Netflix’s smash hit The Witcher series may not have received unanimous praise (what does?) from audiences and critics, but there’s no denying the show’s popularity.
Since its release on the streaming service last month, in fact, fans of fantasy fiction have caught the Witcher fever, a serious ailment that causes viewers to seek out as much content as possible starring none other than Geralt of Rivia himself. From CD Projekt RED’s acclaimed The Witcher 3 to Andrzej Sapkowski’s (now Amazon’s top-rated author, by the way) original books, fans simply can’t get enough of the titular monster hunter and his equally magnetic friends.
One reviewer, however, has taken umbrage with the show’s portrayal of women or, more specifically, how it ‘inaccurately’ depicts them brandishing swords and heading into medieval battle. In a recent episode of his podcast, Daily Wire’s Andrew Klavan stated that “zero women can fight with a sword,” in reference to The Witcher. Wholly unsurprisingly, Klavan’s comments have been met with overwhelming negativity from fans, many of which have gone out of their way to mention to him that that’s factually incorrect.
Dear Mr. Klavan and @The_DailyWire , we invite you to our school to test your your mettle against our female students who are eager to put your claims to the test. Let us know and we can set up the challenge! https://t.co/fsFK1YB1bX
— swordclassNYC (@swordclassNYC) January 4, 2020
The Scythians and hundreds of other historical tribes want a word with @andrewklavan 's ignorant ass.
Imagine touting yourself as an 'author' who is incapable of historical research? https://t.co/kSmgxlNb5F— The Heir Of Juju Chewbacca (@jujuchewbacca) January 6, 2020
“The Witcher did not perfectly match the tropes that sprung from a sexist, modern culture with little to no understanding of how Medieval era, European combat actually worked”
– Daily Wire, stalwart guardians of western culture
— Joe Szwaba (@JoeSzwaba) January 5, 2020
Klavan, on the other hand, has refused to back down, appearing to actively provoke his newfound critics into further responding. Advertising the latest episode of his show, Klavan says: “Today’s show, in which I discuss Iran and Hollywood and remind listeners that, no matter how angry people get on Twitter, women would still be killed instantly in a medieval sword fight!”
Today's show, in which I discuss Iran and Hollywood and remind listeners that, no matter how angry people get on Twitter, women would still be killed instantly in a medieval sword fight! https://t.co/3g3ZUka88j
— Andrew Klavan (@andrewklavan) January 7, 2020
A contentious issue, then, and we imagine you’ll have your own thoughts to share on the topic. So tell us, is Klavan being deliberately antagonistic to fans of The Witcher, or are his comments simply being blown way out of proportion? Let us know what you think in the usual place below!
Published: Jan 9, 2020 09:54 am