The Art Of The Illusion – As this episode of The Witcher begins, Geralt (Henry Cavill) and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) speak about their night in private. They go to the ball together. Geralt talks about wanting to run through Stregobor with the nearest ice sculpture. Yennefer tells him to get used to this because everyone will be watching them all night. She tells him about the people around, including Sabrina and Marti. Margarita Laux-Antille is the current headmistress. Geralt says he gave Yennefer his word so she is safe in Loxia until dawn. Yennefer says they will make their move when the ball ends and the real conclave begins.

When someone asks to speak to Geralt, he should accept quickly. Sabrina (Therica Wilson-Read) comes over to speak to Geralt. She says they haven’t hosted a witcher so Yennefer has been hiding him for too long. Sabrina toys with him using telepathy. While Geralt goes for a drink, Valdo Marx (Nathan Armarkwei Laryea) performs with his band. Yennefer speaks to Tissaia (MyAnna Buring) about mending fences. Geralt speaks to Sigismund Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) and Philippa Eilhart (Cassie Clare). Sigismund asks to speak to Geralt alone. In a flashback, Geralt and Yennefer talk about how Sigismund and Philippa will be a problem tomorrow. In the present, Sigismund tells Geralt that the conclave can gather the mages, but it can’t stop the inevitable.

Sigismund urges Geralt to give them the girl before it is too late. Geralt says no before walking away. Istredd (Royce Pierreson) wants to speak to Yennefer. Geralt learns that they were together as young mages. When he catches up with Yennefer, he asks what Istredd said to her. Yennefer says they don’t have time for that because the mélange is about to begin. She tells Geralt it is a dance and it isn’t optional. While Geralt dances with women, Yennefer tells Artorius (Terence Maynard) that she hopes they can depend on his support tomorrow. Philippa tells Sigismund that they’re worrisome. After briefly speaking to Istredd, Geralt tells Triss it is good to see her.

Triss (Anna Shaffer) learns that Ciri is safe for now. Istredd and Geralt get into a fight over Yennefer. Eventually, Geralt stops and reveals he promised Yennefer he wouldn’t make a mess of this evening. He asks for a truce. When Artaud makes a scene nearby, Geralt finds enough time to escape. Later, Geralt and Yennefer talk about the fight. Tissaia ends the ball with a toast. They drink to peace. Tissaia says they have Yennefer to thank. Later, Geralt and Yennefer talk about the night. They’re surprised they bought it. Yennefer doubts they were the only ones plotting tonight. They arrive at the ball again. Yennefer says they should wait and seek out proof tonight. Geralt saw what he did to those girls so he won’t be leaving until he knows she is safe.

Geralt asks Philippa if she has caught any mice tonight. She says she makes a killing catching secrets. Geralt tells her that he isn’t easy to fool. Philippa reveals that Marti put an aphrodisiac in the wine hours ago. She argues that what Sabrina showed him was child’s play. Philippa says she was sorry to hear of Codringher and Fenn’s fiery demise. Geralt asks if she thinks Rience’s master is there tonight. Philippa admits that was a good attempt, but she isn’t as loose-lipped as some. Sigismund comes over and interrupts their conversation. Philippa talks to Tassaia and Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu). Sigismund speaks to Geralt about the brewing war. There are traitors who will soon turn their loyalty to Nilfgaard. He argues that Redania is the only hope of keeping the Lion Cub safe.

Geralt refuses to give him the girl and leaves. He walks over to Stregobor (Lars Mikkelsen) who says he didn’t plunge his dagger into poor Renfri. Geralt is adamant he will make him pay for everything he has done. Stregobor claims he is saving the continent and rooting out the deadly creatures that threaten them all. Istredd approaches Yennefer to talk to her about an artifact called the Book of Monoliths. It gives the holder the ability to travel through time and space. Triss and Istredd traced the book there and suspect Stregobor has it. Triss comes over and says this is their chance to get him for everything he’s done. She told Istredd about Yennefer being attacked in the illusion. Someone needs to get the book before he uses it.

Yennefer immediately tells Geralt what is going on. They need to figure it out and nail him tonight. While Geralt dances, he says that he needs Ciri to survive this. Yennefer comes over to say they need to immobilize Stregobor. He will create a distraction so she can slip away. The signal will be truce. Yennefer will pass that on to Artaud (Ryan Hayes). Geralt fights Istredd to distract everyone. Yennefer approaches a door that releases a butterfly. It lets Stregobor know that someone is snooping around in his room. Yennefer finds a necklace and a mirror. Both cause her to have a vision. When Stregobor enters the room, she curses him. He accuses her of returning to raze Aretuza to the ground. Geralt joins them as Yennefer accuses Stregobor of corrupting portals and kidnapping novices.

Geralt believes he is trying to get to Ciri, but Stregobor says he doesn’t care about her. He says the girl will most likely leave this world by Geralt’s own mutant hands. When the others come in, Yennefer says Stregobor has been keeping a list of elven students and their belongings. It is the ones who have gone missing. Geralt says he has been conducting experiments and practicing mind control. He also tried to kill Yennefer using a botched portal. Istredd finds the Book of Monoliths in his possession. It holds the key to how the human sphere collided with the elves’. It also provides information about how humans can get rid of elves again. Tissaia wants him held until the conclave concludes.

He tells Yennefer and Geralt that they saved the night. Yennefer picks up a bracelet and says she will be missing this. After a drink, Geralt tells Yennefer that he loves her. She believes that is the first time he ever said that. Geralt wonders if they actually pulled it off. Yennefer admits it is hard to say, but she can’t get Philippa out of her head. She begins telling Geralt about their conversation. Philippa says she didn’t pull her away because of Ciri. They see Lydia nearby and Philippa says she is heartsick. She asks if Yennefer knew the truth about what happened between herself and Tissaia. They only grew closer until the days leading up to the First Northern War. Philippa tried to convince Tissaia not to go and not to ally with Vilgefortz. She urged her to let the continent fight its own impossible battle. Tissaia refused.

Philippa believes they lost too much. Yennefer says Tissaia was fighting for the Brotherhood and the North like they are now. Philippa says they’re fighting on the sinking ship because the Brotherhood has no place in the future of the continent. She came tonight because she and Yennefer aren’t like Tissaia. They break rules and aren’t afraid of power. If they stick to the plan, they will not be any better off than Lydia. They’ll be in love with a poison that kills them slowly. Yennefer believes they will triumph tomorrow like they did at Sodden. She hopes Philippa can see there are some things worth protecting at the meeting to unite the North tomorrow. As Yennefer walks away, Philippa says tonight means everything to them as well. Geralt and Yennefer wonder what is going on with Philippa and Sigismund.

Yennefer was Lydia was wounded and her lower jaw is an illusion so she doesn’t speak. He remembers what Teryn said about the woman with the funny voice. Geralt looks at Tissaia’s bracelet and thinks Lydia’s earrings were made of the same thing. In a flashback, Geralt walks by Lydia and joins Vilgefortz who talks about the First Landing and how Jan Bekker bent the Power to his will. Vilgefortz wanted to talk to him because he thinks they have a lot in common. He says they’re outcasts and he was an orphan. Instead of remaining an unwanted mutant, he decided to become a sorcerer out of spite. He talks about how falling in love with Tissaia changed him. Vilgefortz believes the same has happened to Geralt because of his love for Yennefer.

He goes on to say the Brotherhood will get stronger as Yennefer stays at Aretuza. They’ll be more likely to hold off the powers that threaten the continent. Vilgefortz urges Geralt to join their side in the battle to come to protect what he loves. The child will not remain safe for long and his passivity will be no weapon that will save her. Geralt says he is not his equal partner in this game. He will continue on his path and adapt to the world as it changes. Vilgefortz mentions that enemies will always be there. He tells Geralt about Istredd and Yennefer being lovers when they were young mages. In the present, Yennefer says the bracelet is made of scarlet ammonite which is rumored to protect loved ones or valuable property.

It is only found in the mines in West Redania which is where Geralt found the girls locked in the castle. Yennefer says the corrupt portal took her to the first landing. There was a black mountain with water below. It is Vilgefortz’s favorite painting. He gave Tissaia the bracelet and probably gave Lydia the jewelry too. She is in love with him. Yennefer says Stregobor isn’t their man. Instead, Vilgefortz is. Yennefer tries to locate Tissaia because she is in danger. She refuses to leave without Tissaia. Geralt is told to make sure the path is clear. As he enters the hallway, he hears someone yelling to secure the great hall. Sigismund puts a blade to his neck and tells him he should’ve picked a side.

 

The Witcher Review

Unfortunately, the first half of The Witcher’s third season wasn’t great in any way. It is hard to even say it was watchable considering how terribly boring the majority of the scenes are. The final episode of the first half was likely the worst episode of the season because many of the scenes were repeated as if this was something clever.

Sadly, it wasn’t and the glacial pace doesn’t create any excitement for the upcoming episodes. Although the series looks good enough and even the performances are usually strong, it doesn’t have any heart or chemistry. Even with Liam Hemsworth entering the picture, it is hard to have any faith that the series will improve.

The writing isn’t strong enough and the characters aren’t interesting enough for the politics to carry the story. Truthfully, I expected something to happen before Netflix’s big break. It’d make sense to at least justify viewers looking forward to the last three episodes at the end of the month. This episode will be more likely to annoy viewers into tuning out instead.

The episode scores a 4 out of 10. Recaps of The Witcher can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.