The Witcher season 2 wants us to confront the monster within ourselves

Date:
Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:00:38 +0000

Description:
TechRadar talks with The Witcher season 2s showrunner, Henry Cavill and other cast members to find out how Netflixs hit fantasy show has reinvented itself.

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It sounds strange to say that a TV show parallels its own characters. And yet The Witcher season 2 shares a surprising commonality with its lead trio in Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer: the weight of expectation.

Despite season 1s mixed critical reviews, The Witcher was a major Netflix hit when it debuted in December 2019. Seventy-six million households watched it within the first four weeks of release a staggering number that saw it
finish second only to Stranger Things season 3 in Netflixs most popular
series of 2019 list.

So how do you go about creating a second instalment thats bigger and better than its predecessor? Success increases expectation levels within any
fanbase, after all. But, for showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, there was a simple solution: raise the stakes.

Season 1 did a lot of the heavy lifting for us, Hissrich muses. And I think thats why it was a much more difficult season to write because it had to lay out the chess board and it did. We had to explain what witchers and mages are, the political system, where elves factor into this, and the history of the Continent. But, this season, we get to play chess.

Ahead of The Witcher season 2 s release, TechRadar spoke with Hissrich and
the shows cast to discuss the series evolution, new character interactions, and how the show asks us to confront our own dark side. Conjunction of the peers (Image credit: Jay Maidment/Netflix)

Set in the immediate aftermath of the first seasons finale, season 2 finds Geralt (Henry Cavill) and Ciri (Freya Allen) searching for Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) following the Battle of Sodden Hill.

Informed that Yennefer perished during the conflict with Nilfgaards forces fans know that shes still alive, though, thanks to season 2s first trailer Geralt takes Ciri to Kaer Morhen, his childhood home and the witchers
training ground, in a bid to keep her safe. As the Continents various
factions vie for supremacy beyond Kaer Morhens walls, though, Geralt not only has to defend Ciri from outside forces: he must also protect her from the mysterious power she possesses and cant fully control.

With Geralt and Ciri finally meeting in season 1s final scene, The Witchers primary three narratives Yennefers included sync up at last in season 2. Save for Geralt and Yennefer previously crossing paths on the odd occasion in season 1, the duos and Ciris respective arcs were set in different time periods a contentious issue among fans that made the show difficult to follow. Viewers will be pleased, then, that season 2s events follow a more cohesive, linear narrative; something that Hissrich stresses was always the plan. (Image credit: Jay Maidment/Netflix)

It was important to me not to tell the entire story through Geralts point of view, which is how its done in the short stories, Hissrich explains. I wanted to make sure that these characters had agency of their own with layers and complications. And that meant we had to start things in different timelines
as they werent living at the same time. With the Battle of Sodden Hill taking place, theyre all in the same space, which makes things easier to follow.

Audiences have been eager to see Geralt and Ciris paths converge since the shows pilot, and that lengthy wait certainly pays off in season 2. As the emotional core of the series second instalment, the pair share plenty of scenes that are rich in chemistry and laden with subtext.

Comparable sequences between characters including Geralt, Yennefer and
Jaskier (Joey Batey) were present in season 1, but season 2 goes further in its exploration of character complexities and how they shape conversations between various parties. For Hissrich, increasing the number of such scenes was similarly key to delivering on fans wishes for a more coherent narrative namely, making season 2 more personal.

Fans told us that they want to get to know these people better, she says. Not every scene has to move the plot forward in some life-changing way.
Sometimes, it can just be two characters sitting down and getting to know one another better, and then we get to know them better. So season 2 feels bigger and more expansive but, to me, also feels oddly more intimate, emotional and private. Family reunions (Image credit: Jay Maidment/Netflix)

With Geralt opting to protect Ciri at Kaer Morhen, season 2 introduces audiences to his surrogate family. Other witchers from Andrzej Sapkowskis novels, including Lambert (Paul Bullion), Con (Yasen Atour) and Eskel (Basil Eidenbernz) make their live-action debuts, but its the inclusion of Geralts mentor in Vesemir (Kim Bodnia) that is the most significant of these encounters.

As the individual who raised and trained Geralt, its unsurprising that
Geralts relationship with Vesemir is explored at length in season 2. For Cavill, himself a huge fan of the source material, that meant bringing humanity and tenderness to two characters who are viewed, by many on the Continent, as nothing more than cold-hearted killers.

Kim and I worked very hard together to bring something to the characters that wasnt necessarily in the books, Cavill explains. Its that connection between these very dangerous individuals who live a hard life, but they have this incredible brotherhood and sense of belonging. I think Vesemir has always known that Geralt is this kind of person [a father figure to Ciri]; he recognizes part of it in himself, so it was incredibly important to us to bring these three-dimensional characters to life and have these two worlds conjunct.

We wanted [season 2's main song] to be as reflective of the tone of the Continent as possible Joey Batey, The Witcher co-star

That connection isnt something that can be initially attributed to Ciri and Vesemir, however. Having never met Geralts surrogate father before, Ciri is distrustful of Vesemir at first the dichotomy between Vesemirs relationships with both characters, then, is plain to see. But, as Freya Allen (who
portrays Ciri) teases, it isnt long before the Lion Cub of Cintra opens up to her host.

At the start, she isnt entirely trusting of him, Allen says. But theres a scene where Ciris wandering the castle when she shouldnt be, and she sees all the witchers having fun with the women [theyve invited to Kaer Morhen]. Vesemir catches her looking but he doesnt tell on her. As time goes on, I think she realizes that Vesemir is the one whos going to allow her to train when Geralt wont, which is a big moment for her.

Ciri is such a powerful girl, Bodnia adds. The journey from being a girl to a woman, that was incredible for me to see as myself and as Vesemir. She
reminds him of his first love so, in his head, hes traveling back [in time] and thinking, Oh my god, she talks and acts like her. Whats going on? So theres more here than meets the eye. Of monsters and men (Image credit: Premiere Pro/Netflix)

Each character's journey in season 2 is as life-changing and captivatingly heartfelt as they are action-packed and shocking. But, while Geralt and Ciri must navigate specific story arc obstacles, theres one thing that unites them all: confronting the monster inside themselves. The Continent may be
populated with actual monsters, including the tree-like Leshy and vampiric Bruxa. But its the proverbial devils inside our heroes that are a bigger threat than any physical being.

For Ciri, its learning to control the dangerous power and potential dark side
I feel like I could burn the whole world, she tells Geralt at one point inside herself. Vesemir, meanwhile, is torn between his loyalties to Geralt and Ciri, and preserving the witcher lineage due to a revelation thats revealed midway through season 2.

In Yennefers case, tackling her inner demons has become second nature. The Witchers most powerful mage has had to deal with more than her share of self-doubt and emotional trauma so far but, as actor Anya Chalotra teases, there are far more tests for Yennefer to navigate: not least because her season 2 arc parallels the start of her season 1 journey. (Image credit: Jay Maidment/Netflix)

I feel that Yennefer evolves a lot this season, Chalotra says. She goes on this epic journey of self-discovery again, but we really get into the nitty-gritty of her true power. Bringing her back to the beginning of season 1, whats it like for her to be in that place again? Its [a] really vulnerable [place] for her and Im so glad that I get to explore that. Youre really going to relate to her and the choices she has to make.

Even Jaskier, the bard with jester-like tendencies, is afflicted by grief and trauma. Having been disowned by Geralt in season 1 episode 6, the usually jovial ladys man has to reinvent himself to stay relevant in a world thats rapidly changing. For Joey Batey, who plays Jaskier, this character revamp is only possible by overcoming the pain of losing his friendship with Geralt. And, in typical bard fashion, conquering such heartbreak comes in the form of a song that, like season 1s breakout hit Toss a Coin to Your Witcher, is an earworm that refuses to go away.

Were in a position now were Jaskier is able to adapt as an artist and change as the best artists always do, Batey explains. But Joe [Trapanese, season 2 composer] and I also really tried to find a song that was emotionally vulnerable and pretty rageful. Weve had a season of these characters trying
to work out who they are amid these hints of war the first drop of this oncoming storm being the Battle of Sodden and now everything is on a knife edge. So we wanted Burn, Butcher, Burn to be as reflective of the tone of the Continent as possible. (Image credit: Susie Allnett/Netflix)

Ironically, while other characters grapple with their demons, Geralt is more at peace with his own. Viewers will recall Geralts act first, think later and kill at all costs mentality in season 1; character traits that positioned him as this calculating and feral-like individual.

In season 2, though, we see a more rounded, intelligent and profound take on the series iconic anti-hero a side to Geralt that Cavill was keen to examine more deeply. And, given the team-ups between Geralt and some unexpected partners, including Istredd (Royce Pierreson) and Triss (Anna Shaffer), such qualities in Geralt really begin to shine through.

It was a wonderful opportunity to delve into the character that exists in the books, he admits. In season 1, we didnt really get a chance to do that, so this time we get to see more of the intellectual and philosophical lean from the character, as well as his soulfulness. He also realizes that he cant do
it all by himself. Hes so used to solving problems by himself and they often dont work. So he asks for outside help, and those characters say this is bigger than you think it is. They help him uncover some answers, which aids his character development.

Whether its exploring more of the Continent or its characters in greater detail, The Witcher season 2 is bolder and more complex than its predecessor. Battle lines are drawn internally and externally, with shocking moments and sudden betrayals lurking around every corner.

As much as The Witchers cast hope season 2 is as entertaining as its first, however, they hope it also offers a reflection of the world around us and to overcome our own demons, especially now when communities and countries have never been more divided.

Everyone evolves and matures this season, Chalotra says. New challenges are presented to them in the form of monsters, humans, elves, war, and that throughline of the elves and discrimination against them is something thats brilliantly done. I hope it resonates with whats going on today.

I think every character is trying to work out why theyre here on this Continent thats seemingly falling apart, Batey adds. And theyre asking themselves whats my purpose? In season 1, we were standing up and getting ready to go now, in season 2, it feels like were starting to run.

The Witcher season 2 launches exclusively on Netflix on Friday, December 17. These are the best shows on Netflix right now



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