The third season of The Witcher bore the weight of shaping the fate of the franchise. It was the factor that would have decided if the show would lose its appeal or entice fans for another thrilling season. There were numerous factors that could have easily led the series to become just another “used-to-be-nice” show. As fans were on the verge of losing hope in the first half, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich surprised them with a series of jaw-dropping twists combined with an engaging storyline, which she had saved for later. 

Now that the third installment of The Witcher is wrapped up, let’s reflect on why the latter half stood out as the high point of the entire season.

Henry Cavill got a fitting send-off in The Witcher

It is not uncommon for shows to swap out their characters without tweaking the storyline, but The Witcher makers teased a different approach for Henry Cavill’s exit from the show. The third season showcased Geralt engaged in an epic battle against some guards at the Nilfgaardian checkpoint. Upon emerging victorious from the battle, the Geralt walked victoriously into the sunset on a quest to find Ciri.

While this did not introduce a significant twist in the storyline (yet), the visually striking shot served as a fitting send-off to Henry Cavill as Geralt. When the surprising news of his departure from the franchise surfaced, it raised many questions about how Cavill’s Geralt would exit the stage, paving the way for his successor, Liam Hemsworth. However, it is safe to say that the makers handled it with finesse and gave the iconic Geralt a perfect send-off. 

A Promise for more Freya Allan action

Ciri, played by Freya Allan, became a key element in the third season. Her character kept the audience hooked for another thrilling ride in the upcoming season. While she has always been a central character, this season truly showcased the immense strength she possesses. At the close of the second season, Ciri had just begun her warrior training.

Seeing her taking down bad guys in the third season left viewers questioning whether they underestimated her. Evolving from a sheltered princess to a powerful warrior in the latter part of the series was a transformation that no one saw coming. In the third season, fans witnessed Ciri joining hands with the young group of criminals, the Rats. Apparently, she also assumed the character of Falka.

This makes the possibility of her turning into a more ruthless and fierce character in the upcoming seasons, paving the way for more deadly and badass action sequences. 

The Witcher Series getting closer to books

One of the persistent letdowns among fans of The Witcher series was the show’s habit of deviating from its original source material. This reportedly troubled both the author, Andrzej Sapkowski, and Henry Cavill and the former recently gave out a statement suggesting his feedback was not considered by the makers of the show. However, there was a positive shift in season three, especially in the latter half. The makers portrayed the key events from the book accurately, bringing it back on the line.

The makers also promised the introduction of the new face of Geralt to be based on the original lore. Despite achieving a more balanced integration, the show still did not achieve complete fidelity to the source material. Fans argued that the writers unnecessarily introduced new characters in crucial scenes. However, on the bright side, fans deemed season 3 as much closer to the books than the previous seasons, especially the second season. 

Yennefer assuming a more active role 

Fans considered Yennefer, played by Anya Chalotra, as one of the most inaccurately represented characters compared to the original book. From her fixation on having a child to her obsession to get her magic back, Yennefer had her moments of desperation on the show that led her down the villainous path a few times. This made her an unlikable character in the show. Towards the end of the second season, however, she sacrificed herself to save Ciri, showcasing transformation. This provided a cue for her character development in season 3.

Throughout the third season, Yennefer strives to prove to Geralt that she has changed and only wants to protect Ciri. The second half of the series also saw Yennefer assuming a more significant role, tackling the political adversities, and training Ciri so she could control and channel her magic. Though the makers portrayed Yennefer’s character in a much better light than before, a few still felt the pain caused by the second season. 

Perfecting ending keeping us waiting for the new Geralt aka Liam Hemsworth

In the latter half of The Witcher Season 3, there were numerous plot details that needed to be put together. The season towards its conclusion provided a glimpse of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer forming an unconventional family. However, the destiny of this newly formed familial bond now rests on the extent of Ciri’s transformation. The coming of the Rats on the scene will definitely add another layer of intrigue to the character of Ciri.

In Redanis, meanwhile, the transition of Prince Radovid to King Radovid will bring forth adversities for Jaskier. Additionally, Vilgefortz and Emhyr believe that they have brought home Ciri, who looks a tad different. This further set the stage for compelling hooks in the upcoming season. However, nothing will beat the introduction of Liam Hemsworth as the Geralt in the next season, which is currently the biggest intrigue for fans. 

What do you think about The Witcher’s latter half of the third season? Let us know what you are expecting from the fourth installment in the comments below!