The power of Nilfgaard soars as Episode 7 of The Witcher unfolds. Ciri arrives in the bustling town, inquisitive about the path to Skellige as the shadow of war looms ever nearer. Meanwhile, Geralt hastens to Cintra, where he meets Mousesack in secret, discussing Ciri's fate after learning of the tragic loss of Duny and Pavetta's ship at sea. Despite the tight surveillance of guards, Mousesack conjures a spell, transporting both him and Geralt to the Queen, where they delve into the mystery surrounding Ciri and the enigmatic Law of Surprise.
Ciri, on the other hand, finds herself scavenging for provisions, cleverly seizing the moment when a villager's vigilance wanes, stealing her steed. Geralt, sensing a disturbance in the air, wanders through the castle's labyrinthine corridors, ultimately stumbling upon Ciri outdoors. This encounter marks the culmination of a long-awaited reveal, highlighting the divergent timelines that Geralt and Ciri have traversed throughout the season.
As Yennefer encounters Istredd amidst the imposing Nilfgaardian army, she sits with him in a tavern, yet their reunion is fleeting. Unable to reconcile with Yennefer's transformation, he departs. But soon, a enigmatic figure approaches, bearing a summons from Tissaia.
At the mage academy, Yennefer addresses the students, urging them to think independently before embarking on their magical journey. She guides them into the bowels of the institution, unveiling its grim truth—a place that siphons life, and further reveals the eerie eels lurking in the depths of a nearby pool. Tissaia's arrival interrupts this revelation, admonishing Yennefer for threatening to shatter the students' innocence.
With Cintra besieged, the mages convene in the main chambers, joined by the arrival of Triss Merigold. Fringilla enters the fray, and the group engages in a tumultuous debate regarding the Kingdom's future course. As they inch towards a consensus, the narrative flashes back to the moment when Cintra's castle shield was breached, setting the stage for an epic clash.
In the subterranean chambers, Geralt awaited, only to be sought out by Mousesack's hurried descent. But the witcher was nowhere to be found, having already battled his way through the soldiers' ranks, leaving Mousesack to relay the news to the Queen with a heavy heart. It was then that the Queen plummeted from the tower, with Geralt standing below, grimly determined to find Ciri. This transition brought us back to Ciri's current timeline, as she lit a fire amidst the woods but was soon encircled by Cintrans, who plotted to trade her for crowns. However, with a scream to the heavens, she summoned a mighty magical spell, leaving us on the edge of our seats with anticipation.
The Witcher masterfully weaves a compelling narrative, tying the threads of Ciri and Geralt's disparate timelines into a satisfying conclusion. While franchise enthusiasts might have anticipated this, it's still gratifying to behold the convergence of events. Admittedly, some editing choices left me bewildered, particularly the abrupt transition of Geralt from the clifftop to Cintra in the very next scene. Nonetheless, the series has established a sturdy foundation for its inaugural season. Those anticipating a successor to Game Of Thrones might be slightly disappointed, but The Witcher has undeniably emerged as a formidable contender in the high fantasy genre.
