Malazan Empire: TheRetiredBridgeburner - Viewing Profile - Malazan Empire

Sophie Okenedo is one of my favourite actresses - I've been lucky enough to see her perform in theatre (as the lead in Medea, where she was beyond sinister!). She was an absolute tour de force in this episode, and her monologue is one of the best examples of writing and acting I think the show has given us. Whilst I'm sad she's gone, I can see the sense in it completely. They were very open that they've had difficulties with scheduling around Sophie's availability last series, and I don't think there's anything in Siuan's post-stilling arc that couldn't be given to another character. I cried on first watch and then cried at roughly the same point in the monologue when listening to Daniel Greene's watch-along. Rosamund Pike gave it absolutely everything as well, her scream when she feels the oath break went through me. I've really enjoyed the show's take on their relationship - they'll be together again next time the Wheel turns.

Good:
1. The Eelfin. I wasn't sure if we'd get them at all, but I loved the creepy design and performance. "Unwise not to set the price..." *shudders*. I didn't spot until the watch-along that Mat was hanging from the ashanderai (hey, I tried spelling it! ) spear. I stand by what I've said throughout the series that Donal Finn is brilliant and he did a great job of Mat here too.
2. Rand making it rain. I mostly loved that sequence (aside from a bit to add below)
3. I really enjoyed Unhinged Lanfear and the fight with Moiraine, and the visual of the True Power.
4. Yay Nynaeve is unblocked. I think they were communicating that she had to trust herself, rather than it being about surrender (which wouldn't really suit this version of Nynaeve). Also Kate Fleetwood continues to Kate Fleetwood all over the place and I love it.
5. I love the Thom actor's performance, and his "Who the fuck is Gaebril?" exchange with Elayne was great.
5. BALEFIRE.
6. If we had to lose Sophie Okenedo, I'm doubly glad we now have Shoreh Agashdaloo as Elaida moving forwards. She has the same ability that Sophie and Rosamund have, to convey a thousand words with a tiny movement of her face. Her expression during Siuan's monologue told you she was shaken. Magnificent.
7. Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain. We finally heard it!
8. Whatever nonsense Moghedien turned Sammael into. That was creepy as fuck. Laia Costa has been wonderful, and I think I said last series that the show was elevating the Forsaken so much over their book counterparts. My only slight quibble is they've given her a very strong Semirhage vibe, and they name dropped Semirhage earlier in the series. Maybe she's taken Mesaana's place instead?
9. The way they posed the question to show only viewers of whether Alviarin is a Darkfriend. If she fully believed Siuan was a Darkfriend, then she can kill her with the Power. Also she can kill her with the Power if she's a Darkfriend. I always enjoyed the combination of non-Darkfriend-but-total-horrow-show Elaida and actual-Darkfriend-horrow-show-Alviarin in the books and how much of a mess of everything they make.
10. Did Rand get his first vision of Lews Therin very briefly?

Not so good (for me)
1. Nothing had time to breathe. The finale itself could have been two episodes and benefited from it, but we've got eight and will probably only continue to have eight, so I appreciate they're doing what they can without that framework.
2. I felt like there was a scene cut where Mat and Min confronted the Black sister after he returns from the Eelfin that demonstrated what the fox medallion does - each other Black sister was fully confronted, whereas that one (I forget which it was) got a bonk on the head and that was it.
3. I don't think the scene where Rand declares himself conveyed very well that Couladin takes the Shaido and the odd other bits and pieces of Aiel who won't accept the truth of their history away and will be a thorn in Rand's side going forward. Couladin just walked off and then that was it.
4. As much as I loved hearing the iconic line at last, I didn't love the scene with Lan and Melhindra. Felt a bit clunky. Also, when is this show going to give Lan a bit more to do?

Thoughts going forward (if we get a renewal)
1. I think we may still get some version of Moiraine v Lanfear a la Fires of Heaven. Still on the fence as to whether the show can really afford to drop Rosamund Pike for a significant length of time.
2. I think Siuan's arc with Egwene will go to either Leane or Verin - and I hope it's Verin, because that would add more weight to the scene we know they won't skip.
3. The Tower schism could go one of two ways - either we open the next season with Salidar established, or they follow up on placing Alanna in the Two Rivers and drop Salidar and set the rebel Tower up there (because I don't really think we'll get Alanna's actual book arc)
4. They're going to bring back Loghain shortly and he'll take the place of Asmodean. They spent too much time on him in the first two series (and crucially had Moiraine visit him) to leave him sitting in that asylum for very much longer.
5. The missing Forsaken (presuming there is just the one) is Demandred and I think he'll be Mazrim Taim (since they name dropped him).
6. We may not get Gareth Bryne as a significant character (though they have mentioned him). I wonder if they'll fold the Great Captains into one, potentially Davram Bashere?
7. Not a chance we're getting meek and mild post-rescue Moiraine settling down with Thom. Which is good, because I hated that for the book character and it would make even less sense for show Moiraine.