The Witcher season 2 seems to be taking notes from a very interesting Game of Thrones character dynamic. Starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, season 2 of Netflix’s The Witcher will start in continuation to where the story left off in the final episode of season 1. In the season finale, Yennefer suddenly disappears after having been captured by the Nilfgaardian army, while Geralt and Ciri’s paths unexpectedly cross, as they are bound by the Law of Surprise.
Their story advances as Geralt brings Ciri to Kaer Morhen to train her. Besides this, season 2 of The Witcher will introduce many more interesting characters, including Nivellen. Nivellen’s relationship with the show’s lead character Geralt copies that of a similar kind of friendship seen in HBO’s popular series Game of Thrones.
Netflix releases The Witcher season 2 first look clip at its recent TUDUM fan event. In the teaser, Geralt is seen having a conversation with Nivellen. Nivellen is shown to be a beast-like creature who is under a curse but is also an old pal of the brooding witcher. While Nivellen obviously is amusing to most, the creature also appears to be a little strange. But only in a good way. When faced with Geralt and Ciri, Nivellen seems to notice that there’s something Geralt is hiding and is unperturbed by the Witcher’s scary demeanor as he calls him out on whatever it is that he’s lying about. Seeing this light-hearted friendship only reminds us of the dynamic that Game of Thrones Tormund Giantsbane and Jon Snow shared.
In Game of Thrones, Tormund Gaintsbane was a warrior with the Free Folk, and was known for being brazen and outspoken, and was unapologetic about being the way he was. Despite being polar opposites, Tormund developed an interesting friendship with Jon Snow. Jon Snow was always so brooding and impassive, whereas Tormund was nonchalant and hilarious. In his happy-go-lucky nature, Tormund was always joking around and laughing.
But the man knew when to read the room, and while he wasn’t always so serious, his personality went in contrast with that of Jon Snow’s, which bode well for the friendship. Regardless of the one time when Tormund considered Jon Snow as his biggest enemy, as their friendship deepened, Tormund was unbelievably loyal to him. Their friendship in the show was much appreciated by the audiences. And now it seems to be excellently copied in The Witcher season 2. Nivellen and Geralt have absolutely no similarities in their character traits. While Geralt is someone who broods all the time and doesn’t enjoy others’ company and is often seen being stoic and keeping to himself, Nivellen is the exact opposite.
Nivellen is, however, unbothered by Geralt’s nature. The characters share a bond of trust which leaves no room for petty differences, which is exactly like the friendship seen between Tormund and Jon Snow. The small clip of season 2 of The Witcher shared by Netflix still doesn’t reveal much about Nivellen’s past but the two characters respect each other and Geralt doesn’t seem to mind that Nivellen is actually a beast.
Another very fascinating fact is that both Nivellen and Tormund are played by the same actor, Kristofer Hivju. Which is why it is hard not to notice the references of his previous role in his current since Hivju is involved in both the shows. Just like he did in Game of Thrones, Hivju’s character of Nivellen could very well dominate season 2 of The Witcher as soon as it releases.
From the short teaser, it is clear that Nivellen will turn out to be a remarkable character, and it goes without saying that Hivju playing the character has everything to do with it. We are still unsure of whether Nivellen will be seen in only a few episodes or throughout the season, but his involvement has fans hoping to see a softer friendlier side of Geralt. Nivellen and Geralt’s friendship dynamic could bring out the best in the witcher making it the main spotlight for season 2. Which also compliments the relationship of Tormund and Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, where the former got Jon Snow to eventually lower his guards.
