The Witcher Season 3 has stirred up even more controversy surrounding the already controversial Netflix Original series. While some fans are considering this the best season yet, others are convinced the seasons have progressively gotten worse. Since the fourth season of the fantasy show has already been confirmed, the poor reviews from fans will not influence its renewal.
Aside from the disputes among fans regarding the plot and how it has deviated from the source material, the hottest point of controversy for The Witcher is the recast which will replace Henry Cavill's Geralt with Liam Hemsworth. Many viewers are convinced this will be the final downfall of the show that will stop them from watching completely. With fans doubting Hemsworth's ability to live up to the titular character's reputation, The Witcher's only hope would be to focus on other central characters like Ciri.
The Witcher Recast Will Lead to Lost Viewers
There's no doubt that the big Witcher recast will result in some fans not watching new seasons. Though the showrunners assure the audience the quality of the show will not change after Cavill leaves, that isn't going to prevent some viewers from having a hard time watching it when the titular character is played by another actor. There are many potential ways The Witcher will suffer following this change, even if Liam Hemsworth is better than fans are expecting.
For huge Geralt fans, The Witcher is such an appealing watch because of the way Cavill portrays the character. There likely isn't much to be done about losing the viewers that can't stand to watch the series following the recast. However, Geralt isn't the only appealing aspect of the show. To take attention away from Geralt getting a new actor, the show can salvage its viewership by focusing on Ciri's increasingly intense storyline.
Season 3 Focused on Ciri More Than Ever
For those believing the show has improved throughout the seasons, seeing Cavill leave after Season 3 is especially disappointing considering the thrilling aspects of the last season. The Battle of Aretuza excited the audience, suggesting the impending battle between Emperor Emhyr and the heroes is at peak intensity. Ciri going on a journey at this time and evaluating her situation while struggling to survive in the desert emphasized how her character will develop in the plot to follow.
The fake Ciri Emperor Emyhr now has in his possession brought up a lot of questions that need to be answered in Season 4. Though he has convinced the world this girl is his real daughter, it has yet to be clarified if he actually believes the impostor is Ciri. In addition, Ciri is once again separated from her found family and has found herself in the mysterious company of Mistle and her group. These aspects of Season 3 hint at Ciri having an epic adventure coming up.
Ciri Isn't the Titular Character, but She Can Be a Focal Point
What does this epic adventure of Ciri's mean for the uncertain reputation of The Witcher? Despite Ciri not being the titular character of the series, she has been a major focal point since the beginning. Despite the many intriguing characters, Geralt has stolen the show in many ways. However, Ciri is the character that drives the plot forward. Without those seeking her power for their own gain, and her allies fighting to protect her and her magic, the storyline would be completely different.
Freya Allan has given a stellar performance up to this point, so there should be no doubt that she can capture the storyline of Season 4. Being far away from what is familiar to her, and with a group of people that are sure to challenge her, can make for a fascinating sequence of events that will continue to influence Ciri as she matures and grapples with her desires. Focusing on what is next for Ciri can make the show more bearable for those that hate the recast.
Regardless of the reason Henry Cavill will no longer be on The Witcher, fans either have to accept that another actor will be playing Geralt or forgo the rest of the series altogether. Some viewers will likely take the latter option, content to end their experience following Season 3. However, there's no denying there is a slew of other great characters on the show.
Some viewers will even continue to watch because of their love for the humorous Jaskier or the powerful Yennefer. If these entertaining characters are not enough to keep the audience engaged, Ciri's amazing storyline is an exceptional aspect of The Witcher. Though viewers won't know how the recast will affect the quality of the show until Season 4 actually drops on Netflix, it has the potential to hold onto more viewers by focusing on Ciri over the new Geralt.