Of Ballads Brawlers And Bloodied Blades – The episode begins with Jaskier (Joey Batey) preparing to die by a blade when all the Temerian soldiers on the battlefield become frozen in time. What appears to be Jaskier’s alter ego approaches from behind. Jaskier asks if he’s dead. He slaps him across the face to show he’s still alive. Jaskier questions if he’s a Doppler. He touches a sword that fills with pink blooms before denying he’s a Doppler. As a large beast appears, Jaskier warps to another land where he meets Seanchai (Minnie Driver).

Seanchai tells Jaskier that she spared him from the Temerian soldiers to “sing a story back to life.” He questions if she’s a storyteller with shape-shifting and time-stopping capabilities. She revives forgotten stories collected from different time zones and lands. He questions if she’s chosen the right person. She reminds him of his being the Sandpiper who smuggled elves to safety. He says Sandpiper’s nothing more than a bard, a title. She says the elves are in need of “The Story of the Seven,” seven warriors unite to take on an empire, bringing monsters and humans to the forefront by way of the Conjunction of the Spheres to create the Witcher. Intrigued by her story, he says Geralt will be pissed.

“The Story of the Seven” originated from the Elvin Golden Era before monsters and humans. Six strangers – Fjall Stoneheart (Laurence O’Fuarain), Scian (Michelle Yeoh), Brother Death (Huw Novelli), Syndrill (Zach Wyatt), Zacare (Lizzie Annis), Meldof (Francesca Mills) – unite with their leader, The Lark/Elie (Sophie Brown).

Inis Dubh Far Northern Seas – The Lark asks a man if the island has music. He says there has been none for years. Ithlinne (Ella Schrey-Yeats) is accosted by a man while serving drinks. A woman intervening is punched when The Lark hits him in the leg with a knife. The patrons raise a toast as she returns to her perch on the stage.

Xin’trea Kingdom of Xin’Trea –Alvitir (Mark Rowley) is a new King determined to be seen by his people, regardless of enemy assassins. Dog Clan warrior, Fjall is a protector of the royal family. During an assassin attack, Merwyn (Mirren Mack) is thrown from her horse. Fjall swoops in to help her onto his horse. Riding into a trap, they’re forced to fight. Fjall looks around to see Merwyn holding a bloody knife.

Fjall informs Merwyn that the Dog Clan prevents anyone from leaving Xin’Trea until the culprit(s) is captured. After placing a knife on the table, he turns to leave when she tells him that he saved her. He says it’s his duty. She assures him that it’s more than just his duty. He reminds her of their agreement. She promises to not die living a lie before kissing him.

Ryl (Faoileann Cunningham) informs Osfar (Daniel Fathers) of Captain Eredin’s (Jacob Collins-Levy) interrogation of suspects in the attack on the Princess. Osfar says Eredin doesn’t know his butt from his elbow. They burst through the door to find Fjall and Merwyn being intimate.

Osfar scolds Fjall for his betrayal of the clan and for losing his opportunity to be the chieftain. Fjall accuses him of wishing Kareg survived instead of him. When they reach the border, Fjall’s banished from Xin’trea and disowned by the Dog Clan. He tells Osfar goodbye before racing across the border.

Merwyn suggests to Alvitir (Mark Rowley) that he take her on as his advisor. He informs her that she has a new suitor, the King of Pryshia who would be amendable to signing if they married. She agrees if it’ll help the kingdom.

In Valley of Lost Souls, Scian seeks answers for the unusual sky that cast an unforeseen shadow across the land. Unlike ever before, her ancestors remain quiet.

The Lark tells Ithlinne that she’s of the Raven Clan and King Midir’s bodyguard. Ithlinne asks if she knows Lady Cethlenn of the Knives. The Lark admits she’s her mother. Ithlinne suggests she should be the royal family. The Lark assures her that she chose to become a roving bard. Ithlinne informs her of how the locals fear her fits and visions. The Lark says the ignorant will always envy those with gifts when someone orders them to open the door.

Fjall’s locked in a makeshift jail when The Lark joins him. She admits to taking an oath to kill him for taking her cousin’s eye during the Battle of Brokilon. He informs her of his being banished from the Dog Clan for having sex with Princess Merwyn. She tells him that he deserved it for failing to obey the Dog Clan rules. After Fjall’s freedom is bought, The Lark tries to gouge out his eye when the jail guard (Oliver Asante) orders her against the wall. Fjall wishes her a quick death before making his exit.

Alvitir informs Eredin of his plan to end the Thousand-Year War. He says emissaries have been dispatched to Darwen and Pryshia. General Byral (Simon Rouse) warns him that it will be their end. Eredin assures him that Darwen and Pryshia will never go along with it. Alvitir tells them that Merwyn is to wed King Midir and he’ll gift the Sliabh Liath mines to Queen Neera.

Shen (Tut Nyuot) informs Fjall of Alvitir’s peace treaty. Osfar bids Fjall to return to Xin’trea but he refuses before heading to the brothel. Brauna (Vilhelm Neto) demands he pay in coins. Fjall reaches down for his pendant to realize it’s missing.

After escaping jail, The Lark returns for Ithlinne to find her sister, Niamh (Ozioma Whenu) waiting to take her home. Niamh says her skills are needed as the King travels to Xin’trea to sign a peace treaty. The Lark asks if she’s been forgiven. Niamh suggests it’s her opportunity to redeem herself to Cethlenn (Karlina Grace-Paseda). The Lark tells her that she won’t do it as Ithlinne rushes to embrace her. Appearing to be possessed, Ithlinne says, “The time of the spheres is upon us. Worlds will eat worlds. Emerald skies, worlds will eat worlds, Emerald skies. Fire will summon a new dawn. A great beast born shall be slain by your blade. Two apart shall become two as one. The Lark’s most precious notes shall be the key to all things and a quest in the name of your clan will bring you redemption.”

The Lark/Eile asks Ryl (Faoileann Cunningham) if Ithlinne’s visions come true. Ryle claims they all do. The Lark leaves a flute for Ithlinne. Ryl asks where she will go next. The Lark goes to seek redemption before rushing to catch up with Niamh. They walk a short distance when Niamh’s body is riddled with arrows. Surrounded by assassins, The Lark must fight to survive. After killing the last assassin, Fjall claims she’s wearing his pendant. He identifies a dead Xin’trea assassin by a mark on his wrist. She says the female assailant is a Pryshian cavalry captain. He discovers an infantry dagger from the Darwin army. Assassins from three kingdoms were sent to kill them. He suggests they travel together to Xin’trea to warn their clans. She changes her name to Eile because The Lark died with Niamh.

King Midir of Pryshia, Queen Neera of Darwen, and Alvitir meet to sign the treaty. Balor (Lenny Henry) leaves, followed by Merwyn, and Eredin. Two soldiers bar the door and Merwyn slashes someone’s throat.

Alvitir and the others are killed by a beast. Balor was successful in turning war-hungry generals against their monarchies. Eredin announces Merwyn as the ruler of Xin’trea, Pryshia, and Darwen which would now be referred to as the Golden Empire.

Fjall and The Lark battle a deadly storm on their return to Xin’trea.

Eredin asks Balor how long they’ll need Merwyn. Balor says we will see. When Merwyn asks to see her people, the soldiers block her path.

Gaylth Former Kingdom of Pryshia – Fjall and Eile notice how the place has changed. They overhear a group of people talking about Merlyn the Empress killing her brother. Eile suggests Merlyn killed Alvitir, Queen Neera, and King Midir. He assures her that it isn’t possible. Wild Hunt (James Boyland) calls the soldiers “traitorous piss ants” wearing the “cunt’s armor.” A soldier smashes his head against the table while another soldier asks if anyone has seen Fjall and Eile.

Eile warns Fjall that they need to part ways if he cannot control his fire. He assures her that it isn’t about Merwyn. She disagrees before reminding him of how she killed both of their clans.

Eredin tells Balor that more power is needed to stabilize the gateway. Balor demands to know what’s taking so long. Eredin claims the troops are stretched. Balor reminds him that the Pryshian and Darwen army was united with the Xin’trea army. Eredin admits to not anticipating so many deserters and the failing crops Balor orders him to make them go away.

Eredin informs Balor of Fjall and Elie escaping their assassins on Inis Dubh. Balor orders him to kill them now.

Fjall claims Syndril trained an ancient Dwaren monolith to open a gateway to another world. He suggests someone else killed their clans, not Merwyn. She tells him that he’s finding excuses for her. He assures her if Merwyn’s responsible, she will pay with her blood. They take a blood oath to send those responsible to clay.

Merwyn tells Ket (Kim Adis) that Eredin and Balor plan to utilize Syndril’s gateway to conquer. She says her plan is to bring their science, culture, and art to other worlds. Ket accuses her of believing she’s Solryth. Merwyn assures her that it’ll never happen until she’s out from under Balor’s control.

Balor orders Syndril to prepare the final calculations to connect the remaining monoliths across the empire. He contributes all their success so far to his work.

Elie suggests they seek help from her former sword master, Scian, the best blade in the lands. She says Scian was the last of the Ghost Clan after King Darach poisoned their water supply. They encounter a group of refugees. An elderly refugee (David Gant) claims their elders and mages refuse to live under the rule of a new empire. A pregnant Elfyn (Eyrun Bjork Jakobsdottir) admits to seeing her at the Aedd Gynvael last year. She says her songs gave them hope before asking her to sing “The Black Rose.”

Fjall falls into a pit trap when Scian briefly holds Elie at knifepoint.

Balor tells the higher power that he’ll never be accepted by the people as their emperor. He agrees to do whatever she asks for her Chaos Magic.

Erie asks Scian to join them on their mission to kill Merwyn for their ancestors. Handing her an empty scabbard, she says it’s an opportunity to recover her sword, Soulreaver. Scian tells her that it could be anywhere now. Fjall assures her that a sword with three green stones and unique markings on the pommel is stored in the palace along with other trophies.

Fjall warns Elie that Scian cannot be trusted because she holds a grudge against her. Elie tells him that they can utilize Scian’s contacts. He assures her that Scian will sell her out at the first opportunity.

Fjall informs Scian and Elie of an unguarded secret passage into Xin’trea. Scian says the death of the Dog Clan is the best thing to come from it all before wishing Osfar an eternity of suffering. He tells her that Osfar should’ve killed her when King Darach failed. Scian defeats them without a sword. They burn Scian’s makeshift abode before leaving for Xin’trea as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Witcher: Blood Origin Synopsis

Jaskier finds himself on a battlefield surrounded by Temerian soldiers that are later frozen in time. He comes face to face with what appears to be his calmer alter ego. A collector of forgotten stories, Seanchai spares him from a massive beast. She delegates the storytelling of “The Story of the Seven” to him, a tale of the unification of six strangers and The Lark/Elie.

The Lark visits Inis Dubh where she spares a young girl, Ithlinne from an aggressive male. Ithlinne has visions that always come true.

Dog Clan warrior, Fjall spares the Princes of Xin’trea, Merwyn during a surprise attack. Merwyn convinces him to have sex with her when Fjall’s father, Osfar and Ryl rush in looking for him. Osfar banishes his son from the Kingdom of Xin’trea.

Merwyn wants to be her brother’s advisor but the King of Xin’trea, Alvitir intends for her to wed the King of Pryshia. The marriage would bring peace between the kingdoms.

Scian escaped to the Valley of Lost Souls after her Ghost Clan died from poisoned water.

Fjall meets The Lark in jail in Inis Dubh. She made a vow to kill him for injuring her cousin in the Battle of Brokilon. An altercation erupts when he’s notified of someone buying his freedom.

Eredin isn’t keen on Alvitir’s peace treaty that would end the Thousand Year War. Alvitir gifts the Queen of Darwen the Sliabh Liath mines and the King of Pyrshia, his sister to wed.

After escaping jail, The Lark finds her sister, Niamh waiting for her. Niamh wants her to help protect the King as he travels to Xin’trea to sign Alvitir’s peace treaty. She suggests it would be a good way to redeem herself to their mother, Cethlenn. Ithlinne’s vision encourages The Lark to change her mind but assassins kill Niamh before they leave Inis Dubh.

Fjall refuses Osfar’s proposition to return to Xin’trea. He hits up the brothel when he realizes his pendant’s missing. He returns to find The Lark just in time to save her from being killed at the hands of an assassin. Someone dispatched assassins from Darwen, Pryshia, and Xin’trea to prevent them from being in Xin’trea when the peace treaty was signed.

Balor, Merwyn, and Eredin release Syndril’s beast to kill the Dog Clan, the Raven Clan, the kings, and the queen. The three kingdoms are united as the Golden Empire in which Merwyn will become Empress and Balor’s puppet.

The Lark changes her name to Elie after the death of her sister. Syndril raises an ancient Dwaren monolith to open a gateway to another world. Balor who still isn’t happy with his success orders Syndril to complete the final calculation that would connect the remaining monoliths across the empire.

Scian joins forces with Elie and Fjall to avenge the death of their clans.

The Witcher: Blood Origin Review

A captivating story possibly ruined by bottom-of-the-barrel CGI. This may be the biggest visual effects disaster of the year for Netflix. The CG characters lack a realistic appeal and fluid movement. The special effects are distracting at best.

While oversaturated, the cast should be commended for a job well done. Each actor brought their character to life with little effort.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Witcher: Blood Origin recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Advertise your brand on Reel Mockery.

 

The Witcher: Blood Origin Cast

• Balor (Lenny Henry)
• Fjall (Laurence O’Fuarain)
• Jaskier (Joey Batey)
• Eile/The Lark (Sophie Brown)
• Syndril (Zach Wyatt)
• Merwyn (Mirren Mack)
• Zacare (Lizzie Annis)
• Eredin (Jacob Collins-Levy)
• Alvitir (Mark Rowley)
• Seanchai (Minnie Driver)
• Meldof (Francesco Mills)
• Scian (Michelle Yeoh)
• Syndril (Zach Wyatt)

Where Was The Witcher: Blood Origin Filmed

Witcher: Blood Origin, directed by Vicky Jewson (Close, Lady Godiva, Born of War) and Sarah O’Gorman (The Last Kingdom, Treason, Jamestown), was filed in the UK.

Where To The Watch Witcher: Blood Origin

The show premiered on Sunday, December 25, 2022, on Netflix.