This Thursday marks two weeks since the premiere of the fourth season of The Witcher, and although the audience figures have seen a notable decline compared to previous seasons, millions of viewers have already enjoyed the new adventures of Ciri, Geralt of Rivia, and Yennefer. However, the series has not been without controversy, especially regarding the deaths of some iconic characters.
A series that was everything and is going downhill without brakes
Among the characters who have died in the series are Keira Metz, Margarita Laux-Antille, Istredd, and perhaps the most shocking for fans, Vesemir. These events not only diverge from the established canon in the books and video games, but they have also generated considerable discontent among the followers of Andrzej Sapkowski’s saga. The death of Vesemir, in particular, has been met with displeasure on platforms like YouTube, where users have expressed their frustration by considering that this death was “absolutely senseless.”
Lauren S. Hissrich, showrunner of the series, has defended the decisions made, arguing that the deaths are necessary for the development of some characters. In recent statements, she mentioned that the loss of certain characters, like Margarita, was essential to propel Yennefer to a new level of resentment and anger in the plot. However, this justification has not satisfied many fans, who feel that the creative decisions of the writers break with the continuity and essence of the original story.
As a fifth and final season is announced, controversy persists. Many are wondering if these drastic changes in the lore will bring more discontent among the fanbase, especially when there are such high expectations regarding fidelity to the original work. In a universe where stories can evolve, the challenge will be to achieve a balance that respects the roots of the saga while introducing new narrative.