Season 2 of Netflix’s The Witcher is resuming filming at last after a significant delay. While we know that it will be primarily based on Blood of Elves, Andrzej Sapkowski’s third book and first full-length novel starring Geralt, and probably won’t have anything to do with CD Projekt RED’s award-winning game series, it’s fun to imagine.
Here are ten elements – including scenes, plots, characters and even gameplay mechanics – from the game series’ best-loved installment, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, that would be pretty cool to see in upcoming seasons of the Netflix adaptation.
SPOILERS for both Wild Hunt and The Witcher Season 1 appear in this list.
Honorable Mentions: Geralt Punching People for Fun and Profit (the game long street fighting side quest), Jaskier/Dandelion Successfully Becoming a Small Business Owner (the side quest chain Cabaret), Geralt Participating in a Classic Heist (a mission in the Hearts of Stone DLC), Sneaky References to CDP-Owned Properties (a quest which sees Geralt hunting down “Gottfried’s Omni-Opening Grimoire,” aka GOG), absolutely anything to do with Geralt’s shape-shifting doppler friend Dudu
10. Geralt Acknowledging That Jaskier/Dandelion Is His Friend For Once
On screen, the ever-grumpy Geralt (Henry Cavill) has a rather tense relationship with traveling bard Jaskier (Joey Batey). Despite Jaskier being responsible for the chart-topping reputation-improving hit “Toss a Coin To Your Witcher,” Geralt constantly gripes and yells at the bard, insisting that the two aren’t friends. Meanwhile, in Wild Hunt (and the original books, for that matter), the two are snarky-but-caring best friends whose exploits are legendary. More saving each other’s lives and less painful mountain-top arguments, please.
9. The Stuffed Unicorn, You Know The One
Season 1 introduced viewers to Geralt’s sometimes tender, sometimes tempestuous, always intense romantic relationship with sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra). However, it neglected to include arguably one of the most important elements of their relationship: a life-sized stuffed unicorn, which Geralt loathes but Yennefer enjoys using for…certain activities. How can you truly, accurately portray this epic romance without this symbol of their passion? (Plus who doesn’t want to see more of scantily clad Henry and Anya?)
8. Geralt Getting High and Talking To His Horse
One of Wild Hunt’s most beloved side quests features Geralt becoming exposed to hallucinogenic herbs which allow him to understand animals. He uses this experience to have a heart-to-heart with his trusty steed, Roach. The scene is beyond adorable, featuring Roach telling her rider how much she loves him and that she will always be there for him, no matter what. Cavill has formed a close connection with the various horses who play Roach, so why not let him (and the Roaches) express that on screen?
7. Extremely Bizarre Witcher Contracts
Some of the jobs Geralt takes are fairly standard monster-hunting gigs. Others…are not. Sometimes, he’s asked to retrieve the missing “jewels” belonging to a fertility statue, or take a ghost to a wedding, or enter a painting to visit a fairy-tale inspired world, or even wait in endless lines to withdraw money from his bank account. The first season of the Netflix adaptation received some criticism for its overly grim tone, and some fun contracts for Geralt would add much-needed levity.
6. The Duchy of Toussaint
OK, this one is a bit of a stretch. Toussaint, the gorgeous duchy famed for wine and chivalry, will likely make an appearance several seasons down the line, as Geralt, Jaskier and friends visit it during Lady of the Lake, the final book in the series. However, its colorful scenery, humorous side quests, and surprisingly emotional plot made Toussaint (the setting of Wild Hunt’s second DLC, Blood and Wine) an immediate fan favorite. How can fans possibly wait four or even five seasons for Toussaint to make an appearance?
5. Gwent
Gwent, with its simple yet tense play-style and gorgeous character cards, is a side-quest so memorable it spun off into a full game of its own. In Wild Hunt, the game is one of Geralt’s greatest passions (possibly even rivaling his love for Roach and whichever sorceress you choose to pursue) and he is always willing to pause even during the most serious of moments to play a round or two. Let’s see him break out the cards in Season 2. Plus, we could get some tie-in merch such as a commemorative deck featuring the Netflix versions of the characters.
4. Geralt’s Acting Career
Legendary monster hunter. Feared mutant. …Star actor? Somehow, despite his utter distaste for the stage, Geralt finds himself starring in a play used to deliver coded messages, pretending to be a high-class lord at various masquerade events, and even taking on the role of “The King of Thieves” as part of one of Jaskier/Dandelion’s harebrained schemes. Including one of these scenes would let Cavill show off his acting chops and give him some dialogue more engaging than the occasional monotone “Hmm” or “F*ck”.
3. Ciri Visiting The World of Cyberpunk 2077
In Season 1, Princess Cirilla’s (Freya Allen) sorcerous powers were primarily limited to some well-timed destruction-causing screams. However, Ciri’s true talent lies in her ability to shift between worlds and dimensions. During a conversation with adoptive dad Geralt, she mentions visiting a futuristic world which is heavily implied to be that of CD Projekt’s upcoming game, Cyberpunk 2077. With Cyberpunk confirmed to be receiving an animated TV spinoff, let’s go whole hog and establish a CD Projekt Cinematic Universe to rival Marvel or DC’s.
2. The Wolf School Witchers Getting Really, Really Drunk
Season 2 is confirmed to feature Geralt’s fellow Wolf School Witchers, including Eskel (to be played by Thue Ersted Rasmussen) and Lambert (Paul Bullion). A famous scene in Wild Hunt shows the three indulging in a bit too much alcohol, dressing up in Yennefer’s stolen clothes, and using a magical “megascope” to drunk dial the Continent’s equivalent of the Pope. This memorable sequence could work well to establish the brotherly camaraderie between the three Witchers, plus give their usually-grim characters a chance to really let loose.
1. Geralt Being The Continent’s Best Dad
Geralt and Ciri spend most of Season 1 searching for each other, meaning that we don’t get much interaction between the pair. However, in Wild Hunt, they display the multiverse’s most adorable father-daughter bond, complete with heartfelt conversations, snowball fights and even the occasional dad joke. Hopefully, Season 2 will bring that dynamic into the Netflix version of the show. I mean, come on, doesn’t Henry Cavill have total Dad Energy?
Do you think these ten things would improve Season 2 of The Witcher on Netflix? Are there any moments, scenes, characters or plot elements that we missed? Are you hyped for another season of Geralt’s grumpy monster-hunting adventures to help us survive quarantine? Let us know!
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is currently available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Season 1 of the show is available to watch via Netflix. Season 2 will resume filming in mid-August and is currently anticipated to release some time in 2021. A prequel entitled Blood Origins, which will cover the Continent’s past and will not feature Geralt, is also currently in development.
