‘The Witcher’ Season 3: Henry Cavill final bow as Geralt

"The Witcher" novel series by Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski is as densely layered and narratively complex as it gets. The storyline skillfully shifts from intensely personal difficulties to national war stratagems while maintaining its marvelous high-fantasy element at its core. It boasts a string of infinitely interesting, profoundly flawed characters. Netflix too did a pretty fantastic job so far trying to adapt this series on to the screen.

The creators of the show infused the concept of moral dilemmas amidst the battles and conflicts into Season 3 Volume 1. As the narrative is reaching its climax, Geralt is forced to reconsider his impartiality, because his loved ones' fate rests on making challenging, nuanced decisions.

Henry Cavill's Geralt, Freya Allan's Ciri, and Anya Chalotra's Yennefer make up the trio who bind the entire production together, equally as lost in the shuffle this season due to the enormous cast and all the plotting and deceit that goes on. This time around, there seem to be even more characters with hidden aspirations.

Kings, monsters, elvens and humans are all on the hunt for Ciri for their own nefarious reasons. With unbridled power at her berth, she is the key to saving elves from annihilation and she is the heir to the Cintrian throne. To thwart any kind of danger, Geralt and Yennefer expend all their resources to protect Ciri. It's good to see the three leading a peaceful, contented existence after two seasons of nothing but murder and treachery. Of course, the good times were only short-lived.

Ciri, who must decide what part she will play in determining the future of The Continent, is likewise faced with her own moral quandaries. Ciri's powers have never been particularly focused on what they represent for her or the terrible toll they may have on a person in the two seasons so far. This key part of Season 3 is quickly developed, allowing Ciri to be confused and torn about her role while she yearns for a more meaningful life.

Yennefer has transformed back into a powerful, independent magician, and Ciri is finally becoming more than just a damsel in distress with no control over her power. Geralt continues to be the stoic but oddly endearing main character that he always was.

As the bond between Ciri and her surrogate father Geralt grow deeper, they learn to trust each other's plans. Through Yennefer's thorough and rigorous training, Ciri acquires skills which we later see in beautiful yet macabre fight scenes.

Geralt is also learning to trust Yennefer again and they both try to resolve their issues while also doing what's best for Ciri. As the small family is forced to split up due to external forces, we see more glimpses into the growth of each of the three characters.

The only area this series occasionally lacked was in terms of complexity. There are so many fantastical locations, names, animals from the continent, monarchs, and events being discussed that I was constantly befuddled. I had to blindly trust that whatever the characters were saying would eventually make sense when circumstances brought resolution to their worries. The show digs deep enough into its lore that there are times when I know I should remember a name or an event but season one was such a long time ago that those important details escape me.

In previous seasons, we have witnessed the length Geralt will go to in order to protect the innocent. Last time he chose a side, it earned him the nickname "The Butcher of Blaviken". As the stakes are higher this time, he is pushed to become more violent but that is deftly balanced with his loving and protective fatherly side. The caring, tenderness, and occasionally tense encounters all come across as genuine and heartfelt because of how well the Cavill and Allan play off one another.

The visual effects are top-notch when it comes to sword fighting or monsters, and coupled with magnificent sets, fans who are not attuned with the book or games will have no trouble understanding the storyline.

The flawlessly written last two episodes were the highlights of this Volume and the cliffhanger ending will keep fans entranced till Volume 2 debuts next month.

Cavill's departure from the series will surely have a significant impact on the narrative as he was perfectly suited for his role. However, one thing is for sure - volume two will be epic from the beginning, as Geralt is finally confronted with the consequences of his neutrality.