Netflix has a variety of fantasy TV shows, and one currently preparing for its fifth and final season has the chance to save its book series in one huge way. Netflix has many titles among the best TV shows of all time, and, more specifically, on the list of the best fantasy TV shows.
One of Netflix’s most popular fantasy TV shows is The Witcher, based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series of the same name. The Witcher had a strong start in 2019, but it has been struggling to stay afloat since season 2, which made some controversial changes to its source material.
The Witcher season 4 was a major shake-up for the show, with Liam Hemsworth debuting as Geralt of Rivia, but it was closer to the books and set up some dark stories for its main characters. The Witcher is now preparing its final season, and it has the chance to save the book series if it does one big thing.
The Witcher Books Leave Geralt & Yennefer’s Fates Ambiguous
Warning: spoilers for The Witcher books and, potentially, season 5.
The Witcher tells the stories of the title monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill and Liam Hemsworth), sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), and Cintran Princess Ciri (Freya Allan). While half the Continent wants to capture Ciri, each group for their own selfish and, in many cases, disturbing reasons, Geralt and Yennefer have fought to keep her safe.
Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri have formed a family, which is the core of the Witcher books, though, in the Netflix show, this hasn’t been fully believable because of how it has handled their story. Still, The Witcher is now focused on the family bond between its three main characters, their individual fights, and their efforts to reunite and finally live the peaceful life they deserve.
After the events of season 4, Ciri is taking the lead of The Witcher, and she’s about to have some of her darkest but also most important stories in the show that fans of the books are well acquainted with. While Ciri and her journey are definitely important, season 5 of The Witcher is about to face a huge challenge, as the books don’t give Geralt and Yennefer a proper ending.
In the novels, Geralt is impaled with a pitchfork during a riot in Rivia, and Yennefer uses her magic to heal him, but loses consciousness in the process. Ciri then puts their bodies on a boat, and they disappear into the fog, but as Ciri is the one telling the story, what happens next is left unclear.
Ciri says Geralt and Yennefer wake up in an unknown location and comfort each other, but she admits that’s not how she wants the story to end. Ciri tearfully adds that Geralt and Yennefer got married and lived a happy life, leaving readers questioning if Geralt and Yennefer truly had their happy ending, or if they died and the boat and everything else are just a metaphor.
Geralt & Yennefer Deserve A Definitive Ending In Netflix’s The Witcher
After all the changes Netflix’s The Witcher has made to the source material, being loyal to the ending the novels give Geralt and Yennefer would be a huge mistake (which is definitely ironic). While Ciri is now the main character of The Witcher after season 4, the show spent all this time focusing on Geralt and Yennefer and making the audience care for them, as individuals and as a couple.
Geralt and Yennefer have gone through a lot since season 1, with The Witcher showing parts of their complex and tragic backstories and following them through tragedies, wins, losses, and lots of heartbreak. The least The Witcher can do is give Geralt and Yennefer a proper and clear ending, regardless of whether it’s a happy or sad one.
By giving proper closure to Geralt and Yennefer, Netflix’s The Witcher can fix one of the books’ biggest mistakes and offer closure to their ending in the novels, as well. The Witcher season 5 has many challenges to overcome, but if there was ever a time to not be faithful to the books, it’s this one.
- Release Date
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December 20, 2019
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
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Anya Chalotra
Yennefer of Vengerberg
