The Witcher Season 3's 5 Biggest Differences From The Books (Out of Approximately One Hundred)
These alterations add depth to some characters and completely change others.
On June 29, the first five episodes of The Witcher Season 3 were released, based on the events of the third book in the Witcher saga, Time of Contempt. Though the current installment is certainly much more faithful to Andrzej Sapkowski's original story than the previous one, the third season still features a number of significant differences from the books.
Here are five of them.
5. Yen never betrayed Ciri
Yennefer's attempt to give Ciri away to the Deathless Mother in order to regain her powers was just a writer's fantasy that shouldn't have made it to the screen adaptation, and we saw the consequences of this storyline in Season 3 when Yen and Ciri reconciled. Lots of fans are still outraged with the creators' decision to introduce this dubious plotline to the show, arguing that Yen's actions were completely out-of-character.
In the books, the Lady of Vengerberg was too powerful and cunning a sorceress to make shady deals with 'demons,' and she had always taken care of Ciri ever since the two met.
4. Love triangle between Geralt, Yen, and Triss
The Geralt/Triss shippers and fans of Sapkowski's original books are obviously disappointed because there's no chemistry between the characters this season. However, some viewers note that Triss' feelings completely devalued her as an independent character and the love triangle distracted from the overall story and the drama between Geralt and Yen.
All in all, it seems to be a good thing that the writers got rid of the love triangle in the adaptation.
3. Radovid is completely different
Yes, Radovid is one character who suffered the most changes. In the TV series, he was revealed to be the brother of King Visimir, but in Time of Contempt, Radovid is actually his underaged son, no older than Ciri. By the end of the book saga, he becomes a ruthless ruler with an aversion for mages.
2. Stregobor's storyline is not in the books (but Vilgefortz's is, mostly)
Stregobor is getting much more screen time in Season 3, as the main characters begin to suspect him of conspiracies. However, the character appeared in just one short story, The Lesser Evil, on which the first episode of Season 1 is based.
At the same time, Vilgefortz shares the same secret intentions as his book counterpart. In Sapkowski's novels, the character waged war between North, South, sorcerers, and elves and conducted horrific experiments on humans.
1. Yen isn't anti-Nilfgaard
In the show, Yennefer is a more active political player, trying to unite the mages of Arethusa in a coalition with the North against Nilfgaard, while her book counterpart tried to stay away from politics and kept a more neutral stance on the matter. In the novels, the coalition idea was actually promoted by Vilgefortz, who wanted to weaken the sorcerers.