In general Phillip is like a perfect symbol of everything that makes this game the best RPG I've ever played. The 2nd Witcher shined when it came to political intrigue, this Witcher explores the human condition and some really emotional themes. There's so much hope in those little moments of humanity. This, the isles of mists scene, the aftermath of the Battle of Kaer Morhen... Seriously, I havent been so affected by a story since I read The Road. Incidentally, the Witcher has that same overarching theme - finding hope in a truly hopeless situation.
he's a drunken beater who was goaded by his wife. there's a distinction between this and some sadist who just enjoys dominating and hurting people
That's what he tells us anyway... There is certainly a good side to the guy nut he's not just a victim of circumstance like he presents himself. Think about it, Tamara is an adult (lets say between 20 and 25 years old). If Phillip really was just a victim of PTSD and emotional abuse, don't you think she would at least kinda forgive him if he truly was a victim of circumstance? I mean, the girl ain't stupid. Don't you tthink there has to be more to the story, looking at how Tamara gets radicalized by the Eternal Fire? People with a healthy childhood don't join sects in a heartbeat
I thought Tamara was making it clear that his excuse about not being abusive to her was an excuse. "No, you didn't hit me. You just made my mother live in fear and neglected me for twenty-years."
I assumed Tamara was about 16-18 actually.
I wasn't suggesting Tamara was physically abused but her obvious vulnerability issues must stem from something other than a two-sided adversarial relationship between Anna and Phillip. She's seen things that made her side with Anna to the point where she doesn't even hug her father after Anna dies. I think that Anna's provocation was simply her trying to bring old Phillip back, surely it wasnt as vicious as he sees it.
And since I assumed Phillip and Anna were around 55 yrs old, 25 makes more sense to me. There were no medical facilities that could help with late pregnancies. Without modern medicine having a baby at 40 would be really really hard.
To be frank, I think most people would side with their mother if she's throwing insults and he's throwing fists.