Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Witcher Season 3, Volume 1.
first, that wizard The third season begins with the three main characters united together. After two seasons of Geralt building up family dynamics (Henry Cavill), Ciri (Freya Allen) and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), season three delivered the relationship fans wanted, at least in the first episode. For the first part of the season, the series largely underutilized this central trio. In the first episode, “Shaerrawedd,” Ciri tries to bridge the divide between her arguing protectors, and they travel together. But the three were soon separated, with Yennefer taking Ciri to study magic at Aretuza, while Geralt tracked down one of their enemies. Since then, the trio’s interactions have mostly been sporadic rather than simultaneous. While each pair gets time together, they rarely appear as a unit, which was disappointing after the executive roster building in previous seasons.
The familial relationship between these characters has been central to the show from the start, though they don’t interact until late in season two. Geralt and Yennefer’s rocky relationship is just the beginning of this dynamic. When Ciri is added, there are more layers to unravel, including Yennefer’s desire for a child and Ciri’s desperation for her family. Geralt and Ciri’s relationship developed over the course of season two, with Geralt slowly learning how to interact with Ciri, but that was only the first step in a growing family. The gathering of these characters should have been a big moment for everyone involved, but it was heavily downplayed throughout the first part of the season to the detriment of the characters.
‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Episode 1 Promises This Trio
From the start, it seemed like the relationship between Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer was going to be a big part of the season. Although Geralt didn’t forgive Yennefer for almost trading Ciri’s life for her powers in season two, they traveled together and rarely contacted the other person. As Geralt and Yennefer dodge the numerous pursuers of Ciri, they continue to develop a relationship with the girl and train her in their respective abilities, but they keep their distance from each other. Geralt stubbornly refused to speak to Yennefer, who was forced to communicate with him through letters, but she persisted in trying to find a way into his life. Despite the feud, caring for Ciri brought them together. Basically, it manifests as divorced parents trying to co-parent their children.
Over time, however, the ice began to melt and the small family was able to grow. Their isolation certainly helps, as does their shared goal of protecting Ciri. By the time their enemy reappears, the trio have formed an almost fully functioning family unit. Together, the emerging family hatches a plan to trap Riens (Sam Woolf) when he came looking for Ciri. They’ve proven to be a good team and are primed for more epic battles this season, taking the family across the continent. But that never happens. The first episode ends with Geralt claiming that the three of them belong together, and so far the series has backed that up. However, while the premiere was filled with scenes of the three together, there was very little family time in Season 3, Volume 1.
‘The Witcher’ season 3 protagonists separate again
Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer had come a long way to get together, were supposed to be together for a while, but then separated again. They initially split into two groups, with Ciri and Yennefer heading to Arethusa, while Geralt pursued the rogue mages who supported Riens. Over the next four episodes, the pairing changed, but the three never spent more than a few seconds together. Ciri learns how to fight monsters from Geralt, and Yennefer learns magic from the girls, but she only needs one protector at a time.
After an argument with Yennefer, Ciri escapes from Arethusa and is rescued by Geralt. They return with Jaskill, giving the girl a chance to demonstrate what she’s learned from Geralt to fight Eschner. There wasn’t much of a warm family reunion when they arrived in Aretuza. Instead, Ciri was sent off along with Jaskill (joey betty) while Geralt and Yennefer are talking. This happens again during the conclave of the mages, Ciri is left with Jaskill while Geralt and Yennefer discover their enemy. The fact that everyone is after Ciri certainly makes it difficult for her to appear in public, but she does run around town on her own, pretending to be Yennefer’s guardian. The family unit is sidelined due to many plot threads, but that’s hardly a valid excuse.
Ignoring this dynamic in The Witcher season 3 would be bad for the series
The trio’s lack of time together is the new season’s biggest flaw, as the show took so long to bring them together. After spending two seasons bringing these characters together, they should be more consistently together. Their continued separation doesn’t offset the long journey it’s taken to develop this family. When the first episode came together, it highlighted Ciri as the best of Yennefer and Geralt, but since then, they’ve drifted apart and the duality is less pronounced. When Yennefer and Geralt are together, they still bicker, which puts a damper on the family dynamic. Everyone is looking for what they can get out of the relationship, and because of that, ignoring that can hurt the final character arc.
As the heart of the show, this developing family deserves more time. The relationship between the three main characters is very important to each individual’s personal development, yet the show offers very little interaction. The dynamic between the characters is the best part of the series, but they spend so much time apart that they don’t get a chance to shine.Three episodes left in the season that wizardthere is still a chance to make it up, but a lot needs to happen in these episodes, so the family relationship between Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer may be forgotten again.
that wizard Volume 1 of Season 3 is out now, and Volume 2 will premiere on July 27.
