Beware: major spoilers ahead for The Witcher season 3, Part 1.
With a series of unexpected surprises, The Witcher season 3 Part 1 concludes with a gripping cliffhanger, unveiling dramatic revelations and unexpected turns. Following the expansion of its universe through an animated prequel film and a prequel miniseries, Netflix's The Witcher returns to the main series with its highly anticipated third season. In the aftermath of facing new adversaries in season 2, Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer find themselves on a perilous escape, tirelessly evading multiple pursuing factions and striving to remain together.
17 Jaskier Was Used By Redania
: The Witcher Season 3 Part 1 Unveils Shocking Twists and Reveals
The Witcher season 2 hinted at a connection between Jaskier and Redania, with Dijkstra urging Philippa to bring him the bard to repay his patron. Sadly, Jaskier became a pawn in Dijkstra, Philippa, and Radovid's scheme to capture Ciri and consolidate power in Cintra through her marriage to King Vizimir. Jaskier was misled to believe that Redania was the safest place for Ciri, which caused him to worry about the safety of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. He attempted to persuade Geralt to escort Ciri to Redania, but luckily, Geralt saw through the deceit.
16 Ciri's Visions Intensify In The Witcher Season 3
15 Fringilla Is No Longer A Powerful Sorceress
Ciri’s powers in Netflix’s The Witcher have remained somewhat unexplained, but they become stronger in season 3. One of her notable abilities is a destructive scream that can demolish everything in its vicinity. Additionally, throughout the series, Ciri has experienced trance-like states at different moments. In the first part of The Witcher season 3, Ciri undergoes training with Yennefer to gain better control over her magical aptitude. Being a Source, Ciri possesses a natural inclination for magical abilities. However, her visions become more intense as well. She witnesses the past, present, and future of the individuals she encounters, particularly the messenger Applegatt. This prompts Ciri to question Yennefer regarding the purpose of having visions if she is unable to alter the future. It is highly likely that she will continue to grapple with these challenges in Part 2.
At the conclusion of The Witcher season 2, Fringilla and Cahir found themselves imprisoned by the White Flame due to their deceit regarding the elves and the fate of Francesca's child. In the first part of The Witcher season 3, it was revealed that Fringilla had become a captive of the Emperor, forced to partake in a peculiar duty of sampling wine to ensure its safety from poison. Unfortunately, Fringilla had lost her mastery over Chaos magic and was no longer capable of wielding its immense power. However, she managed to stage her own demise and make a daring escape, resorting to clever tactics to fill her glass at a local establishment.
14 The False Ciri: Vilgefortz Was Conducting Experiments On A Girl Named Teryn
One of the noteworthy plot developments in The Witcher season 3 Part 1 was the shocking revelation regarding a powerful mage's unethical experiment on young girls with the intention of transforming them into false replicas of Ciri. During Geralt's quest, he successfully rescued a girl named Teryn from the clutches of Vuilpanne, the castle where Codringher and Fenn informed him that the mage supporting Rience was residing. Eventually, Yennefer and Geralt discovered that the mage responsible for these horrific experiments was Vilgefortz, which connected to another significant revelation in The Witcher season 3 Part 1.
13 Geralt’s Mother Dies In The Witcher Season 3
Netflix's The Witcher reveals very little about Geralt's past, especially when it comes to his mother, who only made a brief appearance in season 1. Visenna, Geralt's mother, was a sorceress who cunningly arranged for Vesemir to take him in. Nearly a century later, Geralt had a fleeting reunion with her when she used her powers to heal him after a venomous necrophage bite. In Part 1 of The Witcher season 3, Geralt discovered through Anika, Visenna's friend and healer, that she tragically lost her life after being mistaken for an elf and brutally beaten. Anika also revealed that Visenna spoke fondly of Geralt in her final moments, prompting him to finally open up about his complex relationship with his mother.
12 The Wild Hunt Is Crossing Over
The Wild Hunt’s presence was hinted at in The Witcher season 1 as Nilfgaard approached Cintra. However, it wasn't until the season 2 finale that they officially made their introduction. The Wild Hunt is also in pursuit of Ciri and nearly caught up with her. Ciri was fleeing from Yennefer when suddenly the Wild Hunt appeared behind her. While trying to convince herself that they were mere corpses, Eredin informed Ciri that indeed they were corpses, but she was death itself. He reached out to grab her shoulder, but fortunately, Geralt arrived and launched an attack on the Wild Hunt, causing them to vanish. However, Ciri pointed out that they hadn't been mere specters; they had actually materialized.
11 Nilfgaard Tried To Deceive Redania With A Deal
As Nilfgaard continues its relentless campaign to conquer the Continent and locate Ciri, they are in constant pursuit of new allies. To Dijkstra's astonishment, King Vizimir conducted a secret meeting with Nilfgaard, completely unbeknownst to him. This encounter served as a stark reminder of why Dijkstra's unwavering support and guidance are indispensable to the King. Eventually, Vizimir disclosed to Dijkstra and Philippa the details of his agreement with Nilfgaard: in exchange for sparing Redania from their impending northern expansion, Nilfgaard would grant Vizimir control over half of Temeria as a vassal state. In an equal trade, if Redania were to locate Ciri before Nilfgaard, they would surrender her to the Empire. Clearly, Nilfgaard had deceived Vizimir, prompting Dijkstra and Philippa to resort to drastic measures.
10 Dijkstra Ordered The Murder Of King Vizimir's Wife
Seeing the disastrous consequences of the Nilfgaard deal, Philippa and Dijkstra deduced that Vizimir's involvement wasn't solo; his wife, Queen Hedwig, was implicated as well. Realizing that capturing Ciri was their priority, they understood the necessity of eliminating Queen Hedwig, prompting them to orchestrate her murder. To solidify their plan, Philippa and Dijkstra cunningly arranged for the delivery of Hedwig's severed head, enclosed in a box, accompanied by a note falsely claiming it to be a gift from Nilfgaard. This gruesome act caused Vizimir to break his allegiance with Nilfgaard and restore his trust in Dijkstra.
9 Cahir Regained The White Flame’s Trust
Fringilla was sent to the dungeons to ensure the wine was untainted, while Cahir was tasked with raiding caravans. During one fateful night, Cahir's life was spared by Gallatin, a savior who disclosed Francesca's pursuit of Ciri. Realizing an opportunity to regain the trust of the White Flame, Cahir proposed to Gallatin a plan to overthrow Francesca and assume control over the elven community. Together, they set off to meet the Emperor. Listening to Gallatin's plea, the White Flame demanded Cahir to prove his loyalty once more. Without hesitation, Cahir tragically ended Gallatin's life. Reinstated into the fold, the White Flame entrusted Cahir with a new mission involving Francesca and her followers.
8 Ciri Sees Herself As A Witcher
7 The White Flame Made A New Alliance With The Elves
: In The Witcher season 2, Ciri underwent rigorous training alongside other witchers at Kaer Morhen. However, she did not undergo the Trial of the Grasses or any of the tests and mutations that typically define a witcher. Despite this, Ciri has managed to acquire extensive knowledge, impressive skills, and a valor akin to that of a true witcher. She wholeheartedly sees herself as one. Before boarding the boat to Aretuza, Ciri confidently suggested to Geralt that they could defeat the sea monster that the boat's captain feared, highlighting their shared identity as witchers. In response, Geralt simply smiled and asked, "Is that so?", indicating his acceptance of Ciri's self-perception as a witcher.
After Gallatin's demise and Cahir's reunion with the Emperor's army, the White Flame employed Cahir as a means to form a fresh alliance with the elves. Emhyr recognized that disunity among the elves would prove detrimental to Nilfgaard, hence the necessity of Gallatin's death. Cahir conveyed to Francesca that the White Flame had chosen to support her cause and fight, urging them to accompany him in the quest for Ciri. Francesca agreed, and Cahir assigned their initial mission as newfound allies.
6 Geralt & Yennefer Rekindle Their Romance In The Witcher Season 3
5 A Love Interest For Jaskier
The romance between Geralt and Yennefer experienced a passionate beginning in season 1 of The Witcher. However, Yennefer's selfish actions in season 2 caused further strain on their relationship. In the first part of The Witcher season 3 Part 1, Geralt intentionally avoided Yennefer. Nevertheless, their shared determination to train Ciri and ensure her safety ultimately brought them back together. In Aretuza, Geralt and Yennefer's romance reignited, culminating in Geralt expressing his love for Yennefer at the end of the party in Aretuza.
In The Witcher season 3 Part 1, Geralt and Yennefer weren't the only ones to discover romance. Jaskier, known for his carefree lifestyle, finally found true love. While he usually indulges in casual affairs in each town he visits, this time Jaskier's heart was captured by someone special. Prince Radovid, the brother of Vizimir, expressed his interest in Jaskier, but the bard remained focused on assisting his friends. However, when Radovid surprised Jaskier by learning one of his songs during a visit to Aretuza, Jaskier couldn't resist his feelings any longer. Yet, this newfound relationship might bring complications in Part 2.
4 Stregobor Still Can’t Be Trusted In The Witcher Season 3
3 Rience Is Working For Vilgefortz
Stregobor has cemented his position as a treacherous and malevolent character since appearing in The Witcher season 1, and his true nature remains unchanged. Yennefer stumbled upon evidence in Stregobor's secure vault, revealing his involvement in the disappearance of novices from Aretuza. Using these objects, Yennefer was able to witness the moment when Stregobor forcibly separated them from their belongings. While Stregobor openly displays his disdain for elves and half-elves, including Yennefer and the missing novices, he vehemently denies allegations that he used the Book of Monoliths to eliminate them. Although he may not be affiliated with Rience, as Yennefer, Geralt, Istredd, and Triss suspected, Stregobor's lack of trustworthiness persists, making him a perilous mage.
Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't Stregobor who was responsible for the abductions of the novices and conducting experiments on them. Surprisingly, it was Vilgefortz who posed the true threat all along. He manipulated Lydia van Bredevoort to use Rience in order to track down Ciri. To everyone's astonishment, it was discovered that Vilgefortz was collaborating with Nilfgaard, indicating that the ultimate mastermind behind this scheme is none other than the White Flame. Utilizing a network of mages, Vilgefortz aims to locate Ciri. However, Vilgefortz's treacherous actions extend beyond merely supporting Rience, as the aftermath of his plans will unleash a series of catastrophic events that may result in tragic losses.
2 Dijkstra Corners Geralt To Test His Loyalty To Ciri
Throughout The Witcher season 3 Part 1, Geralt was consistently faced with the decision to take a side, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to neutrality. Despite this, his unwavering stance failed to convince many characters, particularly Dijkstra, who persistently demanded that Geralt hand over Ciri to Redania. As The Witcher season 3 Part 1 came to a close, Geralt embarked on a mission to uncover the source of the unsettling screams and other mysterious sounds in Aretuza, only to find himself trapped by Dijkstra once again. This encounter served as yet another test of Geralt's loyalty to Ciri and an attempt to sway him to choose a side.
1 The Thanedd Coup Has Begun
The Thanedd coup occurred during a conclave at Aretuza, where a violent clash erupted among the mages. Consequently, numerous lives were lost, leading to the disbandment of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. In the books, the coup initiated when Northern supporters, aided by Dijkstra and his Redanian soldiers, apprehended Nilfgaard supporters, including Vilgefortz. While the coup was not depicted in The Witcher season 3 Part 1, the screams heard by Geralt just before being cornered by Dijkstra indicated that the coup had begun. As The Witcher season 3 Part 2 unfolds, it will delve into the Thanedd coup and its aftermath, promising an intense and potentially heartbreaking finale.