Wheel of Time Spoilers and Speculation

[Gradine]

This here's the spoiler thread for all us book fans to openly discuss the series and speculate about the future of the upcoming TV shows. We can leave the other thread spoiler free for folx who are coming to the franchise with fresh eyes.

So what do you think? Will Rand steal the spotlight? How many seasons will Mat refuse to do anything interesting just to avoid getting hitched? Will anybody finally listen to Nynaeve? Will there be any female characters that aren't expies of Jordan's wife?

Speculate here!

 

[Urriak Uruk]

So what do you think? Will Rand steal the spotlight? How many seasons will Mat refuse to do anything interesting just to avoid getting hitched? Will anybody finally listen to Nynaeve? Will there be any female characters that aren't expies of Jordan's wife?

Speculate here!

Um... No, 3, no (tugs braid furiously), yes (there are a couple that are just Barbie-proportioned and flat evil).

 

[cmad1977]

I just hope it’s tighter than the books. I feel like 3 of them could have been edited out entirely.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Realistically, the POV structure of the novel together with Tam's fever dream in Ch.6 of Eye of the World remove all doubt from the mind of the reader as to who the Dragon is.

The series is not burdened with a POV structure. I believe that the fever dream confession will also be removed from episode 1.

When you then consider the odd talents of the three ta'veren without the meta construction of the novel and Tam's "chosen one" confession, things may appear to be very different.

• Perrin demonstrates supernatural powers first (the Wolves).
• Matt definitely demonstrates madness first, and it remains unclear what "power" the dagger may grant Matt, (or seem to grant Matt without obviously being the work of the dagger.)

So if it unspools in that fashion, Rand becomes the dark horse candidate - and not the obvious choice seen organically by an unspoiled viewer.

 

[Urriak Uruk]

Realistically, the POV structure of the novel together with Tam's fever dream in Ch.6 of Eye of the World remove all doubt from the mind of the reader as to who the Dragon is.

The series is not burdened with a POV structure. I believe that the fever dream confession will also be removed from episode 1.

When you then consider the odd talents of the three ta'veren without the meta construction of the novel and Tam's "chosen one" confession, things may appear to be very different.

• Perrin demonstrates supernatural powers first (the Wolves).
• Matt definitely demonstrates madness first, and it remains unclear what "power" the dagger may grant Matt, (or seem to grant Matt without obviously being the work of the dagger.)

So if it unspools in that fashion, Rand becomes the dark horse candidate - and not the obvious choice seen organically by an unspoiled viewer.

If the series is centered more on Egwene (which the trailer seems to indicate) Rand probably will get a lot of screen time because of their relationship... unless the series avoids all foreshadowing, I'm doubtful any attentive viewer will be surprised.

But who knows, the series isn't close to out yet!

 

[Zardnaar]

Haven't read the books in 20 years so the ol memory is sketchy. As long as it's entertaining enough I don't care to much.

Let's face it the books aren't all that either. Trailer recognized a few things though.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Haven't read the books in 20 years so the ol memory is sketchy. As long as it's entertaining enough I don't care to much.

Let's face it the books aren't all that either. Trailer recognized a few things though.

I disagree. The books are "all that" and Sanderson's final 3 volumes are exceptional.

If you stopped 20 years ago - you were like most (me included) at the time and probably stopped around Book 6 or 7. (6 ends on a dramatic high note, however).

For all that, I agree that the "slog", book 7-10 is uneven and prolonged. Via audiobook, however, they provide an exceptional vacation for the mind. And a long one, too.

11-14 makes it totally worth it though.

 

[Zardnaar]

I disagree. The books are "all that" and Sanderson's final 3 volumes are exceptional.

If you stopped 20 years ago - you were like most (me included) at the time and probably stopped around Book 6 or 7. (6 ends on a dramatic high note, however).

For all that, I agree that the "slog", book 7-10 is uneven and prolonged. Via audiobook, however, they provide an exceptional vacation for the mind. And a long one, too.

11-14 makes it totally worth it though.

Gave up book 7.

Atm enjoyed The Witcher and Shadow and Bone. If it's in that ballpark I'm happy.

 

[Steel_Wind]

If the series is centered more on Egwene (which the trailer seems to indicate)

I don't think for a moment that this is the case. The books give more than equal treatment to the female protagonists as to the males. Fans of the books know this, so they don't need to be sold on it.

At the same time, fantasy which involves swords and magic tends to appeal to a male audience by default. I attribute the prominence the show is giving to Moiraine and the Aes Sedai to be their marketing pitch focused upon attracting female viewers as well. They don't want this to appear to be a "dude fest".

Lastly, the main concern of the showrunner Rafe Judkins, is to emphasize what he has to sell that viewers will not receive from the show's main competition -- which he sees as Amazon's Lord of the Rings prequel. And in that sense, he can't match what Middle Earth does have to offer. So he is emphasizing what Middle Earth doesn't have: a Tower and magic school full of scheming Aes Sedai, with political backstabbing, unknown traitors sworn to the dark, all wielding in your face, flashy AF, over-the-top magical powers. Rafe has High Powered Fantasy with the Magic level turned WAY UP to sell - so that's the other highlighted emphasis. And it's on display in the teaser-trailer.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I pretty much agree with this. The point of the first trailer was to answer the questions in the minds of those unfamiliar with the books: "What makes this fantasy world unique? How is it different from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones?" Well, lots of magic and powerful female characters, both of which were showcased in the trailer. Start out with "This farm boy must save the world" - well, that's been done a thousand times. Once it's established how it's unique, then you go into more of the plot with later trailers. I don't doubt that Rand, Mat, amd Perrin will be the focus of the next one...