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. Hekke
    Dec 19, 2021
    1
    I'm huge fan of witcher universe. First I read all books (in summary six times now) then I played all 3 games, each of them on the premier day. 1 season of the Witcher has a lot of flaws but they managed to show the roughness of the world and a bit of dry humor similar to that found in Andrzej Sapkowski's prose. In Season 1, the stories were very flat, but it stuck more or less to theI'm huge fan of witcher universe. First I read all books (in summary six times now) then I played all 3 games, each of them on the premier day. 1 season of the Witcher has a lot of flaws but they managed to show the roughness of the world and a bit of dry humor similar to that found in Andrzej Sapkowski's prose. In Season 1, the stories were very flat, but it stuck more or less to the source material.

    All what was good in season 1, season 2 is lacking. Yes few things improved like CGI, costumes but that is all. After 1 episode of season 2 i was exited, yes they change a lot but it felt ok and I was hoping for more. However, the following episodes were some kind of misunderstanding. All characters except Geralt and Jaskier depict completely different characters that have nothing to do with Sapokowski's prose. The same goes for the story, the writers stick to the overall frame of the story, but at the same time turn everything else into empty and weak stories. When Henry Cavill who is a huge fan of the witcher world, in interviews says that he had to intervene in order to smuggle more Geralt from book, you should know that something is going wrong with the show. If in subsequent seasons they continue to maintain the level of departure from the source material and a simultaneous misunderstanding of it, the series will be a disaster or another weak Netflix adaptation.    … Expand
  2. AlexTell
    Dec 19, 2021
    2
    It's funny how the showrunner constantly says that she likes the source material and call herself the witcher fan, yet her """"adaptation"""" has nothing to do with the witcher books and just represent her wet dreams of believing she's better at storytelling than Sapkowski. Henry, darling, I know you tried your best. It's not your fault.
  3. AZone
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    Everything that I loved was worn out and mutilated before my eyes. For those who have read books, it will be very painful to look at it. I have one question: Lauren, why did you treat us so cruelly?
  4. hoodie_666
    Dec 18, 2021
    3
    This is anything but an adaptation. It's like they skimmed through the books, wrote down what they remembered and then built a story around that. Only a handful characters are the same as in the books, only some of the plots are the same.

    Maybe I would've been fine with it if this new story was actually interesting and if it made sense, but it isnt
  5. Ravn7
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    The story is just ridiculous. And because of that also very boring. I fast forwarded many scenes. It's a very bad show and a disastrous Witcher show. Only Cavil tries to make it as close to the source material as possible. But still it's not even close.
  6. zombox5000
    Dec 17, 2021
    4
    A blundering, ham fisted piece that wastes the potential and goodwill built in the first season. The divergences for the actual Witcher story are not only uninteresting and unnecessary, but also poorly done.
  7. Winters1986
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    Pathetic. the script is audience rape. killing an eskel is a rape of fans. finish it
  8. Lehu
    Dec 17, 2021
    3
    I'm freshly after watching the season 2. Frankly speaking I'm seriously disappointed. While CGI, and acting might be criticized by some (for me it wasn't that bad), I have the most problems with the plot. They changed it so much that for me it's no longer the same story. It's something that's "inspired by" not "adaptation of". I could accept it if the plot was good. Unfortunately thereI'm freshly after watching the season 2. Frankly speaking I'm seriously disappointed. While CGI, and acting might be criticized by some (for me it wasn't that bad), I have the most problems with the plot. They changed it so much that for me it's no longer the same story. It's something that's "inspired by" not "adaptation of". I could accept it if the plot was good. Unfortunately there were so many things that did not make sense or were just boring that last episodes I just skimmed through...

    To sum up: if you don't know the books you might enjoy it (if you are willing to overlook some plot issues). However, if you are fan of the books, you will probably be disappointed.
    I will probably watch season 3 if it comes out but at this point I only expect more disappointment.    … Expand
  9. Tetrion
    Dec 18, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is not a good plot writing to take a character from the book and just make him opposite. Crafty Riens, helpless Yennifer, emotional Tissaya, clumsy Franceska? Fire magic does not require self-destruction, just talent? Ancient witch (reference to game 3 Mother and 3 Sisters characters) to fiil the gap in plot? And Ciri, who has to remain incognito to avoid tracking, but declaring her princehood and name to all and everyone along the road? Well it was a monumental task for a team but they really managed to make worse season than previous one.… Expand
  10. El30
    Dec 20, 2021
    2
    Generally, I don't care that the story of S02 has almost nothing in common with the books (however, I would like to point out that if I expect a steak, then I would like to get a steak, not a hot dog). The problem is different. The problem is that S02 is sooo boooring. After GoT I thought the producers finally understood that audience want to watch a mature, serious fantasy. Meanwhile theGenerally, I don't care that the story of S02 has almost nothing in common with the books (however, I would like to point out that if I expect a steak, then I would like to get a steak, not a hot dog). The problem is different. The problem is that S02 is sooo boooring. After GoT I thought the producers finally understood that audience want to watch a mature, serious fantasy. Meanwhile the Witcher S02 is infantile and neuter. Not recommend at all.

    PS: First episode of S02 is really nice. Almost it seems to come from a completely different series. All the more I do not understand what happened to the rest of S02.    … Expand
  11. Perseus69
    Dec 17, 2021
    3
    I tried hard again to like this show, but it was hard trying. Again. Childish and corny dialogs, confused plot that leads nowhere, silly characters. The witchers become a group of dumb idiots, the bards play teenage music from the worst playlist on Spotify. They even managed to shove in a black elf for good "wokiness" measure. I really wish they just asked the writers of the Witcher 3 gameI tried hard again to like this show, but it was hard trying. Again. Childish and corny dialogs, confused plot that leads nowhere, silly characters. The witchers become a group of dumb idiots, the bards play teenage music from the worst playlist on Spotify. They even managed to shove in a black elf for good "wokiness" measure. I really wish they just asked the writers of the Witcher 3 game to work on the show. They would have done a much better job. Writing is so poor that I found myself compelled to skip dialogues. Another wasted chance to bring a great story to life. I fell asleep after 2 episodes.… Expand
  12. Flessless
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    Not loyal to source material, total trash filled poc:s. Elves that are fat, ugly and black, wtf is wrong with netflix.
  13. madmentat
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    It's a disaster. For those who read and loved the books it's just unbearable to watch. The characters, plot, the world have been drastically changed without any coherent reason. Somebody thought they can create something more interesting and engaging then Sapkowski did. They were wrong. This is at best amateur level fan fiction writing - only fans do not mutilate the original as much.It's a disaster. For those who read and loved the books it's just unbearable to watch. The characters, plot, the world have been drastically changed without any coherent reason. Somebody thought they can create something more interesting and engaging then Sapkowski did. They were wrong. This is at best amateur level fan fiction writing - only fans do not mutilate the original as much. Everything is dumbed down, the dialogue is atrocious. Every single time someone exclaimed **** with a serious face and full of emotion - it was predictable at least 2 seconds in advance. The games took the book material and expanded it with love, respect and great care. They created new plots, recreated the characters' personalities from the books almost perfectly and made the book characters perform in those new plots in mostly exactly the same way they would've if it's been written by Sapkowski or so it felt. It is incomparable to the hack job that the netflix did. The only things that are half-decent are the ones directly reused from source - everything that is added on just doesn't even make any sense on its own and doesn't fit with the source either.… Expand
  14. vergiliy62
    Dec 20, 2021
    0
    I'm just a silly internet person, but me and my friends, book and game fans, don't want a third season led by Lauren Hissrich. We're not going to watch it. I will start a petition to have the showrunner removed from this project before it is too late and there is hope for smart people. She's filming the show from her own fantasy, barbarically distorting the story from the book.I'm just a silly internet person, but me and my friends, book and game fans, don't want a third season led by Lauren Hissrich. We're not going to watch it. I will start a petition to have the showrunner removed from this project before it is too late and there is hope for smart people. She's filming the show from her own fantasy, barbarically distorting the story from the book. We wanted to see a book come to life, not a crazy fantasy. I am utterly despairing. To make a heroic fantasy about a man allowed a man of radical views to change the plot to include female characters who were already important in the original, but they didn't have enough. If HBO can be forgiven a little, because they didn't finish the books and they came up with the end of the story themselves, then Loren can't be forgiven. If they don't fire the showrunner of the witch, the show can be closed, she managed to twist the whole plot, to distort all the events. If in the first season it was done partially, here she decided to go full throttle.… Expand
  15. BloodAndWine
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    By the end of the season it has deviated almost completely from the books. Entire plotlines gone. Pivotal characters dead. Completely new characters invented. Dynamics and relationships altered entirely. All these awful changes are written together sloppily and with poor talent. Absolute disrespect for the classic and beloved stories. Why not just make an original show if you don't wan'tBy the end of the season it has deviated almost completely from the books. Entire plotlines gone. Pivotal characters dead. Completely new characters invented. Dynamics and relationships altered entirely. All these awful changes are written together sloppily and with poor talent. Absolute disrespect for the classic and beloved stories. Why not just make an original show if you don't wan't to actually adapt the story? Netflix once again proving to be a joke. Might as well have called this 'WitcherDale'.… Expand
  16. Murkwood
    Dec 17, 2021
    1
    From game and fame to lame and tame -- most disappointing to see blatant censorship at work -- missed opportunity for the show to continue to impress, dashed upon the rocks of cowardice.
  17. Tavin93
    Dec 18, 2021
    1
    Eight hours of my life that I’ll never get back. Not so much an adaptation as a frolic of its own, the Netflix show has departed from even the core motivations of Sapkowski’s characters in favour of a cheap, generic fantasy story. If the show had either kept a semblance of the source material (like in S02E01, the strongest episode of the season), or enjoyed a modicum of internalEight hours of my life that I’ll never get back. Not so much an adaptation as a frolic of its own, the Netflix show has departed from even the core motivations of Sapkowski’s characters in favour of a cheap, generic fantasy story. If the show had either kept a semblance of the source material (like in S02E01, the strongest episode of the season), or enjoyed a modicum of internal consistency and logical decisinmaking, it could’ve been a passable Witcher story. It wouldn’t have made any sense after the first season was an adaptation, but it might’ve still been enjoyable.

    But for the first episode, I would’ve given it a lower ranking.    … Expand
  18. Gongora
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    What even is this garbage? This is the worst series off all time! Terrible cgi! The acting is so bad.. The story is horrible, everything about this show is crazy bad, advise people to not waste their time on something this bad, trust me you will waste time if you watch this!
  19. salp
    Dec 19, 2021
    1
    They destroyed all characters from books and logic of they actions. One point only to Henry.
  20. Mully79
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage. This was no mere tweaking of source material. A complete alteration and defilement is a better description. Truly sickening to watch Sapkowski’s masterpiece ruined.
  21. Noe11
    Dec 18, 2021
    0
    Loved the books, loved the games. The show is unfortunately an utter garbage. I had minimal hopes after a terrible 1st season but somehow they managed to make a story, acting and characters even worse in this one.

    Lauren Schmidt (shows director) should seriously consider a change of career as anything creative apparently isn't her cup of tea. Seriously what sort of a mental midget you    Loved the books, loved the games. The show is unfortunately an utter garbage. I had minimal hopes after a terrible 1st season but somehow they managed to make a story, acting and characters even worse in this one.

    Lauren Schmidt (shows director) should seriously consider a change of career as anything creative apparently isn't her cup of tea. Seriously what sort of a mental midget you have to be if cant even copy from an excellent sources material such as the books and games.

    The director has no understanding of source material, what makes it attractive and so compelling and whats worse even has no understanding of her own craft, story and character building, camera, script etc.

    Cavill the only spark of light in this abomination does what he can but cant fight alone against an idiotic directors decision. In Henrys position i would leave this show as soon as possible even if I had to cancel the contract just to not have my name attached to it.

    The beautiful world built in a book series by Mr. Sapkowski deserves much more than this stinking heap of excrements.    … Expand
  22. MERT22
    Dec 19, 2021
    0
    Watching this after reading the books and playing the games feels like having a frontal lobotomy done by a rusty metal **** attached to Lauren Schmidts hips.

    Seriously, if you had even limited experience with the source material and you still think that this is a quality show then you have some problems, most likely with assessing the quality of the product that you are being fed.    Watching this after reading the books and playing the games feels like having a frontal lobotomy done by a rusty metal **** attached to Lauren Schmidts hips.

    Seriously, if you had even limited experience with the source material and you still think that this is a quality show then you have some problems, most likely with assessing the quality of the product that you are being fed.

    After watching first season I thought that Lauren Schmidt, director of the show is just lazy and therefore doesn't care much about the accuracy to the source material. After watching the 2nd season I am convinced that she must actively hate both the books and the games and most likely even their fans.

    There is no logical explanation to any of the drastic changes that she has done in the script compared to the books. The changes serve no purpose to the story, they don't simplify it for the wider audience, they don't make it more compelling, cool or attractive. They made changes for the sake of changes and all of them made the story worse compared to if they would just copy & paste. Utter lack of talent from the shows creative team.

    The director had it all for this season, budget, great source material for the story (books) great source material for the costume design and how the original characters should behave outside of the original story (games), Henry Cavill, etc. but she still couldn't do even half decent job of bringing this to the screen.

    I have honestly tried to like it but this is beyond disappointing for the fans.    … Expand
  23. KeraTerra
    Dec 18, 2021
    1
    This show is so bad it's even awesome. It shows that screenwriters are perfectly aware of the source material which is a book and game series beloved by many fans across the world. But instead of adapting the source, the authors consciously decided to use a famous franchise to tell their own (very mediocre) story.

    Even if we put aside that the series is not true to the source, the show    This show is so bad it's even awesome. It shows that screenwriters are perfectly aware of the source material which is a book and game series beloved by many fans across the world. But instead of adapting the source, the authors consciously decided to use a famous franchise to tell their own (very mediocre) story.

    Even if we put aside that the series is not true to the source, the show completely flops as a standalone material. Character plotlines are completely made up and lack motivation, the pacing is so chaotic that trying to figure out what's happening is exhausting, and there is no logic in character dialogues or actions whatsoever.

    When the show was announced, it was expected to be a successor to the Game of Thrones in the fantasy genre. The books and games proved it has such potential. With Netflix's budget baking up the series, it had everything necessary to define the genre... besides the showrunner who would love the world and the characters as the fans do. Unfortunately, it is not the case.

    As another reviewer here mentioned:
    "Everything that I loved was worn out and mutilated before my eyes. For those who have read books, it will be very painful to look at it. I have one question: Lauren, why did you treat us so cruelly?"

    I sign under every word. Us, fans, had one chance for the true TV adaptation of the story and characters we love. There will be no other series, not after this disaster the show turned out to be. Why Lauren? You just had to adapt what was already there. Did you think that you may handle twisting the characters so badly to push whatever agenda you had instead? Well, that didn't work out. Crafting a cohesive story requires some storytelling skill, so it would be better for us all if you just stuck to the source.    … Expand
  24. Thecrazyjoke92
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    This is a disgrace! people cannot be serious watching this garbage? the acting is bad, the cgi is even worse! the series jumps from one place to another in such a bad way that it is actually gut wrenching watching this! its so far from the books and even the games that is laughable! why change the story from the books this much when the books are great? the thing with Eskel is not accurateThis is a disgrace! people cannot be serious watching this garbage? the acting is bad, the cgi is even worse! the series jumps from one place to another in such a bad way that it is actually gut wrenching watching this! its so far from the books and even the games that is laughable! why change the story from the books this much when the books are great? the thing with Eskel is not accurate at all... so stupid that i had to write a review.. i will rather watch the old Hercules series or samurai cop than this low budget crap.. they even have a transformers looking monster.. horrible… Expand
  25. Orgeorg
    Dec 17, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was one of the more tiring watching experiences I had, even though I watched it in company. The others were the first to start playing with their iphones. I don’t have an iphone so I started playing with the cat. Unfortunately for me even the cat grew tired from the show and went to sleep.
    The story is irrelevant, the characters more so. There’s not a shred of logic even in basic human interactions. Let me give you some examples:
    Triss and Ciri walk in a dream – magic don’t ask. Triss is worried says: “Let’s leave, Ciri!”. Next scene Triss silently follows Ciri| Ciri is in a gown outside in the night and snow. She has a cape inside the manor. Ciri and Geralt leave manor without entering it. Next scene in the forest Ciri wears cape, gown is gone. Pity, it was a nice gown, could fetch a small fortune./Geralt and Istred assault and knock down two Nilfgaardian riders. “Let’s leave them and the horses. Let’s leave two Ferraris with the keys on them while continuing on foot”/Mage kidnaps, tortures Yen for info and gets caught. “Why punish him? Is torturing your colleagues illegal? Let’s punish Yen instead.”|Yen unable to use magic, instead of executing Cahir, he releases him in front of all the northern kings, the mages and their guards. She nevertheless makes her escape without magic. When asked by Cahir why she did it she answers “I’m saving my life”. I rest my case./Geralt to Ciri: “We’re Witchers we have the luxury of cracking our head. You don’t”. Next scene Geralt takes Ciri climbing in a mountain during winter in 90 degrees aptitude. Witchers don’t use climbing tools./Vesemir wants to train more witchers. He wants to train professionals held in lesser regard than whores, gravediggers and **** collectors although he feels guilty about the high risk process of creating such a professional. “Grandpa Vesemir did you take your medicine?”/And our personal favorite: Kaer Morhen, keep full of Witchers. Monster attacks. Whores and Ciri hide. Gerald and Vesemir fight monster. Rest of Witchers status unknown. They certainly aren’t protecting Ciri and the whores. I would.
    And that’s only a handful. The only specimens seemingly saving face are Cavil and Ciri because of acting but mostly because their characters have a shred of plausibility. Some scenes are good because of the cameramen and usually because none speaks. And once or twice during the five episodes we laughed because we were so tired.
    It’s a 10/10 experience. Everyone must watch!    … Expand
  26. Zhilkata
    Dec 18, 2021
    1
    Giving a 1 simply because Henry Cavill keeps this **** somewhat intact. Can't afford to give more though - dipped in wokeness, you're constantly hit with "progressiveness" you can't ignore. Even with the politically correct agenda aside, there simply isn't anything worth the time to watch this show - extremely poor casting choices for 95% of the actors, the script tries to change stuffGiving a 1 simply because Henry Cavill keeps this **** somewhat intact. Can't afford to give more though - dipped in wokeness, you're constantly hit with "progressiveness" you can't ignore. Even with the politically correct agenda aside, there simply isn't anything worth the time to watch this show - extremely poor casting choices for 95% of the actors, the script tries to change stuff around, succeeding by completely losing the point of the characters and the world they live in, music is forgettable, effects are admittedly better, but still not breathtaking for the $15+ million-an-episode budget. An expected disappointment for every fan of the real Witcher story and atmosphere.… Expand
  27. arckmeez
    Dec 18, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I know there is a lot of wokeness on the show casting selection, but to my surprise, was a lot better than the first, with only a main character (well two that might anger hardcore readers, in a way, I understand it, Yennefer for example, I will never understand, why they try to make her out of character likeable, when the Lannister proves, that you can be a bastard and beloved, and Eskel there's a lot of fun with him in both games and books and Now is gone forever, for some woke nobody Witcher who might replace him) from the original books and games been sacrifice.

    I happy to report that the season just scratch the surface and might give more seasons come and yet give some bone to eat to the normies. The change from the script I liked more, at least the woke Characters are doing a lot more than the original characters on the first season, in general an excellent season to be honest with a good story been told from it, Henry kept his word... I do recommend though, that read the damn books and played the games, those media deserves to turn you into a show hater...    … Expand
  28. Jishnu
    Jan 30, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Trash show butchered my fav characters yennefer, eskel and fringilla . Vesemir acting like idiot, yennefer simply swear words for no reason . Eskel turn in to leshen i dont know how a witcher turn into leshen . Yennefer betrayed ciri in the show that she will never do in the books . Cahir is innocent person in books . In the show he is evil . Fringilla doest look like yennefer . Fringilla only appeared in 2 books why show giving more important to her in the show when the character doesn't look like from books . Why stregobor is stronger than vilgefortz. I don't understand what relationship is going between main 3 character… Expand
  29. willerkiller
    Jan 16, 2022
    1
    Feels like a bad fan-fiction. Only, the writers of this show evidently aren't fans of the original source material. Just turn your brain off while watching to laugh at what it is: More woke trash from Netflix.
  30. moonknight93
    Jan 21, 2022
    0
    Blood of Elves, the third book in the saga of Geralt of Rivia, witcher by trade, is not the easiest books to adapt. It contains a lot of worldbuilding and it doesn't have a clear main antagonist to create drama. Despite this, But an adaptation can expand on elements that are only mentioned in the book. It can create additional action, or transforming monologues and thoughts in dialogueBlood of Elves, the third book in the saga of Geralt of Rivia, witcher by trade, is not the easiest books to adapt. It contains a lot of worldbuilding and it doesn't have a clear main antagonist to create drama. Despite this, But an adaptation can expand on elements that are only mentioned in the book. It can create additional action, or transforming monologues and thoughts in dialogue between the characters.

    But this season is not an adaptation. It contains a lot of fan fiction od dubious quality, which create plot contrivances and changes characters compared to Season 1 or the anime spin-off. It feels rushes, the worldbuilding is almost non existent. All different cities in different kingdoms feel culturally the same. Dialogues are more a generic declaration of intents by the characters, rather than confrontations on issues or feelings. Travelling feels like teleportation, and the whole pacing is off. Rushed, almost like the showrunner is afraid of boring the viewer. They are treating this show as a generic teen fantasy made for CW, rather than the mature dark fantasy it's supposed to be. The Sapkowski's saga is one where the characters take center stage and drive the plot forwards. But this show doesn't take its time to establish the characterizations of its characters and their relationships with each other. In some way, it's reaping the fruits of what they did in Season 1. Skipping important character moments to rush the story forward.

    Season 3 cannot save this, because the entire show is build on rotten foundations. A terrible show, and a terrible disappointment.    … 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.
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