Skipp

There is some fascinating revelations if you happen to read Sarah Nakamura's twitter in the last day. She was talking about a couple of scenes that people had problems with. First being the scene with Ispan and Moggy in the dream. Some people were unhappy with Ispan using the term forsaken instead of chosen. Apparently Sarah had flagged that line and there were discussions about it but then the writers strike happened and the scene was already filmed by the time they got back. Similar is the healing scene with Alanna. they had worked up a couple of version of that scene but hadn't decided fully on any and once again the writers strike prevented them from polishing it up before filming. Really does suck that the show has had to deal with things like that but that is the nature of the beast I suppose. But as some fan mentioned that scene did not bother them because baby channelers are always doing unexpected things in the books. My head canon is that they had started to heal their mothers hangovers because they were sick of her being so "sick" all the time.

Concerning the scene with Rand destroying Sammael without much thought. I was watching the Dusty Wheel's vod of their aftershow and it seems there is whispering during the channeling scene. Specifically it sounds like someone whispering Illyena. So take that as you will.

And to be fair they were just making out. Has no one kissed their crush in a moment of passion? I don't see how this of all things is unrealistic. While we don't get to see it they have been together for 2-3 weeks. Considering her reaction about the reveal of Mat and the Horn it is implied they have talked about it more than the single time shown.

This episode was very fun aside from a couple of moments. The Biggest elephant was certainly the healing done by Mats sisters. There were other ways to handle this that I think could have worked better. Ah well at least for my head canon I will think that the girls developed a talent so they could heal their mother who was so often sick after coming home from the inn. Not sure why I am not liking the dialogue in Egwene's training scenes. I don't really know why but something seems off to me. I have little issue with the skills that Egwene has shown in the dreamworld it is just the training scenes that are bothering me. Back on the topic of healing at least characters spent an episode dealing with their wounds. I actually thought Alanna might bite it as I didn't recall seeing any scenes of her during the battle in the brief trailers we have gotten. I was a little worried with how they would handle the breakup scene between Ran and Egwene but I think they pulled it off solidly. I think it could have been better but they addressed the points I wanted them to. Now I am looking forward to Rand confronting Lanfear about it. I loved the talk that Moiraine and Rand had, saidin and saidar fully mentioned at last! I really enjoyed the Perrin and Faile scenes. Perrin has always been my favourite character in the books and Faile is up the list as well. And while this seemed quick we know they have spent a week or two together at this point. I dunno I just liked the dialogue between them. I am not sure if Faile is being honest about her background, I have little reason to doubt her aside from book knowledge. The episode scene stealer belongs to all of the Tanchico cast. Bloody brilliant between all of them. Loved seeing Thom back and Mat just badgering him to stay just a little longer. Ceara once again shows how talented she is interacting with any member of the cast. I loved Elayne's attempt to blend in with the accent and story. The Hills of Tanchico have been stuck in my head all morning. Min and Nynaeve had a surprising great interaction, quite interesting to see Nynaeve let her braid down so to speak. In the BTS for the episode Zoe mentioned how she had to figure out how to laugh as Nynaeve and Josha joked that it only took 4 years. The Moggy scene with Elayne and Nynaeve was everything I hoped for. So freaking tense, so fun seeing her just casually strut in and take control. So amazing to see Nynaeve almost resist her. And finally the biggest scene of the show; Rand, Sammael and the little girl. While the battle left much to be desired I was blown away at how easily Rand bodied Sammael. The Forsaken mentioned that Sammael was the weakest among them but it was nice to see Rand display his power. Should put to rest some of the complaints about Rands power. Comment about a leaked audition script And Rand with Alsera was heartbreaking. Not quite the same as the books but very powerful. I am looking forward to see how my partner reacts to it.

My head canon for Suian's knowledge of Grey men is that after Verin discovered the one in the tower she informed Suian about them. Verin knowing more than most people about obscure things just works on multiple levels.

Joiya kinda explained the gray ajah in episode 3, when Nynaeve and Elayne are interrogating her.

Exactly this. We as an audience see ALL of the horrendous stuff Landfear has done. Rand on the otherhand has not been witness to this. He still sees her as Selene and now as Meirn. I think that will be part of his arc this season where the veil drops and he will actually witness her doing her typical evil.

I honestly think that was the original plan until they had to rewrite episode 8 so quickly.

I was hearing that Sony wanted to focus more on their own IP's, God of War, Horizon; Zero Dawn etc... And because of that they want Amazon to contribute a larger share to the budget. But all of this is hearsay of course.

Aragorn is very different from the books. The Aragorn-Arwen romance is brought to the forfront. It trashes the lore because it wasn't a barrow-wight dagger that hurt the Witch King etc...I saw so so so many of the same complaints WoT is receiving now back in 2000. It just wasn't nearly as wide spread because the internet was young. Had "Woke" been a word then Peter Jackson would have had that thrown in his face for increasing Arwen's plot relevance and cutting Glorfindel.

True power

And I completely forgot to mention Elaida's chat with Siuan. My god that was tense and showed just the duality between the two. Elaida's dialogue absolutely dripped with venom and resentment

Agreed, I absolutely loved this episode. Might be my favourite of the season. Episode 4 is clearly the best of the season but I loved just about everything about episode 5. I got stupidly emotional during the ending "dream" sequences, seeing Perrin, Faile and Hopper all together. Seeing Mat happy with his family, his mother telling him how proud she was, really triggered a gut punch from earlier in the episode. I did not anticipate Nati Cauthon's fate. I did not expect to see the Seafolk in the show. I thought of all things in the books they could be easily cut with little repercussion but colour me surprised on what we did get. The look of the Windfinders weaves reminded me of the Northern lights. Seeing Elayne's dream of wishing she was a Windfinder was just cathartic. Aviendha's entire MOOD towards Rand is just so spot on from the books. Seeing Rand kinda relax about the whole Dragon/Car'a'carn thing for a moment with Rhuarc's granddaughter. was great..... until I saw someone theorize that the granddaughter is gonna be the trigger for the scene from Tear in tSR...... another gut punch if true. I am just pleased as punch this season.

The idea that we, as fans of Robert Jordan, will take a character voicing their opinion as gospel is hilarious. Even more so when considering the character is in fact Liandrin. Even if the Dragon was a woman she would still be feared. The prophecies state that the Dragon will break all chains and potentially destroy the world. But once again we are taking characters opinions as gospel. Just because a character believes something to be fact does not mean that it is. The only major change to the OP the show runner has made, aside from some Power scaling nonsense, is that you can be burnt out while linked. I do think there is a 2nd major change to the OP but I cannot remember it this morning. And they made some minor changes like the Aes Sedai of this age do not have knowledge of tying off weaves.

Apparently the scene was written but cut from the script before filming. They clearly wanted it but couldn't find a way to work it in to their satisfaction with the time restraints and such, unfortunately.

Wise ones go to Rhuidean twice, the first for the Rings to become apprentices and then to the columns to become full Wise Ones

I don't believe I have seen anyone bring this up yet concerning Elaida. We have all focused on her tremors in episode 3 but we didn't pay attention to the bracelet she is wearing. The same bracelet that is awkwardly brought up by Min later in the episode. Particularly what is engraved on the bracelet. A few days ago Shohreh Aghdashloo posted this BTS clip on Twitter. Well some eagle eyed viewer found this prop sheet and took a screenshot. Potential spoilers for the rest of the season.

Lanfear also mentions that Rahvin "is an artist with compulsion ". So it OP effects of it may be limited to him. I think that is also canon to the books with Ravhin not only being among the strongest forsaken but that he was also quite good with that weave.

Alanna apparently fights best with her warders by her side. But she was also removed from half the fight as she is one of 3 sisters to defend the Amyrlin when she goes down.

A few things about the episode that stood out to me; What a glorious casting Nuno Lopes is as Gaebril. He just oozes charisma in every line and every action. The performance just embodies the idea of fun step dad in front of Elayne. He is not quite how I pictured the character from the book but he really really sells it. Ceara Coveney continues to be one of my favourite actors in the show. She seems to have chemistry with everyone. The backbone she displayed when confronting Morgase, near the end, was just wonderful. Josha as Rand just continues to get better. His scene with Moiraine discussing Saidin was just top notch. I must admit the cold open with Morgase shocked me for a solid minute. While different that my preconceived notions of book Morgase I hadn't really thought on her barely mentioned past. We hear and see she is a very popular Queen with the people but that is about it. There is passage or two in the books where it mentions she was ruthless during the succession war but we really get no elaboration on it. So if you are filming this show and you have just one scene to show that then I think the show succeeded. Morgase, in the show, comes off as a caring, if over-protective, parent. She listens to her daughter when she decides to stay but because of the cold open we know how ruthless she is to protect her one and only Daughter. I am very interested to see how this event ripples into the later story lines. IE Elayne leaving the tower without notice and potential "slog" book events.

I think what A Memory of Why meant was that Gaebril could deal with the rest of the hall while Suian and Morgase verbally duked it out in front of everyone. He only had to quickly compulse Suian and Leane at the start of the introduction.

I'd vote Asmodhean as well. Aside from the guitar statue I think it is him because I don't think I can make any of the others work in the story well. Not that I have a great track record of guessing plot points beforehand. I don't think it will be Aginor as I think they may be combining him with Moggy. Not Bel'al because we don't need a cardboard cutout Not Balthamel as I don't think he really brings anything interesting to the table that isn't just a SA lawsuit waiting to happen. His 2 defining things in the books are been a lech and the male soul in a female body thing. I just don't see them willing to tackle those subjects. Mesaana is a possibility aside from the balance of a 4/4 split. But I think she could be easily combined with another character. Possibly just leave the tower forsaken free and have the Towers downfall be entirely Elaida's incompetence and the BA's influence. Then again with Shoreh cast maybe Elaida won't be AS incompetent. I could see Demandred but I feel they would have to create story for him to bring in in earlier. Then again everything he does could be done by Sammael. They both are similar, not exact, but similar characters.

Especially considering how deeply the Aes Sedai believe the Black Ajah doesn't exist, just Whitecloak propaganda. The reaction of the one Yellow sitter when Suian actually accuses Liandrin of being a Dark Friend should be enough to explain that.

Yeah the cold open with Morgase SHOCKED me. But I realize what they are trying to do and speed up to Elayne's arc. The interesting thing about the scene wasn't that Morgase had the female family heads killed but that she had their own family kill them. Very GoT and not super WoT but like I said I appreciate how they are condensing the arcs for TV. Also loved Olivia Williams as Morgase she was excellent. Yeah, the tower is much more relaxed in this turning of the wheel. Keeping the Novices away from men because of the scare of pregnancy never made full sense since we know that the contraceptive tea exists in the world. Although keeping them away from men just simply as a sign of control did make sense. I thought it was implied that Alanna and Maksim did take the Waygate, those were the tracks that Perrin saw. As for their reason for being in the Two Rivers we'll just have to see.

From the VFX Team