The Witcher season 3 part 1 ending explained: Who is the villainous mage?

The Witcher season 3 is here, and fans have already jumped into binging the first five episodes of the new season. Netflix has divided the season into two parts; the second part won’t be available until the end of July.

In season 3, we finally see Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri functioning as a family unit. The season begins with them on the run from the many factions hunting Ciri, including the Nilfgaardians, the fire mage Rience, the elves, and Redanaia.

Massive spoilers ahead for The Witcher season 3 part 1

After a significant battle at Shaerrawedd, Yennefer realizes that she needs assistance from Aretuza to train Ciri to her fullest magical potential. The third season follows Yennefer and Ciri on their journey as Geralt tries to hunt down Rience and the mysterious mage controlling him.

Everything comes to a head in the show’s fourth and fifth episodes as Yennefer convinces the Brotherhood of Sorcerers to host a conclave on Thanedd Island and create unity between themselves and the Northern Kingdoms against Nilfgaard.

So, what happens at the end of The Witcher season 3 part 1?

The Witcher season 3: Is Stregobor the mage controlling Rience?

Despite his hatred of elves and love of illusions, Stregobor is not the mage responsible for conducting horrific experiments on Aretuza novices and sending Rience after Ciri. Yennefer and Geralt initially think it’s him, but they later realize that Vilgefortz is the real villain. Book fans would have known this already, as Vilgefortz is a significant antagonist in the series.

What happens at the end of The Witcher season 3 part 1?

The entirety of the final episode of part 1 is set during the ball held on Thanedd Island, preluding the mage conclave devised by Yennefer. At the end of the episode, Yennefer and Geralt realize they were wrong about Stregobor.

Yennefer notices Tissaia’s fallen bracelet is made of scarlet ammonite, and there are ammonite mines near the castle in West Redania where Geralt found the aftermath of Vilgefortz’s awful experiments. Geralt recalls seeing Lydia wearing earrings made of similar material, which would mean she’s working with Rience and Vilgefortz. He also remembers Teryn saying a “woman with a funny voice” had spoken to her.

Since becoming disfigured by the witcher mutagen, Lydia is unable to speak due to an illusion she uses to make her face look like it did before the mutagen’s damaging impact. She can only communicate telepathically, so it makes sense why her voice would sound “funny” to Teryn.

Further clues pointing to Vilgefortz is a painting Geralt sees him admiring. It’s a painting of the First Landing. That’s where Yennefer ended up when she got sucked through one of his corrupted portals. Vilgefortz also makes an offhand comment about preparing for battle, which is at odds with his previous remarks about supporting the conclave’s efforts toward unity and peace.

Once Yennefer and Geralt realize the truth, Geralt rushes to find Vilgefortz, but he’s stopped by Dijkstra, who pulls a dagger on him. Yennefer stays behind to find Tissaia and warn her.

Does Geralt die in The Witcher season 3 part 1?

Geralt doesn’t die in part 1 but is in Dijkstra’s clutches when we leave him. I’m confident Geralt can handle Dijkstra, and it’s not even clear if they’re at odds with each other right now as we don’t yet know what Dijkstra and Philippa intend to do about Vilgefortz if anything. Geralt and Yennefer are both fine for now, but Vilgefortz will come for them in The Witcher season 3 part 2.

Does Ciri get kidnapped in The Witcher season 3 part 1?

Ciri’s fate is unclear at the moment because she isn’t in season 3, episode 5. The last time we saw Ciri, she was asleep inside a shack protected by powerful wards placed by Yennefer. Unfortunately, Jaskier left her alone, so it’s hard to say what will happen to her just yet.

What happens between Jaskier and Radovid?

Jaskier snuck off with Radovid after he saw the prince skulking around the shack, and the two sleep together in a nearby abandoned house. That’s the last time we saw either character, as they aren’t in the fifth episode.

The Witcher season 3 part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. The second part of the season will be released on July 27.