Shaerrawedd – As the episode opens, The Professor (Sunny Patel) demands to know the whereabouts of Geralt of Rivia “Witcher” (Henry Cavill) and Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon/Ciri (Freya Allan). He assures the shopkeeper that he will receive a handsome reward for giving up their location. A door opening draws their attention to the perimeter where the Witcher awaits. After slaughtering his three men, Geralt beheads The Professor.

Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) writes to Gerald about the changing times. Gerald pays a man money to keep quiet before he and Ciri enter an abode. Prohibited from entering, Yennefer promises to do whatever is necessary to ensure Ciri builds her magical skill. She utilizes a knife to hang the letter on a door. Geralt takes the letter to read it.

Ciri practices her magic. Geralt updates her friend on Ciri’s magical training via a letter. She says Ciri has considerable potential but minimal talent. Sensing great danger, Geralt takes the girls away in time to miss their pursuers burning down their safe haven. They flee to another location where Geralt pays handsomely to keep their presence discrete. In a letter, Yennefer asks him to save Ciri’s energy for practicing her magic.

It is winter when Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri reach their next destination. They are greeted by Yarpen (Jeremy Crawford) who jokingly reminds them to pay him for being discrete. Geralt prohibits Yennefer from staying with him and Ciri. While chopping wood, he watches the girls happily skate on a frozen pond. Yennefer later invites herself to dine with them. From this point on, they cook and dine together.

After a hit-and-miss water magic training session, Ciri asks if she could do worse with fire magic. Yennefer warns fire magic permanently removes something from the source. When Ciri asks about her magic, she assures her it isn’t everything. Ciri reminds her of how she was prepared to trade her life for magic. She points out that Yennefer nearly lost her and Geralt. Yennefer admits it was a time in her life that she had “given up.” Yarpen arrives with supplies. He informs them of the Belleteyn Festival which Ciri is eager to attend. Yennefer and Geralt agree it is too dangerous.

While feeding imprisoned jackapaces, an elf encounters a more vicious creature with a powerful sense of smell that detects Elder blood like his from afar. Rience (Sam Woolf) approaches to inquire about their services in locating Ciri. Veldhoek (Sean Cernow) assures him that the jackapace can find her. When Rience pops open a bottle of Ciri’s scent, the jackapace becomes extremely hyper and only calms down when the stopper is replaced.

Francesca (Mecia Simson) sends Gage (Kaine Zajaz) to Maribor and Filavandrel (Tom Canton) to Caed Dhu in search of Ciri. Filavandrel reminds her that there is no proof Ciri has Elder blood. Gage admits to having the desire to kill everyone involved in what happened to her baby. She assures him that her goal is still to locate Dol Blathana. He tells her that all elf statuaries are no more. She suggests Ciri holds the answers and their hope. He warns that her people are beginning to doubt her. Someone announces the return of Gallatin (Robbie Amell) and the Scoiatael. He scolds Francesca for not having fighters to fight for her people’s freedom. She claims to have no more fighters to spare. He accuses her of sending her best fighters on secret missions.

Francesca accuses Gallatin of fighting for a “self-important human.” He says if Nilfgaard takes the North, it will win the elves’ freedom everywhere. She reminds him of what happened the last time elves tried to share the continent with humans.

King Vizimir (Ed Birch) scolds Sigismund Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) for failing to keep his promise of a princess. Dijkastra blames his failure on the Squirrels. Vizimir complains about being blamed for the death of Queen Hedwig’s baby. He informs Dijkastra of his decision to put Prince Radovid (Hugh Skinner) on the task.

Dijkastra informs Philippa Eilhart (Cassie Clare) of King Vizimir’s decision. She boasts their being responsible for his success. They discuss the best approach to dealing with Prince Seed-Waste. She agrees to monitor Prince Radovid’s activities.

Ciri appears before Geralt in her costume for the Belleteyn Festival. He suggests covering her hair and face. Disappointed by his comment, she asks if it would be too much to pay her a compliment. When Yennefer appears before him, he compliments her loveliness. At the festival, Geralt and Yennefer watch as Ciri dances. He wishes her a happy birthday. She asks if he remembers all the “amazing” nights they shared together. He describes their mornings as “lovely.” He admits to questioning his feelings. She asks how he feels about their relationship now when Ciri heads into the maze. They briefly separate when a group of frantic people run for the exit. Ciri barely escapes a jackapace before utilizing her magic to stun it. Geralt stabs the jackapace in the heart.

Back home, Yennefer and Ciri pack their belongings. Geralt explains how jackapace “hunt by scent.” Yennefer questions how they got Ciri’s scene. He says Vesemir claimed Rience took Ciri’s blood from Kaer Morhen. Ciri offers to put herself in danger to lure Rience to them. They ask Yarpen to let them join his caravan to Hagge. Yennefer stresses the importance of no one knowing she and Geralt are part of the caravan. Yarpen agrees to help them. Geralt tells him that Veldhoek has jackapace trained to track a scent. Ciri suggests Veldhoek was hired by Rience to find her. At a local pub, Yarpen complains that the Balleteyn Festival was ruined by the “spoiled brat,” Ciri who will join his caravan to Aedirn. Overhearing Yarpen, Veldhoek shares the information with Rience.

Philippa and Prince Radovid threaten to kill the elves if Jaskier (Joey Batey) doesn’t bring them Ciri within five days. Yarpen convinces Jaskier to help Ciri bait Rience. Yennefer and Geralt promise to keep him safe. They visit the Shaerrawedd ruins. Yennefer and Geralt explain their different versions of Aelirenn’s tale.

Gallatin hands food out to the fighters, refusing to feed the other elves. Francesca demands all the elves be fed. He reluctantly gives food to an elf. After saying he was right, she orders the Scoiatael forces to be united. She promises to stand by him from now on.

Ciri tells Yennefer and Geralt of her bad dream. She says her strength comes from being part human and part elven. Yennefer tells her that Francesca believes there is more she can offer to her people. Ciri stresses her desire to “change the cycle of hatred.” Geralt and Yennefer hide nearby while Rience and his men approach. When his men try to restrain her, she fights them off until Yennefer, Geralt, and Yarpen finish them off. Rience escapes through a magical portal with Geralt in tow. Yennefer keeps the portal open for Geralt when they come under attack. Gallatin questions why the caravan isn’t there. Francesca tells him that Ciri is all that matters before ordering Dara (Wilson Mbomio) to apprehend her.

Ciri fights off her attackers. Francesca approaches Yennefer as she keeps the portal open to say Hen Ichaer, Ciri, belongs with her. Utilizing her magic, Yennefer shoves her to the ground. A fighter orders assistance in getting her to safety. Geralt and Rience are in a heated physical dispute when arrows fly through the portal into a wall. Geralt breaks his hands before entering the portal to Shaerrawedd to join the battle. Believing he is hit by an arrow, Jaskier asks Ciri to play Valdo Marx at his funeral. Holding up his arrow-laden lute, Geralt assures him that he will survive. Yarpen thanks him for helping him and his men. Geralt follows up with another thanks.

Yennefer warns they are dealing with a rogue mage much more powerful than Rience. Geralt urges them to push up the intensity of Ciri’s training. Ciri and Yennefer will go to Aretuza while he finds Rience.

Francesca mourns the loss of her brother, Gage. Gallatin tells Filavandrel (Tom Canton) that she broke her promise to unite with them to attack the caravan. An injured Dara claims to have warned them to stay away from Princess Cirilla of Cintra. Gallatin says he will seek assistance from an old acquaintance.

Geralt tells Ciri that he will travel to Ban Glean where Jaskier is waiting. Yennefer promises to protect Ciri no matter what. He promises to think of her. Jaskier tells Philippa and Radovid that he will bring them Ciri. He says they can keep her safe in Redania. He suggests killing Rience will earn Geralt and Ciri’s trust.

Geralt finds a letter from Yennefer in his saddlebag. She finds his letter in which he contributes his leaving Belleteyn to being afraid. He admits his first real fear is never seeing them again. Stegobor (Lars Mikkelsen) watches as Rience’s fractured hands/wrists are reset. Rience utilizes his magic to make fire emit from the tip of his finger. Emperor Emhyr “Duny” (Bart Edwards) burns several photos but not Ciri’s. The episode closes.

 

The Witcher Review

The pilot episode for season 3 wasn’t a barnburner. It truly added little to the story. Half of the episode was invested in Geralt relocating Ciri to different safe havens, only to utilize her as bait to lure Rience. Even more disappointing, Rience survived the ridiculous hand-breaking.

The CGI isn’t topnotch but good nonetheless. The camera panning is too fast during fighting scenes. The camera panned so quickly at times, just watching was nauseating. Poor lighting in interior and night scenes complicated visibility.

Since I didn’t read Sapokowski’s Witcher novels, I won’t comment on the accuracy of the Netflix series adaptation. The scenery was breathtaking.

Any input would be appreciated. The episode deserves a 6. Get more The Witcher recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask how our onsite advertising can help build your brand awareness by speaking to our customer support.