Do you ever wonder if Geralt and Jaskier’s friendship in the show is different from the books because Geralt doesn’t really know where he stands with Jaskier?
In the books, Geralt had rescued the - already famous and known - bard and they hit it off right away. Geralt was happy to have someone to talk to and joke with, Jaskier was happy to have someone to protect him from time to time and joke with as well. All was good. Best friends material, and they both tend to protect each other (Jaskier especially was trying to take care of Geralt in Season of Storms), would die for each other in a heartbeat (with Filavandrel, and then later when Jaskier went to Brokilon to see Geralt, and when Geralt was saving our poor poet with a head wound, etc.), and so on, and so on. They’re also equals. Sure, Jaskier has a couple of songs about Geralt, but he’s a master poet outside of them as well, he doesn’t need Geralt to be famous and recognized. Just like Geralt doesn’t need Jaskier for his connections or anything, he doesn’t even realize that his friend is a nobility until later (although that’s complicated, thanks, you confusing prequel book).
I know, I know, Jaskier goes over to flirt with Geralt even before realizing who he is. Yet, after finding out, he immediately proceeds to tell Geralt he’s going to be his barker, makes it a bit of qui pro quo because: Jaskier gets fame = Geralt gets his reputation repaired.
And… does Jaskier ever tell Geralt he doesn’t mean that anymore?
He proceeds to ask Geralt for a favor (the royal banquet in Cintra) by reminding him first that Geralt should either pay him for his songs, or pay him back in favors. And we’re really surprised that our insecure (if Henry plays him anything like the books) Geralt reacts with immediate defense of “fuck off, bard”?
Then, in the bathtub: yes, the fanon is that Jaskier’s all gentle (he dumps water on Geralt’s head xD), and I know that I myself wrote a loooong analysis of that scene with Jaskier basically confessing his feelings to Geralt (”wanting something” -> “wanting someone” -> “yet here we are”) and being rejected, but.
But. Let’s look at it from Geralt’s perspective. He’s with someone who constantly reminds him that Geralt should be grateful (even in episode 6!) for his efforts to repair his reputation, who washes Geralt with the same “care” of servants washing him in the books for that very ball (even less, tbh xD), and who - for all Geralt knows - only uses him for fame. (and that offended look after the “lovely bottom” comment? maybe that was the only thing Geralt personally asked for as a favor, and that got used as an argument “against” him anyway. who knows :D)
Maybe that’s why our “talkative in the books” darling is so stingy with the details about his stories. He’s feeling used.
And now Jaskier calls himself Geralt’s “best friend in the whole wide world”. How does Geralt react? He is soft and kind towards Jaskier later, no? At the banquet. So we know that Geralt considers Jaskier his friend.
But Geralt doesn’t think Jaskier considers him his. So he says that, very clearly. “I’m not your friend”. Not: “you’re not my friend” or “we’re not friends”. “I’m not your friend”. He, Geralt, isn’t Jaskier’s friend, because Geralt thinks he’s just a tool for Jaskier to get money and fame, and Jaskier never outright says he isn’t.
And that “yet, here we are”? Geralt could also understand it as “well, here I am and I need you to protect me at this ball, so at least someone here needs you. For use.” He got uncomfortable and changed the subject quickly.
Because, like I said - if Netflix!Geralt is anything like the books, he is insecure. When Essi cries because he can’t give her the love she wants, he thinks that Yen feels the same around him: uncomfortable and inconvenienced because Geralt dares to love her. She’s not, of course, but Geralt think he’s not worthy of love.
So why would he believe that he’s worthy of Jaskier’s friendship when Jaskier keeps on saying out loud that he made Geralt “famous, witcher”?
And - episode 6. And that infamous love confession on that rock. Jaskier’s like: “let’s go to the coast” etc. etc., and what’s Geralt’s answer?
“Are you composing another ballad?”
Geralt doesn’t think Jaskier’s there to confess love or to do much. Geralt’s hurting after Borch’s “death” and his first thought is that Jaskier is going to write a ballad about all of it, and once again use him for his own fame. He doesn’t believe him when Jaskier continues to deny it and comfort him. But also, Jaskier says, “I’m trying to work out what pleases me”.
What I’m trying to say, we tend to judge Geralt harshly, not looking at things from his perspective. As the audience, we have more insight: we see Jaskier pining, comforting Geralt, being jealous of Yen or whatever, we see that he went on that adventure with Geralt because he wanted to be with his friend.
Geralt doesn’t see that. Even right in ep6, when they’re walking in the tavern and Borch says he heard all about Geralt, Jaskier’s immediately like, “you’re welcome” to Geralt. Another harsh reminder: “I’m here to write songs about you, don’t you forget that even for a moment”.
(also! remember when Jaskier flirts with Tea and Vea by trying to sell them the idea of the three of them travelling together? Two warriors and a poet, so much song material? Geralt’s right there, and he can hear Jaskier joking about leaving him without so much as a second thought).
And we’re really surprised that Geralt - who doesn’t really think that he’s worthy of meaningful relationships - takes it literally and acts as if Jaskier is some burden to him at moments? Look at episode 5.
Episode 5, gosh. Geralt says he can’t sleep. Jaskier laughs in his face. Geralt says he wants the djinn for only one wish, and lets Jaskier take the first two. Jaskier ignores him, tries to take all three wishes and yells at Geralt for even daring to want that one lil’ wish.
I know, I knoooow, we made Jaskier into this soft and caring sweet darling thing ;) (I’m, myself, also guilty of that, haha). But when looking at things from Geralt’s perspective, it’s not a wonder he doesn’t think like he’s Jaskier’s friend, and doesn’t act like that, and doesn’t call Jaskier a friend, even after all these years. He cares about Jaskier (saves him a lot), but it’s a weird relationship, imbalanced, full of misunderstandings, and started on a wrong foot of inequality.
Sure, in s2 Geralt needs to apologize to Jaskier for his outburst in the mountains. But Jaskier needs to sit Geralt down and tell him that they’re real friends, that he’s not in this only for money, and he needs to actually be a bit nicer ;). If Geralt wants this one wish, it wouldn’t have hurt Jaskier to let him have it, would it ;)?
Alright. So, my lil’ essay is all done, and I just - see myself out :D
P.S. I just want to give Geralt a hug :D
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