TV Review: The Witcher Season Two (2021)

The Witcher Season Two (2021) created for television by Lauren Schmidt from the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski

For my review of Season One, go here.

Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) is back and taking on the greatest quest of his life--being a father figure to Ciri (Freya Allen). The role has been foisted on him by Destiny, so he feels a strong obligation. Though she's a princess from the north, Ciri wants to train as a fighter and maybe become a Witcher like Geralt. Her only problem is the chaos magic in her that she can't really control. They retreat to a secret compound where the other Witchers live. She trains while Geralt glowers. Her magic problem could be solved by Geralt's friend and lover Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) but she's off in a different part of The Continent dealing with her own problems. She's lost her magic powers in a massive battle between powerful factions. She is not sure how to get her powers back. Will their paths eventually cross? And where is the bard Jaskier (Joey Batey), a fun character from the first season?

This second season starts off with a very sombre tone and is full of a lot of political machinations that make the story drag a bit. Some of the plot revelations come off as unconvincing leaps of logic or knowledge by the characters. Ciri's training for combat seems a bit out of place though it does let them show off an American Ninja Warrior-style training course at the compound, lightening up the bleak tone. The sense of humor gets stronger when Jaskier makes a surprise appearance in a middle episode and then thankfully sticks around for the rest of the show. Even so, the show takes itself a bit too seriously this time around. Of course there's a cliffhanger ending to entice viewers into watching another season.

Mildly recommended.

As I write (February 2022), this is only available streaming on Netflix.