The Witcher, a Netflix original series, prepares viewers for a pivotal announcement about a villain whose deeds have affected the plot’s developments at every turn in the third season. In the second season, Rience, a fire-wielding magician who will stop at nothing to capture the princess of Cintran, pursues Ciri. Although his employer’s name is still unknown, Geralt and Yennefer focus their investigation on figuring out who is pursuing Ciri and why in the third season.
A gathering of mages in Aretuza in the fifth episode uncovers various puzzle pieces that have been kept from Geralt and Yennefer all along. They come to the conclusion that Vilgefortz is their true enemy. While this in and of itself is a surprising revelation, it also begs various questions about those who may or may not be working with him. The biggest doubt regarding Tissaia’s devotion is that she is romantically involved with Vilgefortz. Does this imply that she was always aware of his plans? has been aware of it all along? Let’s investigate. Spoilers follow.
Is Tissaia Working With Vilgefortz?
The departure from the original source material is one of the reasons that makes watching ‘The Witcher’ so fascinating. Although the characters and overall plot of the programme are based on the books, there have been alterations made to the characters, particularly in the relationships between them. Tissaia and Vilgefortz have fallen head over heels for one another in the Netflix series. However, there is no such connection between them in the texts. Because of this, it is not entirely possible to determine Tissaia’s loyalty and motivations based just on the material provided in the books.
In addition to dating Vilgefortz, Tissaia’s story has undergone another alteration involving her relationship with Yennefer. They appear to be closer to one another than other sorceresses in the books, where their relationship is more akin to that of a mentor and mentee. The Netflix series, however, puts a lot of emphasis on their relationship, which is more like a mother-daughter relationship. We have witnessed Tissaia and Yennefer cross several milestones in their friendship over the previous two seasons, which proves that Tissaia loves Yennefer as much as the daughter she was never given. This is one of the reasons why, in spite of Yennefer’s numerous transgressions, Tissaia consistently extends forgiveness and a warm welcome to her.
Although Yennefer may have disliked her mentor on sometimes, she still loves and respects Tissaia more than anyone else. Tissaia’s devotion for Yennefer is reciprocated. In the third season, Yennefer’s first thoughts turn to Tissaia when she learns that Vilgefortz is the one who has been abducting the girls and performing experiments on them while attempting to reach Ciri through Rience. She is adamant that she won’t depart from Aretuza without her tutor.
It is doubtful that the rector of Aretuza will betray her daughter figure given the friendship between Tissaia and Yennefer, especially with the knowledge that Yennefer has discovered the daughter she was looking for in Ciri. Tissaia likewise appears committed to preserving tranquilly on the Continent and appears pleased that the conclave may unite the Northern nations to battle Nilfgaard. Like everyone else at the table, this could all be a hoax.
Tissaia consents to the decision to place a bounty on Ciri’s head at the conclusion of Season 2, when she realises the threat Ciri offers to the planet. She is not aware of Ciri’s significance to Yennefer at the moment, which is why, when Yennefer brings the princess to Aretuza, she refuses to give her up. Tissaia is not likely to betray Yennefer for Vilgefortz given how she has behaved all these time and how her feelings for Yennefer control how she acts. If she did, it would come as a tremendous shock, especially to Yennefer, who has a strong love and caring for Tissaia. It’s possible that the programme will depart from the novels in that direction.
For comparison, Tissaia is completely uninformed of Vilgefortz’s deeds in the books. She is devastated when Thanedd’s coup begins. She makes an effort to defuse the situation, level the playing field, and protect Ciri, Yennefer, and Geralt. But the Brotherhood has been irreparably damaged, and in the end, she gives in to this defeat and commits herself. One wonders if Tissaia would be destroyed by the Thanedd coup, which is imminent in Season 3. Although the show deviates from the books, this might be an opportunity for them to lengthen Tissaia’s life and give her a larger part, preferably at the expense of Yennefer.
