After a prolonged wait, season 4 of The Witcher is finally available on Netflix, and it has not failed to attract attention. Between the controversial arrival of Liam Hemsworth in the role of Geralt of Rivia, the political upheavals on the Continent and the more than uncertain fate of Ciri, the eight episodes of this new act lay the foundations for a fifth and final season which promises to be of rare intensity. Here is a complete decryption of this dense, complex and terribly dark finale.
A desperate quest and changing destinies
The season opens on a Continent in full decline. Geralt, accompanied by Jaskier, Milva, Regis and Cahir, set out in search of Ciri. But the young princess is not where everyone thinks: left to her own devices, she joined a group of outlaws called the Rats, under the identity of Falka, embracing a darker part of her personality.
Meanwhile, Yennefer attempts to rebuild what remains of the magical sisterhood in Montecalvo, forming a new alliance of witches with Philippa, Francesca, Triss and Fringilla. This “Lodge” marks a desire to regain control over magic and impose a new path, far from past errors.
Geralt facing his past… and his destiny
One of the highlights of this season is the Battle of the Yaruga Bridge. Geralt and his companions, despite losses and injuries, allow Queen Meve to cross the river, an act of bravery which earns him the knighthood of Rivia. Irony of fate: until then, the Witcher had never belonged to this country whose name he bore. This dreamed-of title, however, becomes a hindrance, forcing him to submit to the queen while his heart is turned towards only one thing: saving Ciri.
Emhyr’s Trap and the Threat of an Unknown Monster
The Emperor of Nilfgaard, Emhyr, convinced that Geralt is the main obstacle to the fulfillment of the prophecy, prepares a sinister plan. With the help of his advisor Stefan Skellen, he chose to release a creature locked in his palace, offering it Renfri’s medallion to capture the Witcher’s scent. A strong symbol: this jewel, once Geralt’s most precious possession, has now been turned against him.
Ciri Captured: The Rise of Bonhart, New Big Bad
Ciri, aka Falka, finds herself at the heart of the darkest spiral of her narrative arc. Trapped by Leo Bonhart, a sadistic bounty hunter, she is forced to helplessly watch the massacre of the Rats, including Mistle, her companion. This chilling scene seals the descent into hell of the young princess, now captive, alone and broken. Bonhart is not just looking for a bonus: he wants to humiliate and dominate the one who embodies rebellion.
Yennefer in the footsteps of Vilgefortz
For her part, Yennefer, supported by Triss and Vesemir, manages to create a breach in the magical barrier erected by Vilgefortz. Thanks to Istredd’s sacrifice, she begins a personal hunt for the renegade mage’s lair, Stygga Castle. The reunion promises to be brutal and decisive.
A Leap into the Future: Nimue’s Prophecy
In the distant future, young Nimue, fascinated by the legends of Geralt and Ciri, prepares to enter Aretuza to study magic. This mysterious character, destined to become the Lady of the Lake, will play a key role in the conclusion of the series. She will be the one who helps Ciri master her jumps in time and space, linking past, present and future.
What season 5 promises
The final season of The Witcher promises to be a concentrate of accumulated tensions. Stygga Castle will become the scene of titanic confrontations: Geralt against Vilgefortz, Ciri against Bonhart, Yennefer between revenge and sacrifice. Emhyr could well see his hold on Nilfgaard crumble if the truth about Ciri comes out.
Adapting events from the novels The Swallow Tower And The Lady of the Lakethis season 5 will mark the end of a cycle. Between dramas, revelations and epic clashes, the destiny of the Continent will hang by a thread.