The Witcher

:

Season 2
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 20, 2019
Season #: 4, 3.5, 3, 2, 1
User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 803 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 231 out of 803
  2. Mixed: 106 out of 803
  3. Negative: 466 out of 803

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User Reviews

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  1. KodiakB
    Dec 27, 2021
    4
    The first episode gave me hope that the season might be good - showing an interesting, morally ambiguous and self-contained story that doesn't need preliminary introduction or complex interaction of characters, events etc. in order to understand and enjoy. However, the rest of the season delved into exactly that - explaining how numerous storylines combine into a single plot about theThe first episode gave me hope that the season might be good - showing an interesting, morally ambiguous and self-contained story that doesn't need preliminary introduction or complex interaction of characters, events etc. in order to understand and enjoy. However, the rest of the season delved into exactly that - explaining how numerous storylines combine into a single plot about the "chosen one". In my opinion, it just doesn't work. Exploring that many storylines and treating them like cogs in a "chosen one" plot machine means you don't treat any of them in a meaningful way. Additionally, I think that the way scenes were shot was pretty bad - e.g. seeing how Geralt was standing in the background doing nothing in the final fight scene was ridiculous. It doesn't even matter if it went along with books or games, one can make a good series by not relying entirely on the source (or side-source) material.… Expand
  2. Dansolo1
    Jan 1, 2022
    8
    Witcher season 2 is a deep dive into Geralt suddenly having to deal with his responsibilities, he now must care and protect for his child surprise - Ciri, he must be more than the loner he is portrayed in season 1 and must become a father figure for Ciri. They do a good job of showing the transformation of his character - he starts actually communicating with others in a different way,Witcher season 2 is a deep dive into Geralt suddenly having to deal with his responsibilities, he now must care and protect for his child surprise - Ciri, he must be more than the loner he is portrayed in season 1 and must become a father figure for Ciri. They do a good job of showing the transformation of his character - he starts actually communicating with others in a different way, rather than boorishly grunting (which was a criticism of the first season). I wouldnt say there is a moment in Season 2 you could really say is "filler" or this is a filler scene to make the episode last longer, every scene is important and well worth the time investment. My overall assessment is that for people that have not read the books this is one of the most enjoyable TV shows you can stream at the moment - the difficult to follow timelines of season 1 have gone, and replaced with a linear story. If you are, however, an avid reader of the books - you may not like this season - it does stretch the phrase "we have kept to the source material" almost to breaking point. Hence the mixed reviews already available here and other review sites. I have read the books and I must admit at certain points I found myself questioning the decisions that had been made - it will take some time to see if it was worth it in the long run. But I do understand that what makes a good book doesn't transfer to TV that well. As for the stars - Henry Cavills performance and the emotional range he can deliver is incredible - He has become synonymous with Geralt at this point and deservedly so. Freya Allan's (Ciri) abilities as a young actress were tested in this season and she absolutely nailed it. My favourite performance of the season was Kim Bodnia playing Vesemir, it might be because he is my favourite character in the books and games but he did an amazing job at bringing the character to life.… Expand
  3. PickleRickBaby
    Jan 1, 2022
    2
    OK, I admit I'm a huge fan of the original book series. I loved the games too. But I'm not judging the season just on its differences vs. the source material. I understand that you can't simply take several pages of dialogue from the book and insert it straight into a movie material. I can also accept some alterations to the main storyline to make it more "compact" or "robust" (althoughOK, I admit I'm a huge fan of the original book series. I loved the games too. But I'm not judging the season just on its differences vs. the source material. I understand that you can't simply take several pages of dialogue from the book and insert it straight into a movie material. I can also accept some alterations to the main storyline to make it more "compact" or "robust" (although after timeline magic confusing to people not knowing the original books I wouldn't say the show creators cared about it much).
    But my problem (and not only mine - my wife who knows only some of the first short stories agrees with me completely) lies elsewhere. The writing is so absurd and chaotic that you scratch your head and murmur "wtf?".
    The first season parasited on the source material and pushed woke culture on us but at least the main characters had _some_ character.
    In season 2 the writing is so off that you no longer know what the hell is going on, who's where and where this where is, characters meet at random and noone knows why... the list goes on and on. It's no longer the original saga based on greatly written characters - there's almost none of that left. It's not even a hack and slash show. It's some weird GoT wannabe written probably by some interns.
    The only thing I liked about the show was the visuals. I liked the cyan-yellow colour range, I like the lighting in most of the shots. It was pleasing to watch. But that's all.
    I didn't like Geralt's new contact lenses!    … Expand
  4. triumphtinltcdg
    Jan 5, 2022
    2
    I have a big grudge against the creators of this series, the source material was treated by them without respect and understanding, there are no emotions between the characters, only pompous lines spoken to each other...no world building... they took the easy way and made a generic fantasy series without the depth of source material
  5. Mitrey
    Jan 5, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The first episode was nice. The rest is **** They killed Eskel. The first time they killed him as a character, the second time physically. Pathetic attempt to make a good series.… Expand
  6. arrowxuh
    Jan 7, 2022
    0
    really awfull.
    like they successfully made everything against the original story
  7. psupaulb
    Jan 10, 2022
    1
    After a great Season 1 they deviate so much from the source material by completely making up major plots and changing the majority of the characters so much they are unrecognizable other than their names.
  8. bertobellamy
    Jan 3, 2022
    6
    I think this is not as bad as a lot of people are saying, but of course, it has some issues. Geralt indeed has nothing to do, at least in the first three episodes. But I like Yennefer's story, which has some intrigue and surprises in there. Either way, I hope there's more action in the remaining episodes.
  9. Faradeyyy
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. They just cut out all the hardcore, cool fights and nudity from the series, and we have to take it and keep silent.… Expand
  10. smartinvestor30
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    It was tough to watch, for their credit some of the fight scenes with the monsters are pretty good. The story is ruined and of course a lot of things were changed for it to work in the wokeness era (aka the dark ages). They threw in some token black people to check off the diversity boxes but that's about it. All women are in power for the obligatory "women in leadership positions"It was tough to watch, for their credit some of the fight scenes with the monsters are pretty good. The story is ruined and of course a lot of things were changed for it to work in the wokeness era (aka the dark ages). They threw in some token black people to check off the diversity boxes but that's about it. All women are in power for the obligatory "women in leadership positions" propaganda. Ciri is a strong female character and Geralt is almost like a side character in this supposed Witcher series. I knew it was going to be ruined as soon as Netflix got the rights to it but I still wanted to give it a chance.… Expand
  11. muldjord
    Dec 19, 2021
    9
    Watched the first two episode so far and I am in love with this show. It is so thrilling and there's just so much interesting stuff going on I can't wait to see what's going to happen next. Ciri and Geralt are my favorite characters, but the supporting cast, including Yennefer is working their way through an interesting side-quest. I love that nothing is black and white. Everything isWatched the first two episode so far and I am in love with this show. It is so thrilling and there's just so much interesting stuff going on I can't wait to see what's going to happen next. Ciri and Geralt are my favorite characters, but the supporting cast, including Yennefer is working their way through an interesting side-quest. I love that nothing is black and white. Everything is somewhere in-between. And it keeps the show fresh, as you never really know what is going to happen next. But yet I don't feel too confused watching it, as it still manages to stay on that main quest, while also exploring the side-quests.

    Simply magnificent!    … Expand
  12. mikobit
    Dec 19, 2021
    3
    I'm really trying to like the show, which is more than most shows get from the get go, but overlooking the poor writing, mostly poor casting and acting, and mediocre-at-best CGI became even more difficult this season.
    If it wasn't for Henry Cavill - I don't think I could've finished this season, unfortunately.
    Having not read the books, I can't believe I was THAT much more emotionally    I'm really trying to like the show, which is more than most shows get from the get go, but overlooking the poor writing, mostly poor casting and acting, and mediocre-at-best CGI became even more difficult this season.
    If it wasn't for Henry Cavill - I don't think I could've finished this season, unfortunately.
    Having not read the books, I can't believe I was THAT much more emotionally invested in the video games vs. the live action - even with the pixelated 3D characters - the dialogue was so well written and the plot made so much more emotional sense - it was able to rise to heights this show unfortunately never does.    … Expand
  13. V0X_Populi
    Dec 19, 2021
    1
    Ещё дальше уходят от книг в погоне за бредом и у них это получается. За Эскеля особенно обидно.
  14. Rekso
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    The actress playing the main role of Ciri knows what acting is? Even no emotions at the sight of monsters
  15. Ahlgren
    Dec 18, 2021
    4
    So i played the game first and loved it.
    Even thou its not based on the game, i cant help for compering the show to the game.
    That´s part of why i don't really liked this show. Henry cavill is the reason i came back for the 2 season, but i have only watched 4 episodes. I find my self distracted by another things that's more interesting. In the game Triss is one of my favorite    So i played the game first and loved it.
    Even thou its not based on the game, i cant help for compering the show to the game.
    That´s part of why i don't really liked this show.

    Henry cavill is the reason i came back for the 2 season, but i have only watched 4 episodes.
    I find my self distracted by another things that's more interesting.

    In the game Triss is one of my favorite characters in the game, shes strong sex and interesting.
    In the show shes non of this...    … Expand
  16. bania
    Dec 22, 2021
    2
    Boring, generic fan fiction, such a travesty. First season was not so bad, but this one is shocking. Burn it to the ground.
  17. TomaszHead
    Dec 20, 2021
    0
    Netflix should close this…for books lovers is torture. This tragedy they can’t repair im next seasons.
  18. tammm
    Dec 20, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all... it's better than season 1. Slightly.

    I've read the books, I played the games. But I do my best to judge this as an its own thing.

    And as a thing of its own... it's very flawed. The writing is sometimes ridiculously bad, like when Yennefer escapes the presence of kings without magic. Where the **** is security? Her whole plot feels very fillery and weird too this season.

    The way Geralt comes to rescue Yennefer and Ciri in episode 7 is so stupid. Why then and there? It's so random. Yennefer and Ciri got to Cintra with a portal, while Geralt travelled mostly on foot and horses... and they happened to get there RIGHT as Ciri and Yennefer was in trouble. What? Why? I mean... Who thought this was a good idea?

    And the next episode, seeing Geralt and Yennefer arrive to Kaer Morhan from Cintra feels like... they've been on the road for 30 minutes, instead of months most likely.

    And the whole final battle felt very Marvel-esque. Big CGI monsters, lol. Come on...

    Anyway, I did like the increase in budget, slightly better pacing, and Geralt and Ciri.    … Expand
  19. pikan
    Dec 21, 2021
    1
    Разочарование года, снимали 2 года и вышел кал в продакшен. Актеры не выразительны, моменты с наиграностью актеров, а драки это просто показуха какая-то просто нужно было вставить и все. 1 сезон лучше намного раз чем этот. Я молчу уже про каст актеров, сцены с цири просто скипал ибо вызывала отвращение, рвоту и уныние.Разочарование года, снимали 2 года и вышел кал в продакшен. Актеры не выразительны, моменты с наиграностью актеров, а драки это просто показуха какая-то просто нужно было вставить и все. 1 сезон лучше намного раз чем этот. Я молчу уже про каст актеров, сцены с цири просто скипал ибо вызывала отвращение, рвоту и уныние.
  20. happymaik
    Dec 19, 2021
    3
    I'm utterly disappointed by this entirely generic fantasy TV series. First of all, it is, in fact, an improvement since the previous season. However, the showrunner has assured us that it will be "a translation" of the novels into the TV series format (check IGN interview). Correct me if I am wrong, but I've read the books two times, and frankly, this has nothing to do with them. TheI'm utterly disappointed by this entirely generic fantasy TV series. First of all, it is, in fact, an improvement since the previous season. However, the showrunner has assured us that it will be "a translation" of the novels into the TV series format (check IGN interview). Correct me if I am wrong, but I've read the books two times, and frankly, this has nothing to do with them. The original material is fairly easy to adapt as a film/series, everybody has been telling this, but nevertheless, the producers decided to resign from 90% of the plot to use their own, unfortunately, terrible ideas. Fringilla Vigo? Boring. Cahir? Boring. Yennifer? Boring. Why have you made a childish idiot from a mature and confident sorceress? Ciri is just unlikeable, no proper development, no positive energy has been transferred to her plot. Furthermore, you failed to comprehend all those little details that made the universe unique. For example, you could have learnt this mistake during the first season thanks to the infamous doppler. It's one of the first major mistakes you committed. Dopplers were rather positively presented in the books, that's why we could sympathise with them when they faced human rejection only because of their uniqueness. You utterly fail to show details like this. No one would feel compassion for elves, dopplers and dwarves for the racism they experience in your show. Also, you failed to acknowledge that the world and politics are rather irrelevant to the story when it does not concern Geralt. Of course, some political details can come in handy, plans of the sorceresses, the kings, Djikstra, etc. However, it should not be 60% of the scenes! The core of the universe is Geralt's charisma, his personal experiences with humans, his development with his friends and family and it is underdeveloped in the series to the point that the characters are shallow. Everything seems rushed and does not add up! It's a shame that the author is a lazy retried businessman who clearly does not understand the phenomenon he has created and let this abomination to be created.
    I could pick some positives, but whatever. Certainly NOT recommended.    … Expand
  21. YorkMan
    Dec 20, 2021
    4
    The first Season of The Witcher wasn't brilliant, but it at least moved along at a reasonable pace and with it's 'out of sequence' storytelling around the three central characters it kept you wanting to find out more. The ending, in which 'The Witcher' finds his destiny in the Princess Ciri lead into the second Season quite well.

    So after a prolonged wait that second Season is upon    The first Season of The Witcher wasn't brilliant, but it at least moved along at a reasonable pace and with it's 'out of sequence' storytelling around the three central characters it kept you wanting to find out more. The ending, in which 'The Witcher' finds his destiny in the Princess Ciri lead into the second Season quite well.

    So after a prolonged wait that second Season is upon us.... And dear, oh dear.

    There are good points. Namely the commitment to the acting, the fantastic cinematography and the (seemingly rare) action sequences. But beyond that, this is a sh*tshow of annoying proportions. Annoying because (as others have pointed out in other reviews) it is no longer an adaptation of a book series, but more an 'inspired by', as the narrative and characters are vastly different.

    And it's the narrative where everything falls apart. The first Season worked well because we kind of knew where the main plot element was going, and the various subplots existed to be dipped in and out of.. This second Season seems to move along (slowly) to solely introduce more and more characters, plot points, and insane amounts of meandering exposition. All without really explaining anything... Characters outside the 'big three' are mainly there to say something which is clearly meant to be important, whilst we (the audience) are still waiting for something to happen which helps us understand the last three big 'reveals' that have come along.

    Ultimately this is a massive disappointment. Too much plot, not enough action, too much exposition, not enough pace.

    I'm wanting to see Season 3, but only to see if Geralt actually uses his sword in an actual swordfight in 8 hours of television... He didn't this time round!    … Expand
  22. deruto
    Dec 21, 2021
    1
    Why people who never created a story of such a lvl and lots of fan … Think that they know the better way to tell a story . God we should creat a petition so they can’t that prank show The Witcher …. I
  23. PatrykKeska4
    Dec 22, 2021
    1
    I had a huge hope that they gonna fix what they messed in 1, but i feel like they just start ruin witcher world. 1.I would accept changes compare to books if they were good, but they are not.
    2.I know this is adaptation but what you netflix done is fck joke. If there was no Witcher in title that is just ordinary fantasy nothing more. 3. Characters looks so plastic, and act like has no    I had a huge hope that they gonna fix what they messed in 1, but i feel like they just start ruin witcher world. 1.I would accept changes compare to books if they were good, but they are not.
    2.I know this is adaptation but what you netflix done is fck joke. If there was no Witcher in title that is just ordinary fantasy nothing more. 3. Characters looks so plastic, and act like has no emotion. Where is this connection beetwen this characters ? There is none.
    Vesemir which was a "smartest" and most experience act like dumb kid, Yen which kiddnap Ciri ? Eskel was ruined, just why? A main plot twist about Emhyr show in the beggining ? WHAAAT ?
    Dwarfs which was WARRIORS,(LOTR could be a good example)
    ground was shaking when they they marched to war(from books) looks like ANOTHER FCK JOKE. Fringila? I Have no words... Cahir ? How did you dare to mess this character so much.

    4.Costiumes, some locations looks like tooken directly from the store or theathre. Where is this DARK, BLOODY WITCHER WORLD ???
    Why they look so CLEAN ???
    Im so sorry about HENRY.
    He is a Gamer, book lover and if he says "Have to fight to have more Real Geralt" sounds bad. And he is complectly right!
    5.Why game of lights is so poor? Why we can't feel a darkness?
    This is not a fck colorful family fantasy movie...


    We were waiting so many years for trully good movie/series of Witcher and got this ? All your positive comments comes from people who has no idea what they lost compare to oryginal story. I WISH HBO HAS RIGHTS TO WITCHER TO DO IT RIGHT,    … Expand
  24. Death_Kronos
    Dec 22, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Францеска - вбився дітей на расовій основі. Це ж треба до такого додуматися. В мене горить від цього відснятого моменту.

    Мутаген відьмаків - створюють на основі старшої крові
    Йен вела Цирі "на смерть".
    Таких поворотів сюжета в нормальному серіалі, навіть адаптованому серіалі не повинно бути. Це просто якась реклама: тіпа не обіжайте ельфів бо це інша раса.

    З серіалу тільки назва "відьмак". І навіть один Генрі Кавіл його не витягне.    … Expand
  25. SOHI
    Dec 19, 2021
    10
    i loved season 2 more than season 1. better story telling, better Special effects and more... remember The series should not be a copy of the books or games. there should be some differences. and to those who have no idea about the Witcher world, remember its just the beginning...!
  26. Pasola
    Dec 20, 2021
    10
    I trully love this universe, and I hope that the creators will find more talented screenwriters (I give a high score, but for the screenwriters, especially those responsible for the dialogues, I put 0)
  27. Zer0TheHer0
    Dec 24, 2021
    0
    I'm a big fan of the books and the games. What I think: Henry Cavill is absolutely great. His portrayal of Geralt is excellent. He really is a gem and the one redeeming quality of this show. All the rest, I'm afraid, is a mess. Bad writing topped with some feminist/woke propaganda, terrible casting, bad acting and so on. What a disappointment.
  28. krzy_chu
    Dec 30, 2021
    2
    THE WITCHER RUINED. The Witcher could be a good series, but the writers showed zero respect for the source material. The novels are good. What they did with them is just stupid and pathetic. Why? Books are rich and full of great ideas – there was plenty of them to choose from. You don't have to change and ruin characters that people love. Unless you think you know better. But you don't.THE WITCHER RUINED. The Witcher could be a good series, but the writers showed zero respect for the source material. The novels are good. What they did with them is just stupid and pathetic. Why? Books are rich and full of great ideas – there was plenty of them to choose from. You don't have to change and ruin characters that people love. Unless you think you know better. But you don't. Novels are art. This definitely isn't.… Expand
  29. danglan
    Dec 21, 2021
    3
    Sapkowski jak to oglądał płakał podcierając łzy studolarówkami............
  30. Jones76
    Dec 22, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A thorough dissappointment! I really liked season 1, it was not perfect, the cast was far from perfect, but it was fun, the changes made sense to me (especially showing Yennefer's backstory) and Henry channeld Gerald far better than I had ever expected. Season 2 started great! While the 1st episode is not a faithful adaption, it is close enough, it is very well made, the effects are great, acting is great, really gave me hope. But after that, everything went south.

    I know the books by heart, I have read every one at least twice, so when Netflix announced a truthful adaption, you probably know what I expected. What I got was probably a "loosely based on", by my estimation, at the very least 60% of season 2 never happened in the books. Changing that much is not a good sign, it can work, if you stay true to the spirit of the source material and the characters. This show does not. I readily accept that the showrunners wanted more action, I'm good with that. I really like getting more elven backstory, I think that will pay off in season 3, when they introduce the Scoia'Tael.

    What I can't accept is fundementally changing characters and killing them for no reason, while they are very much alife in the books. What I can't accept is completely changing the story and interaction between Yennefer, Ciri, Geralt and Wesemir, changing the characters fundamentals and their relations. Yenefer is in every sense a mother figure for Ciri, turning her into a power hungry **** ready to sacrifice her adopted daugther to a demon for power is so out of bounds of the characters, it hurts writing these lines.

    What else is bad? Most of the casting. The Witcher is based on slavic countries and folklore, add in too much diversity and woke agenda, you ruin it and more important, you fail to drive home basic messages of the books. Also a lot of scenes are pure cringe, witchers don't fight monsters in winter in t-shirts, you don't train in winter in light dresses, you actually heat rooms... I won't go into much detail, but "looks good" was actually way more important than "makes sense or could work".

    So, what's good? I think, the visuals, locations and so on have greatly improved. The show looks really good. Henry is the perfect witcher, Freya is a good Ciri, their chemistry is great. Anna is acting-wise a good Triss, also she will never look the part. I like how Jaskier is handled, and I like Francesca as well.

    For these reasons it is a 3 out of 10. But Netflix did kill the show for me. I probably won't watch season 3 or a spin-off, the franchise is basically dead for me.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Polygon
    Reviewed by: Joshua Rivera
    Jan 6, 2022
    80
    The show has earned a sizable amount of goodwill in an impressively short time, and even if we can no longer see the destination, The Witcher still feels like a hell of an adventure.
    Read full review
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Dec 19, 2021
    67
    Watching the foundation get laid isn’t always exciting, but it does feel like showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is building toward rousing sequences and cares about each of the characters equally. Whether you feel the same doesn’t really matter. “The Witcher” is in it for the long haul, and even if Season 2 feels longer than it should, you won’t regret the ride.
    Read full review
  3. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Dec 17, 2021
    50
    “The Witcher” constantly struggles to balance its dialogue-driven scenes with pushing the plot forward. It can be an exhausting show in terms of pace—every single episode feels longer than it actually is.
    Read full review
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