SueB

I love Siuan in the books. But I can’t argue about the manner of her death. That was an epic speech of defiance. And Sophie Okenedo pulled it off magnificently. I am so grateful Nynaeve lost her block. I’m glad Mat went thru the arch but there’s no Daughter of the Nine Moons or (potentially the Ashendari). I want those elements. Sameul’s death was gruesome. Interesting moment: It wasn’t until Alviarin stood that Siuan was elected. So I’m thinking those who stood after were Black Ajah. Which makes Siuan’s rise to power a manipulation by the Shadow - possibly to cause harm. Even tho Siuan was a person of the light. So Moraine didn’t die. Sow that mean Rand will fail? Or her vision was wrong. Rand and Egwene taking on Lanfear at episode start was a good team up. I felt healing there. Bottom line: They are REALLY modifying the plot. But if this is ‘the end’, it was hopeful based on Siuan’s speech, Nynaeve losing her block, and Rand bringing the rain. Still, I hope we get more seasons.

I still would have preferred a stedding.

LOIAL! Nooooooooooooooooooo I could sit here and justify that his import drops down as the books go on. But I don’t care. It’s just a big NO for me. I won’t throw out the series for it. But it’s on thin ice. As it was done, it was done very nicely. I just completely object to the choice. Otherwise, I liked the battle. I am perfectly fine with Eoman Valda getting fried by the Shining Twins. And I thought Perrin led well. Alana has more lives than Deadpool. I do like her and her Warder relationship. Bain and Chiad are awesome. Loved their role this episode. Loved the Women’s circle and the role of the Tinkerers. I think they do a better job in the series showing the kinship with the Tinkers and Perrin I miss Tam. Finally, I LOVED the singing of Weep for Manetheran.

I agree this Faile is better. PLEASE skip all the jealousy crap!

Add me to the ‘that was fast’ crowd for Egwene’s dreams. And taking Moraine? New feature. Plus just crashing into others dreams is kind of rude. She certainly got an eyeful with Rand. I agree Lanfear is manipulating things. Conversely the initial ‘don’t go without us’ caution from the Wise One’s and their super vague descriptions seemed like we were going to get very little info. They also implied Egwene has already surpassed their skill. I wish they didn’t do that. Finally, they refer to her as Egwene Sedai so she’s clearly posing as a full sister. Not sure what Aviendah thinks as she was with them in Tar Valon.

Having finished EP5 (yikes! It’s moving so freaking fast!) there is a lot to love (IMO) about the adaptation. Bits: - The Windfinder’s channelling at sea is GORGEOUS!! - I love how they’ve portrayed Suian. Sophie Okenado is an Academy Award nominated actress - she’s an amazing talent. And this fully explored Moraine/Siuan relationship is so much more than I expected from Siuan. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Siuan/Gareth in the books. But they are leveraging the talent of this actress and showing how difficult the White Tower is at the same time. I’m a fan. - Lan and Moraine drinking Oosquai! Such a clever way of giving us the depth of that relationship in a sweet scene. - I am about as uncertain of Moraine’s future as Miraine is. - I like the use of Egwene’s Dream walking to tie the Edmond 5+ together. I was not a fan of the ‘training’ - non-book readers must be confused. - Rand and Lanfear continue to sparkle. Who knew? Ultimately she’s evil and that betrayal is going to shatter Rand. Interestingly enough, I think she’s been both manipulative and transparent about her evilness. - They killed Natti!!! Ouch. That is going to weigh so heavily on Perrin I was shocked they showed Bode channelling. - Alana’s story was also good (you reactivated the bond 5 arrows ago - ha! Needed humor). Who is going to heal her? - I liked the Mistress of the Ship helping Nynaeve I would love if she got her block broke sooner rather than later. - Faile is definitely an improvement over the book IMO - Elayne dreaming of Aviendah! I’m okay with it because it ties the importance of their relationship - May and Min team up still works for me. It looks like he has a bigger story next episode. He needs his hat. - Elaida: I hiss when she walks on screen Nicely played. - I see you Verin! Clever woman. In sum, I think Justin’s is getting the essence of the characters just right And his re-spinning (pun intended!) is working for me

Full spoilers. Skip if you haven’t read the Book Series. Liked: - I think they had to simply the object of power with it being Callendor and the new sphere thing (the Sarkarnen) vs Choden Kal. - Both future and Past scenes were very wel done Dislikes: - I will be major disappointed if Mat doesn’t go thru the Doorframe I’m not sure Moraine will be going through the Doorframe. If she does, I suspect it’s only if there is a S4. On the fence: - Mieran implies there is no technology in the future because people are still harvesting with hand tools That’s a departure from what was always implied from the book version of the Age of Legends. - Egwene’s punk rock look Not a fan. Speculation: I think there is a good chance that if they were to make it to the end, it’ll only be Moraine and Rand. Rosamund Pike’s Moraine is not going to play second banana to the character Nynaeve. Moraine’s visions (IMO) showed Lanfear killing her but only after she slept with Rand. So they may be simplifying her Lanfear conflict to be a fate she avoids. There was no path they showed where she was successful nn but I think k Moraine knows one. And I don’t think she’ll bond Rand. Which leaves, ‘what to do with Lanfear?’ IMO they’ve made her very popular, although a psycho killer. At least they S3, I think we’ll keep up the ‘influence’ triangle with Rand, Moraine, and Lanfear all trying to steer the ship.

I totally agree about letting Min’s story be about interpretation of the prophecies. That’s her domain.

On Min: If they get another season and he ends up being kidnapped with Min, I can them becoming emotionally reliant on one another. I do like Min but I’d be okay if she just was left off the pairing. She helps Rand a tremendous amount in the books and she’s a great character, but a third is hard to sell. Conversely, I don’t want her with Mat if they are trying to make the Seanchan a thing in the last Battle. His vouching for Rand made a difference. And we need Mat in charge of the Army of the Light. Including the Seanchan. Now I could see there being only ONE Battle (at Shayol Ghul, outside the cave) but why have the Seanchan if you aren’t going to use them? I could see Min still being Tuon’s doomsayer. Although I agree, we are going to have to have some sign that Tuon is going to come around on Damane because it’s too awful to accept. On Morgause, She lost all my sympathy with killing her enemies I wouldn’t mind if they have Rahvin kill her off. She created enemies by killing her enemies’ daughters I think Elayne will face a challenge regardless Rahvin, I found it fascinating that it was implied he compelled an entire NATION to think that he and Morgause had been together for years I bet it didn’t take with Garrett Byrne. Speaking of Byrne: I don’t see Siuan and him getting together with her attachment to Moraine. Other Ep2&3 comments: - I like Nynaeve’s conflictedness about Liandrin Personally I feel like hissing when she is on the screen but I get the pathos they are going for. And Liandrin’s got a good story. I just don’t like her. - I like Elayne being a drinker She needs a fault - I do like this Min. She’s fun with Mat and he needs a companion unless they bring Thom back. - Thankfully we got the quarterstaff ass whipping scene. Mat is capable even without the memories. I think the point of the scene in the book was to show that. - Shohreh Aghdashloo is an outstanding choice for Elaida. Frankly, she’s likely to be better than book Elaida. - looking forward to next episode.

EP1: Full Book/Show thoughts. Spoilers thru Book 4 as this Season 3 seems to cover Books 3 & 4 at least. - Seeing Liandrin flee the tower and take stuff. Epic battle. This gave us a better story than the book IMO with regards to how this went. - Nynaeve and Lan sleeping together! I know the show aged them up a bit and sex is definitely all over the place, but ai liked the depth of the relationship. I wish we could have had more of their big kiss but her getting the ring was awesome. As was her recognition that just running away and having babies is not going to work for them. - I’m glad we saw that some of Mat’s buffoonery was his pain. I didn’t like him showing off the horn. I love when he speaks the old tongue. I saw a red doorway in Tar Valon. I hope he goes through it. - I think changing Perrin’s motivation to go home was well done. I loved all three boys together again. The comraderie and teasing about Selene! But I think they all miss home a bit. - Elayne and Aviendah! Wowser. Did not expect. No objection, BTW. It’s in keeping with the much more sexualized version of the show and will help smooth out one of the most AWKWARD elements of the entire book series. - I’m glad they focused on Egwene’s PTSD. That was well earned and explains a lot of motivation for the character. - Yay for introduction of grey men. And Moghedien’s arc is far more involved - which I like.

Good comments people! My differences and adds: I LOVED the first scene. Look at you Siuan! She deftly avoided acknowledging Liandrin spoke a lot of truths. But she was wrong,Siuan didn’t let Rand go. Lanfear interfered. Siuan had Rand shielded and watched. Siuan didn’t TELL the Tower though, so they’ll be a reckoning. But the fight! Fantastic. A bit gory for my taste but the book was gory. Leanne and Alanna are such badasses! I love Verin. She helps smooth over so much. Loved that Lan and Nynaeve get together and he gives her his ring. Agree that Egwene and Rand are holding on to the past. Bittersweet. Rand asserting his agency pleases me. He’s got some complicated feelings going on with Lanfear. Egwene’s PTSD is hard to watch but realistic. Perrin going home makes sense. He needs to out his wife’s death behind him and this will help. Mat, my poor Mat. He’s a joker to hide the pain. So glad Nynaeve supports him. Also, fun shout out to the phallic visual of the tower. Now there’s a thesis-in-waiting. Nynaeve’s failure to channel needs to get fixed. I know she’s like an overpowered Marvel Superhero but her block is so disheartening. Moraine saving Siuan! Those two are not yet done. And then making a deal with Lanfear. Dangerous. Ah Lan. Stay steadfast, gorgeous, conflicted and smart. You are intellectual and visual eye candy I appreciate. Elayne is practically perfect in every way (Mary Poppins reference) but not a ‘Mary Sue.’ I love her diplomacy skills getting exercised. She understands Rand’s burden. And she and Aviendah! Well, that was a bit unexpected but daughter-heir Elayne has a definite rebel streak alongside her mantle of responsibility. And I don’t mean because she’s with another woman. I mean she’s sowing her own version of wild oats. Lanfear is deliciously complicated. Psycho regarding Rand (I think she’s torturing Egwene in the dreams - that’s her realm after all). But she also seems Team Rand taking power. A really good start to S3

I’m watching on my IPad and turn up to full bright on the screen. If that is an option for your viewing device and you haven’t don’t it, strongly recommended. I agree the scenes can be dark but with full brightness on my iPad I felt I got everything. Also, I agree - Landsat (while psychotic) is a helluva lot better than the Spider (Moghedien).

*BIG weave of wind blows dust off thread* Hello! It’s been a minute! I scanned thru comments last year and thought I’d crank up the thread again after seeing the first 11 minutes of S3 in the Media thread. Gorgeous visuals. First, my POV: yes, I like the books better - but this series is an interpretation I appreciate. And you can’t beat the visuals Book to show forecast: 1. Woah - nice Battle of The White Tower (11 min sneak peek). We didn’t get that in the book. Very different. Although not seen - I’m wondering if Suian is stilled (accidentally) in the fight or deposed later. 2. Rhuidean - seems to focus on Moraine’s visions. Consistent with Moraine as main POV of TV show. 3. Definitely get the Battle of Edmunds Field and Perrin as leader. Glad for that. 4. Rand as Car’a’carn - definitely get but I’m not sure how much. I hope we see the Wise Ones. I hope we get Rand and Mat into Rhuidean but it sure feels they’ve dropped the Snakes and Foxes. Mat’s my favorite character in the books but he’s not getting a much development in the show. 5. I don’t know WHAT they are doing with Min. Could go anywhere. I just reread series up thru Shadow Rising so memory is fresh for S3.

This gave me the giggles. But I kind of like the blind spot in that area and instead Loki pinchesoff every error. ‘Don’t plan t it down! It rolls off!’ ‘The button is a little sticky!’ I found this episode EXTREMELY satisfying. Loki is a Big Damn Hero. I wanted that. I need that. And if you realize that Yggdrasil‘a center is at Midguard, it makes him very close to Earth 616 (our Avengers timeline). I think Loki sees all and takes delight in watching his friends (loved ones really … they became his family). And he got his Glorious Purpose. He protects the flow of Time. What I want now is for Thor to see him in this position. For Thor to know there WAS always good in him. And I believe I’ll get my wish. I think Loki is ‘Avenger Prime’ (I think that’s the comic book name. I imagine he can astral project himself about to do what needs to be done. If you consider Thor was able to focus the power of a sun through a lens and his own body to get the forge restarted in ‘Infinity War’, I think Loki can pull off this task he has set for himself. I expect him back for Kang Wars. Yes, I’m verklempt. Loki may have made a sacrifice but in the end he WON. He was not destined to lose. He has people who love him an a glorious purpose. And Tom Huddleston, Own Wilson, and the cast all deserve awards. I hope they get some attention come award season.