Yeah I remembered some didn’t get much face time and just like in Malazan there are a lot of name changes.
A lot of people seem to think Liandrin is going to play the role of Elaida as well and kind of blend those two characters. I definitely can understand that choice. I would have liked to see Elaida in her role as advisor to Morgase but if that change is made it's probably a good one. Better not take away Verin though
I started book 1 about 10 years ago, so I too don’t remember a lot of details. most funny though, in my imagination, idk why but I thought ogiers especially Loial had a purple hue to his skin. Lol, the things your mind’s eye creates based on first reading impressions. also I imagine that all Seanchan are Chinese.
Some thoughts from Brandon: Episode Three Spoiler Hey, all! Sorry I haven’t been able to post here right when new episodes release. Having a book launch and the holidays kind of prevented me from digging in deep with the WoT launch. However, in order to make it up to you, I’ve pulled out my actual notes written about the scripts. I’ll let you see a few of the exact pieces of feedback I sent in. Knowing you all, and your fondness for quotes, I figure this will be interesting. I’m going to try to get you responses to episodes three and four in the next few days. That said, I should note that there was a lot less work for me to do on these episodes than there was on the first two. These two episodes were already quite strong by the time they got to me, and I didn’t spot any major structural problems or character problems like I saw in episode the first two episodes. Overall, you can categorize my general comments into a couple of genres. First, I am the voice on the team that is pushing for a little less grimness, and a little more hope, in the episodes. They are all turning out rather gory. Though I wouldn’t have chosen that, I’m not opposed to it in the context of the Wheel of Time--as my gut instinct says that Robert Jordan would have felt the violence appropriate. I personally didn’t want to see people being ripped apart by trollocs, but it’s suggested (sometimes explicit) in the text, so it’s not something I can complain about. However--while I don’t mind a darker tone in general, particularly if it helps the series keep dramatic and emotionally charged--the Wheel of time is about hope. I think that there are times where this adaptation goes too far, mostly in character beats. One of these was in the meeting the Tinkers. Here’s what I wrote to Rafe: “Do we have to make the people following the Way of the Leaf into ominous dark figures in ragged clothing with terrible dogs? I really feel like this one is going to rub fans the wrong way--and make the series try so hard to be dark and ominous all the time that it starts to be too much. It feels like the story is trying really, really hard to say, “Look, we can be like Game of Thrones! Notice how like Game of Thrones we can be!” That’s not letting it be itself, or be the Wheel of Time--which has light sequences, and characters who are genuine friends, and strong worldbuilding.” It feels like he made an effort to lighten the mood with the rest of the tinker scenes, and I thought they turned out great. So my only gripe remains in the ominous approach. It’s a small thing, but I think it’s something to watch for in this adaptation, as the story is walking a line between being authentic to the Wheel of Time and going for that darker tone. The other example of this is Nynaeve trying to kill Lan. Here’s what I wrote: “Some great dialogue in here. However, to give you fan reactions, I think they’re going to hate Nynaeve actually trying to kill Lan here. This feels out of character for her in the books; she is a healer to her core. Sure, she’d kill a trolloc--but a man who is doing his best to explain himself? Even if she thinks he’s an enemy? Not a chance. I personally feel this introduces her on the wrong foot. If you have her do things like this, what is going to separate her from Egwene and Aviendha, both of whom would totally have stabbed in that moment? I understand wanting a grittier story, but I feel contrast between the characters is important for distinguishing them. And I feel this is not something book Nynaeve would do.” Obviously, these are things that I disagree with that didn’t get changed. Yet, overall thought these episodes were excellent. And they turned out great on screen. I know it’s more the next episodie, but Logain is fantastic. I love all of the Aes Sedai and the warders; they worked even better on the screen than on the page. Here are a few things I wrote about this episode that I liked: “Opening Scenes: Nynaeve being and the trolloc. Great scene here; my instincts say fans will love it. It plays to the strengths of the story you’re telling. Making her role here more dramatic with a trolloc is a good move. Nice visuals, and gives us a proper introduction to Nynaeve being a badass.” Another one, with Lan and Nynaeve, I wrote a brief note. “What a great scene. Well written and fun.” I really loved the Lan/Nynaeve stuff all through these episodes. I noted it a number of times, and made some suggestions on some things between them that I was pleased to see Rafe and his team take. It’s really working for me on screen, and really plays to the souls of both characters. Lan is just fantastic in this adaptation; his actor is nailing the part. Nynaeve is really great too. Just wish she hadn’t actually tried to stab him. One thing I was so-so on was Thom stealing from Mat at the start of the episode. I wrote this: “Fans are going to be very relieved to see Thom here. I was kind of confused as to what I’m supposed to read into the interaction with Thom and the beggar; like, are they working together on robbing Mat? Or did Thom spot him doing it, and force him to give up the pouch? Could you make this more clear? And honestly, if we’re supposed to like Thom, why does he take all of Mat’s money, rather than just some of it? Seems like he’s just kind of an asshole. Not to sound like a broken record, but that’s the running theme of the show for me. Great dialogue, good visuals and adaptations, but everyone is unlikable and kind of an asshole. Can’t we at least like one character, like Thom? Mat is the only person in the show so far who has shown any really likable traits, and this scene just serves to make a fool out of him.” That said, by the end, I really thought the entire sequence worked. I wrote: “I like this scene burying the Aiel a lot. I find it hard to believe the body wasn’t robbed by those who killed him, but this scene gives me some much needed sympathy for both characters. I think this is my favorite scene in the episode. It does do a lot for my worries earlier. I don’t completely revoke them, but this scene does help. (As does the next scene with them.)” I like it filmed even more, with the actor playing Thom really doing such an excellent job. Even if he doesn’t have proper long mustaches. So, there are some things that mostly didn’t change. The things I suggested that did change mostly has to do with the Darkfriend found in the town Rand and Mat visit. In the draft of the episode I was given, her role was rather muddled. We had this sense that she was sent to hunt Mat and Rand, but that was confusing, as it also seemed she’d been in the town forever. I don’t have the exact quotes here, since most of this was done discussing with Rafe on a video call. In general, I requested that she be a darkfriend who had Mat and Rand’s names faces burned into her mind, and that she decided to try to take them and turn them in. I suggested that we give her more motivation, more explanation. I was pleased to see that with just a few minor tweaks to the screenplay, Rafe and his team managed to do this very effectively. I thought she worked really well in the filmed episode. Only other thing that I noted that I had an influence over was Mat mentioning getting back to his sisters, to explain some of his motivations. I found it odd that of the two, Rand and Mat, Mat would be the one wanting to go home. Doesn’t fit him as well as I’d like--but if this adaptation makes clear why (and Rafe ended up doing that) then it really explains his motives better. Overall, these episodes just keep getting better and better. My hat is off to the team, because Episode Four was outright incredible. Again, I hope to be back to write some of my extended thoughts there, but I can’t 100% promise. I have to find time in my schedule. The Wheel weaves, after all, as the Wheel wills...
Tonight was probably the first episode where I just really wasn't feeling the heavy divergence from the books. Mat not entering the ways for whatever reason just doesn't feel right. I'm hoping it's just because of the impending actor change and that the guy portraying Mat maybe did something and they tried getting him off set quickly. For TV's sake I understand why they went to Tar Valon but I can't help but wish they stuck with the original story and went to Caemlyn first instead. I feel like they are doing a poor job highlighting Rand which will make non book readers feel very jarred with the upcoming dragon reveal. He's almost been a side character compared to the rest
Maybe we'll get Matt vs Galad and Gawyn now. Didn't really like the waygate and being opened with the power. Or Matt being healed so easily/quickly.
I am fine with the divergence, but I can see being frustrated by it. The path they are taking and who is together when is throwing me for a bit of a loop. I just thought about what you said regarding Rand, and it is almost likely they are doing a who dunnit movie, and they presented reasons why all the other s may be the suspect, but Rand hasn't shown a damn thing yet. I actually think audiences tend to eat that shit up, but AI am not a fan of it in general. It bothered me in Only Murders in the Building. Regardless, I really enjoyed the vibe of this episode overall as well as the overall story progression. I am very happy with their choice for Siuan also. I am pretty sure non-book readers will enjoy this episode.
Yes, I was surprised that she could open the Ways with the power as my memory was that you can't use the power in a Stedding. I almost wonder if Rand jumps out of the Ways to join Matt and this somehow gets them to Caemlyn this season to reunite with Thom, but I don't think so as I am pretty sure the season will end with some type of battle with a Forsaken and there is not enough runway to make that all happen.
Their big thing with Rand was he knocked down a steel door. I heard rumors before the show aired that Mat won't even appear in the last 2 episodes
Ah OK, not knowing that I wouldn't have expected that. The thing with the steel door is none of the other main characters are aware of that, and most of the supposition is being done through Morraine's eyes.
The Ways were outside of the steddings, but the whole thing of them were that was how the ogier could move from stedding to stedding. So, they were made for non-power users, in the books at least. Plus, not sure where they're going with combining the Eye of the World and Shayul Ghul
I think they are trying to push the idea that Mat could maybe end up being a bad guy so that when he gets his shit together and is a badass it’s even more awesome. Plays better maybe than him just being a dickhead like the books.
I find it weird they left out Loial warning them about The Ways turning evil, maybe it comes early next episode.
Guessing it might be easier to just the show watchers. Also I never read it but in A New Spring it was Canon that Moraine and Suian had a relationship. I posted this on the show thread too but damn Liandrin seems even more nasty than in the books. And no idea where they're going with the Mat thing. Did it ever come out if the actor left or did they get rid of him?
Also very clear that Ba'alzamon/Ishamael is manipulating the dream world and made Siuan see this dream of the Dark One being weak to get them to the Eye
This is a good show. I’m actually kind of glad I don’t remember a bunch of details about the books because I’m just enjoying the ride.
Gonna start trying to read this shit again but inserting sex where it isn’t needed probably why I quit half way through book 6 in college
I guess they could, but I don't think they will. I guess one of the extras shows Fain with one of the leaves to open the waygate.
Verin is up there too especially once you get to like book 11 Egeanin was also one of my favorites but hopefully they figure out a way to introduce her without doing the whole traveling circus arc that is notorious amongst the fandom
The Aiel wise ones..the list goes on and on. So many characters they can explore. Going to have to be some hard cuts
Min was way more attractive than I pictured her in the books. I always just pictured her as a boy and struggled with Armand’s attraction to her, but she is pretty hot. I liked the chemistry between them and can’t wait for the Egwene nonsense to be behind him.
Saw this from a Q&A session with Jordan QUESTION If I were to open a gateway in front of me that opened behind me, and I balefired myself, what would happen? ROBERT JORDAN Young lady, you are entirely too obsessed and have far too much time. You need to get some sort of life. I suggest you go have an intense love affair. Doesn't matter with who, be it man, woman, or German Shepherd.
I'm hot and cold on the finale. I liked some of it and hated some of it. I've always been a proponent of change and that it can be a good thing but some of the changes are just kind of bizarre and I don't even remotely get what they're trying to do with them. Very sloppy episode too..they seem to have a hard time explaining things and making things clear for a casual viewer
The Lews Therin Age of Legends scene was such a huge missed opportunity. Could have started it with him in the castle with the dead bodies and then at the very end of the episode cut to Ishamael walking in and doing his monologue to Lews. Would have been perfect to establish that Ishamael is not the Dark One Instead it was a very weird kind of exposition dump in which this unimportant character is calling Lews "The Dragon Reborn" wtf he's the Dragon period. How does she know that if they go that Saidin would be corrupted. Why isn't he the Tamyrlin seat. He literally ruled the world. Just unnecessary changes that I can only thing are because of Rafe's hubris
It was the weakest episode of the second half of the season imo. At least that’s my initial reaction. Will probably watch it again soon.
Moiraine is stilled? Loial stabbed by the Shadar Logoth blade? Nynaeve resurrected? My mind is racing about it. Very worried