Warning: spoilers for The Witcher season 3

Summary

  • Cahir's redemption arc in The Witcher season 3 was well-executed and showcased his complex character development.
  • Cahir's loyalty to the White Flame is now in question as he starts to think for himself and realizes the consequences of his actions.
  • While Cahir's redemption is just beginning, what happens next will be shocking for those unfamiliar with the books.

The Witcher season 3 saw Cahir’s return to the Nilfgaardian army, and though he seemed to be loyal to the Emperor again, Part 2 brought a major twist to his story – but what comes next for him is even more shocking. The Witcher season 3 was packed with action and drama, as it covered some major events from the books that completely changed the stories of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Ciri. The Witcher season 3 finally saw these three characters together as a family and doing their best to stay safe and close to each other, but unfortunately, that didn’t last for long.

With half the Continent going after Ciri, it was only a matter of time before Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri were separated, but they never expected the chaotic events that unfolded after the conclave at Aretuza. The Thanedd Coup forced Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer to part ways, with Yennefer leaving first to aid Tissaia, while Geralt and Ciri planned to leave together. On their way out of the island, they came across Cahir, and although this was a perfect opportunity for Cahir to capture Ciri and take her to the White Flame, The Witcher gave Cahir a major twist.

Why Cahir's Redemption Arc In The Witcher Season 3 Worked So Well

Cahir looks up to Ciri in The Witcher season 3

Cahir started out as a villain in season 1, but the subsequent seasons have shown that he’s actually a complex character. Cahir started as a loyal knight of Nilfgaard, who after the Battle of Sodden Hill, was captured, held prisoner, and tortured by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, but he escaped thanks to Yennefer. Cahir reed Fringilla and the Nilfgaardian army, but the White Flame caught their lies and punished them: Fringilla was imprisoned, and Cahir was sent to raid caravans.

Cahir returned to Nilfgaard and regained the Emperor’s trust, but he wasn’t entirely sure of his loyalty to the White Flame. When reuniting with Fringilla during the battle in Aretuza, Fringilla told Cahir “it’s amazing what you can do when you think for yourself”, leading Cahir to rethink his alliances. When Cahir came across Ciri and Geralt, he turned himself in, but the Princess wanted to fight him. Cahir explained he wanted to die for what he did to her and gave her his life, but the Scoia’tael arrived and Cahir stopped them so Ciri and Geralt could escape.

Cahir has been through a lot in just three seasons, and he has been on pretty much all sides of the battles as the leader of the Nilfgaardian army, a prisoner, a man on the run, and a betrayed knight. Cahir is finally thinking by himself and isn’t looking for the approval of the White Flame, realizing that everything he had done so far had only caused pain and suffering to others, especially Ciri. Cahir giving Ciri a chance to kill him is only the beginning of his redemption arc, but what happens next will be a lot more shocking to those not familiar with the books.

What Happens Next To Cahir In The Witcher: Future With Geralt & Final Fate

Eamon Farren as Cahir stood in a dark woodland in The Witcher season 3.

In The Witcher books, Cahir doesn't surrender to Ciri, but he is labeled a traitor by the White Flame, who puts out an arrest warrant on Cahir for sending a fake Ciri, though Cahir had nothing to do with that, and for not returning to Nilfgaard for his failure. Cahir is rescued by an elf who later learns about the arrest warrant, so he agrees to be tied up, placed inside a coffin, and sent to Nilfgaard. However, Geralt, Jaskier, and Milva are in the surroundings when the coffin arrives, and are surprised to find a tied Cahir inside. Geralt helps Cahir escape under the warning of not crossing paths again or the witcher will kill him, but Cahir ends up shadowing Geralt and company.

When Geralt catches Cahir following them, the knight tells him he wants to the search for Ciri, but Geralt refuses. After more travels and Cahir saving Milva, the latter is key in convincing Geralt to let Cahir them. During the assault on Stygga to save Ciri, Cahir battles Leo Bonhart, but is defeated and killed. Cahir is on his way to being part of Geralt’s new team in Netflix’s The Witcher, but it’s to be seen if he will have the same fate as in the books.