By Earlier this year, the first official WitcherCon co-hosted by Netflix and CD Projekt Red Netflix revealed the titles of seven of the eight episodes alongside their respective logos (stunningly created by Polish concept artist Michał Niewiara).
Many have already guessed the meanings behind the new titles, so here is our take on it, including a bit of new information on the writers and directors behind these episodes. Be aware that there will be spoilers for the books and quite possibly the show!
RELATED ARTICLE: Everything we got from WitcherCon about The Witcher Season 2 and Nightmare of the Wolf
Episode 1: A Grain of Truth
The opening episode of the second season was written by Declan De Barra and directed by Stephen Surjik.
As most of you will know, A Grain of Truth is the title of a much beloved short story by Andrzej Sapkowski, that did not make it into season one. It is inspired by the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast and sees Geralt hunting a vampire right to the doorstep of a manor belonging to the cursed nobleman Nivellen (Kristofer Hivju). We’ve known for a while that the first episode will adapt this story and it comes as no surprise to see that reflected in the title.
The episode logo shows a winged creature with claws. it quite clearly depicts the bruxa Vereena (Agnes Born), a lower vampire that plays an important role in the short story.
Episode 2: Kaer Morhen
Episode Two was written by Beau DeMayo and directed by Stephen Surjik.
Every Witcher fan will know this one, as Kaer Morhen, the ancient Witcher fortress features prominently in both the books and the games. Finally we will get to see Geralt of Rivia’s true home and all the other witchers, including Vesemir (Kim Bodnia), Eskel (Basil Eidenbenz), Lambert (Paul Bullion) and Coën (Yasen Atour). We expect a focus on the lore and mysteries of the witchers in this episode as Ciri is introduced to this famously secretive brotherhood of monster-slayers.
The logo shows a witcher medallion, with a ghostly, almost skeletal wolf head ingrained. Sprouting from the head are what seem to be vines or roots. We know that there will be a major fight scene pitting the witchers against a woodland monster called leshy (or leshen in the games). Our best bet is that these vines represent the leshy. As to why they may be sprouting from a wolf’s head, we have our own theory based on inside information: Check this out if you really want to know more, but beware of MAJOR SPOILERS.
Episode 3: What is Lost
Episode Three was co-written by Clare Higgins and Lauren Hissrich and directed by Sarah O’Gorman.
The title What is Lost is a bit enigmatic and could refer refer to a number of things (which it may). The witchers’ past comes to mind, as they lost the ability or knowledge to conduct the Trial of the Grasses and create new witchers. Yennefer has lost quite a bit during her journey: A family (that never was one), a purpose (though she seems to have found it again), a lover (or more?). Finally, the same can be said about Ciri who’s lost her family and home and will still have to come to terms with that.
The logo shows a swallow with what seems to be broken wings, which may indicate there’ll be a focus on Ciri, as the swallow is her symbol.
Episode 4: Redanian Intelligence
Episode Four was written by Sneha Koorse and directed by Sarah O’Gorman.
In the books, the Redanian Intelligence secret service is widely known as the most effective intelligence agency on the Continent, overshadowing the much larger Nilfgaardian secret service on several occasions. Oh and it also happens to be the name of our site… Seriously, this came as a huge surprise to us, though a welcome one for sure!
Back to the matter at hand. Season two will introduce the head of Redanian Intelligence: Spymaster Sigismund Dijkstra (Graham McTavish), who acts as a gray eminence in the shadow of Redania’s king Vizimir (Ed Birch). The title suggest a heavy focus on the Continent’s politics and we’re here for it! There may also be an appearance by Philippa Eilhart (Cassie Clare).
The logo is a pretty obvious cloak and dagger reference, immediately evoking images of spies, intrigue, and good old backstabbery.
Episode 5: Turn your Back
Episode Five was written by Haily Hall and directed by Ed Bazalgette.
The title Turn your Back is one of those that can mean many things and leaves us guessing. It could signify a betrayal, a gesture of trust, or even an action to leave something behind, literally or figuratively. A betrayal obviously suggests a darker context and there are a few scenarios from the books that come to mind, such as Triss (Anna Shaffer) betraying her friend Yennefer by sleeping with Geralt. If it’s meant in the latter sense, we could see it referring to Ciri, finally closing off a chapter in her life.
For the logo, we have scales attached to a sharp-edged object. Traditionally, scales are obviously associated with justice or weighing a choice but there is no immediate Witcher metaphor that comes to mind. Or is there?
Episode 6: Dear Friend
Episode Six was written by Matthew D’Ambrosio and directed by Louise Hooper.
Dear Friend is a clever reference to a (now infamous) letter Geralt once wrote to Yennefer. For those uninitiated: At the time of writing, the pair had not seen each other for years. So when Geralt found himself in need of a sorceress he wrote his erstwhile lover a letter, starting somewhat clumsily with the words ‘Dear Friend’. Yennefer being Yennefer, was quick to reprimand him in her own style and her answer did not lack for a certain derisive tone.
The episode logo depicts a hand that partially blends into what seems to be flames, as if someone is conjuring fire. We’ve already seen Yennefer using fire magic to a devastating effect when she decimated the Nilfgaardian army at the Battle of Sodden. Perhaps, she’ll find another opportunity to show her powers in the new season. We can think of one or two occasions…
Episode 7: Voleth Meir
Episode Seven was directed by Louise Hooper and written by Michael Ostrowski.
Voleth Meir (played by veteran actress Ania Marson) is perhaps the most mysterious new character that will be introduced in season two. In an early casting call, she was described as ‘a very old white haired woman. A demon, who roams the land bargaining and preying on people’s deepest and darkest desires‘.
Later, we learned that the name Voleth Meir is elven for ‘Deathless Mother‘ and that she will play a role in Ciri’s arc. Other than that, her history, motives and significance to the plot are still unknown.
Does the skull shown in the logo sequence belong to Voleth Meir then? Probably, though she may also have another appearance as a white haired old woman. In any case, the fact that a whole episode was named after her, definitely adds to mystery of the role.
Episode 8: [Top secret]
We don’t have a title or a logo for the final episode yet. We do know that showrunner Lauren Hissrich wrote this one herself and we know that the episode was directed by Ed Bazalgette. As to where season two will leave us and anything else, your guess is as good as ours. As Lauren said:
There are plenty of new characters and storylines and of course monsters to explore as well, as we dig into Blood of Elves and beyond
What do you think of the new episode titles and logos and what are your favorite theories? Tell us in the comments below or on twitter!
i thought of this site when i learn the episode name.
maybe they thought the same thing when they name the episode.
I got way too excited when I saw Redanian Intelligence! Lol
The Logo looks fantastic. And Dear Friend, omg.
Scales are probably related to Codringher & Fenn. Awesome artwork!
“A betrayal obviously suggests a darker context and there are a few scenarios from the books that come to mind, such as Triss (Anna Shaffer) betraying her friend Yennefer by sleeping with Geralt.” You know that at some point the obsession on this website about speaking about this character only in this negative way start to be very embarrassing.
I mean you have yourself made a post last month explaining that it won’t be a betrayal as she doesn’t know about their relationship and Yen would supposed dead.
But still, as you don’t mentioned her in the whole post but you know that she as good chance to be an important character in ep3 and 4 at lest, you choose to mention her only once for ep5 about betrayal….. I mean it sounds weird, it really sounds weird. We all know It is Yen And Geralt story and they will end up together so why that ?