The Witcher arrives on Netflix December 20.
We've been waiting a long time for a concrete release date for Netflix's Witcher adaptation, and now it's finally arrived: The show based on the books that spawned the popular game series will hit the streaming platform December 20.
That leaves you nearly two months to catch up on the books if you're so inclined, or two replay The Witcher 3 on Switch. If you just can't wait for the show, though, don't worry--we're going through the second trailer frame-by-frame to pick up on every last detail so we can find out everything we can about what Netflix is leaving the same and what they're changing from the original source material.
Our breakdown is below. You might also want to check out why the showrunner has chosen not to adapt the games' story, and our writeup from the show's Comic-Con panel.
A Bunch of Corpses
Based on the fact that we know Netflix's The Witcher is adapting parts from the first Witcher short story collection, The Last Wish, this seems like it could be a shot of the Striga's lair from the story "The Witcher."
"Something More"
Based on the cart in the background, this shot could be from the story “Something More” in Sword of Destiny, the second short story collection. In the story, Geralt protects a man named Yurga from monsters and receives an important reward.
Violet Eyes
Yennefer's eyes are described as "violet" in the books. It looks like the show will be staying true to that description--unlike Game of Thrones did with those books' purple-eyed Targaryen characters.
"I've heard tales of your kind, Witcher"
It's not clear what Geralt has in his hand here. Any guesses?
A Battle
It's not clear what battle this is. In the books, Geralt isn't present during the sacking of Cintra.
Thanedd, Again
This shot was present in the show's first trailer. We still believe that it shows Thanedd, a location at which some major events occur.
Hi Triss
This trailer appears to feature our first real introduction to Triss (played by Anna Shaffer). More on that later.
Geralt's Origin
"You're a mutant, created by magic, roaming the continent, hunting monsters for a price," someone says in the trailer. It seems the show will get into Geralt's origin. Witchers are created through a combination of training, spells, rituals, and alchemy, as we can see in these shots.
Hi Dandelion
This is definitely our first look at Geralt's faithful adventuring companion, the poet and bard Dandelion--although in the Netflix series, he's going by his original Polish name, Jaskier.
The Aard Sign
We get a glimpse of Geralt's powers here. He's using the Aard sign, which is basically a blast of telekinetic energy. Witchers aren't sorcerers, but they can use these basic spells. Also, this shot appears to be from the scene that we've speculated is the infamous fight at the marketplace in Blaviken, at which Geralt earned his nickname "The Butcher of Blavekin" in the short story "The Lesser Evil."
Prejudice
Witchers may perform important services in ridding the countryside of dangerous monsters, but they're often feared, disliked, and outright hated by villagers and other common folks. That prejudice comes from the simple fact that Witchers are alien in their appearance and abilities--plus the rumor that they're incapable of normal human feelings.
Monsters
Given the dark setting, this is likely another shot from the scene glimpsed earlier that we speculate is from the short story "Something More." Geralt fights off several monsters--you can actually catch a brief glimpse of a second one in the shot above, in the upper left corner.
The Butcher at Work
This may be another shot from the battle at Blaviken.
A Meeting
Based on the dialogue, this is likely the scene where Triss and Geralt meet for the first time. It appears to be at some kind of orgy. In the books, we never saw the characters' first introduction, so this is one area where it seems the show will take some liberties.
"I had them filed down."
Clearly, Geralt's sardonic sense of humor is well intact in the show.
An Obelisk
This might be the memorial for the sorcerers who fought during the battle of Sodden. Then again, in the books, it's described as being on a hillside, which doesn't completely fit here. And it's unclear why a line of people would be marching toward it.
Geralt Looking Good
In the books, Geralt only carries one sword on his back. The other, his silver monster-slaying sword, mostly stays on Roach. In the games, the witcher carries both swords on his back. Clearly, the show is going with the books' version.
Getting Stoned
In the story set at Blaviken, Geralt is run out of town for his deeds there. This seems to fit.
Princess Renfri
This appears to be Princess Renfri (played by Emma Appleton), who plays a part in an early Witcher story.
Nilfgaard on the Attack
Based on their black livery, this appears to be the Nilfgaardian army on the attack, likely invading Cintra.
Farewell, Calanthe
This is actress Jodhi May, who's playing Queen Calanthe of Cintra (you may recognize her as Maggy the Frog if you're a Game of Thrones fan). Unlike in the books, it appears we'll get a firsthand view of the moment she and Ciri parted ways. After this, Ciri will set out to find Geralt, but if the show's storyline goes anything like the books, it will be a long journey before they're united.
The Feast
We saw this scene in the first trailer as well. We'd bet money it's the feast at which Geralt first meets Calanthe in the short story "A Question Of Price."
Bath Time
In the books, Yennefer teases Geralt by taking a bath in front of him when they first meet. In the show, that situation might be reversed.
The Bath Meme
Geralt taking a bath is a meme that has emerged from the games. They must have realized that when putting this trailer together, right?
Nilfgaard, probably
This large marching army is most likely Nilfgaard's forces.
Calanthe Dying Some More
In the books, Calanthe commits suicide by jumping to her death during the sack of Cintra. The show appears to be changing that.
Hi Cahir
This is the first shot we've seen of the Nilfgaardian knight Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, played by Eamon Farren.
Hi Mousesack
This is Mousesack, a druid and friend to Queen Calanthe who is instrumental to several stories in the books.
Sodden?
We're not entirely sure, but these shots might be from the Battle of Sodden, during which several sorcerers fought and died against Nilfgaardian forces.
What in the World
We're not sure what's going on here. It might be some sort of vision, because there generally aren't a lot of events in the Witcher books that cause the ground to split open.
Cintra Burning
This is most likely Cintra after the attack.
Hi Fringilla
This is actress Mimi Ndiweni, who's playing the Nilfgaardian sorceress Fringilla Vigo.
Yenn in Action
Yennefer is fleeing a large spider in the desert with another woman by her side. This may be a shot from Yennefer's past, as it doesn't call to mind any particular events from the books that we can recall.
Mousesack Laying Down Some Truth
"Princess Cirilla is your destiny," Mousesack tells someone offscreen (definitely Geralt). The druid is instrumental to this storyline, being present at the feast and also influencing the witcher later.
Sorcerer's Ball
This may be from the banquet Geralt and Yennefer attend on Thanedd, though that occurs later in the books than most of the story that the show is adapting.
Another Sorceress
This woman appears to play a role in Yennefer's backstory. She may be a new character not from the books.
A Vision
This is most likely Ciri having a vision. Among her many abilities is a healthy helping of prophetic clairvoyance.
A Huge Battle
Given the unreal-looking setting, this battle may be part of one of Ciri's visions.
Drunk on Potions
Geralt doesn't mess around when it's time to fight a monster. We actually glimpsed a longer shot of this scene, in which the witcher is gearing up to fight what looks to be a large Arachas, in the show's first trailer.
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