The Witcher vs. Blood Origin: Which to Watch First?
The burning question for newcomers to the world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher is: **should you start with *The Witcher* or *Blood Origin? The answer, unequivocally, is to **start with *The Witcher (Season 1). While Blood Origin is chronologically earlier, it’s designed to be appreciated after you’re familiar with the characters, world, and themes established in the main Witcher series. Diving into Blood Origin first risks missing crucial context and appreciation for the nuances of the world later.
Why The Witcher First?
- Establishment of World and Characters: The Witcher meticulously introduces Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and the political landscape of the Continent. Understanding their motivations and relationships is key to appreciating the historical context presented in Blood Origin.
- Thematic Resonance: The Witcher explores themes of destiny, prejudice, and the struggle for survival. These themes are echoed and amplified in Blood Origin, but their impact is diminished if you’re unfamiliar with their initial presentation.
- Narrative Structure: Blood Origin benefits from the audience’s prior knowledge of certain events and characters alluded to in The Witcher. Its narrative is enriched by this pre-existing familiarity.
- Avoiding Spoilers: While Blood Origin is a prequel, it reveals information that can subtly impact your viewing experience of The Witcher, particularly regarding the origins of magic and certain characters’ bloodlines.
Essentially, think of Blood Origin as an expanded universe lore dump. You want to be invested in the universe before receiving that dump, or it will not matter as much.
Understanding Blood Origin’s Role
Blood Origin is set a staggering 1,200 years before Geralt’s adventures. It details the Conjunction of the Spheres, a cataclysmic event that merged multiple worlds, bringing humans, monsters, and magic to the elven world. It also tells the story of the creation of the first Witcher, a critical piece of lore within the entire saga. Jaskier’s inclusion in Blood Origin serves as a framing device, suggesting its historical significance, but it’s truly meant for dedicated Witcher fans.
While Blood Origin does reveal important lore, it’s better consumed as a companion piece, enriching your understanding of the world after you’ve engaged with the main story of The Witcher. Without that context, the stakes and significance of Blood Origin will lack impact. Plus, it will lessen the surprise of some things to be found later in The Witcher.
How to Watch the Witcher Universe (Suggested Order)
Here’s a suggested viewing order to maximize your enjoyment of The Witcher universe:
- The Witcher (Season 1): The foundation. Start here.
- The Witcher Beastiary Parts 1 & 2. Making The Witcher. Inside The Episodes: The Witcher: These documentaries provide valuable behind-the-scenes insights into Season 1.
- The Witcher Nightmare of the Wolf (2021): An animated film that delves into the backstory of Vesemir, Geralt’s mentor. It’s optional but highly recommended as it enriches the main series.
- The Witcher Season 1 Recap: A quick refresher before diving into Season 2.
- The Witcher (Season 2): Continues the story of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri.
- The Witcher: Characters of the Continent. The Witcher: Making Season 2: More behind-the-scenes content to enrich your viewing experience.
- The Witcher: Blood Origin: Now that you’re deeply invested in the world and lore, you can appreciate the historical context presented in this prequel.
- The Witcher (Season 3): The latest season of the main series, building on the events of the previous seasons.
FAQs: Deep Diving into the Witcher Universe
What exactly is Blood Origin, and why does it matter?
Blood Origin is a prequel miniseries set 1,200 years before The Witcher. It details the Conjunction of the Spheres, the creation of the first Witcher, and the fall of the elven civilization. While it faced mixed reviews, it provides a glimpse into the ancient history that shapes the world Geralt inhabits.
Does Blood Origin show the first Witcher being created?
Yes, The Witcher: Blood Origin‘s ending reveals that the first Witcher was an elf named Fjall. The series showcases the process and the circumstances that led to his transformation.
Is Blood Origin a sequel to The Witcher?
No, Blood Origin is a prequel to The Witcher. It explores events that occurred long before Geralt’s time.
Does it matter if I play The Witcher games before watching the show?
Not really. The TV show is primarily based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, while the games tell their own, separate story within the same universe. They don’t follow the same story beats, so you won’t spoil anything by choosing one over the other. If you want a deeper dive into the lore, playing the games is worthwhile, but not essential for understanding the show.
What are some of the biggest differences between The Witcher and Blood Origin?
- Timeline: The most significant difference is the time period. The Witcher is set centuries after Blood Origin.
- Focus: The Witcher primarily focuses on Geralt’s adventures, while Blood Origin explores the ancient history and events that shaped the Continent.
- Tone: Blood Origin arguably has a more fantastical and epic scope due to its setting and focus on world-altering events, while the main series centers more on monster hunting and political intrigue.
Why did Henry Cavill leave The Witcher?
Henry Cavill’s departure from The Witcher is often attributed to a combination of factors, including creative differences with the showrunners regarding the adaptation of the source material and other scheduling conflicts with his various projects.
Why is Jaskier in Blood Origin if it’s set so far in the past?
Jaskier’s presence in Blood Origin is primarily as a narrative device. He serves as the listener and recorder of the tale, framing the story for the audience in the present day. Some found it unnecessary, but it aimed to connect the prequel to the main series and give it a narrative purpose.
Who is considered the strongest Witcher in the lore?
Geralt of Rivia is widely considered the strongest Witcher, due to his exceptional skills, experience, and mutations.
What Netflix series is considered the prequel to The Witcher?
The Witcher: Blood Origin is the prequel series on Netflix, set more than a thousand years before the events of The Witcher.
How many episodes are there in The Witcher: Blood Origin?
The Witcher: Blood Origin consists of four episodes.
Is Blood Origin before the Conjunction of the Spheres?
No, Blood Origin tells the story of and after the Conjunction of the Spheres. This event is a central plot point of the series.
What happens after the events of The Witcher: Blood Origin?
After the events of The Witcher: Blood Origin, the world is forever changed. Monsters and magic now exist on the Continent, and the foundation for the future of The Witcher universe is set. The series hints at the origins of the Wild Hunt and other elements that appear in the main series.
Is Witcher Blood Origin successful?
The Witcher: Blood Origin has been met with mixed to negative reviews. Many critics and viewers found it lacking compared to The Witcher, criticizing its plot, characters, and connection to the source material.
Do I need to play the other Witcher games before The Witcher 3?
While playing The Witcher 1 and The Witcher 2 can enhance your experience with The Witcher 3, it is not essential. The Witcher 3 does a good job of introducing key characters and plot points. You can easily enjoy the game as a standalone experience. However, experiencing the earlier games beforehand will give you more back story.
Where can I learn more about the Witcher Universe and how games help us learn?
You can always delve deeper into the connections between games, learning, and storytelling by exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society, located at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They offer valuable insights into the educational and cultural impact of gaming.