The Law of Surprise has been explained by the showrunner of Netflix’s The Witcher series.
The Law of Surprise is one of the key plot points of The Witcher, playing a big role in events, including how Geralt and Ciri come together. While the law is mentioned many times in season one, just what does it mean exactly?
If you didn’t catch its meaning while watching, fear not as showrunner for the series, Lauren S. Hissrich, is hear to explain. Speaking on a behind-the-scenes podcast (via ComicBook.com), Hissrich said:
“If you save someone’s life, that person is then indebted to you. If they do not have the money to pay you at the time, they can offer you something called the Law of Surprise instead. And basically, the Law of Surprise means that you will get the first thing that they find at their homes that they didn’t know existed. So it’s got a lot of parameters in it.
“What we see happen most often, and when the Law of Surprise really becomes interesting, is when a character goes home and finds that they have a child that they didn’t know they have. In this case, that their wife is pregnant and gives birth shortly after they get home.”
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This is how Geralt comes to claim Ciri in the show and the law holds incredible power and sway over the people of the continent. We will see how Geralt and Ciri’s relationship develops over the course of season two.
Based on the best-selling fantasy series of books, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family. Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.
The Witcher stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer and Freya Allan as Ciri. Other cast members include Jodhi May, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Adam Levy, MyAnna Buring, Mimi Ndiweni, Therica Wilson-Read, Emma Appleton, Eamon Farren, Joey Batey, Lars Mikkelsen, Royce Pierreson, Maciej Musiał, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte, and Anna Shaffer.