rhinohelix
Dental Dammer
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This guy does an excellent review of S2E1 and provides solid reasoning for why they made some of the changes they do
In addition to having to spend screentime with stupid Yen and Trissiana, in the book Nivellen admits right away he agrees with the bandits to lose his virginity by raping the priestess; Geralt still treats Nivellen kindly afterwards in the books. In the show, they save that reveal until the end of the episode because its an unforgiveable act in 2021, it explains the comments by Geralt that Nivellen can now kill himself.
Also in the book, Nivellen doesn't know she's a vampire; he thinks she's a nymph (I don't recall but something not violent, a nature spirit) and he's doing the killings. Geralt identifies she's a type of vampire but doesn't even realize she's a bruxa until its almost too late, and that underestimation almost costs him his life; he would have lost the fight if not for Nivellen saving his life by staking Vireena with the pole.
In the show, Nivellen knew she was a vampire the whole time and was hiding her from Geralt. Everything happens the same way but it makes Nivellen a dishonest liar rather than a tragic victim. Vireena really did love him in both cases. She's not presented nearly as sympathetic in the book but much more opportunistic; she hardly speaks expect for a couple of words with Nivellen in the final scene. In the show, she's almost an feminist anti-hero: "Just leave us alone!" says the murderous slaughter machine, "People are the real monsters!" The people running these shows, I swear.
Also in the book, Nivellen doesn't know she's a vampire; he thinks she's a nymph (I don't recall but something not violent, a nature spirit) and he's doing the killings. Geralt identifies she's a type of vampire but doesn't even realize she's a bruxa until its almost too late, and that underestimation almost costs him his life; he would have lost the fight if not for Nivellen saving his life by staking Vireena with the pole.
In the show, Nivellen knew she was a vampire the whole time and was hiding her from Geralt. Everything happens the same way but it makes Nivellen a dishonest liar rather than a tragic victim. Vireena really did love him in both cases. She's not presented nearly as sympathetic in the book but much more opportunistic; she hardly speaks expect for a couple of words with Nivellen in the final scene. In the show, she's almost an feminist anti-hero: "Just leave us alone!" says the murderous slaughter machine, "People are the real monsters!" The people running these shows, I swear.
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