The Child Surprise

I write this post with the intention of starting it out with full disclosure and a bit of a confession. Like many people over the last couple years, I fell in love with a Netflix original show and have told any and everyone that hasn’t seen it to watch it. I have never read the books or played the video games that served as the inspirational source material, so pretty much everything I know about the characters and the world they inhabit comes from the series and the bits of Googling I’ve done to fill the gaps.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

With that out of the way, commencing complete fangirl gushing over one of my favorite relationships to watch develop and unfold on screen: the White Wolf, Geralt of Rivia, and his Child Surprise, Princess Cirilla of Cintra. Quite frankly, I find both characters fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more about them in their original source materials. I’ve recently begun reading “The Last Wish”, so one step at a time.

First of all, I love the portrayal of these characters by Henry Cavill and Freya Allen, respectfully. I think their characters are wonderful to watch individually, but their chemistry is something else. Especially as Season 2 progresses, we get an idea of the potential behind their bond, and I, for one, am eager to see how it plays out. I’m under no illusions that their relationship will develop along the same line’s as Ciri’s parents, Pavetta and Duny. In a way, their bond could be stronger – that of a father and daughter, rather than lovers.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I know not every person has a stellar relationship with their parents, but I believe there’s something to be said for “the family you choose.” I, myself, am very grateful for the relationship I have with my parents, and I honestly think that’s part of why I love the relationship developing between Geralt and Ciri so much – it’s very reminiscent of the relationship I have with my dad.

At the end of season 1, we are FINALLY given the first meeting of Geralt and Ciri. It lasts all of about a minute before the OG watchers had to wait an endless two years for season 2 to drop. Let me tell you how sad that made me!

Even with that short introduction, I had the immediate reaction of “YEEEEEES!” because I knew we were in for a beautiful relationship. I was excited to see what kind of chemistry these two characters would have on screen, and I have not been disappointed, so far.

At the beginning of season 2, not much time had passed since the meeting of Geralt and Ciri, so there were still slightly awkward interactions and conversations, not helped by Geralt’s normally minimally verbal nature. Of course, Ciri is supposed to be in her early teens at this point, full of questions she’s been trying to answer for months, since the fall of Cintra and the death of everyone she loves. Of course she’s going to have questions.

CIRI: “So, I’m your destiny? Whatever that means.”

GERALT: “You’re much more than that, Cirilla.”

We don’t see a lot of their bonding until partway through the episode when they get to Nivellen’s home and the banter between the two teases at a further relationship. It was already apparent that Geralt felt strongly about protecting Ciri from scenes we’d seen in season 1, as soon as Geralt discovered his child surprise was not a prince, but a princess. His need to ensure her safety, especially so close to Sodden and discovering Nivellen’s cursed nature, further highlighted this new relationship. Then at dinner when Nivellen is hesitant to share how he’d been cursed in front of Ciri, Geralt comments, “She’s tougher than you think.”

That moment, paired with the way he looks at her, is one that stands out to me because it’s a clue-in to how he will treat her throughout their future interactions. He has a high opinion of Ciri, even after a short time. Now, maybe that’s because of the reputation of her mother and grandmother, holding the title of the “Lion Cub” and “Lioness of Cintra” but I truly believe Geralt has been around long enough to be at least a decent judge of character. I think he sees and recognizes the strength Ciri holds, all on her own, separate from the reputation of her predecessors.

CIRI: You know, my grandmother fought battles and wore dresses. You can do both.

GERALT: I know.

There’s a lot that happens between that first episode and this bit of dialogue, but I still think it highlights my point beautifully, because, again, he recognizes exactly where she comes from without discounting her own innate ability. At this point in time, she’s already proved how capable she is, to him and the other Witchers.

After some hesitation, Geralt agrees to train Ciri to defend herself, knowing that she has some desire to kill the Black Knight, who we know as General Cahir. As Geralt explained to her that Witchers do not kill out of fear, only to save lives, I believe that Ciri understood his warning, but I have to wonder if, at some point, she will have to make a choice. Will Geralt be the one to deliver the final blow, or will Ciri kill her own demons? Time will tell.

But I digress.

Once Ciri begins training, she becomes obsessive, only stopping for food and rest when Geralt gives her no other option. You see him look at her more and more as a fatherly figure, rather than merely a protector or mentor. He is genuinely proud of her, loves her and fears for her, even when she’s bent on self-destruction, rising to the baiting of his brothers.

Another angle to consider outside of interactions solely between Ciri and Geralt is how they discuss each other with other people when the other isn’t present. It certainly goes a long way in shedding light on their true feelings, especially as neither is “particularly chatty” in that arena.

I love seeing the interactions between Geralt and Vesemir, particularly when they are discussing Ciri and the loss of Eskel. Geralt makes references, or doesn’t correct it when Vesemir does, to Ciri being Geralt’s child – to protecting and loving her as his own. I will not be surprised if she is ever referred to her as “Wolf Cub” at some point, instead of “Lion Cub.”

Still, despite the validation Geralt gives to Ciri, the recognition of her strength and character, her own determination, training and worth, she is still a teenaged girl going through horrors and pain that most of us can scarcely imagine. After a misguided plan by Vesemir begins to unfold to possibly create more Witchers, Ciri is adamant that she become the first he tests his new mutagen on, containing Ciri’s blood. Thankfully, Geralt returns to Kaer Morhen just in time.

CIRI: No matter how hard I train, no matter what I do, it’ll never be enough.

GERALT: You are already enough, Cirilla. You are extraordinary.

Again, Geralt sees her for who and what she is, especially when she doesn’t see it in herself. Even when she believes that Geralt’s only goal is to simply keep her alive, rather than listening to what she wants, it’s his job to protect her from any threat, including herself. Her petulant attitude in that case is relatable, at any age, because who likes being told they can’t do something they have their mind set on, even if it may cause us future mental, emotional or physical harm that we’re too blinded to see?

No one. No one appreciates that in the moment.

And protect her, he does! Until a certain violet-eyed mage comes along with her own agenda, but that’ll be a topic of discussion for another time. But it becomes more interesting to see the interactions Geralt and Ciri have with others when the topic of conversation revolves around the other.

YENNEFER: [referring to Geralt] You two seem to have quite the bond.

CIRI: I mean, he’s a grump of the first order. Has the social graces of a wild boar, but he’s…

YENNEFER: He’s your protector.

CIRI: He’s the father I never had. When I’m with him, I don’t feel alone anymore.

Knowing what we know now about Ciri’s father, I don’t think that opinion will change. Keep in mind, I haven’t read the books or played the games, so I don’t know if it will change down the road, but watching their relationship grow and develop throughout the entire season, you cannot dispute the validity of Ciri’s claim. There is absolutely a familial love between the two. Geralt is softer and more human around Ciri than he is around anyone else, except maybe Vesemir or Yennefer, but even those instances are a different kind of soft.

Not only does Ciri open up, for the first time, might I add, about her feelings on her relationship with Geralt, but we also get a look at Geralt’s feelings after some reconciliation with Jaskier. Now, what I like about this interaction above any of the others Geralt has had about Ciri is that Jaskier is the only one who has actually been there since the beginning.

He was there when Geralt claimed the Law of Surprise in payment for the debt of saving Duny’s life. He was there when Geralt claimed he wanted nothing to do with a Child Surprise. And to have him question Geralt’s change of heart about claiming that child is more open and honest than anything we’ve seen from him on the subject.

JASKIER: Look, I understand that what’s-her-demon wants to eat your Child Surprise and all, and I’m happy to help save her, but you never even wanted this child in the first place. And now, it’s like she has turned your world upside down. I guess, what I’m really asking you is, this is what pleases you?

GERALT: I thought ignoring Ciri’s existence would make everything better. I was wrong.

The admission of making a mistake is more impactful than any flowery words Geralt could have used, in my opinion, but in true Geralt fashion, it was short and sweet. Jaskier accepted Geralt’s answer without question because that’s the kind of friend he is, but also because Geralt has never lied. It’s not in his nature. He’s a protector and even from the bits of conversation he had with Jaskier, I think the deeper feelings beneath his words are clear. That he loves her and will continue to protect her until his last breath.

Now, for debatably my favorite line in the whole season. It was a long time coming and from the moment Yen stepped through the portal with Ciri, leaving Geralt behind, we knew there was going to be hell to pay. Some kind of penance was going to be paid, even if it ended with Yen’s death. The fact that Geralt would kill Yen if she harmed Ciri is the ultimate testament to his feelings. He’d kill the woman he loves for the child he’s adopted.

YARPEN ZIGRIN: The girl. Yours?

GERALT: Mine…Mine, Zigrin.

The look on Geralt’s face when he utters those words, not taking his eyes off of Yen, is terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time. We’ve never seen Geralt be so possessive over anything, but that possession isn’t a bad, needs to get a restraining order, kind of possession.

No. That’s the look of a wolf protecting his cub. I kid you not, I did a happy dance, had to rewind and watch it again before moving on. I knew that a scene like that was going to happen at some point, but I was really glad that they chose that moment. There was something about the timing and delivery that made it the perfect scenario. Especially after the confession of Ciri that she saw Geralt as a father-figure. Geralt essentially said the same thing in that moment, without so many words.

And finally, the literal possession of Ciri by the Deathless Mother. That lady was creepy and stressed me out from the moment she was introduced. I knew she wouldn’t bode well for anyone. I mean, she was in a hut with no doors for a reason, people! That’s solid material for a horror film – total “Cabin in the Woods” vibes, if you ask me.

Anywho…

When Geralt and Yen make it back to Kaer Morhen, a possessed Ciri has already begun to wreak havoc on the keep, all while be stuck in a perverse version of Ciri’s memories. It’s heartbreaking to watch because you know that she recognized on some level that it’s not real. She knows her grandmother and Mousesack and all the rest of the inhabitants of the Cintran castle are dead. But who wouldn’t want to be with the people we love and have lost? Of course there’s the little part of me that wished she could have that, but she had to come back. They had to drive out the Deathless Mother.

Geralt, with the help and love of his brothers, both for him and for Ciri were able to draw her back. As those she’s lost disintegrate in front of her eyes, you see her relive the loss and heartbreak. Saying good-bye to the parents she never got a chance to know. It was the last cruelty of the Deathless Mother, but at least Ciri was coming back to a family who loves her.

GERALT: I’m know you’re afraid, Ciri, but what you see in there, it isn’t real…We belong together. You, us, it’s not perfect. But it’s real. It’s yours. We are your family. And we need you.

CIRI: I have to go home.