The Witcher on Netflix has had mixed reviews, but its fans seem to adore it, despite some negative critical reviews. It's easy to see why — it has something for everything. From the politics and fantasy to the humor and relatability, it has the ability to appeal to a wide audience — and it also has some pretty romantic scenes. Geralt's main love interest, Yennefer of Vengerberg, provides some twisted, swoon-worthy, and sometimes heart-breaking scenes that give the show its own, unique flavor of unconventional romance — and of course, the side characters have their moments too.
"I Dreamed Of Becoming Important To Someone."
In Rare Species, episode six, we discover how desperate Yennefer is to have a child despite hints at her desire before. When she underwent the transformation to become conventionally beautiful and rid herself of "twisted spine", she gave up her fertility — and wants the choice back. She's willing to go as far as to hunt down a dragon and slay it, to find out if the rumored healing properties it has are true.
Geralt tells her they're not, and expresses his surprise she'd want to become a mother because she isn't outwardly maternal and leads a chaotic life. Yennefer admits she just wants to be important to someone, as she never has been in her life. Geralt, who's never truly cared about someone admits, "You're important to me."
The Kiss
A much more fast-paced romantic scene from the same episode is the kiss they share mid-battle. Yennefer shouts at Geralt to use a sign while they protect the dragons in a change of events, and when he does, she kisses him — as if she simply can't help herself. It's a stunning shot of the enemy being blown backwards in the background while Geralt and Yennefer cling to each other as if they're all that matters. And in that moment, to each other, they probably are.
"I Can't Let Her Die."
The first time they meet, Geralt enlists her help to save Jaskier who has been cursed by a Djinn. Yennefer helps, but only because she wants to absorb and use the Djinn to become more powerful. Jaskier is willing to leave her to her fate after getting back on his feet, but when Geralt goes after her despite the fact he's putting himself in danger, Jaskier comments this is the first time that he's decided to care about someone other than himself.
Geralt claims his reasoning to be that she saved Jaskier and, in return, he can't let her die. But the fact they have sex immediately after he saves her suggests that there was perhaps an element of something else motivating him to go back to her.
The Law Of Surprise
Pavetta, daughter of Queen Calanthe, had many suitors who wished to marry her due to her royal status. However, a cursed knight called Duny once saved the king, and called on the law of surprise — entitling him to that which the king had, but was not aware of.
And Calanthe was pregnant.
Pavetta, who quickly fell in love with Duny, had no issue with this. Calanthe did, even trying to murder Duny, but Pavetta used her mysterious powers to save him and made it quite clear she was in love with him, regardless of appearance or status.
"You Worry If You Blink, You'll Never See Her Again."
It's a passing comment made to the usually emotionless Geralt, and it's immensely telling. Geralt leads a chaotic life and doesn't usually have lingering connections, so for him to be clinging so hard to someone is so unusual — let alone for it to be so obvious that someone he's meeting for the first time picks up on it. It's not specified that this is the first time Geralt has ever been in love, but it is heavily implied.
Istredd & Yennefer's Intimacy
Geralt, however, is not Yennefer's only romance. Before she becomes conventionally beautiful and goes through her enchantments, she meets fellow mage Istredd and involves herself in a romance with him. Although their romance includes elements of mutual betrayal and never seems quite meant to be, their intimate scene together seems to prove that he does love her and it's not for her magic or some enchanted beauty — he truly loves who she is.
"You Didn't Want To Lose Her, Geralt. You Will."
And then Yennefer adds, "he has." Ouch.
It's tragic, but the reason it's so romantic is that it's the first time we see Geralt actually lose control of his emotions, snapping at Jaskier and seemingly broken-hearted by the idea that he will never see Yennefer again. She's willing to leave because she can never be sure if their love is real thanks to the last wish, but Geralt in that moment is utterly convinced it's not manufactured.
Renfri & Geralt's Intimacy
Although Yennfer is the focal point of Geralt's affections for most of the show, the first episode sees him in an intimate relationship with Renfri. Although he kills her and her men, earning himself the title of the Butcher of Blaviken, he seems to genuinely care for her and almost loses his mind at the idea of her corpse being disrespected despite being the one to murder her.
It seems that they relate to each other — both outcasts, both considered monsters. Renfri has just succumbed to the idea that they might be right, while Geralt is trying hard to resist.
"Why not kill them all?"
"Because then I am what they say I am."
King Eist's Death
Calanthe is usually a very hard character who doesn't show emotions — much like Geralt — but we see her truly break down when Eist is killed in a battle with Nilfgaard, sobbing over his body before going after his murderer. It's a brief scene but in the midst and context with the battle with Nilfgaard, it's truly a heart-breaking one.
"Who's Yennefer?"
At the end of the show, Ciri and Geralt are finally united and share a hug. Although Geralt and Yennefer have long-since left each other forever, Ciri shows her intuition and perhaps her powers when she pulls out of the embrace and asks, "Who's Yennefer?"
It seems to be a sign that although they've "broken up", for lack of a better term, Geralt has not stopped thinking about her and that their relationship will still be a key part of the show going forward. Those who've read the books know the nature of the path that their relationship takes but for those just focusing on the show, it's an exciting reassurance that Yennefer is still at the forefront of Geralt's mind.