The Witcher’s 10 Best Episodes, Ranked

The best The Witcher episodes reveal everything that worked about Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher short stories and novels. Not every The Witcher season has been met with the same level of critical acclaim, although 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 some 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. Naturally, every 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 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.

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 toward the end of season 2. “Voleth Meir” sees Yennefer slowly becoming close to Ciri, whom 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. 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.

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.

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.

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. Lastly, 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.

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 Vilgefortz, almost every portion of this episode featured a strong, high-stakes action sequence.

3 The Witcher Season 1, Episode 5

“Bottled Appetites”

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 in adapting such an important story, even though changes were 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 books, seeing the beginning of Geralt and Yennefer’s complex relationship on screen was great.

2 The Witcher Season 2, Episode 1

“A Grain Of Truth”

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 original The Witcher short stories, “A Grain of Truth” adapted Geralt’s encounter with Nivellen, a 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.

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. Based on “The Lesser Evil,” 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.

The Witcher

Release Date

December 20, 2019

Cast

Tom Canton , Maciej Musial , Björn Hlynur Haraldsson , Anna Shaffer , MyAnna Buring , Lars Mikkelsen , Royce Pierreson , Eamon Farren , Wilson Radjou-Pujalte , Joey Batey , Jodhi May , Therica Wilson-Read , Anya Chalotra , Mimi Ndiweni , Henry Cavill , Freya Allan , Adam Levy , Amit Shah

Seasons

2