Why the Witcher Netflix Series Bungled Yennefer
Some characters should never be changed. Actions matter the most.
This isn’t a rant about physical appearance, but I’m disturbed by Yennefer’s lack of brilliance in the Netflix series. Her character has been massacred while Geralt and Ciri have lived up to their expectations.
The Witcher Season Two Irked My Inner Nerd
Throughout the Witcher books and most recent video game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, there is never a sense of doubt in Yennefer’s loyalty and desire to protect Ciri.
Ciri is the everything to Yennefer and not only because Ciri has the power to save their world. Yennefer truly cares and loves Ciri.
In the books, Yennefer became an instant mother towards Ciri and adored her more than herself, which isn’t made clear in the Netflix series.
This is one the biggest upsets in this adaptation. Yennefer is heartless but never towards Ciri. The show broke an unspoken rule.
Some Context Surrounding the Series (Possible Spoiler)
Yennefer of Vengerberg has no desire to bear children in the books, but Netflix’s Yennefer is obsessed with pushing a baby out of her own loins. She can do anything else in the world but this is it.
Every sorceress knows that having children is an impossibility, but Yennefer’s desire makes her greedy, anxious, and unlikeable. It oversteps the agreement that was made by her own choosing.
In the Netflix series, when Nilfgaard was sure to win the battle for Sodden, Yennefer unleashes fire magic, killing thousands of Nilfgaardian soldiers and winning the battle.
However, fire magic is a forbidden magic since it usually kills the user. In Yennefer’s case, she loses her ability to use magic and again feels the pains of medieval womanhood.
She goes from having full liberty and rights to having none at all. She’s defenseless, and she’s also wanted for suspected treason.
She learns of a way to regain her magic, but Yennefer must choose between giving up Ciri to an ancient demon or helping Geralt protect Ciri.
Yennefer is torn between these choices, and initially plans on taking Ciri to the demon. This is mind blowing since Yennefer from the books would never place herself before Cirilla.
Eventually the demon escapes after having regained enough power through the suffering it caused, placing Ciri and witchers in mortal danger.
Yennefer is No Longer Fearsome
From the series, one can see that Yennefer doesn’t have the same sense of confidence that she did in the books or in the video game. She’s greedy and obsessive, where she was once a woman to be feared and respected.
Yennefer has become childish, turning towards decisions that only place others in danger. Where there was confidence and power, there is only greed and “plot armor”.
She still has the magic and good looks, but she’s the teenager version of herself. She isn’t the beautiful terror that Netflix failed to recreate.
Geralt is still the same monster killing hero that we all admire. Henry Cavill makes a great witcher. Ciri is still blooming into the great warrior that takes on one of the most dangerous people in the series.
Many things have changed with the adaptation, but changing Yennefer has bothered me. It must be because the three — Geralt, Yennefer, and Cirilla — are the heroes, and there are actions we’d never expect them to do.
Yennefer Shows the Importance of Actions
Yennefer’s actions determined her future from the start, and she’s been leading up to nothing more than a big mistake.
She tried to catch the djinn — which didn’t happen in the books — and destroys a large part of a town because of it. She wanted it to fix her infertility using some magic that didn’t work. This only made her appear more childish, but somehow brings Geralt and Yennefer together.
Her actions have overshadowed the idea I had about her. This is expected from an adaptation, but there is still some hope in seeing the terrifying and brilliant Yennefer some people were expecting.
Overall, this show is wonderful. I am excited to see the rest of the series and some more witchers.
