippa (I can't wait for Christian Grey's cameo) that the entire family can enjoy if they can manage to see what's happening through the blurry cinematography, undoubtedly due to Dijkstra's fluids spattered and spattering all over the camera, some lovey-dovey, lying-on-a-bed-together, obligatory-smooch-or-two Tilgefortz/Vissaia content (yum!).

All of which, not solely but especially the gripping BDSM scene, is wrapped in poor, frequently blurry cinematography that Netflix content does so competently, which should be done incompetently despite their best efforts, for the sake of a better product, cinematography-wise. But that's never going to happen, as they're continuing to take on shows and films like that – it's like their unique signature at this point; it's part of them now.

What is there not to love? I love this show! More specifically, I love this season so much already!