'The Witcher' Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Will Geralt forgive Yennefer? White Wolf feels real fear for the first time
Spoilers for 'The Witcher' Season 3 Episode 1
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It's almost a surreal experience for ‘The Witcher’ fandom as Season 3 Part 1 drops on Netflix. Of course, this season is special for many reasons, the first and foremost being Henry Cavill and his last stint with the franchise. ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 is bound to answer a lot of questions and progress the plot points that were set up in the previous season. The first episode of the season is undoubtedly an explosive one, with a runtime of 60 minutes, making it the longest episode of this season so far. What Part 2 holds for us is still a little question mark floating around.
Nevertheless, Ciri's screams and Geralt’s slasher-like skills have been missed since the second season of ‘The Witcher’ dropped on Netflix, and Episode 1 of Season 3 Part 1 focuses largely on Ciri, Yennefer, and of course, Geralt. The bond shared between this trio has been a fan-favorite, and for that reason ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Episode 1 will most definitely secure a place in every fan's heart, especially those rooting for Geralt and Yennefer.
Geralt’s continued trust issues
After the previous season, when Yennefer got her redemption arc after almost sacrificing herself for Ciri, viewers might have forgiven her, but Geralt certainly didn’t. ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Episode 1 continues with Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer still on the run from each and every person who is after Ciri, as they try and find a place that could resemble a home. Through this time, Yennefer continues teaching Ciri all that she can about magic, while Geralt continues giving Yennefer the cold shoulder, still not trusting her completely.
Yennefer isn’t one to give up though as she leaves Geralt letters since he won’t directly speak to her, and slowly but steadily they put a smile on his otherwise stoic face, giving a sense that he is warming up to her. The highlight of ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Episode 1 is when we get a glimpse of Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri being like a family. Eating their meals together, laughing together, and frankly, it is almost a little too wholesome for a brutal series like ‘The Witcher’ but it works, at least for the beginning of the latest season.
Belleteyn festival and Yennefer’s birthday
While this might not have been the best idea, Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer try and adopt some normalcy as they attend the Belleteyn festival, which also happens to be on Yennefer’s birthday. As Ciri wanders by herself, Yennefer and Geralt get a moment to themselves, remembering their best nights together. At this point, one would be convinced that Geralt would forgive her, trust her again, and they can kiss and make up, but that isn’t the case, all thanks to a monster in the maze, quite literally. Now, with Jaskier’s help, the trio must move on to Hagge, where a bloodbath awaits them.
Geralt says goodbye
At the end of ‘The Witcher' Season 3 Episode 1, the trio is forced to split ways as Geralt bids goodbye to Yennefer and Ciri, knowing he has to embark on a journey alone, to try and stop the strongest force that’s after Ciri. Geralt and Yennefer almost kiss goodbye, but the creators aren’t going to give in easily, will they? Instead, this time around, Geralt leaves a letter for Yennefer, talking about how he will learn to trust her once again. More importantly, he talks about fear, and how this is the first time he has felt real fear, which involves losing Yennefer and Ciri. That’s worrisome, isn’t it?
You can now stream ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Part 1 exclusively on Netflix