SueB

No. The OG happened. I’m applying the multi-verse construct. The multiverse was a part of S14/S15 on the mothership so that’s cannon. Now add the time travel element. I am assuming Time Travel because the Acreda (sp?) represent an ‘existential crisis’. That means they are breaking reality by showing up. I can see someone (say an Angel) going back in time and handing John the key. For this explanation, I’m relaying on the most recent Marvel universe theory of Time Travel versus the old Star Trek notion. In Marvel Time Travel, if you go from the future to the past, you create a new BRANCH. The original future doe not change. It’s still multi-verse but unstable. The entire Loki series was dedicated to trimming branches to maintain stability. So I think we are dealing with something akin to a Marvel branch concept. But I suspect the branch will be weaved back into the timeline via some McGuffin in the future*, not simply snipped. Even if snipped, we get to see WHO John and Mary are and see their bond. But Robbie is damn clever. I expect he’s got a fan-acceptable theory that will eventually be revealed. *Note: I think ‘I went to Missouri and learned the truth’ is STILL in the future for this John. I think he’ll choose that as an option to protect reality. And the exceptional bond between Mary/John will have more depth without them really understanding why (versus simple Cherub roofie).

I think Dean is writing this to Sam. ThT last bit about picking the music was the giveaway IMO. Because Sam is the guy who always rides shotgun. Goes back to my ‘this happens in the future when Dean is in Heaven and the Acretian crisis causes a temporal event resulting in and alternate branch being formed’ theory.

Loved it! This felt seamless with the Mothership. It’s like I’m back in the Supernatural world again. Personal theory: I think Dean is in Heaven and he’s writing this down for Sam when he gets there. Clearly this Acretian (sp?) threat to all existence is why we have what appears to be either an alternate timeline or an event that injects itself into 1972. I keep thinking of Marvel’s Endgame. Where from the future they interfere with the past, creating an alternate branch. This feels like Angel involvement. I suspect it’ll be trimmed someday. Character thoughts: John (Drake). PERFECT casting. He feels very Sam-like but his PTSD reminds me of Dean. His almost suicidal recklessness is a theme worth exploring. Again, in just about every scene, I thought I saw a Sam mannerism. Mary (Meg). Well written. Her line delivery, so matter of fact, is very consistent with hunter-Mary we saw in S12-S14. So no-nonsense. Carlos (Jojo). Highly entertaining. I’m looking forward to his story. Latika (Nida). Enjoyable. Smart, kind, and newbie. I’m glad they showed sparks between not just John/Mary but John/Carlos and John/Latika. Those ship engines are firing up as we speak. Millie as the mechanic. A surprise. I didn’t expect that but like it. And it fits with John having mechanic knowledge with Henry being the scholar. Bottom line: I’m all in.

I’m guessing SB depowers Homelander but they don’t tell people (because it’s Vought and he’s a money maker). So we’ll get a season of Homelander recovery. Maybe Vought sticks SB back in cryo as a threat to the Supes to stay in line. And Nina needs to go splat. Or get shipped off to Russia. Stay away from Frenchie and Kimiko!

I think the Russians accomplished their job: created an anti-superhero weapon. I don’t think they were able to brainwash him aka Winter Soldier. Was that the plan? We’re they just going to clone him? I think they are NOT working with Vought because this is a threat to their Product. And they wouldn’t give ‘Trade Secrets’ to Russia. The name ‘Ben’ IS interesting. If it’s a Dark Angel nod, it could mean Soldier Boy is either mentally unstable or a mass murderer or both. Otherwise the name would have been Alec. But SB seems traumatized but clear thinking. And he’s not dumb. He snuck his way out of Russia. He appears to have gained some control on his new weapon. So… I don’t expect anything ‘good’ from him except Butcher using him to curb Homelander. But SB knows he’s being used. So that’s not going to work out all that well. Homelander is SO going to tank Vought. And The Deep’s wife is riding my last nerve.

Misha has been tagged for the CW ‘Gotham Knights’ pilot to play Harvey Dent. Excellent role! https://deadline.com/2022/03/gotham-knights-misha-collins-harvey-dent-cw-pilot-1234984746/

I’m confident in Robbie Thompson and Jensen Ackles’s leadership and vision. There’s plenty of ways within canon that they can keep the timeline ultimately correct.

Yep, just came to post the news on Walker S3. I’m thrilled for J2 — so much work. I KNEW it in my head that they SHOULD have a good transition but it’s still nice to watch it play out. It’s been only 16 months since the finale aired. Supernatural was #8 on Netflix a week or so ago, TNT still does reruns, Jensen has had Two Batman movies (voiceovers), an Album, a major role in a commercially and critically acclaimed series (The Boys), cast in a movie (not his fault it didn’t go through), producing the Winchesters. Jared is going into a 3rd season for Walker, has a SPIN-OFF he’s producing, and doing well from what I can see. We were blessed to have ‘em and now the world is learning about them. ❤️

My favorite highlights: - Frankness about Dark Angel, although it seems like they may have edited something after he told the story of going to her house. - The almost podcast show recap - More insight into Soldier Boy -Full story on The Winchesters press release -More details on what he did not originally like about finale -Dawsons Creek story -How Welling story got he and Jared drivers

Excellent tea.

It surprises me May had that much time at the start. I had no doubt Moraine would be first. I thought Lan would be second. Some of this has to do with Rosalind Pike’s involvement as Executive Producer IMO. But she is also a way of showing the Aes Sedei culture.

A LOT to take in. I’ll leave brief snippets now and come back after a second watch. -LOVED the Lews flashback. Better than anything I imagined. - Not happy about Moraine being stilled. It better be fixable. maybe it was just a shield and it will fade farther away from the blight. - Picture of Mat was in Shadar Logoth. Implying he went their. I hope they don’t make him actually dark. - Bad ass channel FTW - The Seanchan are scary AF

He met Egwene and Nynaeve in The White Tower.in Tel'aran'rhiod. I don’t recall if they used the word specifically but he knew they could come and go.

I’m going to rename all my inner demons ‘Machin Shin’! And I agree with you about it being an awkward scene. Nynaeve’s statement about ‘fighting’ didn’t really land for me (because Rand wasn’t fighting Perrin for Egwene). I’m not denying the potential Perrin interest (although I think it’s old news) but it’s hard for two to be fighting when one isn’t even aware. A better line (IMO) would have been for her to yell at Rand about constant sniping at Egwene about their relationship when ‘Are we all going to die tomorrow’ seems like a bigger concern. But they were going for some specific outcomes so… mkay.

So MUCH to unpack! I watched twice to pick up all the details. This will be long. Jump to ‘Bottom Line: TL;DR’ if you don’t want to read the whole thing. For me… I need to luxuriate in my review. Characters: Mat: I’m so disappointed he was left/stayed behind! He’s got the best sense of humor (when not infected by evil dagger). If he choose to stay behind, I think it’s because he’s afraid of hurting his friends. He was freaked out about that family he thought he may have killed. And I do think the dagger has left some taint on him I don’t think he’s evil. If Moiraine used his hesitancy to shut the door quickly - well, that’s in keeping with her whole perspective. She didn’t trust him. But going without him also means leading the other four to the Dark One with potentially no Dragon Reborn to fight with. Which is pretty much suicide. I refused to believe his story is over. Perrin: I did NOT see feelings for Egwene other than friendship. He was protective but that is consistent with his guilt. But there is clearly something I missed. I think he long ago he accepted Rand/Egwene. The yellow eyes thing is intriguing, I assume the good eyesight is part of the deal. Nynaeve: You choose wisely. I mean … Lan is all kinds of yum. I am 100% on board with that pairing. I also like how she insisted they make a choice to go. Rand may be the Dragon but she’s exhibiting more power than anyone else right now. Egwene: I have mixed feelings. I feel like when she’s scared she cuddles up to Rand. When she’s not scared, she feels entitled to me. I think she’s sincere about her desire to save the world. She’s very brave. But I think she looks down on Mat. Like I said, mixed feelings. Rand: Second watch made so much more sense. I think he suspected he had power - I DO remember the door coming down - but I think he knew for sure when he shoved the trolloc away with power. And the flashback to his Dad implying he was a found baby. Suddenly Rand’s constant freaked out face makes more sense. I approve of his choice to go without his friends. Lan: Oh my. Gorgeous, deadly, brave, and now tragic King without a country? *sigh*. My inner teenager is SWOONING. I have no shame about my crush on him. Moraine: I swear this woman lies like a rug. I know they are not technically lies, but she switches from misleading to truthful in an instance. I’m never sure what to believe. I do like her regret over Lan. I think she clearly expects to die and so is saying goodbye to Lan in their final scene. On the other hand, she’s putting the Reds on Mat! Boo hiss! Not good Moraine. But the purpose of this character by character review is to say I think all six main characters are important. Min saw that there was something special about the Two River folks - not just Rand. I don’t think we’ve invested this much time to have only Rand matter. He’s clearly got a big role but I think they all have a part to play. other thoughts: -I liked the hexagonal stones of the ways but think they should not have had side stones. It would have been more cool without railings. - I saw Padan Fain in the dark in the Ways. He appears not to be impacted by the Black Wind. Creepy. - Rand’s Mom was a serious BadAss. As someone who has gone through labor, I appreciate her getting kind of stabby with those guys who kept interrupting her. They deserved to get skewered. I loved the photography. She was clearly a warrior whose birth plan was ‘squat out a kid and keep fighting’. I assume she died from being stabbed but given how BadAss she was, seems to me that stabbing was little more than a flesh wound. So I’m going to call her officially ‘fridged.’ She had to die so Rand could have his idyllic upbringing. - I liked Loial’s pragmatism, Lan’s ‘family’ and definitely Min. Min seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. - I like how sex is so … accepted. No sense of shame, just fun. - Black Hawk dude earned his verbal smackdown. Compensating much? - The Blight Trees were a little too uniform to me. I wish there had been more variety. They did look creepy and somewhat alive. But trees should not be evil so that was not my favorite. Bottom Line for the TL;DR: I think they are all special. Rand may be The Dragon Reborn but there is more than just simple sidekicks in the group from the Two Rivers. Looking forward to next week.

I knew he had been recast. I didn’t know the timing impacted his storyline to this extent. The trip to the Eye of the World is the only time we have all 5 on the same trek at the exact same time. It’s part of their bond (IMO). So his absence is hard to take. I get we don’t know any rationale. I just wasn’t (personally) aware of the impact to story. That said here’s how I (if I were in charge but know I am not qualified) would weave him back ‘into the pattern.’ Warning: Long post skip to Bottom Line TL;DR. Things they enabled: 1) They had Moraine send the Reds after him. 2) They’ve (at least tentatively) broken up the Remaining Edmund 4 at Fal Dara by having Rand recognize ‘It’s me.’ This puts only Rand and Moraine in the Blight. Lan can catch-up but speaking PURELY from a Mat POV; it limits how much they do as a complete group minus Mat. 3) Rand’s defense of Mat (you don’t know what he’s been through!) is at least partially mollifying that one of them doesn’t think he’s a complete shit. Things they’ve put out there that damages Mat’s character (IMO): 1) They had Moraine say there was a darkness in him that drew him to the dagger. 2) Egwene’s scoff at Mat being the Dragon Reborn. Countered by Rand’s defense. I was not mollified by her later statements of love. That scoff was meant to be instinctual IMO. Things to remember- no character is 100% reliable narrator in the book. I’m not sure what the show’s position is. And eventually Rand’s sanity will be an issue. With that background, this is the story I’d weave: 1) Mat chose not to go because he felt he would either get everyone killed or kill them himself. He was still worried about that family. He still feels the dagger (most likely) and may be worried that if he’s the dragon, then everyone else dies. He may also have been worried that the darkness he feels makes him a danger even if he’s not the Dragon. So, in short, make Mat’s rationale about fear of hurting others versus cowardice. I think this has a high likelihood of being used. 2) The Reds catch him and hurt him as they think he’s dangerous. Since Moiraine can’t go back to the Tower (and didn’t in the book), it may be up to Nynaeve/Egwene to free Mat. 4) With Paden Fain there, I think he still has the knife and gets the horn. So if someone at the Tower recognizes Mat is still tied to the knife, then Mat may rejoin Rand and Perrin looking for the Horn. I hope so. BOTTOM LINE for TL;DR. The departure resulted in Mat’s story needing correction. I think they can get him back in the ‘pattern’ and hope they do so.

*Takes a deep breath* also /rant mode engaged — jump down to post /rant mode to bypass I thought it was some fake out. I didn’t realize the actor for Mat didn’t FINISH S1! I know he’s back for S2. I certainly hope there was no real life tragedy that drove this major (IMO) change. Mat is flat out my favorite character. And if there was some avoidable reason for this then I’m pissed. These actor contracts should be solid for 5 years (typically). So… again, I hope it was not a tragedy but I wish they would have recast straight away rather than screw up the character. Of course I’ve mentally rewritten the storyline to sort of make it work, but it’s still damaging to Mat’s character. I’m pissed Moraine said that he had darkness that drew him to the dagger. I disagree. Mat has many flaws(foolish, stubborn, etc..)but he was never actually dark. But even before the Moraines comment, they’ve made him a thief. Grrrr. Taking away the shared experiences to and at Eye of The World bums me out. I hope they have Mat get healed more completely at Tar Valon and get him back to hunting the horn. /rantmode off. I DID like Rand figuring it out scene. Still love Lan/Nynaeve.

Other EP 4 thoughts: LOVED: - Nynaeve the BadAss. That last scene was awesome. Her embarrassment at the three way was adorable. But.. what is this link to Malkieri?! - Reveal there is something wrong with Mat with him tossing his cookies. And yet we see his gentler side with the little girl. - Thom's motivation reveal: guilt over his nephew - book consistent. Although he thinks it's Mat. - Alanna the BadAss. She was great in the battle. Which makes the pending Nynaeve vs Alanna event a BIG DEAL. - The 'link' flows. And the arm-movement of existing trained Aes Sedei in contrast with the RAW POWER of Nynaeve. Shits getting real. LIKED: - Ila's Tinker talk. It's nice to get the "Way of the Leaf" explained - honestly, I think it was better done than the book. MEH: - I wasn't a fan of the Kerene Sedei/Stepin connection portrayal. In general I didn't like Stepin that much. But I felt like his "insanity" wasn't super clear that it was insanity. Yes, he was in rage-mode but .... it felt like more intent? IDK. Maybe we'll get a better story.

I'm not sure they know WHAT to expect at the end of the age. Just that shit starts to get wild. But I don't remember in the books there being a prophecy of or expectation of stronger channelers. They just happened.

Wow. Father Eric is back. Well, that’s where his truth purpose lie to be honest. I wouldn’t want him back just to angst with Nicole. And yeah, his return means I’ll have to stop skipping stupid possession plot. And can Phillip really be dead? I apologize to his fans but he’s been a greasy stalker with poor posture since he returned from my perspective. I could never route for him in any plot I saw.

Graendal. Came out in last book.

I think customs, politics, fashion and music ARE region specific. The only diversity is the physical characteristics. I think the ‘Breaking of the World’ uprooted people everywhere. So while they’ve ultimately formed unique cultures, I can completely see why they have mixed physical characteristics. And I think that was in the books too. While the Aiel were unique with the red hair and light eyes, it seemed like every other culture had a range of skin tones, hair color, and eye color. So, I think it’s sort of interesting that the way to tell differences is by clothing and customs vice features.

How LUSH the forest. The green moss was gorgeous. Someone called it ‘scenery porn’. Imma gonna steal that phrase mkay? Cause it’s perfect. ‘If she’s up for it.’ Mat! Did you just suggest a three-way with Rand and Dana? Himbo indeed. Also, after watching the stew be made, my appetite was turned off. I like the Perrin and Egwene scenes. Shows that Perrin, Mat, Rand, Egwene and likely Layla (sp?) were all close friends before they took off. Like Layla giving Mat a knife independent of Perrin. They all seem easy with each other. Very nice. Thom Merrilin is rapidly becoming a favorite.

Second watch notes: I like the abandoned road and bridge pets in the middle of nowhere. They mention the earth breaking by a man in the first episode. I wonder if that’s why there is so much jaggedness to the mountains and formations. Still not over Rand pulling a bat from his throat. I really thought this episode was outstanding. Heavy action, more backstory, more character development. That Whitecloak Inquisitor dude needs a serious comeuppance. And he’s a coward. The soldier Whitecloak heads towards trouble, the Inquisitor goes in the opposite direction. I may take to hissing at the screen when Inquisitor dude shows up.

Response to commentary: - When I first read the books many years ago (pre movie LOTR) I though ‘Trollocs = Orcs’; ‘Fades = Ring Wraiths’. And while an argument can be made about the Trollocs, it’s a minor annoyance as the story quickly moves into simultaneously a ‘heroes’ journey’ and it’s own universe very different from Tolkien et al. - The title ‘Wheel of Time’, the Bel-Tine lantern ceremony, and the blatant talk about ‘past lives’ make this a VERY different fantasy where reincarnation is central and there’s mysticism in everyday life (eg Nynaeve listens to the wind). Only a very few Wizards in LOTR and a tiny amount of witches in GoT had that mystical element. Second rewatch thoughts: - Paden Fain KNEW Mat was coming to fence stolen goods. Does not speak well of Mat’s history. -I LOVED how Rand and Perrin still love Mat anyway and knew he’s wanted lanterns for the girls. - So Lan is comfortable full frontal with Moraine? Well alrighty-then. They may not be sleeping together but they clearly have no secrets. - They just threw Egwene into the rapids? With ‘trust the river’ as guidance?!?! Rough initiation ceremony. I hop no one ever dies. - They BLEW UP the WineSpring Inn! Grrr. - I really like how it was obvious more Trollocs were coming and decisions had to be made right on the spot.