The long-awaited second season of the Netflix surprise hit from 2019 is here. In The Witcher season 2, Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan reprise their roles as witcher Geralt, magician Yennefer, and Princess Cirilla, respectively. Once again, they take us through the fantasy world created in the books by Andrzej Sapkowski. The first season was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and fans of the books and games. This set high expectations for the second season. Fortunately, with this sophomore season, Geralt and his fellow cast members manage to surpass even the first season.
Brief Summary of “The Witcher” Season 2
Season 1 concluded with a battle between the Northern Kingdoms and Nilfgaard, led by the magician Fringilla. The Witcher Season 2 picks up right where we left off. Geralt and Ciri have finally found each other after a long search. In the mean time, Yennefer has just used her last ounce of strength to halt Nilfgaard’s army. All three have survived the battle, but that’s about the only positive aspect.
The seemingly innocent Princess Cirilla, who had been fleeing, proves this season that she possesses more than meets the eye. It’s clear she’s more than just a princess. But what she is and how she can control it remains a mystery. A puzzle not only for Ciri herself but also for her protector, Geralt, and others assisting her. To shield Ciri from those who intend her harm, Geralt takes her to his ancestral home—a castle where all witchers originate from. This visit leads to an exploration of what lies behind the world of witchers.
Meanwhile, Yennefer is on a quest to reclaim her magical powers, which she lost while stopping the battle. As the first season taught us, Yennefer will stop at nothing to get what she desires. Even if it means resorting to her old ways, including hurting loved ones. This storyline culminates in a pivotal meeting between the main characters. Which begs the question: will this encounter change the power-hungry Yennefer’s selfish ways?
Chronological Storyline
In contrast to the first season, The Witcher Season 2 follows a chronological narrative. The non-linear storytelling of the first season was intriguing but also confusing at times, until the final episode clarified everything. This is not the case in the second season. Once again, various characters from different corners of the Witcher world are followed, but this time, everything unfolds concurrently. The surprise that came with the revelation of the narrative structure at the end of the first season is absent in the second.
The focus now shifts more towards character development rather than story introduction since the groundwork laid in the first season. You already know who the characters are, what they do, and why they are on their respective journeys. That aspect is sufficiently explained in the non-linear narrative of the first season. What remains is the commencement of a story centred around Geralt and Ciri—less monsters, more depth.
The titular role of Geralt of Rivia should ideally be devoid of emotions, or at least not display them openly. However, that’s far from the truth. The tough fighter reveals a vulnerability in the form of Ciri and becomes a protective father figure, willing to risk his life to save her, no matter what challenges they face. The result? A season that focuses less on Geralt’s swordsmanship and more on the personal transformations that Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and familiar faces like Fringilla, Tissaie, Triss, and even “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher” singer Jaskier undergo. It’s a welcome and well-executed change in the harsh world of The Witcher.
It’s undeniable that Henry Cavill is perfectly cast as Geralt of Rivia, delivering yet another stellar season. Alongside his co-stars, he brings the book character to life in a way that fans appreciate. It’s no surprise, considering that he is the biggest Witcher expert on the set, a testament to the value of having an actor who understands what dedicated fans want to see.
“The Witcher” Season 3 and Prequel Series
It took two long years for The Witcher Season 2 to arrive, but Netflix has recognized the tremendous success of this Netflix Original. They have not only ordered a third season but also a spin-off and a prequel. The spin-off, “The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf,” is already available as an animated film. The first trailer for the prequel series, “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” shows itself after the final episode of The Witcher Season 2. The release date for this mini-series is currently set for 2022′ without a specific date, but it’s slated to arrive this year.
Recently, streaming rival Prime Video announced the title of their highly anticipated Lord of the Rings series, “The Rings of Power,” which will be available from September 2, 2022. Another fantasy success, “The Wheel of Time,” is also getting a second season on Prime Video, with the release date still unknown. Netflix is undoubtedly gearing up to compete with these two Prime Originals. Will they align the release of “Blood Origin” accordingly? That remains to be seen. However, the success of this prequel and the third season of The Witcher seems almost inevitable. As long as showrunner Lauren Schmidt ensures that the same quality in script, production, and acting is maintained as in the first two seasons, exciting content awaits The Witcher fans. Fortunately, Henry Cavill will likely be eager to contribute to that success!
The Witcher – season 2
Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster-hunter for hire, journeys toward his destiny in a turbulent world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
Cast: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Joey Batey e.a.
Creator: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
