In a world where the balance between right and wrong constantly teeters, maintaining true neutrality becomes a challenge. Human beings have an inherent inclination to speak out against wrong and strive for justice, and in this pursuit, remaining neutral can prove to be a hindrance. This conflict between being neutral and choosing a side is brilliantly portrayed in the Netflix adaptation of Andrej Skapowski’s novel series, where Geralt of Rivia struggles to remain neutral. Throughout the first two seasons of The Witcher, Geralt was solely dedicated to his purpose of hunting monsters, avoiding entanglements with any political side. His apolitical stance made him highly sought-after by kings and mages alike as a reliable and formidable monster killer. However, fate took an unexpected turn, compelling Geralt to let go of his long-preserved neutrality in order to make a choice for the greater good of the world. This decision marked a significant shift in his character, demonstrating the complexities of navigating a morally ambiguous society and the impact it had on Geralt’s principles.
Spoilers Ahead
Why did Geralt support neutrality?
Apart from his neutrality, there are many things to talk about the persona of Geralt of Rivia. Geralt, as the most powerful and efficient Witcher, has a multi-layered personality. His outward appearance was tough and unemotional due to his strict and painful upbringing at Kaer Morhen and the challenges he faced as a monster hunter. However, underneath the appearance of a stone-cold bounty hunter, he had shown great empathy and care for those in need. He struggled with finding his purpose beyond his profession and battled societal biases against Witchers. Despite this, Geralt stood firm in his moral beliefs, often prioritizing others’ well-being over his own, as evidenced by his unwavering dedication to protecting his destiny child Cirilla. His intriguing character and strong principles make him a captivating and relatable figure in The Witcher universe.
The formidable White Wolf had honed his skills at Kaer Morhen, where he immersed himself in learning every aspect of monster hunting. As a Witcher, his dedication was reserved solely to eliminating the monsters—their sworn enemies. Regardless of the employer, Geralt adhered to the principle of neutrality, refusing to take sides in any political conflict. Throughout his journey, he specifically avoided involvement with the kings or mages and consistently aided the vulnerable while eliminating evil.
Numerous mages and kings sought Geralt’s services to deal with evil creatures, and every time, he fulfilled his assignments without allowing personal bias to sway his judgment. His adherence to this ethic showcased the extent to which Geralt valued his neutral stance, even in the face of conflicting interests from powerful figures.
Did Geralt finally choose a side?
In the third season of The Witcher, Geralt protected his neutral stance even in the face of adversity, but fate had different plans for him. When the law of surprise bound Cirilla to him as his destiny child, pulling him into a journey of confronting the most powerful evil figures on his way, his neutrality slowly faded away. As he protected Ciri from potential dangers, Geralt found himself opposing the Nilfgaardian emperor, a stance that contradicted his usual apolitical approach.
Throughout the season, Geralt supported the notion that staying neutral is a way of surviving. Though it doesn’t make you a remarkable figure in history, it surely keeps you alive. However, his connection to Ciri changed the game entirely. The imminent danger she faced at the hands of the White Flame pushed Geralt to act. In the final scene of The Witcher season 3, as Geralt and Jaskier made their way towards Nilfgaard, they encountered a battalion of soldiers extorting money from innocent people for passage. Initially, Geralt tried to remain undisturbed by the situation and even paid the toll to move ahead, but as the soldiers purposefully tormented the innocent people to extort money from them, Geralt came to the realization that he could no longer stand idly by if he wished to stand against the injustice.
This transformation in Geralt’s character revealed the depth of his love and responsibility towards his found daughter, Ciri, prompting him to abandon his once-firm stance on neutrality. The season finale showcased Geralt’s growth as a character, evolving from a solitary Witcher to someone willing to take a stand and protect those he cares about, even if it meant embracing the complexities of choosing sides.
What can we expect from Geralt in season 4?
In the culmination of The Witcher season 3, Geralt’s journey became a crucial turning point of the series as he involved himself in political strife to combat evil. Alongside Ciri’s perilous journey of survival, Geralt’s transformation into a rebel marked a pivotal moment for the show. By breaking away from his ethics and choosing the side of justice, he transcended his role as a mere Witcher, evolving into a poignant character who would shape the story’s trajectory. In the upcoming season, we can anticipate a more powerful Geralt, unburdened by his past dilemmas and resolute in his role as a rebel against injustice. His confrontation with the Nilfgaardian soldier showcases his determination to protect Ciri at any cost, which also sets the stage for a fierce altercation with the Emperor of Nilfgaard in future episodes.
Unfortunately, the portrayal of Geralt we have come to admire owes much of its depth and authenticity to Henry Cavill’s commendable commitment and dedication to his character. As his journey concludes with that powerful rebellion scene, we can’t help but feel a sense of loss knowing that Henry’s time with The Witcher series has come to an end. His portrayal as the new Witcher, fiercely devoted to protecting his destiny child, left a lasting impact on viewers. In the upcoming season, with Liam Hemsworth officially taking on the role of Geralt, there is anticipation for a new layer to the character, yet it might also spark some controversy. As we move forward, we will remember Henry Cavill’s extraordinary contribution to Geralt, forever grateful for the heart and soul he poured into making the character come alive on screen.
