Ep. 86 — 301 "Shaerrawedd" from Netflix's The Witcher
Gintare from the UK and Vang from Denmark join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 301 “Shaerrawedd". Very important bits include: Yennefer and Geralt’s evolving relationship, the newly abstract nature of Dol Blathanna, the development of Ciri’s morals and ideals, and dead devils.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:24] Introduction
[3:05] Guest Introductions
[7:44] Episode Recap
[10:56] Overall Thoughts
[16:03] Vang’s Artistic Inspiration
[16:47] References and Easter Eggs
[18:33] Francesca’s Song
[20:56] Transition from S2 to S2
[23:11] Yennefer & Geralt’s Relationship
[28:40] Dol Blathanna
[32:53] Ciri’s Morals and Ideals
[38:22] Should Geralt have spared Rience?
[43:58] Raising the Stakes After Shaerrawedd
[51:53] Final Thoughts
[53:58] Outro
[55:58] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): This discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Season 3 was recorded in July 2023 prior to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
Introduction
ALYSSA: Welcome to Breakfast in Beauclair, a global Witcher Podcast. My name is Alyssa from GoodMorhen, and I’ll be your host as you, I, and our international hanza accompany Geralt of Rivia and his destiny, Cirilla of Cintra, across the Continent.
[Announcements]
Poland Hanza Meetup: Weekend of August 9-12, Kraków, Poland
[Patron Announcements]
Thanks as always to our patrons and our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
If you’ve enjoyed the last 84 episodes of Breakfast in Beauclair, consider supporting the show on Patreon! I found an editor—hooray! It’s thanks to our patrons that I’m able to pay for important tools and services to keep the podcast up and running such as podcast hosting, transcript services, domain and website resources, artwork, and more. Learn more about donating to the show at patreon.com/breakfastinbeauclair.
[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Gintare from the UK and Vang from Denmark join Alyssa for our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 301 “Shaerrawedd". Very important bits include: Yennefer and Geralt’s evolving relationship, the newly abstract nature of Dol Blathanna, the development of Ciri’s morals and ideals, and dead devils.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Netflix’s The Witcher Episode 301 “Shaerrawedd".
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER): In Episode 301 "Shaerrawedd", Rience sends the Professor and a group of bounty hunters on a manhunt for Ciri, but the hunters are intercepted by Geralt and quickly dispatched. Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri spend months moving from safe house to safe house as Rience hunts them across the Continent. Along the way, Yennefer teaches Ciri magic while trying to make amends with Geralt for her actions in the previous season. After their last safe house is found, the group winters with Yarpen Zigrin. Changing tactics, Rience finds a jackapace trained to track elves and sets it on Ciri’s scent using the vial of her blood stolen from Kaer Morhen.
Francesca Findabair, the queen of the elves, continues to hunt for Ciri, believing the girl is a promised savior that will help her starving and displaced people. Gallatin, a Scoia’tael leader, confronts Francesca about her secret missions as he tries to keep the elven commandos alive.
In Redania, King Vizimir openly shows his displeasure with Dijkstra and Philippa Eilhart’s efforts to capture the Princess of Cintra, so he entrusts his brother Radovid with the task instead.
Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri join the local Belletyn festivities. Yennefer and Ciri enjoy their birthdays and the witcher and sorceress reminisce about times gone by. Their celebrations are cut short, however, when Rience’s jackapace corners Ciri in a maze. Geralt intervenes and kills the monster. After the attack, they decide the best course of action is to draw out Rience by loudly sharing that Ciri and Jaskier will be traveling with Yarpen’s next convoy.
Cut to: Jaskier fighting with his on-and-off-again lover, Vespula. Philippa and Radovid arrive and proposition Jaskier to bring Ciri to Redania.
On the road, Yarpen’s convoy makes camp in Shaerrawedd, an elven ruin with a deep history. Geralt and Yennefer tell Ciri the story of Aelirenn, the elven warrior who led young elves into battle against the humans… and to their deaths. Meanwhile, Francesca and Gallatin agree to work together to attack the convoy.
The following day, Ciri acts as bait for Rience. Geralt and Yen ambush the mage and his bounty hunters with help from Yarpen and his men. Rience escapes through a portal, but Yen holds it open and Geralt follows him. The Scoia’tael attack. Ciri and Dara reunite briefly on opposite sides of the battle. Geralt briefly confronts Rience, but only breaks both of his wrists before returning through the portal to Shaerrawedd. In the chaos, Yarpen challenges Dara and Gallatin, who commands his Scoia’tael fighters to fall back. Before they can, Geralt kills Francesca’s brother, Gage, as the elf tries to abduct Ciri.
After the battle, Yennefer suggests taking Ciri to Aretuza to protect her from Rience’s powerful benefactor and to further her training safely. Despite Ciri’s pleas to stay together, the three of them part ways when Geralt decides to hunt Rience alone.
Back at Shaerrawedd, Francesca mourns Gage and the other fallen elves. Frustrated with her leadership, Gallatin leaves to seek out an old friend.
Shaken, Jaskier agrees to work with Redania in exchange for their help in eliminating Rience. He reveals that getting rid of Rience will be the key to earning Ciri and Geralt’s trust.
In Nilfgaard, Emperor Emhyr var Emris burns old portraits of him and Pavetta, his former wife and Princess of Cintra, but keeps a portrait of Ciri as a baby.
Transcript to come.
Outro & Credits
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
ALYSSA: Thanks for joining us at the breakfast table! For show notes, transcripts of each episode, and a complete list of our social platforms and listening services, head over to breakfastinbeauclair.com.
Breakfast in Beauclair is created by Alyssa from GoodMorhen. It’s hosted by Alyssa. The show is edited by Alyssa with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, and Softie.
Special thanks to Gintare and Vang for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil