Much like the myriad of monsters that rear their ugly heads throughout the series, Netflix’s The Witcher is a strange beast. With an enormous amount of existing lore available, an incredibly passionate lead actor and early expectations that the series could be the next Game of Thrones, more than a few were disappointed to receive a relatively average first season – one that was built on a needlessly complicated timeline and characters in desperate need of chemistry. Despite an initial run that would have spelt an end to many other Netflix originals, The Witcher managed to build enough goodwill to warrant a second shot at getting the formula right. It’s a good thing too, as the series finds redemption here in season two; a focused and intimate cut of Witcher world-building that sets the series up for years to come.
Following the explosive finale of season one, monster-hunting and magically-enhanced Witcher Geralt (Henry Cavill) departs for his home of Kaer Morhen after uniting with his ward Princess Cirilla (Freya Allan). Upon arrival, they are welcomed by Geralt’s mentor Vesemir (Kim Bodnia) and the other remaining Witchers while Ciri begins to find a place for herself amongst her new surroundings. Elsewhere, the now powerless mage Yennifer (Anya Chalotra) is captured by an opposing army and forced to forge an uneasy alliance with the enemy’s chief mage Fringilla (Mimi Ndiweni) and elven sorceress Francesca (Mecia Simson).
As far as a synopsis goes, there is admittedly much to take in there – and it says nothing about the vicious monster hunts, political subterfuge and numerous references to existing lore that underlie just about every episode along the way. Yet where the first season of The Witcher tried to overwhelm viewers with (often needless) information, throwaway characters and an erratic timeline that shifted with every episode, season two succeeds in concisely and logically delivering most of these complex pieces naturally.
Central to all of this success is the partnership between Geralt & Ciri, who spent the entirety of the first season chasing each other from one disaster to the next, building relationships with minor characters who were mostly forgotten by the time the credits began to roll. By pairing the show’s two leads from the start, this season successfully makes the most of the tried-and-true father-daughter narrative from the novels. Cavill’s well-documented dedication to not only his character but to the wider world of The Witcher is evident in all of his scenes; Geralt is increasingly torn between his role as a stoic protector to Ciri and the empathetic guiding hand she desperately needs. Ciri herself is brought to life excellently by Allan, as her character transitions from a damsel-in-distress to a young woman more than capable of handling herself. Chalotra’s wayward sorceress Yennifer also fares better than last season, given a storyline that humanises and defines her character in a way she never was before.
These three key characters do a great job at carrying the audience through each episode, however you’re still bound to miss a casual reference to some of the show’s deep source material or find yourself lost when characters start rattling off terms like the ‘White Flame’ or the ‘Brotherhood of Sorcerers’ in quick succession. Where the show struggles is balancing the fine line between accessibility for newcomers and the expectations of decades-long, dedicated fans who are completely immersed in the novels of Andrzej Sapkowski. Often these deep cuts fly too fast and furious, forcing the less well-versed viewer to wrack their brains for a previous casually mentioned line or simply hope it is integral going forward. While you won’t need to understand all of these references to appreciate the wider events that unfold (and some may even be inspired to explore some of the other media featuring The Witcher because of them), they are frequent enough that casual viewers may feel like they’ve dropped into season four or five of a complex fantasy show without much to immediately fall back on.
Despite whatever amount of pre-existing knowledge audiences come to season two with, most will definitely be able to appreciate the show’s blockbuster effects, intricate settings and frankly amazing monster designs. The Witcher is certainly not short on budget, and season two presents some of the sharpest CGI and set designs that Netflix has dedicated to a series. The numerous monsters are almost always as menacing and imposing as they sound, and the choreography during each battle is generally well done. Many of the show’s characters are adorned in meticulously detailed outfits that are usually about as high-fantasy as the genre can get – from Geralt’s intricate armour sets to Fringilla’s imposing gowns later in the season. A huge amount of work has also gone into bringing the world’s dense forests, dilapidated castles and crowded towns to life alongside a sweeping musical score that sets the tone in each scene. In saying all of this, it is unfortunate that the first episode – ‘A Grain of Truth’ – easily features season two’s weakest offerings in terms of character design, effects and general plot development; a shame given that some audiences may lose interest before the show truly finds its feet in the following episodes.
All in all, Netflix’s The Witcher is a show dedicated to its fans. Whether these are newcomers who were introduced to the franchise via Netflix or those who have been following since the books or games, season two does an excellent job of developing its characters and world in places where the first season struggled. While you will get the most enjoyment out of it with some pre-existing knowledge and events can also become needlessly complex at times, you are rewarded for following along as the plot and relationships unfold. Not quite the next Game of Thrones just yet, but season two of The Witcher proves to be a cut above many other Netflix releases in 2021 – and the future looks bright.
The Witcher stars Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra, Mimi Ndiweni, Mecia Simson, Kim Bodnia, Eamon Farren & Joey Batey – Streaming on Netflix now.