That’s not always a bad thing, because a well-rounded show is always better than one that hinges on its lead. But Geralt’s presence is noticeably on the wane in places, including in a finale that relegates him to a mere bystander in places. Yet, there are indications that The Witcher does not know what to do elsewhere on The Continent or, very occasionally, with its lead.ĭon’t worry, Henry Cavill is still The Man here – equal parts charm and stoic vulnerability as he shepherds Ciri to witcherdom. Cahir (Eamon Farren), meanwhile, undergoes a far more meaningful arc than the one-note glowering crusader he was prior to the Battle of Sodden and his to-and-froing on the Cintran political stage with mage Fringilla (Mimi Ndiweni) is a surprise highlight of the season. Two antagonistic forces – fire mage Rience (Bridgerton’s Chris Fulton) and spymaster Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) propel a fairly aimless middle third of the season, though fizzle out slightly by the season’s end. Fans of the third Witcher game, Wild Hunt, will revel in the Danish actor’s portrayal. Kim Bodnia’s Vesemir acts as Geralt’s mentor and is a paradoxical beacon of warmth and trepidation. It’s a simple fix, but a necessary one.Įlsewhere, there are plenty of other welcome additions. Because of that switch-up, characters’ fates matter more and cliffhangers carry weight. Instead of criss-crossing decades, the story takes place in the here-and-now, adding an extra layer of peril to the plot.
This sophomore effort is also aided by The Witcher shedding its unnecessary timelines in favor of a more focused, linear story.
Then it’s on to more serialized fare as they head on towards Kaer Morhen, the fortress and training ground where the witchers make themselves at home for the winter. Hivju gives a performance that skilfully balances the sympathy and internal strife of the source material in a strong standalone adventure that will enrapture book fans with its reworking of short story A Grain of Truth.
Fresh from their embrace at the first season’s end, the new season starts with Ciri and Geralt travelling to see Geralt’s old pal Nivellen, played by Game of Thrones actor Kristofer Hivju, who is hiding a monstrous secret. Yes, Ciri’s the star of the show this time around. It’s a punchy, often thrilling slice of high fantasy anchored by a star-making turn from Ciri actor Freya Allan, and occasionally let down by choosing to tell certain stories that feel more like place-setting for future seasons than anything worth watching right now. The second season has, thankfully, learned from the first’s biggest mistakes.
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