Elder_Haman

My main criticism of that battle is that it was too long. Moiraine and Lan’s intervention should have immediately and definitively turned the tide.

First of all, a poster is not just a still shot from some portion of the video footage. It is a different media and serves a different purpose. But let's set that aside. Your original complaint was that the poster, Because you wanted This is exactly what the poster depicts. Rand is walking away from Rhuidean. We know this from the ritual spears which are thrust into the ground at the top of the ridge line above the city. In the poster, Rand has crested the hill with Moiraine in his arms and walks toward the viewer. His strength, purpose, and concern is evident in the way he carries her - like a loving father bringing a sleeping child to bed. The sun is rising behind Rand. The way the light bisects the frame just above Rand's foot along with the puff of dust just underneath it gives the impression that Rand is literally brining the morning sun with him as he walks. It is a pretty spot on depiction of "He Who Comes With the Dawn". Consider also that Rand is in a different place in the tv series than in the show. In the show he does not have Callandor and has not yet accepted himself as the Dragon Reborn. This season is where he will take his power. So this poster is also evocative of Rand's journey from protected to protector, weak to strong, unsure to confident. So what you really seem to be upset with is that the image doesn't contain the city of Rhuidean or the gathered Aiel chiefs. That's fair, I can envision a cool image that contains those elements, we probably get one in the show itself. It looks like you and I agree that they chose the correct moment for the poster though. So that's something!

Finally.

The idea that one can only speak positively about the show if one is being paid to do so is offensive and not productive.

We know from the trailer that Rhuidean is right behind him and that the Aiel are waiting ahead of him. This stark image of Rand and Moiraine is far more powerful than one loaded up with people and things many viewers do not yet understand.

That is literally what the poster is. What are you talking about?

I understand that the directors for this season are more familiar with action scenes than last season’s.

It’s not.

I’m excited for Mat vs. Gawyn/Galad.

The YouTube channel “Unraveling the Pattern” did a shot-by-shot analysis. He lightened up that scene and gave it a little color. It’s obviously the Emond’s Field 5. But the second from the left is farther back and hard to make out. Could be Min. Could be Lan. Looks like Moggy to me.

Agreed. Looks like part of Moiraine’s visions.

I doubt we see this exact shot in the show. I think it’s meant to be evocative. If real, same thing. A ceremonial spear left by pilgrims upon entering.

You? A killjoy? No way.

Looks good! I’m excited again.

There’s a new marketing team. I hope they step it up, because the marketing for this show has been an utter disaster.

Back to the Two Rivers?

To be fair, you are one of the most honest brokers on here.

Untrue. There are plenty of folk on here who offer constructive criticism without falling into the “this show is an abomination, Jordan is rolling over in his grave” nonsense.

I’m not sure what exactly this means. But it is very hard to honestly critique the show - not because the show fans refuse to hear criticism (they mostly don’t), but because the show detractors mostly refuse to acknowledge anything positive. Anyone who isn’t relentlessly negative is dismissed as an “apologist” or worse. Season 2 was good tv, despite the liberties taken with the source material.

They could probably place Callandor in Rhuidean and kill two birds with one stone. I do think that we will get some version of the twisted door/the Finn.

That seems more like an observation to me.

Where was the personal attack?

I’m somewhere in between. The prologue was confusing to me. I had no idea what was going on. From there it took off. As a Tolkien fan, it was obviously derivative, but felt comfortable. The journey from Edmond’s Field to Fal Dara was tense and interesting and had me riveted. I liked the characters (especially Perrin). And then came the end. Which once again, made no sense. In fact, I was so baffled by the end that if I hadn’t already bought the Great Hunt, I probably wouldn’t have continued reading. Fortunately, I had books 2 and 3 already and kept reading.

I will rewatch previous seasons of a show I like prior to a new season dropping.

Agreed. Unfotunately, it does seem to be the new normal. Sort of a weird mix between tv and movies. (The wait between the first three Star Wars films was interminable.)