The Wheel of Time

To be clear: the first two seasons are really NOT good, especially if you are a fan of the books.

They changed a lot - also stuff that was not needed for an adaptation. They also had weak writing. 5he troubles while shooting (covid + hollywood strike) explain some of that, but these two seasons are no more than 6 stars, if even that high.

That beeing said, season 3 is really good. It is what this adaptation was supposed to be like. Nobody in their right mind expects a 1 to 1 translation from page to screen, thats not how tv works. You have to change stuff. The things they are changing for s3 make sense or bring things back on track from the first two seasons. If they continue like this, they can make it a good show.

Is it flawless? No. Is it finally an acceptable adaptation? Yes.

I hole we get s4 confirmed soon and they can make this something special.

Absolutely amazing season so far! A snow a bit shy, based on covid and Mat's recast in the ending of season 1, but getting better with each episode since! Season 3 is a must see, great world building, costumes and very good acting already at this point from the kids! Fresh new additions to the cast and solid adaptation. The show is now ready to lose some of the main protagonists as in the books, although that will make me cry! A few things done even better then in the books, especially when it comes to the heroes being more real and relatable in a tv adaptation. It also answers my biggest question as a huge book fan - why the white tower is unaware that there are so many channelers in the world outside of it? It absolutely bothered me in the books that the so powerfull and knowledgeable tower doesnt have a clue about the chanellers amongst the aiel, the seafolk etc if there are so many and each Aes Sedai knows who can channel only by seeing them, even when that person does not hold saidar at the moment. I beg those at Amazon, keep the show going it seems it will only get bigger and better now! The book material from now on has such a rich and unique storyline, that if the show goes all the way to the end, it will be impossible to ever find anything as good as it! PS: I cannot get "The hills if Tanchico" out of my mind! The hills of Tanchicoooo.....

The Wheel of Time is an ambitious fantasy series based on Robert Jordan's iconic book series, bringing to life a sprawling world filled with magic, prophecy, and a battle between light and darkness. Visually, the show is stunning, with breathtaking landscapes, detailed costumes, and a rich cultural tapestry that sets it apart from other fantasy adaptations. The special effects and world-building are genuinely impressive, capturing the epic scale and complexity of the source material. Rosamund Pike delivers a powerful performance as Moiraine, grounding the story with wisdom and mystery. The supporting cast also brings energy and diversity, representing the wide array of cultures and nations that exist within the Wheel's turning. However, despite all these strengths, the show's momentum is noticeably held back by the portrayal of its central character, Rand al'Thor, played by Josha Stradowski. While the character is meant to evolve from a humble farmer to a world-changing figure, Stradowski's performance often feels flat, lacking the emotional depth and inner turmoil that defines Rand's journey in the books. His stoic demeanor comes across more as wooden than reserved, making it difficult to connect with him or fully invest in his transformation. Given the importance of Rand to the overall narrative, this casting misstep significantly impacts the emotional resonance of the series. One can't help but wonder how much stronger the show could have been with a more dynamic actor in the lead role-someone capable of conveying the vulnerability, fear, and reluctant heroism that Rand embodies. For instance, imagining an actor with the nuanced charm and range of a young Daniel Radcliffe, best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter, could have dramatically altered the feel of the series. Radcliffe's ability to grow with a character and express internal conflict would have added layers to Rand's arc, making the story more compelling and emotionally grounded. That said, the rest of the ensemble cast works hard to elevate the material, and the showrunners deserve credit for attempting to streamline an incredibly dense series into a television format. The narrative pacing has its highs and lows, occasionally feeling rushed or disjointed, especially for those unfamiliar with the books. Still, fans of the series will appreciate the nods to the original lore and the attempts to stay true to the themes of balance, destiny, and the cyclical nature of time. With strong female leads, diverse representation, and a deep mythology, The Wheel of Time has a lot going for it, but it also struggles under the weight of its own expectations. If the central performance had been more engaging, it could have elevated the entire production to a different level. Instead, the series sometimes feels like it's spinning in place, trying to find its emotional core. Despite this, there's still potential for growth, especially if the character development sharpens in future seasons. As it stands, The Wheel of Time is a visually rich and thematically ambitious adaptation that is held back by uneven acting and some awkward narrative choices-but with a few key changes, it could still become one of the greats in modern fantasy television.

To start with, I have read the series of books and although they were not perfect, they were highly enjoyable and epic in their scale.

Now to the series.

A show or movies based on a book or series of books is generally bound to infuriate as the finished product cannot compare to the imagination of the reader, and there are not many examples of where this has been overcome.

So far I have been watching a show that has the main characters of the books relegated to supporting characters with little to no dialogue in some episodes.

There were over 2000 named characters in the book and they still felt the need to create new characters for the show that serve no real purpose.

The acting is fairly bad. With the amount of money spent on the cinematography, you would think they would have hired better actors.

I could see how someone who hasn't read the books would be confused as to what is going on, as the explanations as to what is going on are vague, which makes me wonder who this show was made for.

If it was to introduce people to the world that Robert Jordan created then they failed.

If it was for fans of the books, then they have again failed, as they have been changing things that didn't need to be changed and generally angering fans.

If you are going to adapt a series of books, then do so correctly, otherwise write your own original story and do what you want with it.

My positive takeaway from The Wheel of Time is that the cinematography is excellent, and unfortunately that is the only thing I find worthwhile.

Maybe it will get better, but I highly doubt it.

If you enjoy reading, I would recommend giving the series of books a glance, as this show is a pale reflection of the story Jordan wrote.

At the beginning I was not so sure, but as it has gone longer it has proven to be a very good show. While I have not read the books yet, I know many who both love and hate it and from both I have gathered it is a good enough adaption. If you have not read the books, you will enjoy it. If you have read the books you might take issue with some choices, but they also do a good job getting the broad strokes across in a very limited number of episodes. Some people are excessively negative about any adapted show, and that happens here as well. I say give it a shot if you enjoy high fantasy or fantasy at all.