The Witcher Season 3 has not yet aired but has still managed to overshadow Season 1 and Season 2, which turned out to be Netflix’s very own box-office successes. It has been more than a year since the last time we saw the trio of Yennefer, Ciri, and Geralt. And coincidentally, it has been just as long since any tale (cough: Blood Origin) related to The Witcher managed to strike a chord with the audience. Therefore, Season 3, which will take us back to the declared main characters, has many expectations attached to it. And also worries.

The Continent may not be acquainted with the age-old saying ‘third time’s a charm.’ As the Lauren Schmidt Hissrich show steps into its third season, it has more to worry about than its center stone leaving the show. And for all her errors, only she can save the show.

Why are fans skeptical of The Witcher Season 3?

The third season of the series will be based on the ‘Time of Contempt’. For those who are unfamiliar with the book, this means that Ciri will reach the peak of her controversial arc as she will join the Rats, arguably the vilest criminals from Sapkowski’s magical world. Not only does Ciri join the Rats, who are also a threat to her, but also develops a romance with one of its members, Mistle, portrayed by Christelle Elwin. But that is not even the best (worst) of the horrors that the introduction of Rats entails.

As Rats enter the storyline, they bring with them not only a level of violence that leads to a desensitization of the stimulus but also gore and moments of sexual assault that the audience may not be ready for. Especially with someone portrayed in as good of a light as Ciri.

This again boils down to how much the creators, especially Lauren Hissrich, are willing to commit to the original source. And looking at the report card, it seems like something they could work on.

Will the upcoming season do justice to the Rats?

When Lauren Hissrich spoke about gray characters in her TUDUM interview, she made the grave mistake of categorizing Emperor Emphyr as one, when it is actually the Rats who make the cut. The gang of criminals, despite being united by their desire to loot and kill, has one morally right bone in their body that makes them share with the poor.

Their actions, however, cannot be deemed mindless because they all had been traumatized by the rich. Nonetheless, their venomousness cannot be softened. More importantly, how the Rats are portrayed in Season 3 will set the foundation for The Rats prequel set to release later this year. Therefore, Season 3 has to make sure that the Rats appear just as vile in the series as in the book. But not completely evil, still keeping Ciri good-natured. But also goes through a major character development after meeting Mistle. All the while, they need to ensure that they do justice to Henry Cavill as he bids his farewell to the series.

Do you think The Witcher Season 3 will do justice to the Rats? Let us know in the comments below.