Fan Controversies: Ciri's Rats Storyline and Yennefer's Characterization
Community discussions on r/netflixwitcher highlight two major viewer debates: the conflicting reactions to Ciri's storyline with the Rats in Season 4 and the ongoing divide over how Yennefer is written in the Netflix adaptation.
Divided Reactions to Ciri and the Rats in Season 4
On the r/netflixwitcher subreddit, viewers have expressed sharply contrasting opinions regarding Ciri's Season 4 storyline involving the group known as the Rats. One fan posted on September 7, 2026, that watching Ciri's arc with the Rats was disturbing and ruined the season for them as a parent of daughters, noting that the series keeps Ciri's exact age ambiguous.
Other community members had the opposite reaction to the same plotline. In a September 10, 2026 post on r/netflixwitcher, another viewer called Season 4 their favorite season so far, praising the pacing, the new characters, and the Rats storyline, while noting that the arc receives heavy criticism outside of the subreddit.
The Ongoing Debate Over Netflix's Yennefer
Yennefer's characterization across the series has also sparked regular fan discussion on r/netflixwitcher. Some viewers strongly favor the television adaptation's approach. In an August 26, 2026 post, a fan who started reading the books up to the second volume shared that they were unimpressed by the book version of Yennefer and much preferred the character as portrayed in the Netflix series.
Similarly, a September 11, 2026 post reflecting on the show after Season 3 praised the series for expanding Yennefer's background and showing how she became who she is.
Conversely, other viewers have struggled with how Yennefer is written and the choices she makes on screen. An October 26, 2026 post from a viewer watching Season 1 Episode 6 without prior book knowledge described Yennefer as immature, bitter, and entitled. Additionally, in an October 18, 2026 post about Season 2 Episode 3, another fan questioned her motivations for freeing Cahir and fleeing in a manner that only deepened the mistrust against her.
Two sides of the debate
Fans Who Praise the Show's Character Arcs
- Season 4's pacing, new characters, and the Rats storyline made it a standout season for some viewers.
- Expanding Yennefer's backstory and showing her origins was a positive change made for the television series.
- The Netflix portrayal of Yennefer can be much more appealing to watch than her characterization in the early books.
Fans Who Criticize the Writing and Storylines
- Ciri's Season 4 storyline with the Rats felt disturbing to watch, especially given how the show leaves her exact age ambiguous.
- In Season 1, Yennefer comes across to some new viewers as bitter, immature, and entitled.
- Some of Yennefer's plot decisions, such as freeing Cahir and fleeing in Season 2 Episode 3, leave viewers confused about her motives.
Your turn
How does this make you feel?
Poll: Where do you stand on the Netflix series' handling of the Rats storyline and Yennefer's character?
Vote to see what other fans think.
Did the Netflix series' changes to Yennefer's backstory and Ciri's time with the Rats work for you, or did they miss the mark?
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Sources
We summarise in our own words. Read the originals:
- Am I meant to like Yennefer? · r/netflixwitcher · Oct 26, 2026 · Fan discussion
- Am I the only parent who found Ciri’s storyline with the Rats incredibly disturbing to watch? · r/netflixwitcher · Sep 7, 2026 · Fan discussion
- Am I the only one who adores Yennefer from The Witcher Netflix series? · r/netflixwitcher · Aug 26, 2026 · Fan discussion
- My thoughts on what worked (and didn’t) in Netflix’s The Witcher · r/netflixwitcher · Sep 11, 2026 · Fan discussion
- I have to speak !! · r/netflixwitcher · Sep 10, 2026 · Fan discussion
- Question S2.E3 · r/netflixwitcher · Oct 18, 2026 · Fan discussion
