Toss a coin to your Witcher, it’s a win-win

** Spoilers Ahead **

To the people who thought The Witcher Season 2 is not good enough: We don’t know what you are talking about. Because when we manage to binge-watch a season in one go, our brains refuse to acknowledge any kind of criticism. Fast-paced and engaging, Witcher 2 is surely a one-weekend watch. Try spreading it over weekend nights and you might be late for your work Zoom call the next morning.

While part 1, based on author Andrzej Sapkowski’s collection of short stories titled Sword of Destiny, laid the foundation of the story and the Witcher’s character, the new one that takes from Sapkowski’s second novel, Blood of Elves expands the universe and delves deeper into the characters and their pasts. Surprises are unveiled and true to a fantasy tale, a web of deceits and traps is cast.

Something old, something new

If you are planning to watch the second season of this fantasy saga, you must be familiar with the first one. Please watch the opening season if you have not already done so; even those of us who are familiar might have got confused. You heard it wasn’t good? It’s worth a try, we promise it only gets better thereon!

Once you’re acquainted with the numerous characters — both key and secondary — you’d know that a new list joins the crew in the second season. There are 14, to be precise. We get a peek into Geralt the Witcher’s home where his mentor and fellow witchers join the action. Viewers get to know that Vesemir, played by Kim Bodnia has raised Geralt (Henry Cavill) and other monster hunters at their abode, Kaer Morhen where Ciri (Freya Allen) too ends up receiving her training.  

While Vesemir, Francesca Findabair (Mecia Simson as the queen of elves), Rience the fire fucker (Chris Fulton), priestess Nenneke (Adjoa Andoh whom we know from Bridgerton) and the Redanian spy Dijkstra (Graham McTavish), all get a share of the screen, our biggest disappointment lies in Nivellen. The latter appears for one full episode but the much talked about appearance of Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones) as an old friend of Geralt leaves fans asking for more. He is barely recognisable with a monstrous appearance owing to a curse for most part of his onscreen stay. 

Geralt’s friend and the bard, Jaskier (Joey Batey) returns for the element of comic relief and wit (and poking fun at both, his fellow characters and the audience). We would have loved to see more of him in the story-heavy, action-packed tale but we aren’t complaining. Whenever he is on, he lights up the screen. Remember the scene where he takes a dip in a cold lake (ah, topless)?  

“Whew, you could hang portraits off my nipples right now” 

We do remember, and so do viewers who have been sharing screen grabs on Twitter. 

What did we tell you?

Better effects and a cleaner plot

What is a fantastical storyline without special effects? While the first season did not lag in that department, it has gotten bigger and better this time around. The monsters are more alive. The intense scene where Geralt takes on Nivellen’s lover Vereena (Agnes Born), a bruxsa — or a powerful vampire, seen mostly as a young woman when it is not flying around as a huge bat — is nothing short of captivating. Then there’s the Leshen (leshies) that look like giant human trees (reminding one of the more amiable Groot) with arms that can give even the best of monster hunters severe whiplash. 

Somewhere in the tale of sorcery and monster-slaying, science fiction makes an entry as we hear of parallel spheres and genetic mutations. However, the storylines are far more defined in this season as the characters are finally falling into place. It is less confusing and comes together as a whole rather than parts of what we saw in the opening season. 

Look how they shine for you

As the story advances, we get to know more about Princess Cirilla who learns to fight and defend herself against monsters during her stay at Kaer Morhen. As she reveals her desire to become a witcher herself, we get to know what really is special about the little girl Ciri. While Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) seems to have lost her magic (and her mojo), we are crushing on Triss (Anna Shaffer) for the time being. But who really minds, the stars of this season are the Witcher (still a bit grumpy though) and Ciri herself. Netflix has confirmed a third season is coming but even if they hadn’t, we could have guessed. The twist revealing the true face of Nilfgaardian emperor Emhyr var Emreis leaves us wondering about the fate of Ciri.

Sworn not to swear?

We had almost ended this review but there’s this one thing that was nagging us since the first scene of the season. Why is Geralt not using the two words that launched a thousand memes? Everyone but him seems to be swearing. And then, as if someone warned them halfway through the shoot to bring the sulk back. The hmm returns, but the f**k is still amiss. Looking at the larger picture, there is also less of sex and nudity in this season. We don’t know about the meme-worthy cuss words but this part seems deliberate with The Witcher boss Lauren Schmidt Hissrich admitting to keeping it that way to let the focus remain on the storyline. 

One last thing: We were waiting for Jaskier to hum his banger ‘Toss a coin to your Witcher, O valley of plenty!” right until the last scene. Is it just us, or do you have a season 1 hangover too?

Watch the season 1 recap in 60 seconds here: