The Witcher is set to return to Netflix for its fourth season, and though Liam Hemsworth is taking up the role of Geralt of Rivia following Henry Cavill’s departure from the series, one crucial element in the show’s success will be absent. At San Diego Comic-Con, more news was revealed about the upcoming season, including Freya Allan discussing Ciri’s role in The Witcher season 4. Throughout the first three seasons of The Witcher, Geralt and Siri’s relationship was one of the stand-out elements of the show, and the news that the new season won’t include it is disappointing, despite not being all that surprising.

The Witcher season 3 ending already set up Ciri’s future with the Rats, a group of young thieves that Ciri escapes with in the finale. Her time with the Rats likewise features in the books, so this isn’t a huge departure for the series. Even so, this storyline has huge implications for her relationship with Geralt – a major highlight from previous The Witcher seasons. The question remains whether this will be a benefit for the overall story of season 4, or hurt it.

Ciri & Geralt Will Not Have Many Moments Together In The Witcher Season 4 (If Any)

And Is That A Good Thing?

Ciri’s time with the Rats is a defining time for the character, giving her the opportunity to grow and stand on her own. The Witcher won’t be shying away from depicting Ciri’s path, and it’s an excellent narrative turn to explore the character by isolating her from the support she’s come to rely on. With Allan’s confirmation that Ciri and Geralt won’t be spending time together in the upcoming season, it’s clear that the show is committed to doing this change justice.

This may even prove to be a good thing. Hemsworth needs to make Geralt his own in the Witcher, and allowing the characters space to grow in their own directions also has the potential to enable the actor to make his mark on the role of Geralt of Rivia without needing to account for his connection to Ciri immediately. Yet, the show may suffer from the lack of such a defining relationship – especially how central it has been to the story so far.

Geralt & Ciri’s Dynamic Has Been The Best Thing About The Witcher Since Season 2

The Pair Is The Heart Of The Series

It isn’t until season 2 of The Witcher that we really see the relationship between Ciri and Geralt begin to form, given the standalone nature of the first season’s episodes and Ciri’s story interwoven among them. Throughout season 2 and into season 3, we see their relationship grow as the pair become family, with Ciri even choosing Geralt over an apparition of her parents. That devotion and bond between them has driven the show forward and converted many skeptical viewers, despite some of The Witcher‘s more controversial departures from the books.

It’s those moments where (Geralt)’s at his most fatherly and caring where the series really shines, particularly with the chemistry between Cavill and Allan…

Geralt’s prime motivation in the series has been protecting his adoptive daughter. In The Witcher, Ciri has a dark prophecy surrounding her, and this pushes Geralt to try and upend that fate and give the young woman a future of her own. It’s those moments where he’s at his most fatherly and caring where the series really shines, particularly with the chemistry between Cavill and Allan, and that chemistry is going to be hardest to replicate moving forward with Geralt’s recasting.

What Happens To Ciri Next & When She Reunites With Geralt

It’s A Dark Road Ahead

Season 4 will undoubtedly spell big changes for Allan’s character. Some of Ciri’s darkest moments happen while she’s with the Rats, leaving a mark on her both in the metaphorical sense, and quite literally with the iconic scar fans of The Witcher 3 will be familiar with. Ciri will be forced to fight and even kill, and she’ll end up taking some truly deplorable actions.

With the series ending with season 5 and three books of material to adapt over the next two seasons, The Witcher should focus on key events before the finale. With season 4 focusing on these solo storylines, fans shouldn’t expect Ciri and Geralt to reunite until season 5. It means the fifth and final season of The Witcher needs to bring the core cast together to bring the story to a satisfying close. Part of that should be a return to the relationship between Geralt and Ciri, and it will take work for the show to stick the landing.