The Witcher (2019–…): Season 3, Episode 5 - The Art of the Illusion - full transcript

Alone at last.

What a night.

I heard they put an aphrodisiac
in the wine.

Are you surprised?

Did you see what Sabrina was wearing,
by the way?

- She's older than me by about...
- Yen.

Hmm. I'm just glad it's over.

Are you sure about this?

Are you?

I don't know which I'd like to do more,
tear this costume off

or run Stregobor through
with the nearest ice sculpture.



Look how she hangs on him.

Aah, the White Wolf.

- Gelda! Come here.
- How wonderful!

Thanks for coming.

Mmm!

That's right!

- Is there always this much staring?
- No.

- Come over here!
- It's all for us.

Get used to it.
They'll be watching us all night.

Oh. Good.

Now, you should know the territory
before we step in.

Over there, we have Sabrina Glevissig
and Marti Sodergren.

- They're... passionate.
- ...have some fun...

By the fountain, we have Margarita
Laux-Antille, current headmistress.



And Keira Metz. Quite the spitfire.

We have Carduin, Bianca, Marquard,

Detmold and his brother Drithelm,

Radcliffe the Obnoxious.

Artaud Terranova,
good mage, even better drunk.

Vilgefortz, who's grown on me
despite my best efforts.

Tissaia de Vries,
whom you already know.

And Gerhart of Aelle.

- I was saying...
- What?

The oldest living sorcerer.

Are you expecting me
to remember all those names?

I thought you went to Oxenfurt?

Hmm.

Don't even think about it.

I gave you my word.

She's safe in Loxia until dawn.

When the ball ends
and the true conclave begins...

...then we'll make our move.

Tonight it's all about loosening spirits.

And inspiring conviviality
in one perfect evening.

- So behave yourself.
- I always behave myself.

You have no memory of my party in Rinde?

To say nothing of enchanted hedgehogs
and the Law of Surprise?

That was complicated.

Well, this is simple.

We need this ball
to go off without a hitch,

so please... dearest,

stop eating like an underfed ghoul.

When someone asks to speak to you,
you must accept, and quickly.

And no matter how ludicrously
anyone is dressed, don't stare.

Yennefer.

And her witcher.

We haven't yet had the pleasure.

Geralt, this is Sabrina Glevissig
of Ard Carraigh, a school friend of mine.

We've welcomed our share of spies,
thieves, and murderers at Aretuza,

but not yet hosted a witcher.

- Huh.
- Yen's been hiding you for far too long.

You look hungry.

Would you like a taste?

What do you... What do you think...

witcher?

I think Yen looks particularly lovely
this evening. Don't you?

And he's not even lying. How dull.

- Sabrina, that's no way to treat a guest.
- Hmm.

He has so little experience in telepathy.

Why did you bring your pet along,
if not for us to, uh...

play with him?

Dearest, why don't you go and get a drink?

That's a great idea.

What on earth
do you think you're playing at?

- Yen, do you know what's better than sex?
- What?

Getting a rise
out of the Savior of Sodden.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems ♪

♪ Fair maid by day ♪

♪ Her lips are sweet ♪

♪ Her words a gentle trill ♪

♪ A beast by night ♪

♪ My love takes flight... ♪

♪ Her fangs sharp for the kill ♪

- ♪ I kiss my dear and thrill with fear... ♪
- Philippa, what a surprise.

♪ She haunts my waking dreams... ♪

Catch any mice tonight?

- ♪ Her whisper dancing in my ear... ♪
- Vilgefortz. Tissaia.

- ♪ All is not as it seems... ♪
- There you are. Thank goodness.

- I wouldn't miss it.
- Welcome back.

Remember, you need to build bridges
with Artorius as well, not just Stregobor.

Whilst we're doing pastoral analogies,
are you mending any fences?

...just like the rest
of this den of snobs and liars.

Here's hoping you convinced her to behave.
There's no room for error tonight.

- Tissaia...
- What?

Trust in what you see. Hmm?

Give Yen at least a couple of hours
to piss everyone off.

Excuse me.

- Dijkstra...
- Step aside, mage.

- Must be a reason for it.
- Ahem...

You know, Philippa, I should scold you
for monopolizing the witcher's time.

Geralt of Rivia, it is good
to have another non-magical brother here,

and a... well, fellow commoner, if you will.

♪ All is not... ♪

Philippa, I need to speak
to the witcher alone.

Man to man.

Hmm.

"Man to man." Typical Dijkstra.

You know those two
are going to be a problem tomorrow.

Of course. Only a fool would trust
a spymaster and his mage.

- Always more trouble than they're worth.
- And they're clearly up to something.

As is to be expected, but one would hope

they'd at least provide enough gossip
to earn their invitation.

Hmm?

I love watching you think.

But I had so much more to say.

We'll go back to it in a moment.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems ♪

...not just across the Continent,
but here in Aretuza.

This conclave may gather the mages,

but it can't change the inevitable.

One would be wise to abandon neutrality
and choose a side.

Redania is your only hope
of keeping the Lion Cub safe.

Speak in simple terms, Dijkstra.

Don't forget you're talking to a commoner.

Hmm.

Speaking plainly,
give us the girl before it's too late.

No. Excuse me.

- ♪ All is not as it seems... ♪
- Fucking prick.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems... ♪

Thank you for coming tonight.
It means everything to us.

Gods, I'm happy to see you.
I, uh, need a word.

Tissaia mentioned
they were together as young mages.

First love.

Never goes away, does it?

If you don't mind...

No, not at all.

Best of luck tomorrow
at the conclave, witcher.

- Where have you been?
- What did Istredd say?

- We don't have time for that.
- The Melange is about to begin!

Come on, girl. Yes, yes, yes.

Yes!

- Come on. Artaud!
- Keira.

Yennefer.

Would you care...

- Yes.
- Would you, my fair lady?

What's the Melange?

It's a dance.

It's not optional.

Geralt.

Are you enjoying your evening?

Good.

Oh, witcher!

I've been waiting
to get my hands on you all evening.

I studied as a contortionist, you know?
I'm quite bendy.

I hope we can count on
your support tomorrow, Artorius.

You might, Yennefer.
Although I've not forgotten your past.

Nor the kings who are still waiting
on a particular princess.

Of course,
but my priorities have changed.

I'm here to help.

We'll see. I've found trying to predict
the actions of Yennefer of Vengerberg

as hopeless
as seeking a black cat in a coal cellar.

They are worrisome.

- Have you tried the wine yet?
- I'm not thirsty.

Aww.

Geralt.

Istredd.

Well, well, well.
If it isn't the neck-breaking chaperone.

I know. I owe you an apology.

- Perhaps a drink later?
- I can't.

I plan on getting pregnant tonight.

Exciting times ahead, don't you think?

It's good to see you, Triss.

You too.

How is Ciri?

She's safe. For now.

Well played!

Thank you.

- That was marvelous.
- Thank you.

Geralt.

- I've never seen...
- Wonderful!

- Exciting!
- Yes, well...

Artaud, have you sampled
the wine this evening?

- Ah, you know me too well.
- I think you're ready for another.

You've been trying to win Yen
back all evening. Do you deny it?

Why the fuck would I deny it?

- She knows I'm the better man!
- Ooh!

Then prove it.

Unbelievable.

Coward.

Whew!

- Finally, some entertainment.
- The witcher is...

I promised Yen
I wouldn't make a mess of this evening.

Make a mess of him!

So I won't.

Truce?

Oh shit!

Who gave him champagne?

Look at you!

Artaud's wasted again!

A fight was quite the creative choice.

Just admit that you loved it.

As duels in my honor go, this one
certainly broke into the top three.

Oh, well, it was an honor

to fight for the capricious heart
of Yennefer of Vengerberg.

And I hope to fight
many more battles with you, my dear.

With me, or against me?

Depends on the evening.

I shouldn't like to lose you, Yen.

But you have me.

Tonight will end.

Everything ends.

And now, to bring
this wonderful evening to a close,

a toast!

To peace amongst mages of the North!

To peace!

There is much work to be done tomorrow.

But Tissaia and I are optimistic
about the future of this Continent,

based on what we've seen here tonight.

To peace!

To peace!

And we have Yennefer of Vengerberg
to thank.

Yennefer!

Whoo! Brilliant.

To us.

And a nearly perfect evening.

- ...everyone.
- That was good.

So.

Now what?

Hmm.

What a night indeed.

I can't believe they bought it.

I thought our performance
was quite convincing.

And a good thing, too. Philippa was
watching the whole ballroom like a hawk.

She comes by it naturally.

We weren't the only ones plotting tonight.
I could tell from the moment we entered.

Hmm.

Lilac and gooseberries.

Now, that I can tolerate.

Are you sure about this?

Are you?

...finding spell.

- Just a courtesy.
- Hmm...

Oh yes, here they are.

I don't know which I'd like more,
to tear this costume off

or run Stregobor through
with the nearest ice sculpture.

I know, and I hate the fucker
just as much as you do.

But here,
we need to do things differently.

The nearest serving fork, then.

Or... rather than murder
an esteemed member of the Brotherhood

in front of the entire North,

we wait.

We seek out proof tonight.

We expose Stregobor
at the conclave tomorrow.

He'll be put on trial.

Until then, we have to play nicely

if you-know-who's going to have
any kind of a future here.

I saw what he did to those girls, Yen.

I won't be leaving
until I know she's safe here.

I hear you. But, Geralt...

trust me.

Mmm.

The witcher!

Is there always this much staring?

No. It's all for us.

Get used to it.
They'll be watching us all night.

Hmm. Good.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems ♪

♪ Fair maid by day ♪

- ♪ Her lips are sweet... ♪
- Louder!

♪ Her words a gentle trill ♪

♪ A beast by night ♪

♪ My love takes flight ♪

♪ Her fangs sharp for the kill ♪

- ♪ I kiss my dear and thrill with fear... ♪
- Philippa, what a surprise.

♪ She haunts my waking dreams... ♪

Catch any mice tonight?

You know quite well
I make my killing catching secrets.

- So Jaskier told me.
- ♪ All is not ♪

- Nice try there, by the way.
- ♪ As it seems... ♪

- You should know I'm not so easy to fool.
- Oh, of course.

By the way, Marti Sodergren put
an aphrodisiac in that wine hours ago.

♪ A flower's sweetest bud... ♪

- ♪ The lady's love... ♪
- Some caviar?

Not to mention
the caviar on that plate is an illusion.

Just like the rest
of this den of snobs and liars.

Den of nymphomaniacs is more like it.

I suffered quite the greeting
from Sabrina Glevissig earlier.

Hmm.

What Sabrina showed you was child's play.

Come.

Would you like the experience
of one orgasm or more?

♪ All is not ♪

- ♪ As it seems... ♪
- Oh.

- You're keeping an eye on the witcher.
- Mm-hmm.

You know, I was... sorry

to hear of Codringher
and Fenn's fiery demise.

Oh.

I am surprised you haven't heard,

since you've been
tracking the mage so diligently.

You must mean Rience.

- Wonderful!
- Do you think his master's here?

Good attempt, Geralt.

But I'm not as loose-lipped as some.

- ♪ All is not... ♪
- And yet you're here.

- ♪ As it seems... ♪
- There must be a reason for it.

- ♪ All is not... ♪
- I could say the same for you.

- ♪ As it seems... ♪
- Ahem.

You know, Philippa, I should scold you
for monopolizing the witcher's time.

Geralt of Rivia, it is good
to have another non-magical brother here.

- There's no room for error tonight.
- Tissaia...

♪ All is not... ♪

Trust in what you see.

Give Yen at least a couple of hours
to piss everyone off.

No promises.

Speak of the devil.

And she will appear.

Philippa.

Tissaia.

Vilgefortz.

And Yennefer of Vengerberg.

What a pleasure to see you again.

Care for a stroll? Alone.

This conclave may
bring the mages together,

but it can't change the inevitable.

War is brewing.

Not just across the Continent,
but here in Aretuza.

There are traitors who will soon
turn their loyalty to Nilfgaard

and not the North.

One would be wise
to abandon neutrality and choose a side

or risk losing everything.

Redania is your only hope
of keeping the Lion Cub safe.

Speak in simple terms, Dijkstra.
Remember you're talking to a commoner.

Hmm. Speaking plainly,
give us the girl before it's too late.

No. Excuse me.

Fucking prick.

You're staff.

- And you will conduct yourself as...
- ♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems ♪

- ♪ All is not... ♪
- Butcher.

♪ As it seems ♪

I wondered whether I'd see you again.

I wondered if I'd see your head on a pike.

I'm hurt, Geralt.

After all, it wasn't me
who plunged my dagger into poor Renfri.

I'll make you pay
for everything you've done.

I'm saving the Continent.

Rooting out the deadly creatures
that threaten us all, not unlike you.

I am nothing

like you.

Then show me, witcher.

I want to see just how different we are.

Hmm.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems... ♪

Thank you for coming tonight.
It means everything.

My favorite song!

Gods, I'm happy to see you.
I need a word.

- What's going on?
- There's an artifact.

The Book of Monoliths, ancient Elven text.

Never heard of it.

Not surprising.
They didn't teach it at Aretuza.

But it gives the holder the ability
to travel through time and space.

- How is that possible?
- I don't know. It should be impossible.

But Triss and I traced the book here
and... Stregobor has it.

And we know where he's hiding it.

I told Istredd
about you being attacked in the illusion.

This is our chance, Yen.
We can get him for everything he's done.

Someone needs to get
to his office, undetected...

If you don't mind...

- ...get the book before he uses it.
- Not at all.

Best of luck tomorrow
at the conclave.

It's my very favorite song.

- Where have you been?
- What did Istredd say?

We don't have time for that.

Look, forget about what I said before.

Stregobor has stolen
a very dangerous book,

and he has plans for it.

And for Ciri.

The Melange is about to begin!

We need to figure it out
and nail him tonight.

What's the Melange?

It's a dance.

It's not optional.

- Would you care to...
- Yes, of course!

Even for me?

Especially for you.

Geralt.

How is Ciri?

She's safe. For now.

What if someone could take away
what makes her special?

Her powers are innate.
You know that better than most.

What if she could have a chance
for a normal life?

I don't know
what Ciri would consider normal.

I just need her to survive this.

We need to immobilize Stregobor.

I'll create a distraction
so you can slip away.

The signal will be "truce."

I'll pass that on to Artaud.

We can do this. Good luck.

What?

Geralt, I wanted to apologize.
Yen and I had important matters...

- Follow my lead.
- Wh...

You've been trying to win Yen back
all evening. Do you deny it?

Why the fuck would I deny it?

She knows I'm the better man!

Prove it.

Unbelievable.

Oh... gods!

- Now punch me.
- Oh, for...

Whew!

Give him another.

Go on.

Truce?

Oh shit!

Artaud's wasted again!

I'll take that, half-breed!

You don't belong here!

Hate to interrupt.

Stregobor, you piece of shit.

You never gave a damn
about unity, did you?

Mere smoke and mirrors
to hide what you'd returned to do.

Raze Aretuza to the ground.

Your kind never changes.

And yet, our feckless leaders
forgive and forgive.

Well, mercy isn't my cup of tea.

Nor mine.

You've been hard at work, haven't you?

Corrupting portals, kidnapping novices.

Torturing those young women
to get to Ciri.

This doesn't concern you, witcher.

And I don't care two rat tails
about that Cintran brat.

With any luck,
she lies dead in a ditch by now.

That Cintran brat has more power
than you could dream of.

Or you could dream of. You have no idea
what you're dealing with here.

The only threat you pose
is in your dirty blood.

You're a monster who will soon
meet her reckoning. But the girl...

The girl will most likely leave this world

by your own mutant hands, Butcher.

- I'll kill you myself.
- Stop!

We came as soon as
we realized you were both gone.

- Now would be the time to explain.
- Yes. Please, do.

Stregobor has been keeping
a list of elven students

and their belongings.

The ones who went missing
this month. Nissa.

- Elisabet.
- Teryn.

He's been conducting experiments.

Practicing mind control.

What? That's absurd!

He tried to kill me
using a botched portal.

Are you really gonna believe
a word she says?

And we believe his ultimate aim
is set on Cirilla of Cintra.

- You have proof of this?
- We do.

What are you expecting
to find there?

The Book of Monoliths.
An ancient elven tome.

But...

Rumored to contain knowledge
since before the Conjunction.

But...

This holds the key to how
the human sphere collided with the elves'.

More importantly,
how humans could get rid of elves again.

And you stole it. Didn't you?

Do I want to rid these halls
of you and your ilk? Yes.

- But speculating that I...
- But nothing.

These are serious allegations.

I propose Stregobor is held
until the conclave concludes

and we can have a full trial.

- I concur.
- Yes, of course you do.

Artorius?

You've turned against our own
in a time of unity, Stregobor.

I cannot stand by you today.

Get off me! You're deranged!

All of you!

A pack of lies!

I'll hide this for safekeeping.

Make sure it doesn't
fall into the wrong hands again.

You've saved the night.

And you too.

Let's go and enjoy our party.

She'll be missing this.

I need a drink.

Or twelve.

A toast!

To peace amongst mages of the North!

To peace!

Hmm.

There is much work to be done tomorrow,

but Tissaia and I are optimistic
about the future of the Continent,

based on what we've seen here tonight.

To peace!

To peace!

And we have Yennefer of Vengerberg
to thank!

To Yen!

- Mmm.
- Mm-hmm.

To us.

And a nearly perfect evening.

I love you.

That's the first time
you've ever said that.

It can't be.

You used to think it.

But tonight, you actually said it.

You can kiss me now.

In front of everyone.

It's our first
night out together.

And all I can think about
is getting you alone.

This I can also tolerate.

It took far too long
to get you back in a bathtub.

Did we actually pull it off?

Hmm... It's hard to say.

- Can't get Philippa out my head.
- How do you mean?

When I visited her in Redania,

she said I was one of them.

But tonight,
it's like she wanted me on her side.

- Her side of what?
- She didn't say.

Tell me everything.

Care for a stroll? Alone.

♪ Her whisper dancing in my ear ♪

- ♪ All is not as it seems... ♪
- Art!

- Tissaia.
- Margarita.

- ♪ All is not... ♪
- Might make a beautiful...

♪ As it seems... ♪

I just live
for nights like this, don't you?

If this is about Ciri,
you're not getting your hands on her.

- Hmm!
- ♪ A flower's sweetest bud... ♪

All in due time, Yen.

But that is not why I pulled you away.

Hmm. Poor thing.

Lydia van Bredevoort?

Mmm.

Heartsick, I've recently learned.

She'd follow her lover anywhere,

even blindly towards death,
if he asked it of her.

I wondered if you knew the truth.

What happened between Tissaia and I.

Tissaia told me the friendship went cold.
She never shared the details.

Oh.

- Her loyalty is hard earned.
- ♪ All is not... ♪

- And hard lost.
- ♪ As it seems ♪

We only grew closer as the years went by.

Until the days
leading up to the First Northern War.

Sodden?

I tried to convince Tissaia not to go.

Not to ally with Vilgefortz.

To let the Continent fight their own
impossible battle. But she refused.

- And we won.
- But at what cost?

They held on by a thread
until you tapped into fire magic.

Too many mages were lost
by the time you began.

And you lost too, didn't you?

Tissaia wasn't just following Vilgefortz.

She was fighting for the Brotherhood.

The North, same as we're doing now.

You're fighting on a sinking ship.

The Brotherhood has no place
in the future of the Continent.

Tissaia has good intentions,

but her loyalty to this supposed home
will be her downfall.

And mine too.

Tell me, why did you come tonight,
if you're so certain Aretuza is doomed?

Because you and I aren't like Tissaia.

We break rules. We aren't afraid of power.

There's still hope for you.

Traitors are already working
with Nilfgaard.

- As they always have been.
- Oh, see what you want to see.

But if Tissaia and you stick to this plan,

neither of you will be any better off
than poor Lydia.

In love with a poison
that kills you slowly.

Look, I hear you.

I do.

But Tissaia and I have weathered
our fair share of Brotherhood infighting.

We will triumph tomorrow.
Just like we did at Sodden.

And though I wish you'd have joined us
on the battlefield that day,

we will fight without you again.

When tomorrow's meetings unite the North,
I truly hope you can see

that there are still
some things worth protecting.

Thank you for coming tonight.

It means everything.

Tonight means everything to us as well.

Maybe she just wanted
to stir up drama.

Wouldn't be her first offense.

It would explain Dijkstra's warning.

They clearly know something we do not.

But why wouldn't she speak up?

Nothing we accused Stregobor of
had anything to do with Nilfgaard.

And why the interest
in a mage who doesn't speak?

I don't know.

Why doesn't Lydia speak?

Her lower jaw is an illusion.
A masterful one.

She was wounded, horribly,
and now she can no longer speak aloud,

only communicate telepathically.

"The woman with the funny voice."

- Hmm?
- Something Teryn said.

- Do you still have Tissaia's bracelet?
- Somewhere here.

I passed Lydia
on the way to the Gallery of Glory.

I think her earrings were made
of the same thing.

What were you doing up there?

I went up
after I nearly murdered Stregobor.

- After what?
- Nearly.

I left him so I could get some peace.

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems ♪

♪ All is not ♪

♪ As it seems... ♪

♪ Fair maiden, lips like ♪

♪ A flower's sweetest bud... ♪

The First Landing.

When Jan Bekker
bent the Power to his will.

He calmed the waves, proving magic
need not be evil or destructive.

Bekker formed what would henceforth
be known as the Brotherhood that day.

My favorite piece here.

Outcasts, uniting under a common banner.

An apt story.

The only apt part is the pageant of events
I've witnessed this evening.

It has indeed been worthy of a painting.

It would be titled

"Geralt Leaves the Isle of Thanedd,
Shaking with Laughter."

Be that as it may, I'd hoped to find time
to speak with you this evening, Geralt.

I'd wager we have more in common
than you realize.

I doubt the parallels
between us are completely parallel.

♪ As it seems... ♪

We're both outcasts ourselves.

Like you, I cannot define myself
as mere man, mage, or druid.

More than anything,

I was an orphan.

Left to die in a gutter in Lan Exeter.

I was bounced around this cruel world
by every monstrous creature imaginable.

Men, most of all.

Until I became cruel myself.

And rather than remain an unwanted mutant,

I chose to become a sorcerer.

Out of spite.

Be careful, Vilgefortz.

Careful that the similarities
you're so desperately searching for

don't lead you too far.

Oh, not to worry, witcher.
We have but one likeness that remains.

I left that headstrong young boy behind
the day I fell in love with Tissaia.

That bond,
that sense of family, changed me.

And I know the same has happened to you
with Yennefer of Vengerberg.

You seem to know a great many things.

Then tell me
when I reach a mistruth.

The longer Yennefer stays at Aretuza,
the stronger the Brotherhood will be.

The more likely we'll be able to hold off
the powers that threaten the Continent.

Have you... ever been attracted
by the art of sorcery, Geralt?

- Hmm.
- Have you considered joining her here?

If you want to protect what you love,

join our side in the battle to come.

The child will not remain safe for long,

and your... passivity will be no weapon
with which to save her.

It is incredible how much
my neutrality outrages everyone.

How it subjects me
to offers of pacts and agreements

and lectures
of the necessity of making a choice

and joining the right side.

I am not your equal partner in this game.

So, no, I shall continue on my path.

I shall respond to events.

I'll adapt with the world as it changes.

I understand, witcher.
But adapting may not be enough.

Just know there is only one way
you do not lose her.

And if I refuse to join your side?

No matter where you go, what you do,

there will always be
enemies waiting for you.

Tissaia mentioned
they were together as young mages.

First love.

Never goes away, does it?

If you don't mind...

No, not at all.

Best of luck tomorrow
at the conclave, witcher.

"The battle to come"?

Vilgefortz encouraged this conclave
to ensure peace.

Maybe he didn't think it was possible.

Scarlet ammonite.

Rumored to protect loved ones.

Or valuable property.

Scarlet ammonite is only found
in the mines in West Redania.

That's where I found
those girls locked in that castle.

Geralt, the painting. The First Landing.

It's where that corrupt portal took me
when I was attacked.

There was a black mountain
with water below.

It's Vilgefortz' favorite painting.

He gave Tissaia that bracelet.
And I bet he gave Lydia that jewelry too.

She's in love with him.

"A poison that kills you slowly."

- Stregobor wasn't our man.
- Vilgefortz is.

- What are you doing?
- Trying to locate Tissaia.

- If she's in danger, I need to know.
- We don't have time.

I'm not leaving her.
Make sure the path is clear.

Secure the Great Hall!

Go! Put a man there!

Should have chosen a side, witcher.