A lot of people primarily associate The Witcher with CD Projekt Red’s games. But Netflix decided to take a fresh approach to the IP by adapting stories and characters directly inspired by the original book series by Andrzej Zapkowski.

6The Chernobog

When it becomes clear that the monoliths found throughout the continent are actually gateways to another world where various monsters have been coming from, Ciri’s power activates one and allows a Chernobog to come through and take off into the distance.

In the next episode, Geralt pursues the beast to keep it from harming Ciri. His ever-present companion, Roach, meets her untimely end at the claws of the creature, but it is ultimately slain and Ciri is kept out of harm’s way.

5The Myriapod Ambush

Eskel’s transformation into a Leshy at Kaer Morhen spurs Geralt to go and investigate the woods nearby in search of the Leshy whose hand Eskel severed earlier. Much to the shock of both him and Ciri, something more terrifying is lurking nearby. A gigantic Myriapod makes its presence known by slaughtering the Leshy and setting its sights on Ciri.

4Geralt Vs Rience

The fire mage humorously referred to with a vulgar nickname by Yennefer makes his debut earlier in the season. He later comes after Ciri at the Temple of Melitele with the Michelet brothers in tow. Yennefer and Ciri hide themselves in a nearby room, adding a layer of tension due to Yennefer’s desire to use Ciri’s power for her own gain – but the real excitement comes from the scene that plays out between Geralt and Rience.

Everyone’s favorite Witcher makes light work of the situation for the most part and proves what a good fighter he is. But Rience is powerful in his own right and keeps Geralt on his toes throughout the encounter. Before Geralt can finish the job, Rience escapes and lives to fight another day.

3Nivellen’s Bruxa

The first episode of season two is an incredibly strong opener for a myriad of reasons – chief among them being the storyline with Geralt’s old friend Nivellen, a large brute of a man with a beastly appearance. The Witcher and Ciri decide to take shelter in his estate for the night. After taking a load off and playing a few games, something is clearly off about the whole thing. It is discovered that Nivellen is harboring a vampiric creature known as a Bruxa, who he is in love with. Naturally, Geralt ends up fighting the Bruxa, and she meets her end in Nivellen’s estate.

With nothing left to hide, Nivellen reveals how he fell in with the wrong crowd and did the unspeakable to a temple priestess in his youth, resulting in her cursing him to appear as beastly on the outside as he was within. The Bruxa, named Vereena, overlooked what he did and the two fell in love as a result. With her dead, Nivellen pleads with Geralt to put him out of his misery, but Geralt and Ciri leave, disgusted, and the Butcher of Blaviken coldly tells Nivellen to “do it yourself.”

2Eskel’s Transformation

When Eskel returns to Kaer Morhen and sees Geralt and Ciri, his personality is incredibly abrasive and standoffish – though it does appear he and Geralt were close friends at one time. That night, there is a disturbance in the castle and Geralt goes with Vesemir to investigate. Having been careless during his encounter with a Leshy, Eskel now finds himself transformed into one, and proceeds to wreak havoc in Kaer Morhen.

Geralt and Vesemir work together to kill him, but it is a hard fought battle and Vesemir is initially reluctant to put an end to Eskel – with the futile hope that he may be cured. It is an emotional scene, and one that continues to linger in the air in the subsequent episodes.

1Kaer Morhen Vs Voleth Meir

Early in season 2, Yennefer has a vision of a mysterious figure that encourages her to take advantage of Ciri’s power for her own gain. It is revealed that this figure is an ancient demon called Voleth Meir, the Deathless Mother, that the Witchers sealed away to prevent from causing any further harm to the world. Having manipulated Yennefer, the Deathless Mother awakens and possesses Ciri in a bid to return to the world in her full capacity.

She releases several nasty monsters within Kaer Morhen to keep the Witchers busy, but Yennefer succeeds in freeing Ciri by offering her own body in exchange for the demon to possess. Voleth Meir is eventually tricked into releasing both Yennefer and Ciri, but not before transporting them, along with Geralt to a world where they see the Wild Hunt. They manage to escape, but it’s a great finale that teases some exciting things to come in season three.