The Witcher is Netflix's adaptation of the popular fantasy, epic-adventure video game franchise of the same title that is based on the novels that are based on a short story originally published in a fantasy magazine in 1986. The story was made to fit for television by writer, producer, and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. She and the other writers of The Witcher thought that the story would best be told in a nonlinear way, which had some viewers confused even if they were previous fans of the game series.
The production for season 2 of The Witcher had just finished wrapping up in April of 2021, and Netflix has released a short behind-the-scenes look as well as a very short teaser trailer. Here is a timeline of The Witcher series so far up until the trailer for the new season, which will hopefully have better computer-generated effects this time around.
There are three timelines in The Witcher that follow each of the main characters—Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. Each story is taking place years apart from one another, starting with Yennefer's story since she is said to be a few years older than Geralt. Before becoming a beautiful sorceress, Yennefer was a deformed hunchback who was cast out of her village's society. But as it turns out, she is part elf (which is what Yennefer's father believes made his daughter's spine twisted). During The Great Cleansing, Yennefer's real father was killed by humans after the elves taught them their magic. Yennefer does not remember her real father very much, but her stepfather disowns Yennefer and sells her to Tissaia de Vries for less than half the price of a pig.
Yennefer is forcibly taken to the Aretuza Academy where she studies magic for about 4 or 5 years. Her powers start off slow and weak, but Yennefer becomes one of the most powerful mages by the end of her training. But the sorceress Tissaia de Vries—as well as others—are using the mages to control each kingdom so that they can rule the courts. Before the ascension ceremony, the students receive their enchantments, but because Istredd betrayed Yennifer by telling people about her elven ancestry, she does not receive her transformation. Giltine agrees to give Yennefer her transformation, but not only must she do it without anesthesia, but she must also give up her ability to have children. When the newly transformed Yennefer makes her entrance at The Royal Ceremony, her beauty grants her access to a place in Aedirn's court.
Yennefer works for the court for 30 years, and during this time Geralt's early years as a Witcher are taking place. Geralt was abandoned by his mother at a young age, but was trained to be a Witcher. Geralt becomes immortalized through songs and stories about his legendary tales told throughout the lands. This goes on for about 20 or so years until Yennefer leaves the court in search of something more. 6 years before Yennefer leaves, Queen Calanthe gives birth to Ciri's mother, Pavetta. Pavetta's husband Duny was cursed at a young age, but Geralt was able to lift the curse and was offered the Law of Surprise as payment (princess Ciri).
Geralt continues on his adventures throughout the land until he meets Yennefer, whom he binds himself with using a wish he received from a genie's bottle to save her life. After Yennefer learns of this wish, she and Geralt separate for the rest of the season. All the while, Nilfgaard has been progressing in their conquest of the land, and after an invasion, Queen Calanthe is killed. Before dying, she tells Ciri to find Geralt since he can protect her. Ciri has great powers that she cannot yet control properly, and the Nilfgaard want to capture her with Fringilla leading the army.
The Battle of Sodden Hill takes place in the civil war, and all hope seems lost until Yennefer sets fire to the battlefield killing all the present Nilfgaard soldiers. Though more of Nilfgaard's army shows up, so have many soldiers from Northern Kingdoms. The battle is won, and Nilfgaard is defeated. Yennefer disappears after unleashing her full powers. And that is the end of her story for the first season. We switch over to Geralt who has been hurt and is now being taken care of by a stranger who he hallucinates as his own mother. And then, finally, Ciri and Geralt meet. Ciri has been having dreams about the violet-eyed beauty and asks "who is Yennefer" just before the screen cuts to black and the credits roll.
The very short teaser trailer for the new season shows a Ciri that is a little older and perhaps has had the chance to gain more control over her powers by training with Geralt. The phrases "I need to understand," "Danger," and "No! Geralt" can be seen flashing across the screen amidst the sounds of evil laughter and violent sword clinking. There is no official release date yet, but the new season can be expected to drop within the last three months of 2021.