The episode opens with Yennefer being ambushed by Lydia, who attempts to strangle her using a magical spell. Triss arrives just in time to intervene, subduing Lydia with magical roots. When Lydia continues to threaten Ciri, Yennefer decisively kills Lydia without hesitation. Meanwhile, at Aretuza, Dexra and Philippa oversee a group of captured mages, accusing most of them of betraying the Brotherhood and acting as Nilfgaardian spies under Vilgefortz's command. Tissaia arrives demanding an explanation, and Geralt points out the arrival of a Redanian naval fleet packed with soldiers on the shore.

Tissaia reaches her breaking point and uses a powerful spell to free the bound mages. A battle erupts between the defending mages and the Scoia'tael, who have been let into Aretuza by Vilgefortz after he removes the magical barriers. The Scoia'tael, led by Francesca, use dimeritium-tipped arrows that can neutralize magic, killing several mages despite their defenses. Tissaia casts a deadly spell at Francesca, but Filavendrel jumps in to protect her and is fatally wounded. Francesca orders Cahir to bring her Ciri.

Elsewhere, Ciri and Geralt are trying to escape the island by boat. Cahir finds them and offers an apology for the harm he caused Ciri, expressing a desire for forgiveness and even offering his life in exchange. As a group of elves searching for Ciri arrives, Cahir diverts their attention, allowing Geralt and Ciri to make their way to the beach to flee.

Back at Aretuza, the mages are outnumbered despite Yennefer's arrival and Tissaia's thunder spell. Stregobor appears as Francesca prepares to finish off the remaining mages. Vilgefortz reveals himself as a traitor to Tissaia, showing no love for her and using her resources for his own ends. He opens the doors for the Nilfgaardian and Scoia'tael forces to enter, leading to a brutal battle.

Geralt senses Vilgefortz's presence as he and Ciri approach the boat. Vilgefortz confronts Geralt, who orders Ciri to flee. Vilgefortz severely injures Geralt, breaking his sword and bones, but chooses not to kill him, believing Geralt might still be useful and wanting him to serve as a warning to others. Vilgefortz then pursues Ciri, attempting to persuade her to become his pupil.

Ciri climbs to the summit of the towering Tor Lara, where she connects with a mysterious new power through the magical obelisk at the tower's center. Vilgefortz warns her that she is not ready for such power, but Ciri ignores him. The tower explodes under her command, silencing Vilgefortz. Ciri disappears in the aftermath of the explosion.

Triss finds Geralt's broken body floating in the ocean and pulls him out, rescuing him. The surviving mages and Scoia'tael flee Aretuza, with Philippa managing to get Dijkstra out alive. The episode ends with the collapse of Tor Lara, leaving the characters and the world forever changed.

The ending of The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6, "Everybody Has a Plan 'til They Get Punched in the Face," culminates in a brutal battle at Aretuza where Vilgefortz reveals his true allegiance to Nilfgaard and attacks. Ciri confronts Vilgefortz at Tor Lara, using the magical obelisk to defend herself, resulting in an explosion that leaves her fate uncertain. Geralt kills Rience, and the survivors of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and Scoia'tael flee the fortress, with many casualties on all sides. Yennefer and Ciri share a poignant moment before Yennefer departs to aid the battle. The episode ends with the characters scattered and the conflict escalating.

Expanded narrative, scene by scene:

The episode opens with Geralt at knife-point, held by Dijkstra, as the Redanian forces move to purge the sorcerers at Aretuza, suspecting their alliance with Nilfgaard. Phillippa and Dijkstra have uncovered Vilgefortz's betrayal, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

Inside Aretuza, chaos erupts as the Scoia'tael attack. Tissaia, shocked by the betrayal and violence, tries to maintain order. Istredd arrives and, alongside Triss, tends to an elder mage suffering a heart attack. Sabrina and Keira, who had defected earlier, plead to fight for Aretuza against Vilgefortz's forces, and Tissaia silently agrees.

During the battle, Triss is struck by an arrow. Istredd removes it and urges her to stay alive, emphasizing the importance of finding the Book of Monoliths hidden in Stregobor's vault, a key to countering Vilgefortz's plans.

On the balcony, Tissaia prepares to unleash Alzur's Thunder, a powerful magical attack as a last resort. Yennefer senses the gravity of this and understands the desperate situation. Ciri, witnessing the battle's toll, urges Yennefer to return to Aretuza to support Tissaia. Before leaving, Yennefer shares a tender moment with Ciri, calling her "my daughter" and kissing her, underscoring their deep bond.

Meanwhile, Vilgefortz confronts Ciri at Tor Lara, attempting to persuade her to become his pupil. Ciri resists and uses the magical obelisk at the tower's center to defend herself. Vilgefortz warns she is not ready for such power, but the obelisk explodes, and Ciri disappears, leaving her fate unknown.

Back at Aretuza, Geralt kills Rience decisively after receiving his sword from Yennefer. The battle turns grim as many fall, and the survivors of the Brotherhood and Scoia'tael retreat. Phillippa manages to get Dijkstra out alive, but the cost is high, and the power dynamics on the Continent shift dramatically.

Yennefer narrowly escapes capture by Redanian forces, fighting Lydia and ultimately killing her with Triss intervening to stop Lydia's attack.

Radovid attempts to reclaim Ciri for Redania, causing tension with Jaskier. Ciri, aware of the dangers pursuing her, flees into the forest once again, continuing her pattern of running from threats.

The episode closes with the characters scattered and the war for the Continent intensifying, setting up a darker and more violent trajectory for the remaining episodes.

Fates of main characters at the end of the episode:

• Geralt survives, having killed Rience and escaped the immediate battle but remains deeply embroiled in the conflict.

• Ciri disappears after the explosion at Tor Lara, her fate uncertain.

• Yennefer escapes capture, kills Lydia, and leaves to support the battle at Aretuza.

• Vilgefortz reveals himself as a Nilfgaardian ally and survives the confrontation, continuing his pursuit of Ciri.

• Phillippa escapes with Dijkstra, both alive but affected by the battle's fallout.

• Triss is wounded but survives, playing a crucial role in tending to the wounded and supporting the defenders.

• Tissaia prepares to use a devastating magical attack, showing her resolve to defend Aretuza.

• Radovid remains a political player, attempting to control Ciri's fate.

This episode marks a turning point with heavy losses and fractured alliances, emphasizing the brutal cost of the ongoing war and the uncertain future of the key characters.

The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6, titled "Everybody Has a Plan 'til They Get Punched in the Face," does not have a post-credits scene. The episode ends with intense developments around the Thanedd coup and the Brotherhood of Sorcerers' split, but no additional scene after the credits is reported in available recaps and analyses.

Most detailed recaps and explanations focus on the episode's main content, including the brutal battles and political intrigue, without mentioning any post-credits material. The post-credits scenes discussed in related Witcher media, such as "Blood Origin," are separate and not part of this episode.

Therefore, viewers should not expect a post-credits scene following episode 6 of The Witcher Season 3.

In Episode 6, Geralt and Ciri plan to escape by boat but are ambushed by Vilgefortz. Geralt orders Ciri to run while he confronts Vilgefortz. The mage reveals he has been holding back his power and easily overpowers Geralt, breaking his sword and bones. Vilgefortz spares Geralt, intending to use him as a warning to others about his power and possibly for his own purposes.

At Aretuza, the mages are under attack by the Scoia'tael. Tissaia is in shock as the fight rages. Istredd arrives and, along with Triss, tends to an elder mage having a heart attack. Sabrina and Keira, who had defected, plead to fight for Aretuza again after realizing Vilgefortz's true intentions. Tissaia allows them to rejoin the defenders. Triss is wounded by an arrow but is urged to stay alive by Istredd. Tissaia prepares to use Alzur's Thunder, a powerful last resort spell, which Yennefer senses and understands the gravity of. Yennefer then leaves to support Tissaia, promising to return to Ciri and Geralt.

Ciri is on the run again, fleeing through the forest to avoid capture. After Geralt tells her to run during the Vilgefortz confrontation, she heads toward Tor Lara. She is aware of the danger coming for her and continues to evade her pursuers, reflecting a recurring pattern of her running through forests in the series.

Yennefer finds Geralt's broken sword and escapes capture by Redanian forces through a secret passage. She fights Lydia and kills her after Triss intervenes to stop Lydia. Yennefer then senses the danger at Aretuza and leaves to support Tissaia, promising to return to Ciri and Geralt. Triss fights alongside the mages at Aretuza, is wounded by an arrow, and is cared for by Istredd, who urges her to survive to help find the Book of Monoliths.

Episode 6 features multiple deaths and betrayals. The Scoia'tael attack Aretuza, causing chaos and casualties among the mages. Vilgefortz's true allegiance with Nilfgaard is revealed, marking a major betrayal. Triss is wounded in battle. Lydia is killed by Yennefer. The episode is noted for many villains and heroes falling around Geralt and his found family, emphasizing the high stakes and shifting alliances.

The Witcher, Season 3, Episode 6 ("Everybody Has a Plan 'til They Get Punched in the Face") is rated TV-MA, indicating it is intended for mature audiences and is not family friendly for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting content includes:

• Severe violence and gore, with intense fight scenes and graphic injuries typical of the series.
• Sexual content and nudity, including explicit scenes and full nudity, which are frequent in the show and may be present in this episode.
• Profanity at a moderate level, including strong language.
• Frightening and intense scenes that may be disturbing, such as sudden attacks or perilous situations.

Given these elements, the episode is not suitable for children or viewers sensitive to graphic violence, sexual content, or strong language.