Summary
Geralt's potion in Netflix's The Witcher is most similar to the Blizzard potion from the games, enhancing his reflexes and reaction time during fights.
When Geralt consumes a potion in the show, his pupils dilate significantly. The portrayal of this dilation is not a Blizzard effect, but rather illustrates the potion taking effect. However, it deviates from the actual use of the Cat potion in the games. In the Netflix series, the depiction of potions is simplified, combining aspects of Blizzard and Cat to generate visual and functional effects during combat sequences. The series does not delve into the details of potion creation or explain how they differ from the games and books.
In Netflix's The Witcher series, Geralt is frequently portrayed consuming a potion before his battles. However, the exact nature of the potion remains ambiguous. Geralt, along with other Witchers, possesses extraordinary enhancements and limited magical abilities, but the show does not delve into their explanations in great detail. Consequently, additional insights into the content of Geralt's potions primarily stem from other Witcher sources, such as books and video games. The original Witcher novel series by Andrzej Sapkowski, originating in the 90s, has since been adapted into numerous standalone and spinoff video games by CD Projekt over the past decade or so.
Although it is not necessary to have read the books or played the games to comprehend Netflix's The Witcher series, having this background knowledge can provide a more comprehensive understanding of certain aspects of the show that may be less extensively explored. Details like Triss's hair transformation in The Witcher season 2 may appear arbitrary to some viewers, but they have underlying reasons derived from the games or books, which many dedicated fans are familiar with. Additionally, this context helps unveil the answer to what Geralt drinks, which deviates slightly from the source material.
What Exactly Is Geralt's Potion
In the Witcher Netflix series, Geralt frequently consumes a potion prior to battling the various monsters he encounters. This potion causes his eyes to turn black and grants him heightened combat skills until its effects wear off, typically coinciding with the conclusion of the fight. This closely aligns with the game's potion called Blizzard. Unlike many other potions in the game, Blizzard only lasts for 20 minutes and enhances reflexes and reaction time, making it easier for Geralt to evade and counter enemy attacks, just like he experiences in the show.
However, it is important to note that the significant dilation of Geralt's pupils after consuming a potion in The Witcher series is not a result of the Blizzard potion. Instead, it is a characteristic of another short-term potion called Cat. In the Netflix adaptation, this visual effect is likely included as a means to depict the potion's influence, despite it not being directly related to Cat's actual function in the game. In the series, the potions primarily serve as indicators of Geralt's preparation for intense battles and as symbols of his mutagenic and pseudo-magical abilities. Given the wide range of content that the Netflix series aims to cover, this simplification may be the most effective approach.
How The Witcher Potion Differs In TV, Games, & Books
Potions play a significant role in the games, allowing players to create various elixirs with different powers for use in battles and other situations. However, the Witcher series on Netflix does not provide detailed information about these effects or specifically identify the potion that Geralt often drinks. Based on his appearance and abilities after consuming the potion, it can be inferred that Geralt drinks a modified version of the Blizzard potion, which enhances his reflexes, reaction time, and slows down time for him. In season 2, the potions used by Geralt and other new Witchers resemble a combination of Blizzard and some effects of Cat. The show, however, does not prioritize presenting an accurate portrayal of how potions are made, differentiated, and used in the games. The Cat potion, which grants vision in darkness, is not directly related to what Geralt consumes in the series, apart from the similar effect of the eyes turning black. Instead, the Netflix series combines elements from both potions to create visual and practical effects in fight scenes.