[TV] Wheel of Time series

[Jaymann]

When is this out again? Scanned the thread, but not in depth. Avoiding trailers

Sources say November 19.

[Pyperkub]

When is this out again? Scanned the thread, but not in depth. Avoiding trailers

Sources say November 19.

Maybe we need to update the thread title, just for me, so I don't keep forgetting!

[Isgrimnur]

WAIT! I'm only on book four of my read through! I've got about two more years to go at my current rate. Please wait till I'm done!

Done yet?

[Pyperkub]

WAIT! I'm only on book four of my read through! I've got about two more years to go at my current rate. Please wait till I'm done!

Done yet?

Is Moat_Man GRRM? Or just channelling his writing speed?

[Archinerd]

According to this post on Tor's site, the first season is going to move fast. It will cover most of book one, and parts of book two and three.
There is a lot of padding in the books, but this is aggressive.

[Smoove_B]

Three books seems like quite a bit to cover in 8 episodes.I'm really not familiar enough with what happened in each of the first 3 books at this point to even guess how they could mix-and-match material like that.

[stessier]

If that is true, they are going to gloss over a lot. Not necessarily a bad thing - Rand coming into his power took most of a book and doesn't really need to take that long to get the point across. But they are going to have to work to get the right atmosphere.

[RunningMn9]

There’s an awful lot of travel in the first two books. And they’ve said that things from books one and two that get skipped in season one will appear in season two.

I am curious to see what gets left out, as there’s an awful lot happening over those first two books. The padding didn’t really ramp up until later. We’ll see.

[Blackhawk]

Spoiler:

After the dance in inn, Thom Merrilin, standing next to Tom Bombadil, will wave briefly to everyone as they zoom past Shadar Logoth in a plane. Matt will order a dagger from Sky Mall. When the disembark, Moiraine will be standing there with a cardboard sign that says, "The Prophecies will be fulfilled. The Dragon is Reborn." On to episode 2!

[Archinerd]

Spoiler:

After the dance in inn, Thom Merrilin, standing next to Tom Bombadil, will wave briefly to everyone as they zoom past Shadar Logoth in a plane. Matt will order a dagger from Sky Mall. When the disembark, Moiraine will be standing there with a cardboard sign that says, "The Prophecies will be fulfilled. The Dragon is Reborn." On to episode 2!

Spoiler:

You forgot the part where the plane passes hobbits riding an eagle towards Mordor.

[Jag]

I'm guessing this show will have fast travel enabled. That is a really aggressive schedule for the story.

I honestly can't get a read on how this is going to be. It could be early GoT or the absolute train wreck that was Shannara. I'm guessing it will fall somewhere in between, middling and forgettable, which is a real shame considering i've been such a fan of this series for 30 years.

[Paingod]

I'm guessing this show will have fast travel enabled. That is a really aggressive schedule for the story.

I'm on Book 13 of my listening to the 540+ hours of audiobooks, started months and months ago. It's what I listen to as I drive to and from work.

I'm fairly sure it won't be hard to follow the main storyline and characters as long as the writers don't dither on the life story, thoughts, feelings, and ambitions of every single person that passes in and out of the story. Even throw-away characters have whole half-page inner dialogs that take place in what should be a heartbeat of time. You could probably crop out an entire book if you removed all of the "tugged her braid" "folded her arms under her breasts" and "she sniffed" from the storyline.

[Jag]

You could probably crop out an entire book if you removed all of the "tugged her braid" "folded her arms under her breasts" and "she sniffed" from the storyline.

[YellowKing]

Averages Pre- and Post-Sanderson:

Tugs: 27.2 vs 19.7

Smooths: 80.4 vs 26.3

Braids: 48.1 vs 25.0

[stessier]

Averages Pre- and Post-Sanderson:

Tugs: 27.2 vs 19.7

Smooths: 80.4 vs 26.3

Braids: 48.1 vs 25.0

I need these normalized per page for a true comparison.

[Paingod]

I need these normalized per page for a true comparison.

As a sample, the Eye of the World US Hardcover had 782 pages with 38/51/25.

One tug every 20.57 pages.
One smooth every 15.33 pages.
One braid every 31.28 pages.

[Jaymann]

Wait a minute, what exactly are they tugging if not braids?

[YellowKing]

Wait a minute, what exactly are they tugging if not braids?

That will have to wait for the inevitable porn version "Thigh of the World."

[Paingod]

Wait a minute, what exactly are they tugging if not braids?

She reaches for it quite a bit and stops herself because she knows people know it's a tell on how angry she is because she doesn't understand whatever's happening in front of her or disagrees with someone.

I believe she spends 14 books stomping around in petulant fury with little character growth except marrying a man she consistently bullies. She's also potentially the most magically powerful woman in the world, except when it suits the story to say that 20-some odd other women sprinkled through the books are more powerful.

Is there a sliding scale that shows where each woman who can channel is in relation to all the others?

[Jag]

Wait a minute, what exactly are they tugging if not braids?

That will have to wait for the inevitable porn version "Thigh of the World."

And the Aes Sedai are into BDSM and torture. Oh wait, Terry Goodkind already made a WoT parody series that did that.

[Moat_Man]

WAIT! I'm only on book four of my read through! I've got about two more years to go at my current rate. Please wait till I'm done!

Done yet?

I finished Lord of Chaos, which was a very long read, and stopped for a break. I read the prologue to A Crown of Swords but that's it. My Kindle is taunting me from my nightstand.

[RunningMn9]

First episodes dropped a day early. Heading in to watch the first episode.

[Archinerd]

First 3 episodes are out now.

I just finished the first one, there are significant changes so anyone looking for a direct adaptation may be disappointed, but my initial impressions are favorable. It leans into some themes a bit harder than the source material, but I think it mostly works. My biggest criticism is that the characters and acting are a little too heavy handed in general, but the books aren't exactly subtle either.

It's good enough that I'm going to keep watching.

[ydejin]

Watched the first episode. The first 35 minutes are quite slow. Loved the last 20 minutes though. Action sequences were great. I was rather surprised at how graphically violent it all was.

[Archinerd]

Yeah, the tone is a bit darker than the previews made it out to be.
I watched all 3 episodes, my opinion hasn't changed. It's not the next great fantasy show, but it's good enough.

[Zaxxon]

Watched the first two and am cautiously optimistic. Yes, there are changes and a lot of cuts, and the pace is rather breakneck relative to the books. But it had to be. What is included has been well-done and true to the books, IMO.

I think they nailed the casting of Matt and Perrin. Rosamund Pike is great as Moraine. I'm not quite sold on Rand yet.

[Jaymann]

Watched the first two episodes and enjoyed it. I gave up the series after 2.5 books 30 years ago, so it's all new to me. But I couldn't help thinking

Spoiler:

I saw riders fleeing across a river on a ferry somewhere...

My only disappointment was only one braid pull. But at least there was a whole society of braid pullers.

[Blackhawk]

Yes, there are changes and a lot of cuts, and the pace is rather breakneck relative to the books. But it had to be.

This is one series that pretty much had to deviate. A direct adaptation of the monstrosity that is WoT would have been impossible. If they're going to deviate, I'd prefer that they built their own story on Jordon's framework as opposed to just leaving things out and leaving gaps (ala Harry Potter.)

[malchior]

I'm ok with the changes so though Perrin's story in particular is a bit jarring.

[RunningMn9]

I watched the first episode. I have a list of complaints, and the realization that I am not going to be able to separate the books from the show. One of the smartest things that GoT did in retrospect was sticking close to the books (for the most part) through the first season. It wasn't perfect, but they saved a lot of the "WTF are you doing?" changes for later seasons. The best way for me to describe this show is that someone saw the cover of one of the books, and decided to create a TV show around it.

Spoiler:

- Perrin is married? Oh wait, Perrin is not married any more. What was the point of that?
- Abel Cauthon was a decent man, he doesn't deserve this kind of shade.
- Moraine went to the Two Rivers because of rumors of *four* ta'veren? Aside from the fact that there are only three in the Two Rivers, who the shit in the Two Rivers would even know what that means and spread rumors that would reach Tar Valon?
- Moraine just comes out with "Yeah, one of you four is the Dragon Reborn" in the pilot? First, it makes no sense at all that Egwene (or any woman) could be the Dragon Reborn - because that would be *awesome* if true, because there are no issues with her using the Source, as she doesn't have to deal with the taint. Second - naming someone the Dragon Reborn is *literally* the worst thing you can name someone, and she just comes out with it on Main Street? And not only are these three...I mean four...like "Ok, cool, I guess we will go with you", but everyone else was like "Cool, yeah, you need to go look into that, have a good trip!!".
- Crossing the ferry was so needlessly stolen from Fellowship of the Ring that it felt gross. Also, it's a good thing that Trollocs don't have bows or spears or that would have been a real problem. I also disliked how casually Moraine murdered that dude.
- I can accept showing us the attack on Emond's Field instead of Rand's journey back with Tam in tow. Mostly because they were showing me something that isn't in the books, so I didn't have to hate it. Outside of the one obvious addition where Nynaeve is kidnapped, Kim Bauer style. I can accept that because the journey back to town is what screams that Rand is the Dragon Reborn. And they want me to believe that Egwene might be the Dragon Reborn. Which wouldn't make any goddamn sense.
- I saw the first scene in Episode Two, and holy underpants, way to utterly not understand the Children of the Light. The point of their cruelty is the coldness of it, as an aspect of their piety in service of the Light. Malicious cruelty like that? Chopping off hands? Wearing Aes Sedai rings as trophies?

[Jaymann]

I watched the first episode. I have a list of complaints, and the realization that I am not going to be able to separate the books from the show. One of the smartest things that GoT did in retrospect was sticking close to the books (for the most part) through the first season. It wasn't perfect, but they saved a lot of the "WTF are you doing?" changes for later seasons. The best way for me to describe this show is that someone saw the cover of one of the books, and decided to create a TV show around it.

Spoiler:

- Perrin is married? Oh wait, Perrin is not married any more. What was the point of that?
- Abel Cauthon was a decent man, he doesn't deserve this kind of shade.
- Moraine went to the Two Rivers because of rumors of *four* ta'veren? Aside from the fact that there are only three in the Two Rivers, who the shit in the Two Rivers would even know what that means and spread rumors that would reach Tar Valon?
- Moraine just comes out with "Yeah, one of you four is the Dragon Reborn" in the pilot? First, it makes no sense at all that Egwene (or any woman) could be the Dragon Reborn - because that would be *awesome* if true, because there are no issues with her using the Source, as she doesn't have to deal with the taint. Second - naming someone the Dragon Reborn is *literally* the worst thing you can name someone, and she just comes out with it on Main Street? And not only are these three...I mean four...like "Ok, cool, I guess we will go with you", but everyone else was like "Cool, yeah, you need to go look into that, have a good trip!!".
- Crossing the ferry was so needlessly stolen from Fellowship of the Ring that it felt gross. Also, it's a good thing that Trollocs don't have bows or spears or that would have been a real problem. I also disliked how casually Moraine murdered that dude.
- I can accept showing us the attack on Emond's Field instead of Rand's journey back with Tam in tow. Mostly because they were showing me something that isn't in the books, so I didn't have to hate it. Outside of the one obvious addition where Nynaeve is kidnapped, Kim Bauer style. I can accept that because the journey back to town is what screams that Rand is the Dragon Reborn. And they want me to believe that Egwene might be the Dragon Reborn. Which wouldn't make any goddamn sense.
- I saw the first scene in Episode Two, and holy underpants, way to utterly not understand the Children of the Light. The point of their cruelty is the coldness of it, as an aspect of their piety in service of the Light. Malicious cruelty like that? Chopping off hands? Wearing Aes Sedai rings as trophies?

Spoiler:

That scene made me think maybe the the black dude was the Dark Lord or something. Now that would be a way to shorten up the story.

[Smoove_B]

There sure was a lot more banging and marriage in that episode than I remember from the first book (which, I admit is a distant memory at this point).

Also, trying to get in on Geralt in the tub meme action.

[Blackhawk]

Spoiler:

- Moraine just comes out with "Yeah, one of you four is the Dragon Reborn" in the pilot?

Spoiler:

Not only that, Moiraine really needed to put spoiler tags around that comment. It should have been a big moment, full of 'Oh, shit!' But now the viewers know the big reveal with absolutely no background to understand what the reveal even means. They needed to spend a couple of episodes building up the setting background, then have her reveal it in private to Lan. That would be dramatic. Instead it was a throwaway line.

I still remember reading the equivalent line at the very end of the first book. It made me want to read book 2 right then (and it wasn't even out yet.)

It's like having Gollum mention to Bilbo that he found the Dark Lord's One Ring, or having Vader mention he had a son named Luke in the opening sequence of Episode IV.

[YellowKing]

I liked the first episode for the simple reason it was far less CW than I expected it to be.

I'm having a bit of trouble with Rand because the actor portraying him looks much more like how I pictured Matt in the books. So I keep getting confused due to my own imagination. Also Nynaeve and Egwene are so far removed from my mind's eye vision that I had trouble figuring out who was who initially. But I applaud the diverse casting so It's just a matter of getting used to it.

The differences between the books honestly don't bother me; the fact that this series even exists and so far doesn't completely suck is a miracle in and of itself.

[Jaymann]

Rosamund Pike is given producer credit, so apparently she really wanted to play this role. It shows in the production values. Unfortunately, as I feared, this may devolve into Wheel of Moiraine.

[Archinerd]

I'm having a bit of trouble with Rand because the actor portraying him looks much more like how I pictured Matt in the books.

Rand looks more or less how I imagined, but you may be in luck on Matt. He's been recast for season 2.

[Blackhawk]

The recasting threw me as well. I get why they did it - it was a hard story to insert diversity into. But part of it is just that the logic part of my brain won't accept the idea of a medieval village that small with that amount of diversity. After two or three generations, the diversity would vanish as the races intermarried. To be clear, I wouldn't have been bothered by a village that was all Black, nor would I have been bothered by that kind of diversity in a large city that had international concerns (there was a Black population in Medieval London, for instance.) But the balanced mix pulls me out.

[RunningMn9]

Rand looks more or less how I imagined, but you may be in luck on Matt. He's been recast for season 2.

So far, the actor that plays Mat is the only one I like (I still can’t get past how badly Abel Cauthon got screwed in this deal!).

I feel like I’m going to like the portrayal of Padan Fain.

The first Whitecloak scene is *slightly* better knowing it’s a Questioner.

Rand is being a twat. But at least he’s destined to be a distrustful twat in the books, so it doesn’t bother me that he’s that way from the get go.

[Jaymann]

I must admit I did not see this coming:

Spoiler:

It seemed like they were spending an inordinate amount of time on the innkeeper. I thought it was padding until it turned out she was working for the Dark One. I am glad her annoying character got removed.

Was any such person in the books?

[RunningMn9]

Was any such person in the books?

Yes and no. Think back to Four Kings. I think the character is a combination of two from the books.