The Witcher season 2 ending explained: 9 things to remember before season 3

A new season of The Witcher is finally upon us! Netflix released the first half of The Witcher season 3 on June 29, and the second half will follow on July 27. This season is especially significant since it marks the final run for Henry Cavill as Geralt before Liam Hemsworth replaces him.

Before tuning into the new episodes, you might need a refresher on what happened at the end of The Witcher season 2. It has been over a year since the previous season debuted, and while Netflix does offer a recap video, sometimes it’s easier to read the headlines for yourself.

Below we’re going over the ending of The Witcher season 2 and some of the most important developments from the sophomore season so you’re all caught up before you dive into the new episodes.

The Witcher season 2 ending explained

At the end of The Witcher season 2, Ciri gets possessed by Voleth Meir and tries to kill all of the witchers at Kaer Morhen, succeeding in dispatching at least a few. Geralt, Jaskier, Yennefer, Vesemir, and the others work together to save Ciri, but nothing works until Yennefer offers herself as a new vessel for the Deathless Mother.

Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer are yanked through a portal to another sphere, and Voleth Meir exits Yennefer to join the Wild Hunt. Ciri is finally herself again, but neither she nor Geralt is happy with Yennefer. The fact that she was willing to sacrifice herself for Ciri helps, but it will take time before Geralt can forgive her for betraying them.

Once they return to their sphere, Yennefer realizes that, somehow, her magic has returned, and she heals everyone who got wounded in the fight against Voleth Meir and the three basilisks she summoned. Knowing the Wild Hunt is after Ciri, Geralt requests that Yennefer accompany them on the run. She is the only one who has had any luck in helping Ciri control her gift. Geralt wants Yennefer to assist in further training Ciri.

What to remember before The Witcher season 3

The aforementioned info on the ending of The Witcher season 2 is just part of what happens in the final episodes of the season. Keep reading to get a reminder of all the other important details so you’re all caught up for The Witcher season 3!

Yennefer gets her magic back

One of the main storylines in the second season revolved around Yennefer losing access to Chaos after Sodden, to the point she’s driven to lure Ciri to the Deathless Mother in exchange for her magic back. Luckily, as you can read in the paragraph above, it doesn’t come to that. At the end of the season, Yennefer’s magic is back.

Voleth Meir joins the Wild Hunt

As mentioned above, when Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer go through the portal into another sphere and take Voleth Meir with them, she vacates her vessels and joins the Wild Hunt, which can’t be good.

Emhyr is Ciri’s father, Duny

Book readers wouldn’t have been too surprised at this reveal, but it still helps set the stage for the upcoming third season. At the very end of season 2, we finally meet the White Flame in person and discover that he is, in fact, Duny, Ciri’s father.

Philippa is Dijkstra’s owl

Another hint for book readers and those who have played the games is that Dijkstra’s “owl” companion is none other than the shapeshifting sorceress Philippa Eilhart. We’ll see more of her in The Witcher season 3.

Dijkstra is Jaskier’s benefactor

Early in The Witcher season 2, when we first catch up with Jaskier masquerading as the “Sandpiper,” he tells Yennefer that anonymous benefactors assist him in helping elves escape from Oxenfurt. Dijkstra and Philippa prepare to tell Jaskier he owes them a favor, so I’m sure we’ll see those three together in season 3. Given what Jaskier tells Yennefer, it seems he doesn’t know his benefactor, but it’s hard to say.

Francesca murders Redanian babies

When Francesca’s child is murdered, she takes revenge by going to Redania and slaughtering all the infants. I’m sure we will see the repercussions of that in season 3. Francesca and the elves are also now aware of who Ciri is and that she is of Elder Blood, meaning yet another faction will be after her.

The monoliths act as conduits between the spheres

One of the biggest reveals in season 2 is about the importance of Ciri’s power and her connection to the monoliths. We learn that the mysterious monoliths are basically secret portals that connect to other spheres, such as the sphere where the Wild Hunt is located. Ciri can activate these portals, and monsters can cross over from other spheres into the Continent.

Rience has access to Ciri’s blood

Rience steals the vial of witcher mutagen created by Vesemir that contains some of Ciri’s Elder Blood. Lydia makes the mistake of trying to use the mutagen, causing her face to almost melt off and leaving her seriously disfigured. It might be important to remember Rience still has the vial by the end of the season, and we still don’t know exactly who Rience and Lydia are working for, that will be an important plotline in season 3.

Ciri, Yennefer, and Geralt leave together

The biggest setup at the end of season 2 is that our beloved trio, Ciri, Yennefer, and Geralt, are finally together, so season 3 will be exploring their dynamic (finally).

The Witcher season 3 part 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 premieres on July 27.