[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Yes, the casting of Elaida is confirmed. There was a lot of noise at one point about it because I think people had been fan-casting her as Cadsuane, and got all excited over a Twitter exchange between herself and Rafe Judkins. I prefer it this way - I'd much rather have a strong actress for Elaida.

At a guess, I would suspect Liandrin is getting meshed with Alviarin.

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 16 January 2024 - 06:22 PM

[Abyss]

Alviarin also makes sense, same reasoning, keeps the viewers guessing.

I'm actually very enjoying the deviations from the books. It's a new story w familiar elements but very little repetition.

[Cyphon]

It makes it more gripping for readers as long as it retains adherence to the spirit of the story.

[Abyss]

Cyphon, on 16 January 2024 - 06:48 PM, said:

It makes it more gripping for readers as long as it retains adherence to the spirit of the story.

That's a good way to put it.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Abyss, on 16 January 2024 - 06:35 PM, said:

Alviarin also makes sense, same reasoning, keeps the viewers guessing.

I'm actually very enjoying the deviations from the books. It's a new story w familiar elements but very little repetition.

Cyphon, on 16 January 2024 - 06:48 PM, said:

It makes it more gripping for readers as long as it retains adherence to the spirit of the story.

Agreed, it's keeping it fresh and interesting and I would say overall the spirit is there.

I suspect I'll be happy with whatever they do with Liandrin, she's had too much set up for the show to lose her from the cast in the way book Liandrin just trickles off and stops mattering. Kate Fleetwood is one of the best in the cast, I'm just happy to see as much of her as possible.

Interestingly, there was an anecdote in Patrick Stewart's biography where he says the only woman who's genuinely scared him acting opposite him was Kate Fleetwood playing Lady Macbeth - her performance was just that good.

[Tiste Simeon]

I can totally see her being an incredible Lady Macbeth!

[Abyss]

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 17 January 2024 - 01:45 PM, said:

Abyss, on 16 January 2024 - 06:35 PM, said:

Alviarin also makes sense, same reasoning, keeps the viewers guessing.

I'm actually very enjoying the deviations from the books. It's a new story w familiar elements but very little repetition.

Cyphon, on 16 January 2024 - 06:48 PM, said:

It makes it more gripping for readers as long as it retains adherence to the spirit of the story.

Agreed, it's keeping it fresh and interesting and I would say overall the spirit is there.

I suspect I'll be happy with whatever they do with Liandrin, she's had too much set up for the show to lose her from the cast in the way book Liandrin just trickles off and stops mattering. Kate Fleetwood is one of the best in the cast, I'm just happy to see as much of her as possible.

Interestingly, there was an anecdote in Patrick Stewart's biography where he says the only woman who's genuinely scared him acting opposite him was Kate Fleetwood playing Lady Macbeth - her performance was just that good.

Tiste Simeon, on 17 January 2024 - 02:17 PM, said:

I can totally see her being an incredible Lady Macbeth!

Same. I had an initial impression she was overselling the role but as the show moved along and she leaned in instead of backing off i just started to genuinely enjoy her scenes. She plays very well off the rest of the cast, Moiraine in particular.

[the broken]

I think they're probably not going to do most of the political scheme type stuff you need Alviarin for, it's a loose enough adaptation and they don't have much time, so I think they'll cut most of it.

Re Liandrin, the script was the issue in Season 1, not the performance.

This post has been edited by the broken: 17 January 2024 - 03:50 PM

[Abyss]

S2 Ep3

Spoiler

The fake out w Nyneave's visions was well handled. It was obvious the moment Lan showed up at precisely the right instant, but even so they played it well.

Nyneave grabbing up her 'daughter' to run through the arch... THAT WAS BRUTAL.

The worse part was me hoping against hope that if they were willing to go so far off the books, they might let her keep the kid and knowing damn well there was no way that would happen.

The best part was the LadyByss, who has not read the books, having the same reaction.

I continue to enjoy this.

[Abyss]

Just Finished Season 2.

I enjoyed this. The pace was solid, the main characters all received fair treatment, i was entertained until the end, which was suitably epic.
There are things i could nitpick, but really, overall, this ticked all the boxes i needed it to for me to keep watching.

Spoiler

The decision to intro Elayne, Min, and Aviendra via Egwene, Mat, and Perrin's individual stories was well done. Each effectively became an important supporting character without throwing them at Rand or the viewer. I also thought each was well handled by the script and the cast.

Rand... the actor sold this better than i expected. He kept it low key but still conveyed the fear and conflict. I thoroughly enjoyed the moment when Turok (whose long nails are just ridiculous) delivers the 'Let us see what it takes to earn the Heron Blade here' line, and Rand just gets annoyed and wipes him and his guards out.

Perrin wolfing out over Hopper and triggering his conflict w Bornhold was nicely handled. I enjoyed his byplay w Avi and the other spearmaidens, who were perfect as far as i'm concerned.

Egwene's time as a damane was well handled. Clever to eliminate anyone else from that story and just focus on her. When she steps fwd and holds back Ishamael it was PERFECT. The cast completely sold that moment.

Nynaeve had a really strong season, tho it felt like they downplayed her in the finale to give Elayne and Egwene more to do. It worked tho.

Moiraine and Lan's bond was a pretty blunt subplot but it worked well enough. The finale - w them showing up on the beach at just the right time thanks to Lanfear - was almost a little too conveeeeeeenient, but it worked in the context of Lanfear messing with Ishamael's plans.

Mat's plotlines were a bit blunt, but worked. I could nitpick, but honestly him being maneuvered into the situation to blow the Horn and lead the Heroes was such epic fantasy candy that i cannot complain. Bringing Uno back as a hero was a nice touch.

Lanfear was flawless, and she did such a great job w the character that when Moghedien shows up at the end and scares her it was glorious.

Great fun. I'm thoroughly in for S3.

[worry]

Basically agree with alla that. It's not really the type of fantasy with three-dimensional characters anyway, but they're doing the two-dimensional stuff pretty well. It does frequently make me wonder how people who haven't read the books are taking it.

[Cyphon]

My wife is very keen, although she does like a good fantasy series.

[Macros]

Same, wife enjoys, has no knowledge of the source material beyond where I expand on a point

[Tiste Simeon]

Same, wife enjoys, has no knowledge of the source material beyond where I expand on a point (with my own admittedly limited knowledge).

We've both enjoyed both seasons, and both think S2 was a step up in quality all around.

[Abyss]

Same, LadyByss enjoys, has no knowledge of the source material, and i just stfu and enjoy because she hates when i expand on a point w my own knowledge.