The best The Witcher episodes reveal everything that worked about Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher short stories and novels. Not everyone The Witcher season has been met with the same level of critical acclaimalthough some elements remained a highlight of the series throughout its entire run. This includes Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt of Rivia, which makes the actor’s exit from the show ahead of The Witcher season 4 even bigger news. While Cavill’s exit is bittersweet, the actor got to star in something great The Witcher episodes during his time in the role.
Netflix’s The Witcher cast helped bring the beloved characters from the pages to live-action, which is no easy feat considering how popular the books – and the video game adaptations – are. Of course, everyone The Witcher episode is compared to the source material, and some entries were better adaptations than others. The Witcher has also incorporated original characters and stories, some of which worked better than others.
10
The Witcher Season 3, Episode 1
“Shaerrawedd”
For all its flaws, The Witcher season 3 delivered one of the best things about the entire show – the interactions involving Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. This newly formed found-family was already an audience-favorite group in other media, but their dynamic had yet to be explored in Netflix’s version of The Witcher.
Following season 2’s finale, The Witcher Season 3 had the chance to follow Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri as a family from the start. Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan shine in “Shaerrawedd,” and it is safe to say the moments in which all three characters were together were the most compelling things about season 3.
While the family dynamics in this episode are great, what also makes it work is how well it’s constructed. It very quickly reminds the audience of the events of season 2 and teases what’s to come with Ciri, preparing them for the rest of season 3. It also makes the timeline much easier to follow. One of the biggest complaints from the earlier episodes of the series is how difficult it was for fans to figure out just when events were taking place.
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9
The Witcher Season 2, Episode 7
“Voleth Meir”
One of the best things about The Witcher‘s later seasons is the relationship between Ciri and Yennefer. While the dynamic between the Lion Cub of Cintra and Yennefer of Vengerbeg would set the tone for The Witcher season 3, their shared story began towards the end of season 2.
Because fantasy shows are much more likely to pit women against one another, even young women still protected as children by parental figures, it’s gratifying to see that difference with their bonding in The Witcher.
“Voleth Meir” sees Yennefer slowly becoming close to Ciriwhom she planned to deliver to Voleth Meir to reclaim her magic. Geralt’s search for Ciri combined with the princess’ first couple of magic lessons made for a compelling episode, even though the most important moments were saved for the finale, “Family.”
8
The Witcher Season 1, Episode 3
“Betrayer Moon”
Whereas The Witcher season 2 and beyond began to lean heavily into the saga’s wider lore while telling an overarching story involving multiple kingdoms and locations, The Witcher Season 1 took a more episodic approach. Mostly based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s first few Witcher short stories, The Witcher season 1 managed to capture the sense of adventure that came with books like The Last Wish. That sense of adventure kept people watching and trying to decipher a sometimes confusing timeline.
The Witcher season 1 managed to capture the sense of adventure that came with books like The Last Wish.
For example, “Betrayer Moon,” which is based on The Last Wish‘s “The Witcher” short story, was overall quite similar to the source material and offered a fun, intended mission featuring the White Wolf. It also explored Yennefer’s backstory.
Her embracing her magic and completely transforming herself to be able to seduce the leader of the kingdom she wants to serve is a turning point for Yennefer. It shows her growing confidence in her abilities, and it quickly establishes her as a fan-favorite even for those unfamiliar with the source material.
7
The Witcher Season 2, Episode 8
“Family”
While The Witcher season 1 made significant changes to the source material, it was during The Witcher season 2 when those changes became the rule rather than the exception. Elements like Yennefer trying to reclaim her magic or Vesemir’s role in the story were very divisive, yet they all culminated in a strong season finale.
The Witcher season 2 delivered an action-packed, game-changing finale in which Ciri finally understood what makes her so special, Yennefer got her powers back, the main villain was defeated, and the Wild Hunt made its live-action debut. “Family” is a The Witcher season 2 standout.
The one downside to the episode is that, because there were so many conflicts in the second season, the finale had a lot to resolve. It was forced to leave a lot of plot threads open for its third season, leaving the audience speculating about what was to come.
6
The Witcher Season 1, Episode 6
“Rare Species”
“Rare Species” can be considered one of the most faithful The Witcher episodes when it comes to adapting the source material. Based on The Sword of Destiny‘s “The Bounds of Reason,” “Rare Species” can almost feel like filler, yet it is an essential episode to understand Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship.
The search for the dragon is the driving force of a relatively self-contained adventure that sees Yennefer and Geralt reuniting for the first time since the latter made the “last wish.” The Witcher Season 1, episode 6 borrows lines and descriptions from the short story, and it is a highlight of the show to this day.
Also a highlight is the fight sequence in which Yennefer and Geralt team up with a dragon to fight Reavers. One thing the series does very well, even when using CGI creatures, is combat scenes. It’s why some of the CGI effects can be forgiven.
5
The Witcher Season 1, Episode 8
“Much More”
After The Witcher season 1 spent seven episodes following three different timelines, it all came together in “Much More.” The episode revisited the fall of Cintra, now through Geralt’s perspective. Yennefer’s storyline culminated in the Battle of Sodden Hill, from which one of the most controversial The Witcher book changes would start – Yennefer losing her powers after using Fire Magic.
Finally, Ciri’s lonely journey finally took a significant turn when she met Geralt. A well-paced, action-packed finale, The Witcher‘s “Much More” was a fitting conclusion for a strong season that properly introduced the world and its characters.
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IMDB’s Highest Rated Episodes of The Witcher |
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Episode Number |
Title |
IMDB Score |
|
S1.E8 |
Much more |
8.8 |
|
S1.E3 |
Betrayer Moon |
8.5 |
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S2.E1 |
A Grain of Truth |
8.5 |
One of the biggest surprises of the episode is that Yennefer is actually the character who seems to get the most attention. She’s a fan-favorite, so increasing her screen time makes sense, but it was surprising that it happened in season 1 before writers had seen any reactions to the show from fans. The battle involving Yennefer and other magic users is a highlight of the episode because it uses magic in creative ways, like Yennefer communicating telepathically with others from a tower in the middle of the fight. More than that, it makes the use of magic terrifying.
4
The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6
“Everybody Has a Plan ’til They Get Punched in the Face”
The Witcher Season 3 had a lot of problems, many of which were caused by decisions made in the first two seasons. Regardless, “Everybody Has a Plan ’til They Get Punched in the Face” was an action-packed episode that was full of spectacle and twists.
The Witcher Season 3 was split into two parts, and the cliffhanger at the end of the first one set the stage for an intense premiere episode after the hiatus. Fortunately, season 3, episode 6, delivered it. From mages battling elves to Geralt fighting Vilgefortzalmost every portion of this episode featured a strong, high-stakes action sequence. One of the highlights of the action is seeing just how strong of a mage Tissaia really is as nothing can stop her from defending her home.
Some of the best twists of the show were in episode 6, including some deviations from the source material. The audience, for example, expected Ciri to be the one to kill Rience, but that storyline changed, leading to Ciri taking a more thoughtful approach to death than she might have otherwise.
3
The Witcher Season 1, Episode 5
“Bottled Appetizers”
Of all Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher short stories, “The Last Wish” is arguably the most important and influential, especially considering where Geralt and Yennefer’s story would go next. The Witcher season 1, episode 5, “Bottled Appetites” does a solid job of adapting such an important story, even though changes were still made.
Anything that does not involve Geralt and Yennefer in this episode is not as interesting as their first encounter, but the main storyline makes it a great entry. While Yennefer’s character is quite different in the Netflix show compared to the booksseeing the beginning of Geralt and Yennefer’s complex relationship on screen was great.
Cavill’s performance in this episode is a highlight as he has impeccable line delivery, but is also able to tautly express his concern for Jaskier and play up the tension with Yennefer. This is one of the episodes that will make fans sorry to see him exit the role.
2
The Witcher Season 2, Episode 1
“A Grain Of Truth”
Fans of the show had to wait two years between the season 1 finale and the season 2 premiere. Luckily, the wait was worth it, and now, fans can easily watch the episodes back-to-back as many times as they want.
The Witcher Season 2, episode 1 combined the plot-heavy aspect that is expected from a season premiere with the episodic approach of the first season in a creative way. Named after one of the originals The Witcher short stories, “A Grain of Truth” adapted Geralt’s encounter with Nivellena man cursed into becoming a monster.
“A Grain of Truth” proved that, as much as The Witcher needed bigger, overarching storylines to sustain a multi-season run, the “smaller” adventures could make for the show’s best episodes. Season 2’s premiere also set the tone for what the dynamic between Geralt and his Child of Destiny would be.
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1
The Witcher Season 1, Episode 1
“The End’s Beginning”
The Witcher Season 1, episode 1 had all the necessary elements for a perfect adaptation of the Witcher novels. The opening sequence, during which Geralt fights and kills a monster, quickly sets the tone for who that character is and what his place in that world is. It also remains one of the best sequences in the show. Based on “The Lesser Evil,” The Witcher Season 1’s premiere is a simple, character-focused episode that gets a lot right about Geralt.
The Witcher Season 1’s premiere is a simple, character-focused episode that gets a lot right about Geralt.
Henry Cavill makes a strong first impression as the White Wolf, and the way other key characters were introduced was interesting. In addition, “The End’s Beginning” includes what is arguably the best The Witcher fighting scene to this day – the Blavekin market fight. No matter how many intricate fight scenes have come after it, fans still compare them to that scene.