by Netflix the witcher introduces many key characters from the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt game, based on the popular fantasy novel series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, but the three versions of these characters can vary widely. The popular open-world RPG, Witcher 3: Wild Huntis set in the fantasy world of the Continent and follows the story of protagonist Geralt, a monster slayer for hire with supernatural and magical abilities, due to genetic mutations resulting from training and experimentation in early childhood.
[Warning: Spoilers for The Witcher Season 2 are below.]
The story follows Geralt on his travels, as he uses magic and alchemy in the Witcher games, books and shows, as well as typical sword fighting techniques to help him navigate the dangerous continent. Geralt interacts with countless friends, enemies, and monsters that feature in varying degrees in all adaptations of the source material. Sapkowski’s six-novel series, complete with a host of short stories, was first adapted into the three-game series culminating in the much-loved Witcher 3whose events take place in the continental calendar year 1272.
However, the Netflix adaptation’s timeline is sadly confusing, covering events from Geralt’s travels in 1231 to the fall of Cintra in 1263, with Season 2’s linear timeline continuing straight from the Battle of Sodden Hill. and the destined reunion of Geralt and Ciri in 1263. Despite varying timelines, crossovers do occur between game and series characters, who often differ both from the material in the book and from each other, especially in this about the characters.
Netflix Adaptation Made Witcher 3’s Eskel Dirty
Fans have been in an uproar over Netflix’s portrayal of Eskel deviating from the two Witcher 3 and the recently released Season 2 books. In episode 2, the series follows Geralt and Ciri as they arrive at the Witcher’s stronghold, Kaer Morhen, and encounter a familiar. Witcher 3 characters including Vesemir, Lambert and Coen. However, it was Eskel’s arrival (and swift departure) that left fans frustrated and upset with Season 2’s deviations from the source material. In Witcher 3 and the books, Eskel serves as a mirror to the character of Geralt, having trained as a witcher at the same time and having a surprise child of his own. He is a remarkably honorable person who operates with a kind and relaxed personality despite his tough, scarred exterior, acting as a loyal friend and ally to Geralt throughout the games and books.
However, the Netflix show presented Eskel as the complete opposite. While it’s clear that Geralt and Eskel share a strong bond as they immediately embrace, Eskel’s character quickly deviates from the books and games as he throws a lewd party at the fortress, despite Geralt’s disapproval. Eskel’s participation in this behavior in Kaer Morhen is unlike her, as in the first book Blood of the ElvesEskel bowed respectfully and kissed the hand of the enchantress Triss in the same halls.
Although Netflix’s Eskel has a facial scar true to Witcher 3, he is cocky, hot-headed, and intimidates even Ciri. Book Ciri’s first impressions of Eskel include that he is smelly and creepy, but this is quickly reconciled when the two talk about it. Perhaps it’s due to Eskel’s licking affliction that he acts so out of character, but this departure from the source material seems unnecessary, as there are other minor characters, but no female witches. , who could have carried out this plot.
Witcher 3’s Triss Plays a Bigger Role Than in the Show and Books
The enchantress Triss Merigold appears as a major character in all three Witcher games, being one of the first people Geralt meets and quickly becoming his lover, though she takes a romantic backseat in Witcher 3 due to the introduction of Yennefer de Vengerberg. Triss in all three franchises is an extremely gifted healer who specializes in the use of magic potions, though ironically she is allergic to them. Despite coupling with the Witcher in the books, Triss is sadly in love with Geralt in the books and games; the show addresses their obviously strong bond, though this is not explored. Netflix’s Triss looks different in Season 2 compared to Season 1, as her hair appears a more vibrant red color – closer to her appearances in the books and games.
However, Triss’ prominent position in the games is a disruption to the lore of the source material. In the books (and the show), Triss doesn’t get as much of a spotlight. In Blood of the Elves, Triss helps train Ciri at Kaer Morhen, protecting her from harmful genetic mutations and acting as an older sister to the princess. Triss’ feature length on the show alongside Geralt is relatively short compared to her friend Yennefer, and in season 2 she plays the important role of Ciri’s mentor before the princess is revealed to be a child of Elder Blood. . Overall, while Triss’ powers as a mage are accurate throughout the books, games, and series, Triss’ relationship with Geralt is greatly exaggerated in The Witcher 3 compared to the source material, which the show seems to be more faithful to.
The Bard is far more famous in the books than Dandelion from Netflix or Dandelion from Witcher 3
The bard is an important character in all three versions of the witcher material, serving as a companion to Geralt and singing about their adventures. Yet, differences immediately arise with its name. In Witcher 3, the bard is called Dandelion, a name that is shared with English translations of Sapkowski’s books. However, Netflix changed Dandelion’s name from the books and instead took the character’s original name – Jaskier – which translates from Polish to buttercup.
Despite its flowery name, the three versions of the bard vary widely. Witcher 3‘s Dandelion always wears extremely bright and colorful clothes and often a feathered hat, and his wardrobe greatly sets him apart from the crowd. This aspect is not shared by the books or the series, although in the latter he may wear slightly more color than the other characters.
Netflix’s Geralt is extremely hostile to Dandelion, who is supposed to be Geralt’s best friend and traveling companion. Although the two have spats in the books, the relationship depicted in the games and the show seems too harsh, with the bard appearing as a burden to the witcher. Book Dandelion is a gifted talker and flirt, a talented singer, and a dear companion to Geralt, while his show and game counterparts seem a little lackluster, aside from his outfits in the latter. The greatest variation occurs in the Bard’s fame; in the books, Dandelion is a world-renowned singer and writer, detailing Geralt’s many adventures in song and writing. However, Netflix’s Dandelion and Witcher 3‘s Dandelion don’t have the same fame or money, and they don’t sing as often as Dandelion in the books, apart from the famous song “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher”.
Geralt & Ciri from Witcher 3 and Netflix are different from the books, not just in age
While Netflix’s Geralt is largely reminiscent of the game’s protagonist in his growling and stoic nature, probably as Henry Cavill played The Witcher 3, differences exist between Book Geralt and these two iterations, particularly regarding his brooding and thoughtful characterization in the novels. Book Geralt often acts like a grumpy mutant and is ignorant and indifferent at times, but he always comes across as a sensitive person. This caring side is most evident when he is with Ciri and Yennefer, his adoptive family, and can even extend to monsters, illustrated in Witcher 3 as he converses with the Rock Trolls instead of instantly killing them.
Perhaps due to the limitations of the medium, the show doesn’t always convey this side of Geralt’s character as easily as the books or games do, allowing for exploration through inner monologue. A startling deviation occurs in that Book Geralt isn’t quite Henry Cavill, and is actually portrayed as “ugly” and “skinny,” possessing a “unpleasant voice“. This is not a deviation one would expect from the familiar white-haired protagonist of the Witcher Games.
Witcher 3 takes place about 10 years after Netflix season 2, so naturally there’s a gap in Ciri’s age between Witcher 3 and the show. In the game, Ciri is a confident young woman and warrior, coming to terms with her immense supernatural power, while the show portrays a young Ciri on her journey of self-discovery and initial training. Her apparent age, however, is inaccurate compared to the book, in which Ciri is much younger. In fact, she’s so small in the early books that Geralt often carries her on his shoulders. Netflix has wisely aged Ciri from the source material, and both the series and the game portray a watered down version of her character and story. In the books, Ciri survives through endless abuse and people who want her for her power, and she gets a bit off balance, at one point joining a group of bandits and murdering innocent people. It’s unclear if Netflix will follow this path with the Ciri character, but developers CD Projekt Red have definitely made Ciri a more digestible and relatable character by omitting her tumultuous past.
Of course, deviations from the witcher books must have happened when adapting the source material in both the games and the show. Globally, the witcher the games, books, and shows all share similarities in the continent’s mythos and geopolitics, though big changes occur as the characters’ appearance, personality, and backstories are rewritten for different media . Regardless of the changes, author Sapkowski seems to be at peace with the adapted materials, noting Witcher 3: Wild Huntworks like a “adaptation containing elements of [his] to work”serving as fan fiction rather than an accurate narrative.
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