While some fantasy fans are eagerly waiting for the second season of hugely popular show The Witcher, Netflix has released an eight-part making-of that might just make the wait more bearable.
An adaptation of the Polish fantasy book saga of the same name, the Netflix original series stars Henry Cavill as protagonist Geralt of Rivia, a monster-hunter known as a ‘witcher’. Geralt’s story is intertwined with that of Princess Ciri, played by Freya Allan.
The series premiered on December 2019 and proved to be an incredible success, winning the hearts of 76 million viewers within the first month of release.
'The Witcher' Showrunner Explains What Happened After Geralt Killed Renfri
In the first episode of the making of, showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich broke down the significance of one of Geralt’s killings, occurred in the pilot “The End’s Beginning”.
Mage Stregobor tasks Geralt to kill princess-turned-bandit Renfri, portrayed by English actress Emma Appleton. The witcher refuses to kill her, but gives the princess the choice to leave in exchange for her life. Renfri feigns to agree but Geralt soon realizes she will only stop once Stregobor is dead, causing a fight to ensue as Geralt tries to stop her. During the altercation, the witcher fatally wounds Renfri, who dies in his arms.
“I don’t know that it was a choice for Geralt to kill Renfri,” Schmidt Hissrich said.
“Her importance is what she leaves him with,” she continued.
It’s Renfri, in fact, who tells Geralt to find a girl in the woods as she will be his destiny, referring to Princess Ciri. The short-lived character is also pivotal because she prompts Geralt to question his own conduct.
“She’s probably the only person who understand the humanity that is underneath the mutant skin he wears for the rest of the world,” the showrunner also added.
Renfri Makes Geralt To Question His Own Humanity
This seemingly unimportant killing for someone who is as well-used to violence as Geralt is takes on an unexpectedly crucial significance.
“Geralt, throughout the rest of the season, carries Renfri’s death with him,” the showrunner pointed out.
Renfri’s reminder to Geralt is to find humanity in situations where he might tend to act violently.
“[Geralt] leaves the first episode not quite sure if he did the right thing,” Schmidt Hissrich then said.
The eight-episode series ends with the long-awaited meeting between Geralt and Ciri, leaving a series of questions unanswered.