The Witcheron Netflix is an adaptationof Andrzej Sapkowski’s books, which also led tothe hit video game series. However, there are some changes when it comes to adapting the books to the screen. Whilethe books are mainly told from Geralt’s perspective, the writers of the TV series wanted to introduce the three main characters simultaneously. This decision led toa rather difficult timelinebeing implemented in season 1.
However,it was all for the bestas it allowed fans to meet Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), and Cirilla, also known as Ciri, of Cintra (Freya Allan) at the same time. Season 1 ofThe Witchershows Yennefer’s backstory. This allows fans to know more about her character. And as she is a compelling character, viewers are likely glad to get a greater insight into her.
RELATED:The Witcher Season 2 Can Change The Game For Adaptations
While the timeline confused many fans, without it, Yennefer’s backstory would probably not have been shown in season 1 ofThe Witcher. So perhaps the timeline had its uses.Yennefer’s rise to poweris something fans would not have wanted to miss out on. Of course, her power comes with a price. One that she does not fully understand until it’s too late.
Without seeing her backstory, fans might not have as much sympathy for her struggles as they now do. And wouldn’t that be a shame? So perhaps there is a reason for the writers' decisions, as controversial as they may be. Perhaps the writers made the right choice, even though it led to some confusion for some fans. After all, the world ofThe Witcherwould not be the same without all of its characters.
So why is it so importantto show Yennefer’s backstory? Besides the fact that seeing her go through all she’s gone through creates greater sympathy for her among fans, Yennefer’s backstory also allows for different sides of her character to emerge. Instead of simply being a cold, hard person who doesn’t need anyone, Yennefer is shownto have a softer side.
While her independent nature is important, asThe Witchershowrunner Lauren Schmidt HissrichtoldTV Guide, “everyone has vulnerabilities.” Showing Yennefer’s vulnerable side makes her a more well-developed character. The more well-developed Yennefer is, the more fans will like her. Seeing her story from Yennefer’s perspective also allows fans to get to know the powerful mage on a deeper level. And that allows for more sympathy for her as well.
Of course,Yennefer is far from a damsel in distress. She freely decides to become a mage, and therefore to be sterilized. However, at the time, she doesn’t realize what she’s giving up. Fans can feel for her due to that. Hissrich discusses how she “wanted to make Yennefer culpable for that decision” since “we all make decisions that we make and we think they’re right in the moment and then they ripple out into our futures.”
By having Yennefer decide to be sterile without realizing what she’s doing, it’s that much more heartbreaking when she does finally realize. Yennefer also is an even more intriguing character because of that decision by the writers. It makes her even more realistic. Many people can probably relate to such decision-making. Often, one doesn’t realize until it’s too late the effects of a decision.
Therefore, the writers ofThe Witchermade the right decision by showing Yennefer’s backstory. If fans didn’t have that context, it would be a lot harder for them to feel for or relate to her. As it is, however, fans can understand where Yennefer is coming from. They can root for her to overcome her fate, as impossible as it may seem.
The knowledge of why Yennefer wants a child and why she can’t have one will also makethe eventual Yennefer-Ciri relationshipthat much more poignant. Fans will have even more reason to be invested in the relationship between these two powerful women. Having Yennefer feel somewhat alone in the world makes all of her relationships have more of an impact. And making her an active participant in the decision makes it not only more realistic but more difficult to watch.
Since Yennefer made the decision herself, she is partially to blame for it. And that gives fans a wide range of emotions. It makes it even easier to feel for her and to understand why she became who she became. Of course, not everyfan ofThe Witcherwill be intrigued by Yennefer’s backstory. Some might have preferred her character without it, while others simply are more interested in Geralt or Ciri, for example. Everyone has different tastes. Yet Netflix’s version ofThe Witcherwould probably not be the same without Yennefer, and her backstory is part of her, no matter what.
Therefore, fans might be glad, however they feel about her backstory, that it is part of the story. It’s a small price for fans to pay for having such a compelling character. And in the end, it is definitely worth it.
MORE:‘The Witcher’ Season 2 Will Feature Familiar Faces From ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Bridgerton’
