The streaming war between Netflix and Disney+ ramped up to an all-time high in the close of 2019 with two well-beloved shows, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:The Witcher and The Mandalorian, respectively. Where one was bloody and extremely violent, the other utilized mor༒e heartfelt moments and a cute little plush puppet to steal our hearts. Bo⛎th shows follow compelling characters who are faced with existential questions on the nature of their being in their own society.
In the end, which one truly prevailed: the brooding🐲 monster hunter or the helmeted bounty hunter?
A Mirrored Space Adventure
Though the two shows may differ in some capacities, one being a Star Wars spi🅺noff dedicated to planet-hopping, the other being an adaption of Andrzej Sapkowski's dark fantasy series, the two still share a variety of subtle similarities. For one, both main characters are in some way dedicated to their principals, have dark pasts, and eventually must set aside their needs in order protect the life of an innocent. Their essential stories converge in this very instance, where the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, and the Mandalorian, Din Djarin, must become pseudo-father figures in two varied univers𒁃es that are filled with their own forms of chaos and evil.
Though the Witcher doesn't cross paths with Cirilla until the very close of the series, the overarching premise of him coming to grips with his destiny is the driving force of the show. In The Mandalorian, Mando must discover and pave his own path by accepting a once-in-a-lifetime bounty. Who truly is this man that hides behind his armor and helmet at all times? While dedicated Star Wars fanatics may already understand the , a warrior race solely dedicated to their cause and their people, average viewers certainly don't. In cﷺomes Baby Yo♛da to sway not only the audience's perception of the main character but also the main character's own perception of himself.
No Turning Back From The Law of Surprise
Despite the internet sensation that The Child has become on The Mandalorian, Baby Yoda's extreme cuteness still didn't affect in the slightest. In the end, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:The Witcher had more views than its Disney+ counterpart, yet that doesn't mean that it was better per se. Much like Game of Thrones before it (a sad yet common analogy that will only continue to be made), The Witcher utilized R-rated content, some might even say better than Thrones, whereas The Mandalorian is for nearly all audiences. Given that the show was intended for viewers over the age of 18, The Witcher automatically can showcase complicated themes and dialogue choices, while The Mandalorian must stay as easy-to-follow as can be, given its Star Wars stamp of approval.
Even so, The Mandalorian still did its best in showcasing Mando's character development, what with his loathing towards droids coming full circle in the end and his acceptance of a new, more fluid cause in relocating Baby Yoda to his homeworld. The Witcher, on the other hand, realizes that he must fall in line with destiny before its too late. By interweaving timelines, expressing a multitude of complex themes, and displaying an incredible amount of choreography, The Witcher is automatically far grittier than its counterpart, yet somehow were less than positive. The Mandalorian, on the other hand, soared to greatness with an easy 95% fresh on and an audience score only one tick higher than The Witcher at 93%.
So, who wins?
The Toss of a Coin: A Difficult Verdict
It's a difficult choice to make, given my adoration for both franchises. Not only have I read all of The Witcher books, but I've played Witcher 3 to the bone. In today's day and age practically everyone considers themselves a Star Wars fan, but I myself have read the original , a few Vader comics, the Darth Plagueis Legends novel, and the Han Solo Adventures. I even own a collection of LEGO Star Wars spaceships. There's absolutely no bias, I love both as much as the next fan. I just find, at the end of all the squabbling, The Witcher to be far better than The Mandalorian and here's why: stakes.
What The Mandalorian lacks, The Witcher uses to its extreme advantage. At practically every turn in Netflix's The Witcher, Geralt is gripped by a struggle of some kind in some capacity, whether it be in mind or in actual physical calamity. Viewers witness theඣ monster hunter stave off death nearly three different times throughout the show; when facing off against the Striga, in wrestling with his last wish with the djinn, and after being slashed by a Ghoul at the end of the series. The Mandalorian, on the other hand, never seems to be in any real danger꧅, other than when the bounty hunter clan confronts him and the Empire remnants demand him to surrender in the climax of the show, both conflicts of which are overcome with relative ease.
That isn't to knock the show, though. I want to make it perfectly clear that both are extremely well-made and significant in their own right. The sci-fi western samurai core of The Mandalorian stays true to the source material, yet Mando is never faced with a near-death dilemma like Geralt is at every turn. This is what makes The Witcher so compelling, despite it being so underrated by critics. With both series returning for a second season, as well as the final entry of the Clone Wars slated for a February release and even a 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Witcher Netflix animated show in the works, there's much and more to get excited for ཧin the future of both franchises.
Now go toss a coin to your Witcher. I💦 have spoken.