Critique: Wheel of Time (TV Series)

 

*****SPOILERS*****

 

Moraine is an Aes Sedai, a woman channeller (someone who uses the One Power, i.e. magic) and she comes to the Land of the Two Rivers (even though we only see one) in search of the Dragon Reborn (someone who can keep the Dark One at bay). The candidates are a quartet of friends: Egwaine, Rand, Perrin and Mat. She hopes it’s not one of the latter three because male channellers descend into madness. (This is why the Red Aes Sedai say that men make the One Power filthy when they use it.)

 

There were so many good shots in this show.

An army of trollocs attack the village during the night. Not being able to see them clearly, only getting glimpses of their horrible features, adds to their frightening nature. That was a good decision, as was when a shot pans over their line formation, seeing their figures and that they are more horrible than originally thought.

After escaping the trollocs, the Wisdom Nynaeve throws her braid over her shoulder. For some reason, that struck me as a powerful shot.

Rand has a dream where he pulls a whole bat from his throat. In the morning, bats litter the floor.

Dare I say it, a show where people eat with their mouth shut!

In episode seven, a woman holds an enemy’s cape then she twirls in the air. Purely phenomenal. And then on top of that she’s pregnant! Despite her condition, the enemy soldiers still try to kill her. Not that they succeed. Then we see one of the enemies is Rand’s dad who takes the baby once the mother dies.

 

There were many other enjoyable moments.

When channellers use the One Power, we see filaments of light appear. This was so beautiful but more importantly such an original idea with magic. But the False Dragon’s magic is black which form outlines of whispering humans.

“All we can do is the best we can with the life given to us.”

Moraine complains that small towns don’t keep records, to which the Wisdom replies, “That doesn’t mean we don’t remember.”

Rand gives Egwaine a berry, saying he use to do this as a kid. Such a romantic gesture. But then Egwaine replies, “Has that berry been in your pocket all day?” Brilliant!

The singing at the Aes Sedai funeral was haunting and there were some amazing vocals. The graves were shaped like wheel spokes, matching the Wheel of Time.

Nynaeve talks about Egwaine having a life-threatening fever. “In the morning, the fever had broken, not her.”

Moraine says to Nynaeve, “If Wisdom is the title you claim, I suggest you start using some.” Burn!

The leader of the canyon city had a raven on his back with its wings folded over his shoulders. That looked epic.

Egwaine says to the Wisdom, “Don’t let your pride stop you from doing what is right.” Because that had been the Wisdom’s stumbling block, the very thing that makes me dislike her.

 

Trollocs are a reoccurring theme but thankfully they aren’t overdone. Their placement is necessary.

Moraine convinces the quartet the trollocs are after them specifically so if they leave, the trollocs won’t attack the villagers. But the trolloc army’s path takes them through the village anyway. I doubt they won’t murder anyone they see just because the four have left.

The leader of the trolloc army lacks nose and eyes, has rows of needle teeth, and its horse wears a skull. Terrifying in a completely different way.

The trollocs manage, on foot, to outrun the horse-riding protagonists. Either this can be viewed as unlikely or just adds to their scary disposition.

The group cross the river to escape the trollocs. Moraine sinks the ferry so the trollocs can’t use it, but it also means the ferryman couldn’t return to his family which are now in danger. Harsh. It makes you hope Moraine’s purpose is important enough to be worth that sacrifice, a sacrifice made on another’s behalf.

 

There are other things of note.

A little girl gives Mat her doll because the doll wants to see the world. This is unbearably sweet. But then Mat kills the family and drops the doll in the mud.

Egwaine and Perrin end up with the Travellers who follow the Way of the Leaf, a non-violent life. “What greater revenge against violence than peace? What greater revenge against death than life?”

The Warden of dead Aes Sedai Karini gives a heartfelt, moving speech. (Later he says, “The pain is the only thing I have left of her.) Another Warden replies, “My dad tried to kill me when I was twelve so stop your whining.” Wow, harsh. Karini’s Warden kills himself, after drugging Moraine’s Warden before killing self in public place. Moraine’s Warden screaming at funeral, especially when he pulls his shirt open for no reason, was so over the top. Yes I understand you feel guilt but still.

‘The Light’ is often spoken about in a reverent manner, almost being a place-word for ‘God’. Phrases include ‘Light give me strength’ and ‘Thank the Light’. Moraine and other Aes Sedai seem to say it the most, as do the Army of the Light. Who burn any Aes Sedai they find. Was there a schism in the religion? The Army complains the Aes Sedai stick their noses in everyone’s business. That has some merit. But the Army say their land is everywhere that men walk in the Light. So the Army’s also sticking their nose in everyone’s business.

 

The leader of the White Tower is Siuan, known as the Amyrlin Seat and to whom the other Aes Sedai are her Daughters.

Leandra tattles on Morraine so Siuan says to Moraine, “On your knees” (for forgiveness). Then later Morraine tells Siuan, “On your knees” (for sexy time). This provides a nice, clever and amusing contrast.

Due to Leandra’s tattling, Siuan has to punish Morraine. However the Blue Leader wants to keep Morraine at the Tower which would interfere with Siuan and Morraine’s plans. Hence only the punishment of exile can keep their plans alive. Siuan expresses the pain this causes really well.

            Nynaeve is unnecessarily rude to Siuan and I don’t really know why. Yes, she is on the whole an antagonistic character but in her other interactions it’s easy to see her motivations.

            Egwaine wonders why the leader who sits on the Amyrlin Seat is also called the Amyrlin Seat. I had the same question in mind. Maybe it’s similar to how a Chair is in charge of a committee?

 

Questions.

            Mat’s mum tells him he’ll end up a prick like his dad. Never mind he’s raising your kids, madam.

Morraine surprised when the Wisdom Nyneave cleans the pool (even though it’s sacred so someone like spiritual authority, like a Wisdom, would be the best candidate).

Rand chains the Dark One and he tells Moraine to tell the other he died because she “owes him that much.” But why does she? Moraine sees that a heartstone (whatever that is) was scratched which was meant to be possible. Because of this, Moraine thinks this isn’t the Last Battle but instead the first, setting out for the next series.

Nyneave seemingly dies to make sure Egwaine not overwhelmed by the One Power. Then Egwaine resurrects her. Is that possible? Or did Nyneave not die? In the very first fight scene I was convinced the Moraine died but then all of a sudden she wasn’t dead. So maybe resurrection is a thing?

Throughout the whole series, Moraine is uncertain which of the four is the Dragon Reborn. When Rand announces its him, the two of them go without the others knowing. What proof did Rand have, other than the times he used the One Power which Moraine was mostly not around to see. And having the One Power isn’t enough to prove he’s the Dragon Reborn, otherwise Moraine would have only taken Egwaine from the village in the first place. So Rand must have provided some other evidence.

 

Several things made such little sense that they were almost humerous.

Egwaine looks into a gem. Moraine says the first two were her but the last was Egwaine. Um, what?

The Aes Sedai can’t heal themselves for some reason.

The barkeep’s in a room with Rand and she locks the door. Instead of unlocking it, Rand bangs on the door. Later when she’s bleeding on the floor, a pattern forms which transitions into the treeline.

They meet a bard and his voice is truly awful.

With everyone together again, they pack horses full of supplies and go to a gateway. Before they go through, they send the horses off without getting supplies from the saddlebags.

 

All in all this was an exciting show. So much of the world building was revealed yet it wasn’t overdone or too much. Not having read the books I don’t know what this programme is like as an adaptation but as a stand-alone product it has amazing value.