Based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski's stories that spawned an incredibly popular gaming franchise, Netflix's "The Witcher" recently released its much-anticipated second season.

You don't have to be a die-hard fan of "Game of Thrones" or even fantasy shows to watch "The Witcher".  With sweeping multitudes: rich mythology, political tectonics, monster fables, peripatetic adventures, and unique characters, the new season has something refreshing to offer every step of the way.

The star of the show, Geralt of Rivia, a genetically enhanced monster slayer, now has a "Child Surprise" - Cirilla, a princess in exile - which means he is a surrogate father. From the very first episode, the audience learns about Ciri's conspicuous animosity towards the Nilfgaard Empire, which lay siege to her home, the Kingdom of Cintra. She is determined to take her revenge, for which she believes it's crucial that she transmutes into a Witcher.

Not long after meeting more of the Witcher clan in Kaer Morhen, Ciri learns to be one as well, under the tutelage of Geralt. Meanwhile, the world is hardly barren of calamities. In between well-choreographed and gnarly fight scenes, the story progresses further as conflict rises between empires, terrifying monsters attack and a host of new and captivating characters add to the breadth of lore. On one hand, we are introduced to Geralt's mentor Vesemir and on the other, Yennefer's mentor Tissaia makes a return. Other familiar faces such as the mage Triss Merigold and Nilfgaardian commander Cahir also reappear.

When stories are blended together, it makes for a fun watch and also allows the writer to string in diverse plot elements. Each episode unfolds across three non-linear timelines, which is a testament to how the world-building in this season is more expansive.

The earliest timeline portrays the origin of the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg, played by the brilliantly versatile Anya Chalotra. Although Yennefer's love interest Geralt is under the impression that she is dead, the opposite is true. After being stripped off of her magical powers, she embarks on quite the winding journey with fellow mage, Fringilla.

We follow Geralt as he is thrown in the deep end of many desultory adventures. We meet Ciri in the present timeline as she battles between playing safe and playing hard. Despite sparse timelines, these three main characters' fates are intrinsically bonded.

Freya Allen carefully channels the dichotomy of vulnerability and control into her role of Ciri. As for Geralt, Henry Cavill personifies the character exactly the way fans envisaged it. From Geralt's gruff mannerisms and his stoic profile to his sly sense of humour and affectionate nature, Cavill interweaved several quirks to create this character.

While "The Wheel of Time" and "The Last Kingdom" are wrestling to fill the void left by "Game of Thrones", "The Witcher" is at the forefront of this new era.