This episode is really a cherry on the cake; a fitting end for a season behind it. First of all, it wraps up pretty much all the hidden motivations behind the season's stories. Sadly, these hidden motivations are non-canonical inventions, and therefore they are just as low in quality as they deny immersion to those who are acquainted with the titular universe. Second, it gives a perfect hindsight on what has happened during season two. And by that, I mean mixed feelings.
We begin with Yennefer yelling at Geralt on the ride. They are arriving to Kaer Morhen, the hidden fortress that became a casual meeting spot for adventuring dwarves, random mages and even more random harlots. It doesn't need further explanation that the distance between Kaer Morhen and Cintra is... big. In any decent fantasy universe, we have eagles. Or dragons. Something! We have magic here, but the only thing we know is that the pair is incapable of opening portals.
For this show, time and space don't exist anymore. Pun intended.
The next thing we see is a demon-possessed Ciri, who has visions in her mind and a dagger in her hand. She starts to slit throats of sleeping witchers, who, by now are obviously a degenerate bunch of brutes with alcohol problems and antisocial behaviour. There is no other logical explanation why they could be sneaked upon and slaughtered in this fashion. Note that Geralt deems this castle ruin as "safe" for Ciri. Apparently, the witchers can't even look after themselves.
The next thing Geralt does is the obvious. He is a golem by now, programmed to do two things. Rule number one: Save Ciri, hug Yennefer. Rule number two: the names can be changed, if it does not conflict with rule number one. Rule number three: save yourself from extradimensional monsters. If it does not conflict with either rule number one or rule number two.
So first, he tries to save Ciri without the means. Basically his plan is to talk the demon out of Ciri - with kind words. He keeps Yennefer by his side, so he could hug her. He also has his sword, in case of something went wrong.
Things go wrong. The demon decides to fully shatter the otherwise dead medallion-tree through Ciri's screaming ability. However, the work Ciri started on the tree and the monolith hidden inside (?!) it in episode 5, will now be complete. The monolith shatters, a portal to another dimension opens. What will happen now? The demon starts to slay witchers, who die like flies in the background. It's good we don't even know their names.
In the meantime, Geralt suffers a brain block. He can't digest the only reasonable solution (ie to kill Ciri). Yennefer comes to his aid. She gives a gem to Jaskier, that doesn't do anything. And she brews a potion that she will not use. However, when she sees Geralt's mental breakdown, she decides to absorb the demon herself, so Geralt could save Ciri (rule number one), and then, in order to hug her, he has to free her from the demon. So they go to the other dimension, where the demon departs. She only wanted to go home to another dimension.
Questions like "Why didn't she do that while in control of Ciri?" and "Why did she travel to Kaer Morhen in the first place?" or "If she wanted to go home but before that kill those who imprisoned her, then why did she leave Geralt alive?" are all pointless. The logic behind this show has slipped away so seamlessly as two scarves of the finest silk slide on each other.
Of course, after five minutes, no one feels to reflect on the recent events. Most of the irreplaceable witchers have died. No question whatsoever is asked, no deep feelings are expressed, just sad faces and a short remark that we are not a happy family.
By the end of the show, the viewers became the witchers. It's better if we don't ask questions, don't search for logic. We are injured, sad and somewhat stoic of what lies ahead. Expect our ranks to be depleted as well.
PS: Dear screenwriters, who think you can do better than actual writers, and who think you can deviate from an excellent source material and invent your own stories under the umbrella of an epic brand, I'd like to quote your own words and beg you to decide which type you really want to be.
"If you were to return, you'd need to plead your case. Apologize as well. For believing you could have any impact there at all. There are those who are obsessed with finding power and those who know their place."
We begin with Yennefer yelling at Geralt on the ride. They are arriving to Kaer Morhen, the hidden fortress that became a casual meeting spot for adventuring dwarves, random mages and even more random harlots. It doesn't need further explanation that the distance between Kaer Morhen and Cintra is... big. In any decent fantasy universe, we have eagles. Or dragons. Something! We have magic here, but the only thing we know is that the pair is incapable of opening portals.
For this show, time and space don't exist anymore. Pun intended.
The next thing we see is a demon-possessed Ciri, who has visions in her mind and a dagger in her hand. She starts to slit throats of sleeping witchers, who, by now are obviously a degenerate bunch of brutes with alcohol problems and antisocial behaviour. There is no other logical explanation why they could be sneaked upon and slaughtered in this fashion. Note that Geralt deems this castle ruin as "safe" for Ciri. Apparently, the witchers can't even look after themselves.
The next thing Geralt does is the obvious. He is a golem by now, programmed to do two things. Rule number one: Save Ciri, hug Yennefer. Rule number two: the names can be changed, if it does not conflict with rule number one. Rule number three: save yourself from extradimensional monsters. If it does not conflict with either rule number one or rule number two.
So first, he tries to save Ciri without the means. Basically his plan is to talk the demon out of Ciri - with kind words. He keeps Yennefer by his side, so he could hug her. He also has his sword, in case of something went wrong.
Things go wrong. The demon decides to fully shatter the otherwise dead medallion-tree through Ciri's screaming ability. However, the work Ciri started on the tree and the monolith hidden inside (?!) it in episode 5, will now be complete. The monolith shatters, a portal to another dimension opens. What will happen now? The demon starts to slay witchers, who die like flies in the background. It's good we don't even know their names.
In the meantime, Geralt suffers a brain block. He can't digest the only reasonable solution (ie to kill Ciri). Yennefer comes to his aid. She gives a gem to Jaskier, that doesn't do anything. And she brews a potion that she will not use. However, when she sees Geralt's mental breakdown, she decides to absorb the demon herself, so Geralt could save Ciri (rule number one), and then, in order to hug her, he has to free her from the demon. So they go to the other dimension, where the demon departs. She only wanted to go home to another dimension.
Questions like "Why didn't she do that while in control of Ciri?" and "Why did she travel to Kaer Morhen in the first place?" or "If she wanted to go home but before that kill those who imprisoned her, then why did she leave Geralt alive?" are all pointless. The logic behind this show has slipped away so seamlessly as two scarves of the finest silk slide on each other.
Of course, after five minutes, no one feels to reflect on the recent events. Most of the irreplaceable witchers have died. No question whatsoever is asked, no deep feelings are expressed, just sad faces and a short remark that we are not a happy family.
By the end of the show, the viewers became the witchers. It's better if we don't ask questions, don't search for logic. We are injured, sad and somewhat stoic of what lies ahead. Expect our ranks to be depleted as well.
PS: Dear screenwriters, who think you can do better than actual writers, and who think you can deviate from an excellent source material and invent your own stories under the umbrella of an epic brand, I'd like to quote your own words and beg you to decide which type you really want to be.
"If you were to return, you'd need to plead your case. Apologize as well. For believing you could have any impact there at all. There are those who are obsessed with finding power and those who know their place."