The Witcher Season 3's Unforgettable Journey: 10 Epic Reasons It Surpasses Season 2

Netflix's The Witcher is currently in its third season, which, although an improvement over season 2, still possesses a few flaws that could potentially impact the future of the series. Following a divisive second season, along with the release of an animated prequel movie and a prequel miniseries, The Witcher universe returns to the main series with its third installment. The third season of The Witcher is divided into two parts and is treated as a significant event, not only due to the major events it covers but also because it marks Henry Cavill's final season portraying Geralt of Rivia.

In The Witcher season 3, Geralt, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Ciri are confronted with numerous groups across the Continent seeking to capture Ciri. They must employ all their efforts to hide and ensure their safety. However, their most imminent threat resides much closer to them than they anticipated, possessing even greater power. Reviews of The Witcher season 3 Part 1 have mostly been positive, though a few negative critiques highlight the season's major flaws. Surprisingly, the overall reception of season 3 has been worse than that of season 2 – and the reasons for this will be explored.

11 Geralt, Ciri, & Yennefer Are Finally Together (But Not For Long)

The Witcher season 2 faced controversy due to significant alterations to the source material, particularly the separation of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. It wasn't until the season's conclusion that the trio finally reunited and realized their strength as a dysfunctional yet united family. Critics and viewers responded positively to this development, allowing for the reconciliation of Geralt and Yennefer, with Ciri serving as a pivotal link.

Regrettably, this family reunion is short-lived. In The Witcher season 3 Part 1, the primary threat, Rience, prompts Geralt to leave his loved ones behind in pursuit of vengeance. The Thanedd Coup, which commences towards the end of the season, presents a bleak and heartbreaking future for Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. This raises concerns that future seasons may repeat the mistake of season 2, rendering the family moments of season 3 forgettable.

10 Geralt, Ciri, & Yennefer’s Individual Stories Are Also Good

Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer may not be together for long in The Witcher season 3, but their individual arcs are captivating and thrilling enough to compensate for their separation, to some extent. Ciri, now more mature, showcases not just her physical prowess gained from her training at Kaer Morhen, but also her mental resilience and emotional growth. She forms strong bonds with both her "parents" and fearlessly upholds her personal values when necessary. Yennefer, on the other hand, successfully reclaims her powers on various levels and continues to make amends with Ciri, Tissaia, Geralt, and the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. This demonstrates that she is not only a formidable sorceress, but also a skilled politician, strategist, and a compassionate woman.

Ciri's determination extends beyond battles, with Allan's growth as an action heroine being particularly commendable. She remains steadfast in upholding her morals, even when faced with dire consequences. The conflict between fate and will has always been central to The Witcher, but never more impactful than in the emotionally charged conversations between Ciri and Yennefer. Speaking of Yennefer, the season also delves into her own significant character arcs. As Chalotra's acting prowess shines through, her portrayal effortlessly combines vulnerability and fierceness.

While Geralt maintains his position as the most skilled monster hunter in the Continent, the inclusion of the aforementioned family dynamic reveals a softer and more protective side to him, previously unexplored in seasons 1 and 2. In addition to dealing with politics in season 3, Geralt consciously chooses neutrality, setting him apart in a narrative where others vehemently take sides.

9 The Witcher Season 3 Brings Ciri & Yennefer’s Daughter-Mother Dynamic

The controversial changes made to Yennefer in season 2 of The Witcher sparked heavy criticism, particularly for the missed opportunity of exploring the daughter-mother relationship between Ciri and Yennefer. However, season 3 rectifies this by allowing Ciri and Yennefer to develop their connection, which ultimately becomes one of the strengths of the show. Yennefer takes on the role of Ciri's mentor, helping her learn to control and harness her Chaos abilities. In addition to this, they form a personal bond that is so significant that Tissaia even remarks that Yennefer has finally achieved her long-desired goal of becoming a mother.

Yennefer not only discovers her role in guiding Ciri's powers but also imparts important lessons to someone who is evolving beyond being a mere mentee. Despite Yennefer being the authority figure, Ciri's fiery nature leads her to confront the sorceress head-on, resulting in a challenging yet necessary conversation that strengthens their bond. Chalotra and Allan convincingly portray the emotional depth required for these scenes, as Yennefer realizes that she can be a mother figure to someone, even if it differs from her original hopes and plans. Simultaneously, Ciri begins to see Yennefer as a dependable source of support, similar to her relationship with Geralt.

8 Geralt Now Has An Enemy

In the first two seasons of The Witcher, Geralt's adversaries were mainly the monsters he encountered while also protecting Ciri from potential dangers. However, in season 3, Geralt finally confronts a formidable enemy in Vilgefortz. It is revealed that Vilgefortz, a powerful mage and politician, supports Rience, a fire mage, who is also a threat to Geralt. This adds an intriguing dynamic, as Vilgefortz's influence extends beyond the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, posing a significant danger to various groups across the Continent. Consequently, Geralt finds himself facing a much larger threat than anticipated.

Geralt has now gained an adversary, the individual responsible for enlisting Reince to locate Ciri. It will be intriguing to witness how he directs his abilities towards this specific person or entity, particularly as he embarks on a solo mission to track them down.

7 The Witcher Continues Failing To Explore Its Characters’ Motivations

6 The Witcher Season 3 Has More Humor

Regrettably, Season 3 of The Witcher is repeating some of the show's major flaws, particularly its failure to delve into the characters' motivations. It is widely known that various factions seek to capture Ciri, yet the reasons and backgrounds behind these pursuits remain undisclosed. This poses a significant issue, particularly regarding one of the series' primary villains: the White Flame, who is Ciri's father. Both his intentions for finding his own daughter and Vilgefortz's true intentions are still a mystery, as Vilgefortz appears to lack complete loyalty towards the Emperor. Additionally, the motivations and backstory of the Wild Hunt, another menacing force, have yet to be explored. To make matters worse, this group continues to be marginalized.

The Witcher initially had a somber tone, but in season 3, there is a shift towards lighter moments and increased humor. This change is not solely reliant on Jaskier, the beloved character known for his comedic relief. Instead, the responsibility for bringing humor is now shared among Prince Radovid of Redania, who becomes Jaskier's love interest, and even King Vizimir of Redania himself, unintentionally adding comedic moments. The infusion of more humor adds a necessary balance to the overall tone of The Witcher, particularly in a season that tackles betrayals, alliances, grotesque experiments, and other dark themes.

5 Secondary Characters Are Given More Attention In The Witcher Season 3

In season 3 of The Witcher, the focus shifts from Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer to the secondary characters due to conflicts across the Continent and the pursuit of Ciri. This shift has divided critics, with some praising the increased involvement of these characters while others find them less interesting compared to the main trio. Notably, Dijkstra and Philippa play a larger role in manipulating King Vizimir and orchestrating the Thanedd Coup, Vilgefortz emerges as a prominent and dangerous adversary, and Cahir faces personal struggles that will shape his future journey.

Characters such as Dijkstra (portrayed by Graham McTavish) and Philippa Eilhart (portrayed by Cassie Clare) skillfully emerge from the shadows, employing their renowned expertise in manipulation to orchestrate events. In a notable twist, Vilgefortz (played by Mahesh Jadu) discards the façade of benevolence he has feigned until now. Additionally, Radovid (portrayed by Hugh Skinner) presents himself as a cunning player in the game, displaying a surprising sweetness compared to his counterpart in the books, thus establishing the groundwork for personal conflicts that will inevitably intertwine with political ramifications in the near future.

4 The Witcher Season 3 Focuses Too Much On Politics

Regrettably, The Witcher season 3 persists with the same plot issues seen in previous seasons, exacerbated by an excessive infusion of politics. Undoubtedly, this was an essential element since season 3 draws from the novel Time of Contempt; however, it renders the storytelling more convoluted. With the escalating war, a relentless pursuit of Ciri, and treachery lurking in every corner of the Continent, The Witcher season 3 tries to cover too much ground in just a handful of episodes, prioritizing political maneuvers, strategic alliances, and backstabbing over the thrilling fights, mysterious monsters, and exhilarating action sequences that initially captivated audiences and propelled The Witcher to popularity.

The politics of the Continent dominate the narrative, placing a great deal of blame on them. The third season primarily focuses on the Brotherhood of Sorcerers' efforts to prevent a war and unite the Northern Kingdoms against an increasingly aggressive Nilfgaard. Meanwhile, the Elves of the Continent, surrounded by enemies, are once again mere pawns in the power struggle between mages and magistrates. This results in viewers spending significant time with unfamiliar characters who are not given much depth by the writers. While Season 3 of The Witcher builds up to a major twist, the eventual revelation feels abrupt and the events leading up to it are confusing, making it seem like we are merely observing the influential figures in the Northern Kingdoms rather than truly understanding them.

3 The Witcher Season 3 Feels Disconnected

The repercussions of the changes made in The Witcher season 2 continue to linger in season 3, and the show's efforts to address these issues only exacerbate the situation. Critics have taken particular issue with a specific montage in the beginning of The Witcher season 3, where Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer are shown spending time together and forming bonds in an attempt to repair the damage caused by Yennefer's choices. However, instead of effectively resolving this conflict, it feels like the series hurriedly glosses over it in order to move on to other storylines and conflicts. As a result, season 3, while displaying improvements in certain aspects compared to season 2, fails to truly carry forward the narrative from both season 1 and 2.

2 The Witcher Season 3 Lacks Credibility

Yennefer’s actions in The Witcher season 2 undermine the credibility of her noteworthy moments in season 3. This, in turn, relates to the earlier point, where the use of a montage fails to entirely convince viewers that Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer are a family and that the princess now regards the witcher and sorceress as her parents. Tissaia's comment, "You finally became a mother," could have been a genuinely heartwarming moment in the series, if not for Yennefer's choices in season 2 and the rushed development of her bond with Ciri in season 3.

Yennefer, on the other hand, has made significant growth and development in the past two seasons. Anya Chalotra portrays her as a sorceress who has found her true power. Gone is the unlikeable and somewhat whiny character from Season 2. Now, Yennefer exudes confidence and strength, aligning more with the perception that longtime fans have of Yennefer of Vengerberg. However, the issue lies in the lack of substantial support for this transformation. The viewers are only treated to a brief montage and a few other scenes before Yennefer reaches this stage. The rest of the show assumes that these snippets are enough to make her character compelling. At one point, after Yennefer shows concern for Ciri following a period of uncertainty, Tissaia comments, "You finally became a mother." This line feels unearned and tarnishes an otherwise decent phase of Yennefer's character development.

1 The Witcher Season 3 Is Both A Good & Bad Farewell To Henry Cavill

The biggest challenge faced by The Witcher season 3 was to serve as a fitting farewell to Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt and pave the way for Liam Hemsworth to take on the role in season 4. Sadly, season 3 of The Witcher serves as both a satisfying and disappointing final season for Cavill. It showcases a more fully realized version of Geralt, allowing Cavill to truly exhibit his versatility as both a dramatic actor and an action hero. However, this also highlights the potential difficulties the show may face in continuing without him after season 3. While The Witcher season 3 may not deliver the thrilling and action-packed farewell to Cavill's Geralt that was anticipated, it undeniably presents his finest performance as Geralt of Rivia.