The Witcher: The Law Of Surprise Explained

What Is The Witcher’s Law of Surprise?

If you haven’t already watched The Witcher, you’ll want to wait until you have to view this video since there will be spoilers regarding the plot and characters. If you’ve already seen it but find yourself confused about the Law of Surprise then you’re definitely in the right place. This concept was introduced in the fourth episode and it’s a bit difficult to understand if you’re not up to date on the lore involved in “Last Wish” and “Sword of Destiny.” But this interesting rule actually has its roots in Slavic folklore and explains how Geralt of Rivia came into possession of Princess Cirilla. Queen Calanthe learned the hard way that this fictional rule is a great way to ruin a party when a masked knight showed up to claim her daughter, Princess Pavetta. What did Duny’s relationship with the late King Roegner have to do with messing up his wife’s matchmaking plans? The Law of Surprise is an important plot device in this fictional universe that puts many major events into play.

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[skynotaname]

I think you missed on key element which is why the law of surprise is upheld. In both the books and the show its indicated that in someone claims the law of surprise and it's not honored, ruin will come to you and your household. Sure enough, they try to keep the witcher from claiming Siri and their entire city is torched by nilfguard.

[nadsoos]

"a world where they don't find henry cavill handsome and charming" LMAO

[billyvsbilly]

I love how wrong the critics were and how hard they are trying to explain their nonsense.

Does it have issues, sure. But all are easily fixed and I can't wait for the second season

[dontperceiveme]

Thank you! I was so lost after episode 4. Ciri got kidnapped by a bunch of amazons, hedgehog man showed up to a party and claimed blond girl for what ever reason and yennefer was talkimg to a dead baby on the beach. Now it's a little bit clearer xD

[DNice_Santi]

Toss a coin to your Witcher oh Valley of plenty!

[benares]

"Welcome to my house, witcher -- wait, what's THIS in the mailbox? A *mortgage bill*? (hands it to Geralt) Surprise!"

[mikemidkiff]

Love the show but the first season was to short

[lanreakerele]

I think Henry Cavil did a great job for playing Geralt of Riveria in the Witcher so like if u agree

[jtonxbox]

the law of surprise means something great and unexpected (saving someone's life) deserves something great and unexpected in return...still dont get how the daughter is a great and unexpected reward for geralt.

[butwhy]

1:30 if you'd like to get right to the explanation

[bensila]

The actress that played renfri is freaking hoooot..

[madjimjaspers]

A fantastic show, excellent acting cast, spectacular mysterious writing structure.

Also thanks CBR for the explanation. And for being my friend.

[DailyDoseofShortsVideos]

The law of surprise
Giving what you have but do not know what it is until you do

[epiphoney]

So Geralt became a Witcher by law of surprise, and Ciri will as well. It's plainly stated in the short story, "A Question of Price". The stories are highly compressed in the tv show. All but one of the short stories in the first book are adapted to the show. But then half of the shows are made up origins of Yennefer and Ciri. Geralt is smarter in the books. The stories in the books are also more closely related to well known fairy tales.

[eneskaraytug]

In the book, Geralt deliberately asks for Ciri. He knew the princes was pregnant before they knew. He explains this by stating that the world needs more Witcher but there are no apprentices anymore. He basically wanted an apprentice. Book version Witcher is more wise and experienced in this kind of matters. As if they nerfed Geralt for the series. He is more careless. I think this new Geralt is also cool.

[ttbko]

Believe me as one who had to learn it the hard way, this really only makes sense if you've read the books first. I didn't. Two full binges of both 1st and 2nd series merely confused. So then I read the books and all is revealed! Henry Cavill was right all along: the source material is essential to make any of this make sense!

[LuuhBaby]

"Don't let the You Tube algorithm take you away from our videos"

You deserve my 👍

[TressaDeFox]

The law of surprise is a very common feature in Slavic fairy tales

[josuecorona]

Just started watching without any previous knowledge of the Witcher and when he said “ your not alone” lowkey was relieved

[narutotrickzxtvD]

I'm obsessed with the show but I won't lie and act as if I wasn't confused through the stories role out it may go against the whole theme or flow of the show or maybe they jus wanted the shock factor, but I really felt like they should have started the series off with this rather then include it like 4 -5 EPs in where key characters are already dead in the present it kinda gave me whiplash until I was able to connect the 2 and even had me thinking that there was a random time skip that Ciri was pavetta or something lol. I'm going to trigger people with this comparison but the law of surprise reminds me a lot of twilights imprinting system, maybe just in a different context where as you don't know who you'll fall in love with, with imprinting you also become tied to that person, similar to what we've seen in the witcher where the law of surprise gives you owner ship of someone.