[Cause]

I appreciate your perspective Tiste, as someone who hasn’t read the books. It’s interesting to see the threads and thoughts non readers are picking up and having. I can’t Unknow what I know.

Also where is our resident wot fanatic?

This post has been edited by Cause: 14 December 2021 - 02:54 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Cause, on 14 December 2021 - 02:53 PM, said:

I appreciate your perspective Tiste, as someone who hasn't read the books. It's interesting to see the threads and thoughts non readers are picking up and having. I can't Unknow what I know.

Also where is our resident wot fanatic?

What you know... about the books.

The tv series is not the books. Different world, different plot. How different they're willing to be for the sake of tv is the question. I imagine many book readers would welcome not knowing what's coming---what else will change, how what remains will be transformed... if the series continues to be as successful as it seems to have been so far, the % of viewers who would throw a fit about major changes will probably be negligible. Especially relative to the greater number retained / acquired by making changes.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Azath Vitr (D, on 14 December 2021 - 03:50 PM, said:

Cause, on 14 December 2021 - 02:53 PM, said:

I appreciate your perspective Tiste, as someone who hasn't read the books. It's interesting to see the threads and thoughts non readers are picking up and having. I can't Unknow what I know.

Also where is our resident wot fanatic?

What you know... about the books.

The tv series is not the books. Different world, different plot. How different they're willing to be for the sake of tv is the question. I imagine many book readers would welcome not knowing what's coming---what else will change, how what remains will be transformed... if the series continues to be as successful as it seems to have been so far, the % of viewers who would throw a fit about major changes will probably be negligible. Especially relative to the greater number retained / acquired by making changes.

I'm a book reader who is firmly in this category. I'm enjoying not knowing what's going to happen, or being sure who is being hinted at for future introduction. And also enjoying Mr Not a Blacksmith's non-reader perspective on things at the same time.

[Cause]

I think one character in Particular will be set up from the beginning as being more important. More screen time, more importance. In genera I think the balancing of screen time will be better

That said I think one character will remain as they were

[worry]

That could be interesting. I'm starting to think one character will rule them all, one character will find them, and one character will bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

[Macros]

This cycles me back to the minor characters not being seen yet, I'd say a lot will be chopped (no loss in the main) I would also say a few of the majors we haven't seen yet could go to remove some of Jordans rampant wish fulfillment as well

[Tiste Simeon]

worry, on 14 December 2021 - 05:40 PM, said:

That could be interesting. I'm starting to think one character will rule them all, one character will find them, and one character will bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Were they all deceived, for another character was made?

[Morgoth]

I realise there's a lot of complaining from me here, it feels a little at odds with the rest of you, but wouldn't it have been better if they'd spent a little more time in Tar Valon? It's a great place to give the characters (and by extension the viewers) time to explore the world. A city is perfect to introduce cultures, politics, people and all that stuff. Not to mention giving them a little room to grow their characters and their relationship to each other.

[worry]

I agree, but I had previously thought it was a 10 ep season. Learning it's only 8, I think that content has inevitably gotta get budgeted across seasons. For now everyone is just getting 1 or 2 bullet points. Or maybe Loial will become an exposition machine instead.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Tiste Simeon, on 15 December 2021 - 04:21 PM, said:

worry, on 14 December 2021 - 05:40 PM, said:

That could be interesting. I'm starting to think one character will rule them all, one character will find them, and one character will bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Were they all deceived, for another character was made?

Into which was poured cruely, malice and will to dominate all life?

[Tiste Simeon]

So I've just started episode 7 and that fight between the pregnant lady and all those soldiers was DOPE!

I did ask my heavily pregnant wife if that woman could do all that, why can't she?

Went down well tbh.

[Avatar]

Ep 7 was terrific! For me, the series has great combination of atmosphere, lore, great characters. Actress playing Moiraine is acting very well, imo. Loved the scenes with the seer. I also realized that I like it, not havibg read the books, not knowing what is coming next.

[Tiste Simeon]

I really enjoyed that episode.

Spoiler

The reveal about Rand was so well done. Loved learning more about Lan and Loial is just ace.

[Cause]

I enjoyed the episode and am excited for the finale. Not sure I love how evertything was handled but it’s good enough.



I’m sad they prophecies never got any mention. I always thought Jordan nailed them. They are clever, cryptic and obvious at the same time but also drive home the dread and fear of the dragon which I think hasnt got enough attention

Spoiler

The Shadow shall rise across the world, and darken every land, even to the smallest corner, and there shall be neither Light nor safety.
And he who shall be born of the Dawn, born of the Maiden, according to Prophecy,
he shall stretch forth his hands to catch the Shadow,
and the world shall scream in the pain of salvation.
All Glory be to the Creator, and to the Light, and to he who shall be born again. May the Light save us from him.

Yet one shall be born to face the Shadow,
born once more as he was born before,
and shall be born again, time without end.
The Dragon shall be Reborn,
and there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth at his rebirth.
In sackcloth and ashes shall he clothe the people,
and he shall break the world again by his coming,
tearing apart all ties that bind.
Like the unfettered dawn shall he blind us, and burn us,
yet shall the Dragon Reborn confront the Shadow at the Last Battle,
and his blood shall give us the Light.
Let tears flow, O ye people of the world.
Weep for your salvation.

Thoughts on the episode

Spoiler

Before mins viewing in the last five minutes and with more connection with Egwene I thought maybe that could be a huge change from the books. Also not one I’d necessarily mind. Looks like we could go the book route though after all.

The triangle with Perrin is wierd. Not least because he was married and his wife just recently died but if Rand never even noticed before I don’t see how they could have fought enough in the past to annoy Nynaeve. I’m not sure what it brings to the story yet if anything.

The bow! Since only Rand carries one and he hasn’t used it in 6 episodes I have been waiting for it. The reveal felt rushed. Was it always planned to be just 8 episodes?

[worry]

That opening scene was the best thing in the season so far. Didn't love but also didn't mind the teen soapy stuff getting all packed in here, as it at least made sense right after encountering Machin Shin. At least by conventional plotting standards, where a fair warning of "hey, maybe don't believe this evil entity that whispers manipulative things to you" inevitably gets ignored.


Book stuff:

Spoiler

I didn't think they would change up the Dragon, but they do seem to be speeding up the Super Friends stuff, which is fine by me.

In terms of the sex, might seem counterintuitive, but I think the fact that folks are actually having sex makes the show considerably less horny than the books.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Episode 7: The less 'realistic' sets were on the shitty side and detracted a bit. Would be annoyed if Malazan got that treatment (especially for 10 million per episode...).

Acting was almost really good, but went slightly off and overboard again. Probably the director's fault, trying to milk facial twitches a little too much (or not organically enough...).

Dialogue was mostly meh but the actors overcame it.

Plot and pacing were okay, which is to say a vast improvement over what little I remember of the books.

Lore was mildly interesting.

Did like the opening too.

Spoiler

Seems like Rand might be a lot less whiny and reluctant about being the Dragon than in the books? Wanting to boldly venture forth. But there's still time for him to come around....

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 18 December 2021 - 05:09 AM

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

I loved episode 7 overall.

One quibble

Spoiler

Did not love the love triangle stuff - it seemed a bit forced and not sure what it brought to the story. I did see a theory in a fan group that the character of Berelain is going to be much reduced/removed and so setting this up could be a way of triggering Faile's ridiculous jealously and what not when she arrives if Berelain isn't there to do so.

Loved the reveal with TDR, thought it was very well done.

Mr Not a Blacksmith has now watched up to Episode 3, and his current theory on TDR is

Spoiler

Perrin - largely because he twigged Thom's song was about the Dragon and linked "he saw his whole world breaking" with him having killed his wife.

He did however definitely catch Dana saying "three men your size couldn't get through" the door and then Rand doing so, because he pulled a face at it. I suspect he'll land on the right person before the reveal.

[Macros]

Caught up last night.

Happy enough with how things are done. Mins done quite well

Agree a bit if worry, having the sexy time happen takes a lot of the crappy Jordan subtext out.

The Aiel at the start, great fight scene

[Malankazooie]

Hoping to get a few of the episodes knocked down over this Christmas/New Year's period. Episode 1 in the books.

A solid start. Not without its issues for sure, least of which were some of the cgi sfx. Some of it was rather below par, but it didn't dominate, so I can live with it. The practical creature makeup for the Trollocs is really cool, but there were some action sequences in quick shots where you could see the 'man wearing a suit' effect quite clearly (which is not out of the ordinary for a show like this, so again, not a big deal). One thing that was kind of annoyingly obvious was some of the tells the episode didn't even attempt to be clever about, ex. anytime a scene with Moiraine and Lan discussing the dragon reborn, it follows with a scene of a particular individual. The location shots were stunning. They really have hit it out of the park in that regard. Aspects of episode 1 were quite a departure from the book, but I like the update and changes. They have to go for a wider audience, not some myopic nerd demographic who gatekeep the series and think it should follow the book(s) to a tee. Overall I enjoyed it and am looking forward to episode 2. Roll on WoT.

This post has been edited by Malankazooie: 22 December 2021 - 08:27 AM

[Briar King]

Ep 8

What an absolute train wreck clusterfuck curved to the left piece of dog shit of a finale that turned into. I was blown away how far and twisted this became from the source. I cut it massive slack up to the start of this utter fart stink of an ender but I just don’t know if I’m cool pressing on after this. Hell I ain’t even going to tag anything just yet. Maybe later I ll be less grumpy and can.

Kudos I guess if ya dig that waste of time.