"My number-one priority, which I said to her, was just to make sure that we were doing it right and that we did it sensitively with a care and a kinship, and I wanted to avoid all kinds of stereotyping, really.
So there was an awful lot of script rewrites and things like that. We deleted whole scenes in favour of songs. So I brought in a new song, and I said: 'Can we just cut all this dialogue, and I can just sing something?'"
- Joey Batey, Digital Spy interview
The first time I watched that scene, when Jaskier started singing that last part to Prince Radovid:
Of them, I’ve had enough.
With you, I have enough.
With you, I am enough.
I am…
I am enough...
I literally started crying. Because, although it's played for laughs, since the beginning of the show, Jaskier's often been portrayed like this "annoying character" that tries too hard to be liked, wanted, and involved in his friends' lives... to find his "forever home"...
But often, he just gets punched in the gut, blamed for everything going wrong in other people's lives, gets told off when he tries to introduce himself or be included in moments where people are there to offer each other comfort (but apparently want none from him) as a result...
Season 2 started to make some progress on that, with Yennefer and Geralt allowing themselves to show more vulnerability around him, and telling him that his help his needed...
Season 3 saw characters that are usually so quick to dismiss him and treat him harshly (ex: Yarpen Zigrin) actually thank him, when they realize how selfless Jaskier can be, and the risks he is willing to take to help others (even those that treat him like an annoying nuisance)...
But still, he'd gotten used, at some point, to being "barely tolerated" rather than "wanted". And his "break up" with Geralt broke his heart and hurt him so much that, although forgiven, I believe it did leave some scars...
As someone with ADHD (that has a tendency to get overexcited about a bunch of things without noticing that it doesn't interest people, impulsively interrupt them with my thoughts, follow them around, and "impose my presence" without meaning to) and associated rejection sensitive dysphoria, Jaskier's behavior and emotional responses are something very easy for me to identify with.
And having him sing "With you I am enough. I am enough," hit me right in the feels, in the most cathartic way!
Prince Radovid is the first person we met on the show, I think, that was shown as being immediately happy to meet Jaskier, wished to adopt that puppy and bring him home right away, saw him as being irresistible and special, envied Geralt for having Jaskier as a friend/companion, couldn't get enough of his singing, and listened when he talked to the things he didn't say...
Knowing that it is Joey himself that just decided to basically show up to work with that song he'd written, and ask if he could sing it instead of using the dialogue in the script, just ended up offering yet another layer to that scene.
When hearing him sing:
"It’s not a want, it’s a need, it is paying no heed to what others say to sing."
now, I can't help but feel like there's some kind of "meta" dimension to those lyrics, as the actor chose to sing what he - as the person embodying Jaskier - wanted to sing, rather than what had been scripted and what others would have wanted him to sing.
That song feels deeply personal, born out of a very intimate understanding of the character, and how being treated the way that he used to be treated would have emotionally and psychologically affected him.
I'll be 100% honest, when Joey was talking about the sapioromantic connection between the characters, and explaining how Radovid wore a mask, was a bit of a mystery to him, and how Jaskier would become fascinated and wish to figure him out...
...I was genuinely concerned that they'd somehow manage to "romanticize" yet another toxic relationship, where the two characters would constantly be trying to outsmart and play mind games with each other.
But that's not it at all. They are both seeing what they try so hard to hide from others. Prince Radovid's environment is highly toxic and dysfunctional (as Jaskier aptly described, he's stuck in a vipers' den) - knowing too much, or not enough - can mean life or death for him.
Whereas Jaskier tries so hard to meet expectations and be what others need or want him to be - give voice to other people's issues, stories and problems - that he all but becomes invisible to others himself as a process.
Sure, they know his name and his songs. But they don't know Jaskier's own soul or story. He fades away in the background for the benefit of others.
They are both trying to figure each other out not because they are people that enjoy indulging in court intrigues, manipulating others, and dominating "the game" for their own gain...
They are trying to emotionally connect with the good, beautiful, and vulnerable parts of themselves that they have been forced to hide from the rest of the world to survive.
They are highly insightful empathetic individuals using their gifts on each other to empower each other, rather than malignant narcissists using their perceptiveness to control each other.
This is an extremely refreshing and healthy relation dynamic that I was sort of hoping for - since Joey put so much emphasis on how important it was for him to offer a relationship that may be flawed, but handled sensitively and carefully without resorting to stereotypes - but this totally went above and beyond my expectations!
If Joey Batey himself isn't queer, then he's got such a capacity for love and emotional empathy that he's apparently able to care about queer issues with the intensity and insightfulness of someone that has experienced them.
The fact that he's using queer labels and sub-categories that are often lesser known by people outside of the LGBTQ+ community to describe Jaskier's sexuality (sapioromantic, panromantic or pansexual...), as well as talking about issues affecting non-monosexuals, such as the desire to avoid bisexual erasure, brings some much needed attention towards the richness and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community!
I sincerely couldn't be happier, or more grateful...
Apparently, there are plans to further explore Ciri's bisexuality, too, with the introduction of Mistle in Season 3!
Here's hoping they'll be using Jaskier as "queer consultant" for the other queer romances on the show...
Also, the relationship between our sweet Bi!Ciri and her weird Pan!Uncle Jaskier means everything to me...
I'm trying to remember if Ciri has been exposed to any models of queer romances in her life...
I mean, most unions between princes and princesses, or kings and queens, are often political alliances. They might have same gender consorts, but I'm not sure that this is something they would have educated younger princesses about, or made very "public".
I sort of want to have her catch Jaskier and Radovid while they are kissing at some point, and realize that the innocent crush she had on Triss in Season 2 is something that is perfectly normal, and that she shouldn't be afraid nor ashamed of that part of herself.
Maybe even go to him and start asking him questions about it... That would be a very thoughtful and sensitive way to explore what being queer means in the world of the Witcher; having Ciri learn, directly from Jaskier, about the potential risks associated with being in an openly gay relationship.
There would really be such an opportunity for the two of them to continue to bond over something like this, and Ciri would know that she's got someone that genuinely loves her and that she can trust to support her and the choices she makes regarding her love life in the future, no matter what.
I can see so many possibilities, though I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic about this (since if they went that route, it would just seem too good to be true!)...
this is a coming out story about teen Ciri, Geralt, and Jaskier. it’s super cute and there’s absolutely zero conflict.
tw: coming out, all fluff, no hurt/comfort, happy domestic family nonsense
---
Ciri watched Jarre make his slow, careful way over to her from the far edge of the catwalk, a space he hated to occupy at any given time because it was too high off the ground, Ciri, I have no idea why you like it up here so much.
“How’s it hangin’, pal?” she asked, glancing up from her script.
“I was wondering if -oh shit don’t look down- i-if you had a homecoming date? And if you didn’t… maybe I could be… your date?”
Ciri bit back a chuckle at his blushing, awkwardly put question. “I have to think about it, actually. I’m not sure if my parents are going to let me go to homecoming.”
“Let you go?”
“They’re kind of strict,” she shrugged. If I don’t want to go, Geralt has my back. He’d never make me do something I didn’t want to do; and not even Jarre would stand up to a Witcher.
“Oh. Well, let me know later?”
“Sure thing, dude.”
“Later, Ciri.”
Jarre wobbled back across the heavy-duty mesh floor of the theatre catwalk and scurried back down the metal staircase to solid ground. Ciri rolled her eyes and went back to memorizing her lines and cues.
---
“Hey! Riri!”
Ciri whipped around, nearly slamming into her best friend. The redhead grinned and elbowed her in the side and Ciri smiled back, “How was Geo?”
Cerys groaned, “Riiiiiriiiii. I don’t want to talk about it. I really don’t. Just let me drown my sorrows in chocolate milk and wilted lettuce.”
“Salad for lunch again?”
“Listen,” Cerys held up one hand imperiously, “I am going through a Caesar phase and I cannot be stopped.”
“I wasn’t about to be an idiot, Cici, don’t worry. I know nothing can stop you.”
“Oh! Speaking of idiots, I heard that Jarre asked you to the homecoming dance this morning.”
“Hey, don’t call people names,” Ciri frowned. “And he did.”
“What did you say!?”
“I said I had to ask my parents first,” she shrugged. “What does it matter to you?”
“Well first of all, you silly bitch, I am your best friend,” the redhead scoffed. Then she grew nervous, her face going even darker than her hair in a matter of seconds. “And maybe I… Maybe I wanted to ask you to the dance.”
“Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Are you asking me to the dance?” Ciri clarified. Cerys nodded, scuffing her toe against the base of her locker. “Well like I said, I have to talk to my Mom and Dads.”
“Jaskier won’t stop you from going,” Cerys huffed.
“No, but that’s because he thinks all dances are romantic. He watched too much Rodgers and Hammerstein in college.”
The two young women turned and headed for the lunchroom without another word, the matter seemingly settled for now.
---
“Hey Pops,” Ciri asked, setting her history textbook down on the counter and pulling out her highlighters. “I have a quick question for you.”
“What’s that?” Jaskier replied, glancing up from making dinner. Ciri kept her gaze fixed on her notes, trying to keep her voice and movements steady. She wasn’t going to freak out because this conversation was, especially for a family as unconventional as hers, no big deal in the long run. Still, it was kind of odd to admit something that already felt like a natural part of who she was.
“What if two people you really liked both asked you to the same dance?”
“Is this about homecoming?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, first of all, Geralt and Yen already agreed that you’re welcome to attend the dance with a date so long as you also go with other friends. Like a bunch of dates. A group date?”
“Yeah, a group date,” Ciri smirked, glancing up. Jaskier’s eyebrows were furrowed with concentration and his tongue was sticking out from between his teeth as he poured some milk into the steaming pan on the stove. “But what if you like both people the same amount?”
“Well, who asked you?”
“Jarre and Cerys.”
“And you don’t know which one to accept because you like them both?”
“Yeah.”
“First of all,” Jaskier continued to stir the pasta sauce, only lifting his gaze long enough to shoot his step-daughter a loving and comforting glance, “Thank you for trusting me enough to come to me with this question. Have you asked your Dad about it yet?”
“No,” Ciri shook her head, half-smiling again already. “It’s not that I don’t trust Dad, it’s just that- Well, he’s…”
“I know,” Jaskier laughed. “I understand completely, and I’m honored that you’d ask me first. Anyway, second of all, my question for you is: do you want to go to the dance?”
The teenager kicked her feet against the island and thought for a moment, pencil tapping against her chin and leaving a dull grey mark there. “Actually, no. I’d rather go bowling, if I’m being honest.”
“What are you two planning?” Geralt asked, coming around the corner from the mudroom.
“I’m skipping the homecoming dance and going bowling with Pops. Wanna come?”
“Sure,” Geralt smiled. “No dates?”
“Too many,” Ciri grimaced. “A boy and a girl asked me to the dance today during school but I just want to eat bad pizza and not wear high heels.”
Geralt ruffled her hair and set a Capri Sun on the counter next to her highlighters, a treat that she insisted was too childish but never seemed to turn down when they appeared. “That’s my girl!”
Ciri rolled her eyes fondly while her fathers kissed and unwrapped her little plastic straw.
He’ll always have my back, she reminded herself. All of them will.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but there is something that's bothering me in the whole "we had trouble tracking the story believably" about Ciri having a "schoolgirl" crush on Triss. Like. It's reading to me as "silly schoogirl crush it's fine but we can't have the character portray that sort of things now that she doesn't look like a schoolgirl anymore" :/
Hey nonny, I have the same problem. Especially because Ciri still looks like 14. And having a schoolgirl crush at this time is perfectly normal. Also what is a „schoolgirl crush“? How it is different to a teenage crush? Because Ciri is definitely not old enough for a crush, no one is ever old enough for a crush. There is no age limit to that.
It seemed like they considered some lgbtq representation and then chicked out of it again but want praise because they considered doing it
