Having successfully avoided all direct and indirect spoilers, including the ones making the rounds on my X timeline, I'm glad to say that I've completed the first three episodes of the Prime Video blockbuster, The Wheel of Time.
A lot has certainly changed, and while we saw the extent of deviation from the source material right from the first episode back in season one, the screenwriters of season three look to have completely thrown the original plot out of the window. Now, this may sound like a negative pronouncement, but it really depends on how you see it.
After getting over the stark differences in the books and screenplay, there remains plenty to enjoy in the The Wheel of Time so far.
The first episode of the new season of Amazon Prime's TV series launches viewers into a very satisfying showdown between Black Ajah ringleader Liandrin and Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat.
The dramatics are pretty convincing, and the delightful clash between the forces of light and the dark in the heart of Tar Valon is an indication that the great politicking has begun. From the very start, the glaring rift within the once-united fellowship of the Aes Sedai women's cult is deadly.
This scene opens up what will surely be a major plot thread this season. I mean, the Wheel of Time books are only some of the most politics-heavy fantasy reads you'll ever find. Expect more string-pulling and deft puppetering in the White Tower and beyond! The Aes Sedai aren't playing around.
Season one of The Wheel of Time spent a few episodes teasing the identity of The Dragon Reborn. Now, we see the beginnings of Rand al'Thor's evolution from the innocent sheepherder to a symbol of national hope and a bane to the rising influence of the ancient Forsaken.
His madness ought to have set in, methinks. One would expect that, given how the story has accelerated, covering events in at least two books (The Dragon Reborn and The Shadow Rising) in the main series, Lews Therin would at least be showing some signs of going cuckoo.
Perrin remains the best-written ta'veren character in the screenplay despite being very differently developed from Robert Jordan's Perrin Aybara. In his arc, viewers can enjoy the promise of lots of action to follow at some point in The Wheel of Time season three.
Mat is the character with whom the scriptwriters seem unsure of what to do. Things are more about fully defining his relationship with his seer friend Min than his apparent character transformation. I'm curious to see what the shows make of Matrim Cauthon, who is arguably one of the finest characters in fantasy.
Elsewhere, Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney), Egwene al'Vere (Madeleine Madden), and Nynaeve al'Meara (Zoë Robins) are all brilliantly depicted, almost enough to make the fandom forget that they were initially written to be based on teenage characters.
Again, the showrunners let the audience know what they think of the canon's original story, chucking plot threads out at will and replacing them with intriguing substitutes.
Moghedien's scenes show surprisingly much respect for one of the weakest Forsaken by strength in the One Power. Introducing Rahvin and Sammael this early into the season suggests that balefire might be used more than once in the latter stages of The Wheel of Time season three.
Regardless, seeing the Forsaken gather and scheme over what to do with The Dragon Reborn was quite exciting.
Although Perrin has been getting most of the dream world scenes due to his wolf brother status, it's interesting to see how the showrunners bring the rest of the cast into The Wheel of Time's dream world.
Lanfear and Lews Therin continue their meetings in the dream world while Egwene meets the Aiel Wise Ones, familiar from a preceding mutual encounter in Tel'aran'rhiod.
Tel'aran'rhiod is every bit as significant a setting for events in Randland as iconic venues like the White Tower, Falme, and soon-to-be Tear. I hope the show directors keep using this medium at the current rate. It's been impressive so far.
While not in itself an awful deviation, the decision to make several character relationships gay arguably takes something out of some of the original characters.
Whether it's Moirane and Siuan, Allana Mosvani and her two warders, or Elayne and Aviendha, it's a different story when Rand doesn't have three women pining for him, and Thom Merrilin isn't there to temper Moiraine's fire.
The books themselves are as prudent as a nun's shift, with only one explicit sex scene through 14 books and several hundred thousand words. The crew at Prime Video continue to do as they please, glad to incorporate sexual content in ways the books were never written to resemble.
So far, it sells, and the viewer ratings continue going strong. But the question remains, "Is it really necessary?"
The original series presents Galad (played by Callum Kerr) and Gawyn (played by Luke Fetherston) of the royal house of Trakand as strong characters in their own right. While we've only seen a few scenes from both in season three, their depth is far from apparent.
Like Galad, Gawyn, and Mat, Elmindreda also falls into this category, seeming merely to drift around without any purpose crucial to major on-screen developments and revelations. Hopefully, more progress can be made to bring these crucial characters from the edge of the periphery.
Shohreh Aghdashloo, an Oscar nominee, plays Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan. Through her, we immediately see Elaida's strength of character. Whether it's her voice or carriage, Elaida looks set to be one of the most compelling characters in The Wheel of Time season three.
Elsewhere, it's only a few minute's worth of screentime from Faile Bashere (Isabella Bucceri), but we see plenty of promise in the character.
The key to enjoying The Wheel of Time season three will be the ability of fans to manage expectations. If you've read the original 14-book series, you should make peace with your spirit that the plot will be stretched as far from the source material as possible.
Prime Video's production is less about faithful adaptation and more about exploring the possibilities in the richly detailed world of The Wheel of Time.
New season is still a disgraceful misrepresentation of the source material. Inserting the unnecessary lesbian kiss between Aviendha and Elaine who later become bonded into sisterhood via Aiel channeling, breaking the haft of Perrin's are which he carries through most of the series, completely removing Faile (thus far). Perrin being sent back to the two rivers as opposed to boldly striding his own path, Matt willingly going back to Tar Valon with Nyneave, etc.