Forget Liam Hemsworth, The Witcher Season 4 Fixed an Even Bigger Geralt Problem

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Fans eagerly awaited Season 4, which arrived two years after Season 3. Although it continued the pattern of previous seasons, its release was met with some unease. A major change was the departure of Henry Cavill from the role of Geralt of Rivia, with Liam Hemsworth taking over. Hemsworth’s performance sparked both positive and negative reactions, often appearing heavily influenced by pre-existing opinions, making him a central point of discussion and debate for the series.

Liam Hemsworth wasn’t the only issue with The Witcher. Even after the show developed Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer into a core group, the story continued to focus heavily on Geralt. While some book fans might be surprised, the show’s creator didn’t intend for Geralt to always be the main focus. It wasn’t until Season 4 that this changed, with Yennefer of Vengerberg becoming a more central character.

Yennefer’s Presence Isn’t Proportional to Her Impact in The Witcher

Geralt of Rivia continues to be a fascinating character. While destiny connects him to Ciri, he generally directs his own path. As a strong, quiet hero, Geralt is clearly one of the most powerful figures in the series. There’s a natural focus on him, partly due to the well-known actors who portray him.

The story jumps around in time and place, but Geralt remains a consistent force thanks to his strong, quiet personality and imposing appearance. Though he’s in many episodes and feels like the main character, Yennefer, played by Anya Chalotra, ultimately makes a bigger impression.

While thrilling monster battles and perilous quests are central to the Witcher’s appeal, they sometimes overshadow the larger narrative. A classic hero’s journey feels incomplete when the protagonist constantly gets pulled away by self-contained adventures and lengthy travels. In contrast, every scene featuring Yennefer significantly impacts the main storyline and the fate of the entire Continent.

Yennefer plays a crucial role in many key events. She delays the Nilfgaardian army at Sodden Hill, challenges the traditional power structure of the Brotherhood, and makes significant sacrifices – even of herself – to save lives, including those of Cahir, Fringilla, and Jaskier, among others. While she isn’t a substitute for Geralt, she acknowledges her errors and strives to correct them, ultimately establishing herself as his equal within the world of The Witcher.

Yennefer’s reasons for wanting to change felt more genuine and understandable than Geralt’s. While Geralt initially didn’t want a child, his feelings eventually reversed. Yennefer, however, risked everything – even her own destruction – in a desperate attempt to regain her magical abilities. It was only after a difficult internal struggle that she arrived at the same realization about parenthood as Geralt.

Yennefer’s relationship with Ciri fulfills her desire to be a mother, adding a powerful layer to the story that arguably exceeds even Geralt’s journey. While Geralt is a father figure to Ciri, Yennefer truly completes the found family dynamic. From Season 3 onward, she’s become just as much of a parent to Ciri as Geralt, solidifying the show’s core trio.

It’s not surprising that people are more drawn to the witcher characters – they’re naturally more popular. However, it’s a little unfair, considering how important Yennefer of Vengerberg is to the story. Like Geralt, she’s a flawed character who bravely works to rebuild her life. And when you understand her past, her achievements feel even more impactful, making her a compelling protagonist.

Yennefer Might Be the Only True Underdog Protagonist in The Witcher

I found Yennefer to be a fascinating, if flawed, character. It took her a long time to realize that true strength comes from being vulnerable, and even with all her intelligence, she definitely had her weaknesses. Her backstory is heartbreaking – rejected and ostracized by her family because of how she looked. I think a lot of her drive for power actually stemmed from a deep need to prove herself, to build a life where she didn’t need anyone’s support, and to climb all the way to the top on her own terms.

Yennefer’s growing power reflects her emotional detachment. The more powerful she becomes, the more she craves strength, creating a cycle where she focuses solely on survival and success, regardless of the consequences. This drive stems from a deep-seated belief in her own worth, forged by a difficult past – being sold by her father and previously ostracized by her family.

Yennefer’s sense of self was deeply connected to being a woman, especially during a pivotal moment for the magical academy of Aretuza. This allowed her to build a more progressive group of mages. However, she didn’t start with this power. Yennefer’s backstory makes her a true underdog – arguably the biggest one in The Witcher universe. While Ciri and Geralt faced hardships, Yennefer’s struggles were far greater, shaping her into the powerful figure she became.

She gave up everything to become the person she always dreamed of, and she considered the cost worth it. She endured terrible pain and lost the ability to have children, all for a beautiful body and face that could captivate anyone, even kings. There’s no greater tale than that of an outcast rising to the highest levels of society, especially when she willingly gives up her most cherished hope to do so.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, Yennefer relentlessly pursued her desires across the Continent. Initially, she craved power, and over time, she never truly connected with other sorceresses. When she lost her magical abilities, she was even prepared to sacrifice her relationship with Geralt in order to regain them. However, this desperate act ironically cemented their fates together permanently.

I’ve always known Yennefer was powerful, but seeing how far she’d go for Ciri and Geralt is terrifying and amazing. She’s reached a point where she’d literally burn everything down if anyone threatened them – a furious, unstoppable fire fueled by her love. It’s that fierce determination that drives her forward, leading to a truly incredible change within her, one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever witnessed in the whole story.

The Witcher Season 4 Officially Elevated Yennefer to Protagonist

Being a mother isn’t just about giving birth; it’s about loving and caring for a child. Yennefer’s desire to have a child of her own initially blinded her to the idea of adoption. But when she began to love Ciri, she understood that she was simply passing on the love her mentor, Tissaia, had shown her. This realization made her see how flawed a society is when it prioritizes biological ties over genuine connection.

Remembering Tissaia, the woman who truly raised her, Yennefer’s love for Geralt and Ciri led her to reconcile with old rivals and strengthen forgotten friendships. She vowed to rebuild the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, now disbanded, with her newfound family. Driven by a deep connection to other mages, Yennefer decided to create a new guild exclusively for women, challenging the traditionally male-dominated magical world and forging a lasting sisterhood.

I’ve always been captivated by Yennefer’s journey, and seeing her change was incredible. She’s shed all that ambition and thirst for power; now, it’s just about the people she loves – her family. It feels like she single-handedly opened the door to a new age of magic, freeing it from the grip of those stuffy, self-serving old men who used to control everything. Honestly, the power struggles at Aretuza were awful – so much betrayal, even murder, and just blatant disrespect for women. Seeing that whole world fall apart in the last season was dramatic, but it also felt right. And knowing Yennefer? She’s already planning to build something better from the ashes.

The debate over who should have played Geralt – Henry Cavill or Chris Hemsworth – may have unintentionally lessened the impact of his character. It possibly shifted the audience’s attention to the emotional core of the story, which largely revolved around Yennefer. While Geralt spent the season battling creatures and opponents, Yennefer was busy assembling a small, powerful force to defeat the main antagonist.

Geralt experienced a clear defeat by Vilgefortz in Season 3, which, while tough, offered a chance for him to recover. However, Season 4 shows him still struggling with those injuries and remaining largely inactive. He’s preoccupied with Ciri and Yennefer, constantly thinking about his hopes and anxieties regarding them. While Henry Cavill’s departure was a major turning point, this wasn’t anyone’s fault; it simply marked the natural progression of Yennefer’s character arc.

Season 4, Episode 6, “Twilight of the Wolf,” is the one episode of The Witcher where Geralt doesn’t appear at all. This episode focuses on Yennefer, making her the central character. After barely winning her battle with Vilgefortz, Yennefer says goodbye to her past, marked by the death of Istredd, a close friend and former lover. She overcomes her grief and embraces her destiny, finally stepping into the role she was meant to play.

I’ve been following the show, and Season 4 really surprised me. It doesn’t push Geralt to the side at all, but it does make it clear that Yennefer is the real key to everything happening on the Continent – she’s finally come into her own, and it’s amazing to watch.

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2025-11-26 01:09