Heading into The Witcher season 3, it can be challenging to keep track of all the characters and plotlines in the expansive world of Netflix's The Witcher. The franchise includes two seasons of the main show, an animated film titled Nightmare of the Wolf, and a spinoff series called Blood Origin. In the upcoming season, which will adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Time of Contempt novel, Ciri's role in Gerald and Yennefer's stories will become more crucial than ever before.
While the first season of The Witcher played with timelines, the second season presented a linear narrative focused on Geralt accepting Ciri as his destiny. Protecting her has now become Geralt's primary mission, and the relationship between the White Wolf and the Princess of Cintra serves as the story's emotional core. Additionally, Yennefer's journey is closely intertwined with Ciri's, following the events of the second season. As we prepare for The Witcher season 3, here are the key points to remember.
12 Yennefer Got Her Powers Back
11 Ciri Brought Geralt And Yennefer Together
Yennefer's magical abilities were lost at the start of The Witcher season 2 subsequent to the Battle of Sodden. This was a result of her utilization of forbidden fire magic, leading to her being powerless for the majority of the second season. Yennefer's storyline in The Witcher season 2 diverged significantly from the events depicted in The Witcher novels, wherein she never loses her magical powers. In an attempt to regain her abilities, Yennefer found herself briefly aligned with Voleth Meir. However, a newfound realization dawned upon her that safeguarding Ciri held greater importance than her own magical capabilities. Ultimately, after nearly sacrificing herself to protect Ciri from Voleth Meir, Yennefer managed to reclaim her powers.
"Destiny alone isn't enough, there's something more," Geralt told Yennefer following the climactic battle in the second season of The Witcher. Feeling betrayed, Geralt discovered that Yennefer had come close to handing Ciri over to Voleth Meir in exchange for regaining her powers. Yennefer argued that Voleth Meir possessed the ability to delve into one's deepest wounds, but Geralt was not ready to forgive her. Even though Yennefer ultimately sacrificed herself to save Ciri, Geralt's anger at her actions persisted. Nevertheless, The Witcher season 2 unveils Geralt's willingness to mend his relationship with Yennefer for the sake of Ciri.
10 Ciri’s Powers Can Activate The Monoliths
Geralt believes that Ciri is the missing piece in his relationship with Yennefer, a vital component that is needed to complete their story. He feels a strong sense of responsibility to protect Ciri from the various threats that lurk around her. On the other hand, Yennefer seeks to guide Ciri in harnessing her extraordinary powers. The second season of The Witcher concludes with Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri united, forming a bond that resembles that of a family. This marks a significant turning point in the series as, for the first time, the show's three central characters are united and seemingly devoid of any hidden agendas or secrets.
Ciri's extraordinary abilities hold the utmost significance in The Witcher's expansive universe. Season 2 of The Witcher unveiled the revelation that Ciri is an integral part of a climactic prophecy, foretelling the imminent apocalypse and the dawning of a fresh era, overseen by a figure referred to as "Hen Ichaer." In essence, Ciri is the epitome of Hen Ichaer, or Elder Blood, embodying a lineage of immensely powerful mutants hailing from the realm of Elves. It is this lineage that imbues Ciri with unstoppable might. By harnessing her formidable powers, Ciri can engage the Monoliths, structures which, as Geralt deduces, act as portals to alternate realms. Consequently, it is Ciri herself who acts as the vital conduit, bridging diverse worlds together.
9 The Witcher Season 2’s Finale Introduced The Wild Hunt
Take Voleth Meir, for instance, who had remained trapped in the Continent ever since the Conjunction of the Spheres, a cataclysmic event that merged various realms. It was precisely Voleth Meir's fascination with Ciri that stemmed from her ability to restore her to her true home. Moreover, Ciri, under the influence of Voleth Meir, astonishingly possessed the power to summon creatures from distant worlds into the Continent. Revealed in The Witcher season 2, Ciri also demonstrates the remarkable capability to transport items from her own realm into an entirely different sphere.
In The Witcher season 2, viewers were introduced to the enigmatic Wild Hunt, a spectral group of horsemen that exist in an alternate realm. While their presence in The Witcher books is minimal, The Wild Hunt takes center stage in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game. However, Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher has primarily drawn inspiration from the books rather than the games. Nevertheless, the season 2 finale strongly hinted that the Wild Hunt will have a significant role to play in The Witcher season 3. It was only after Ciri transported Voleth Meir to the demon's home world that the existence of the Wild Hunt was unveiled.
8 The Wild Hunt Wants Ciri
The Wild Hunt has a strong desire to capture Ciri because of her extraordinary powers, which sets the stage for the third season of The Witcher. Numerous individuals and factions, ranging from kings to otherworldly horsemen, are in pursuit of Ciri. Understanding the workings of the Wild Hunt in Netflix's The Witcher canon is quite challenging, particularly due to the variations between the Wild Hunt portrayed in The Witcher 3 and the original novels. However, it can be inferred that the Wild Hunt is intent on acquiring Ciri so that they can simultaneously invade the Continent and manifest in physical forms, rather than merely existing as ethereal entities. Given Ciri's abilities, she has the potential to transport Voleth Meir out of the Continent, and conversely, she may be capable of bringing them there as well.
7 The Northern Kingdoms Want Ciri Dead (Except For One)
After Tissaia enlightens the Northern Kingdoms about Ciri's significance and identity, they hatch a plan to eliminate her. Ciri, the heir of Elder Blood and Princess of Cintra, poses a grave threat to all the Northern Kingdoms due to her unpredictable loyalties. There is one exception, though: Redania, unlike the others, desires to capture Ciri for political purposes, intensifying the complexity of the situation. Consequently, the remaining Northern realms opt to assassinate Ciri, preventing King Visimir II from accessing the Princess of Cintra and potentially exploiting her. A substantial reward has now been placed on Ciri's head.
6 The Elves Want Revenge Against Humans
Elves and humans have had a strained relationship since the Conjunction of the Spheres. However, things have become even more complicated after the tragic murder of Filavandrel and Francesca's baby. This child was the first pure Elf to be born in thousands of years, intensifying the pain and anger felt by the Elf community. While Francesca insists that she seeks justice rather than revenge, the Elves are prepared to retaliate. In the second season of The Witcher, Francesca demonstrates her magical abilities by taking the lives of several human infants in Redania, which is likely just the beginning of her quest for vengeance.
5 The Elves Want Ciri (Because She’s Of Elder Blood)
In addition to seeking revenge, the Elves in The Witcher have also joined the various factions in pursuit of Ciri. Istredd, who has dedicated his studies to the Conjunction of the Spheres since the first season of The Witcher, disclosed to Francesca that Ciri is Hen Ichaer. The Elves are well aware of the prophecy and Francesca now believes that the Elder Blood flowing through Cirila of Cintra holds the key to their vengeance. If the Elves could harness Ciri's extraordinary powers, they might have the ability to vanquish humans and reclaim their world.
4 Fringilla & Cahir Were Captured By Emhyr
3 Emhyr The White Flame Is Ciri’s Father
Fringilla and Cahir formed a formidable alliance in season 2 of The Witcher. Despite their friendship, Fringilla had no involvement in the tragic death of Francesca's child. However, swayed by Cahir's persuasion, Fringilla agreed to shoulder the blame for the elf baby's demise, hoping to win the favor of Emhyr and demonstrate their loyalty to the White Flame. Little did they know, it was Emhyr himself who orchestrated the killing of the innocent elf. Viewing Fringilla and Cahir's deception as a betrayal, Emhyr had them apprehended in front of the Nilfgaardian court.
In a surprising twist, the ending of The Witcher season 2 reveals that Emhyr var Emreis, also known as the White Flame, is actually Ciri's father. In season 1, viewers were introduced to Ciri's parents when the curse on Duny was lifted and his marriage to Pavetta was announced. It was believed that both of Ciri's parents had perished at sea. However, season 2 unveils the truth that Ciri's father has been alive all this time, and he is none other than Emhyr, the powerful leader of Nilfgaard. This revelation explains why Nilfgaard had an early knowledge of Ciri's significance, even before other factions on the Continent.
2 The White Flame Is Looking For Ciri
1 Blood Origin Explored The Elder Blood & The Wild Hunt
Not only is Emhyr Ciri's father, but he is also in search of her, known as the White Flame. Interestingly, in The Witcher's timeline, the White Flame's pursuit of capturing Ciri started even before others began their own quests. The reasons behind Emhyr's desire for Ciri delve into one of the most controversial plotlines in The Witcher novels, leaving it uncertain whether Netflix's adaptation will touch upon it. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that Emhyr seeks Ciri's powers to reclaim his rule over the Continent and restore Nilfgaard to its former glory before the Usurper ousted Fergus var Emreis. As a result, Ciri will find herself entangled with the Wild Hunt, the Elves, the Northern Kingdoms, and Nilfgaard.
Netflix's The Witcher: Blood Origin, the inaugural live-action spinoff of The Witcher, primarily served as a prequel to the original series. Taking place prior to the Conjunction of the Spheres, Blood Origin delved into the origins of two significant components of The Witcher's narrative: the Elder Blood and the Wild Hunt. Notably, the lore surrounding these entities in Netflix's Blood Origin diverges from that found within the books, particularly in regards to the creation of the Elder Blood and the formation of the Wild Hunt. Additionally, Blood Origin explores the beginnings of Eredin, a key figure within the Wild Hunt's mythos.