The Wheel of Time’s first season wraps up in an explosive, twisty finale

Andrew Cunningham and Lee Hutchinson have spent many years of their lives with Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson’s Wheel of Time books, and so they’re bringing that information to bear as they recap every episode of Amazon’s new WoT TV collection. These recaps will not cowl each aspect of each episode, however they may include main spoilers for the present and the ebook collection. If you wish to keep unspoiled and have not learn the books, these recaps aren’t for you.

The Wheel of Time‘s first season is over, however Amazon has renewed it for a second season that is presently filming.

Lee: So! That was… positively one approach to cap off the season, and we’ve ended with an entire boatload of recent questions which are going to hold fireplace till season two. The factor we most likely want to begin with, no less than only for a second, is the factor that the episode begins with—the ~~Jetsons~~ Age of Legends flashback, with the OG Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon. (Although the present calls him the “Dragon Reborn” as properly—probably hinting that point is, you realize, a Wheel and stuff.) It’s not fairly the Kinslayer prologue that kicks off the books, nevertheless it was nonetheless gratifying to see—no less than, I assumed it felt good. And we obtained the compulsory “pan out the home windows so we are able to see flying vehicles to indicate us it’s the longer term” shot. Did it hit the correct notes for you?

Andrew: I did respect our glimpse into the Age of Legends! It was low-key, however now that Rand has been definitively established as a reincarnation of this particular man, it is useful to see the man’s face and to listen to him and to get a way of him. I count on we’ll see him once more greater than as soon as (although it stays to be seen whether or not a model of Lews Therin will actually take up residence in show-Rand’s head as he does within the books).

It’s positively a busy finale. I feel, principally, I loved it? However as with final week’s episode my foremost criticism is about time. I can checklist a bunch of issues on this episode that may have hit higher if the present had had extra time to develop, extra time to allow us to spend with Rand, extra time to spend with this mysterious man within the untucked tuxedo whom Rand spends all of his time speaking to.

This mysterious man (Fares Fares) remembers Rand as Lews Therin Telamon, but we don't know much about him.

This mysterious man (Fares Fares) remembers Rand as Lews Therin Telamon, however we do not know a lot about him. (credit score: Amazon Studios)

Lee: Ah, sure, “The Darkish One,” performed by Fares Fares (whom Ars readers most likely final noticed in Westworld and Chernobyl). Man, you’re proper—this episode was dense as hell. I hoped that Amazon would give us a super-sized episode to spherical issues out, however as it’s, “The Darkish One” is given disappointingly quick shrift. (Although examine the closing credit for his billing, which ought to clear issues up for ebook readers and possibly actually muddle issues for non-readers.)

Coming on the finale right here from the angle of a ebook reader is a reasonably fraught expertise, since there’s such huge divergence. I do know I’ve been the one flogging the “however the ebook!” perspective for many of this season, nevertheless it’s most likely time to set that apart. We’ve got diverged exhausting in so some ways—although we nonetheless find yourself in roughly the identical state. I didn’t assume we had the time to get us there, however apparently we did.

Andrew: Of all of the departures from the ebook, I feel the one which bothers me probably the most is that we’ve got misplaced all sense of development, energy, and progress amongst our channelers. With the One Energy nonetheless relegated to a form of imprecise wispy white do-anything magic, it looks as if any channeler underneath ample exterior stress can do just about no matter they need, together with however not restricted to sealing an historic evil in its jail, nuking a military of Trollocs from the sky, and therapeutic apparently mortal wounds.

The books make it clear that the One Energy is harmful and that wielding it with out realizing what you are doing is a straightforward approach to kill your self or these round you. It is a muscle that should be exercised and a ability that should be realized. Certain, the books additionally get away with some hand-wavy channeling stuff when our heroes are in high-pressure conditions, and Rand particularly is left to do a number of guessing early on as a result of the one male channelers in his time are both evil, mad, gentled, or useless. However up to now within the present you lose a number of that nuance, and with it a way of how our channelers are rising as characters.

That mentioned, we do see some “burnt out” channelers on this episode, and I dig the present’s determination to depict that situation extraordinarily actually.

Egwene and Nynaeve will have their own destinies to confront in season two.

Egwene and Nynaeve could have their very own destinies to confront in season two. (credit score: Amazon Studios)

Lee: Oh yeah—I completely agree. And I actually just like the impact they’ve gone with, the place your face chars and your eyes collapse into darkish pits. It considerably echoes the eyeball-and-mouth fireplace impact “The Darkish One” makes use of in Rand’s desires.

I hear you additionally with the notion of character progress, particularly contemplating what Perrin and Loial do on this episode—particularly, little or no. (Although they did assist dig up the flaming Horn of Valere, which I suppose is a reasonably vital second. I ponder what number of Shienarans knew it was sitting beneath Lord Agelmar’s throne? Truthfully, it appears like simply pure madness to have the Horn simply sitting there—it’s a weapon with far too many temptations and much too few downsides to its use, and I’d think about any self-respecting Borderlander ruler would blow it immediately, given the chance.)

The Horn is a big focus of the second ebook (which is titled The Nice Hunt, with the “hunt” half being the actual-for-real hunt for the Horn of Valere), and we wrap season two with most of The Gang being in roughly the identical plot positions that they had been at on the ebook’s ending. With a number of exceptions, I assume, contemplating Loial has been stabbed and Moiraine has been… properly, let me ask what you concentrate on that one. My spouse thinks Moiraine was presumably stilled by “The Darkish One,” which suggests season two must possibly carry ahead a Energy-related plot occasion or two. I assumed Moiraine was simply shielded—the net-like visible impact “The Darkish One” positioned on her seemed rather a lot like what the Aes Sedai had been doing with Logain a number of episodes again—after which the protect was tied off and left in place. Both manner, Moiraine is in sort of a tricky spot.

Andrew: As a fast sidebar on Perrin and Loial, the present obtained an enormous, real chortle out of me when Perrin requested Loial “How can we simply sit right here whereas everybody else is keen to combat?” and Loial responds “I am standing.”

Lee: You realize what by no means adjustments? It’s not warfare. It’s Ogier. Ogier by no means change.

Andrew: I do count on Moiraine’s “situation” to be cleared up in some way by the midpoint of season two, although the present has efficiently misled me loads of instances at this level. I feel Moiraine has “end-of-season cliffhanger syndrome.”

It is simply as properly that the present ends in another way from Eye of the World, as a result of one of many many, many Tolkien-y issues about EotW is its feint at a “there and again once more” pleased ending the place Rand has discovered one thing horrifying about himself however the remainder of the world returns to an uneasy established order. You must get to the fourth ebook within the collection earlier than Jordan is comfy with an ending that does not re-gather all of our foremost characters again right into a single group, and the present appears extra comfy with sending individuals down wildly totally different paths a bit earlier within the curiosity of getting them to their locations sooner.

The one character whose path is a whole thriller to me at this level is Mat, whom we see briefly glowering in Tar Valon, however who’s in any other case absent as soon as once more. (I’m dying to know the story behind Barney Harris’ recasting at this level, as a result of I actually cannot inform if he was given so little to do as a result of he wasn’t understanding or if he left the present as a result of he was being given so little to do.) Padan Fain—who lastly swaggers again onscreen on this episode to ascertain himself as, on the minimal, a miniboss-level villain—implies that no less than a few of our 5 ta’veren are going to show to the Darkish One to fulfill a vaguely Star Wars-esque want for cosmic stability. Suffice it to say, that may be a main departure from the books (and presumably show-ruining for some individuals, as a result of Mat is a agency fan favourite).

Rand has some hard choices to make about the life he's always wanted with Egwene.

Rand has some exhausting decisions to make in regards to the life he is at all times needed with Egwene. (credit score: Amazon Studios)

Lee: Ooh. Yeah, I hadn’t considered that—it’s nonetheless exhausting to attempt to mission forward the place the writing workforce is making an attempt to go, given what they’ve proven us. Having the Eye of the World be the Darkish One’s jail might be a mandatory change given the timing constraints, although one factor I’m not clear on is whether or not the large crack that will get blasted into the good seal there’s immediately the results of Rand’s selection throughout his little Final Temptation of Rand second. Did “The Darkish One” goad Rand into channeling and blasting the heartstone aside? I imply, I understand how we get to the seals on the Darkish One’s jail cracking within the books, however was Rand tricked into beginning that course of right here?

Andrew: Perhaps! Within the books these seals are huge stone discs that you could actually raise up and carry round with you, so I am actually unsure the place we will find yourself with that.

See, there’s one other factor that I feel has been misplaced due to time constraints. In EotW, it is clear from the overlong winter that one thing goes unsuitable on the planet, and a technique we all know that Rand and The Gang have really made a distinction is that the climate corrects itself after the Huge Confrontation on the finish (it is a recurring motif in Randland; if the climate appears unusual it is most likely due to evil). On the finish of this season, I guess one thing has been completed? Untucked tuxedo man is gone, and an entire bunch of Trollocs are useless. However I assume I am left with much less of a way of what our heroes want to perform subsequent.

Lord Agelmar and Amalisa prepare for battle.

Lord Agelmar and Amalisa put together for battle. (credit score: Amazon Studios)

Lee: Yeah, and let’s speak about precisely that—how pleased are we with every foremost character’s journey and what they most likely have in retailer for season two? Moiraine first, since we’ve sort of already began speaking about her obvious stilling or shielding—clearly she’ll have her little channeling challenge fastened, since she’s up to now the star of the present (and getting high billing, too!) I’ve been extremely happy with Pike’s efficiency, and Moiraine subsequent season probably has much more ta’veren-wrangling to do.

Andrew: Lan has additionally been a constant spotlight. He is a lot totally different from his ebook model, however he is nonetheless stoic and good at killing guys and being in love with Nynaeve, and certainly he’ll proceed to get nearer to her whereas additionally defending Moiraine. No complaints.

Lee: Lan does pull a little bit of the “I may by no means marry you as a result of I’m CLOAKED IN DRAMA AND DEATH” stuff with Nynaeve within the final episode, however the Lan & Moiraine Present has been my favourite set of scenes within the season, but. Then there’s our Two Rivers Gang—and I’ve to begin with Nynaeve, as a result of she’s not horrible like she is within the books! She’s rigidly empathetic as a substitute of rigidly psychopathic, and he or she doesn’t hit anybody with a stick as soon as. Not even as soon as! And she or he ends the season probably aimed proper on the White Tower, given her response to Lan’s speech.

Andrew: Yeah show-Nynaeve gained me over fairly shortly, and I’m already a book-Nynaeve apologist (sure, she’s sort of annoying and repetitive, however she has an excellent arc).

Egwene finally gained me over, too. The out-of-left-field love triangle together with her and Perrin was a little bit unusual, and I would love the present to remain distant from it, however I assumed the precise efficiency and characterization was spot-on formidable, but additionally youthful and fewer skilled than Nynaeve. Loves Rand, however isn’t keen to let a relationship get in the best way of what she needs to do. Stood as much as slimy Whitecloaks. Took a while to develop on me, however positively obtained there.

Lee: Agreed. Perrin, however, is much more ambiguous to me. He had a powerful however odd begin, and we obtained teased with some Wolfbrother motion, however his character has spent the final two episodes doing little other than grunting and brooding. He’s probably not recalling the cautious, pleasant lunk he begins out as within the ebook—and I’ve huge reservations on what’s going to occur when his character finally bumps right into a sure different character. (Although, who is aware of—possibly the present will rehabilitate that sure different character, simply because it has with Nynaeve!)

Andrew: Present-Perrin is unfortunately underdeveloped, and once more I blame time. Present-Perrin even takes up the Manner of the Leaf! The central battle of his character is right here. However we don’t get sufficient time with him, and we don’t get sufficient wolf stuff, and the love-triangle factor appears thrown collectively on the final minute to offer him one thing to do in these final couple episodes. I’ve hopes for season two.

After which… there’s Mat. I’ve been down on Mat in these recaps for weeks now, and I’ve seen nothing that makes me need to change my thoughts. Like show-Perrin, he’s underdeveloped. In contrast to show-Perrin, I’ve not loved what little time we have gotten to spend with him. I’m unsure how (or why!!) you’d take your lovable Han Solo-ish rogue and make him right into a depressing butthead. However at this level I just like the present higher with out him, so we’re going to wish a reasonably main course correction subsequent season.

Lee: Let’s see—who’s left? Loial? I do know a number of the ebook purists dislike the prosthetics and the dearth of peak, however I like Loial. I need extra Loial. I might watch The Wheel of Loial. And it seems like we’re in luck, because the character performs a vastly vital position within the books—even when we proceed veering far off of the course the story took in print, it’s exhausting to see ditching Loial (stab wounds apart—and what’s a little bit little bit of stabbing on the planet of the Wheel of Time? He’ll be nice!).

Andrew: Let’s not neglect Rand. Who can also be nice! The present form of ignores him for a number of episodes there within the center after which makes him do tons of heavy lifting proper there on the finish, and I feel he’s principally as much as it? I assumed he was really excellent in The Final Temptation of Rand (which ebook readers with lengthy recollections would possibly recall is definitely tailored from one among Egwene’s assessments within the White Tower, quite than something that really occurs to Rand, nevertheless it’s deployed properly right here). And the place he results in the present—operating away, both from his duties because the Dragon Reborn or from the chums he doesn’t need to endanger or each—is in step with the place he’s at this level within the books.

Rand's big moments in this episode mostly land, to Josha Stradowski's credit.

Rand’s huge moments on this episode principally land, to Josha Stradowski’s credit score. (credit score: Amazon Studios)

Lee: Yeah, I gotta hand it to Josha Stradowski—it might be straightforward to only channel some Episode III-era Hayden Christiansen vibes and angst his manner by the season, however he doesn’t. (And no shade thrown at Hayden Christiansen right here, both—dude did the most effective he may with what he needed to work with.) Stradowski’s Rand nonetheless manages to search out some empathy and kindness, even when coping with KNIFE MADNESS Mat, and the character comes throughout as shockingly mature and eminently likable. And possibly that empathy and likability can also be being drawn up on function—the present taking part in the lengthy recreation with the emotional locations the place the Dragon Reborn goes to need to go.

So in any case these weeks, it’s time for a verdict earlier than we peace out for the 12 months. You mentioned again in our first write-up that the chances towards this present ever being made had been so excessive that you simply’re thrilled we’ve gotten what we obtained—how do you’re feeling on the finish of season one?

Andrew: Yeah I feel I’m nonetheless principally in a “simply pleased to be right here!” place with the present. The non-book-readers I do know who’re watching it are having fun with it, so I assume which means it’s obtained one thing to supply to anybody who’s up for a little bit of high-fantasy enjoyable. If my largest criticism about your present is that there wasn’t sufficient of it, I don’t assume that’s a nasty place to be popping out of your first season.

Lee: Wonderful level! And yeah, I’m on the identical place—the non-book people I do know who’re following the present are all-in on it, and the present has been placing up glorious numbers. Amazon has mentioned that it is exceeding expectations, so the corporate is little question feeling happy with the choice to greenlight a second season.

I prefer it. I discover that I are likely to have a number of reservations the primary time I watch every new episode, and people reservations are likely to principally dissolve on a second viewing. The primary time by I feel my mind is tripping over itself making an attempt to latch onto acquainted story factors and catalog every part, however on second watch I can calm down and luxuriate in. And I’m having fun with it—it might not be the large sprawling epic in season one which the nerdiest of ebook followers hoped for, however huge issues usually have small beginnings. Take a look at Star Trek: The Subsequent Era’s first season in comparison with the way it finally grew.

Andrew: I am experiencing one thing comparable within the act of discussing it for these recaps! Having fun with it properly sufficient once I’m watching it and discovering that I am liking much more than I am disliking once I’m choosing it aside beat by beat. And Rafe Lee Judkins and workforce have typically performed an admirable job condensing and adapting and shifting story beats round, sufficient in order that I am not too fearful (no less than not but) {that a} seven or eight-season Wheel of Time present will find yourself sagging within the center, the best way the books do and the best way that Recreation of Thrones did.

Lee: One final thought, as we shut, on that remaining scene. Have you learnt what I’m trying ahead to most in regards to the arrival of the Seanchan? (That’s the scary boat individuals, for non-book readers.)

I’m trying ahead to lastly listening to a canonical pronunciation for his or her silly identify. Severely, it’s been driving me nuts for nearly 20 years. Shawn-chawn? Seen-shun? Se-an-shawn? I need to know.

Andrew: I virtually hate to let you know in regards to the glossary behind the books, Lee (It’s shawn-chan).

I do know that you simply imply you need to hear individuals SAY it out loud on display, however I needed to pre-empt the 30 commenters who had been firing up their typing fingers to let you know in regards to the glossary. Consider all of the community exercise and cupboard space I simply saved!

Lee: I do know, I do know, however I feel the identical glossary additionally says it’s “Tar VAL’on” as a substitute of “Tar ValON’“, so that you simply by no means know! (Let’s additionally put aside my uneasiness at Robert Jordan’s repeated insistence that the Seanchan converse with a Texas-like US Southern drawl. Not even kidding on that one, y’all.)

Andrew: I… didn’t know that. It’s described as “slurred” within the books and “US Southern” shouldn’t be the place I am going once I hear “slurred.” However now I can think about the Seanchan saying issues like “little missy” and “pard’ner” in order that’s good no less than?

Lee: In order that’s it—and by the Gentle and our hope of salvation and rebirth, we promise to be again right here for season two, doing this yet again.

Andrew: Thanks for sticking with us by these recaps, everybody! Bear in mind, there are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. However that is an ending. We’ll see you all subsequent season!