Skipp

I plan on rewatching episode 1 simply because there was so much stuff into it. I am sure I missed a bunch of little things. But I also took the day off work to just bask in the community so I have the time.

Short clip featuring Elaida trying to re-establish her dominance with the Red Ajah. https://ew.com/wheel-of-time-season-3-sneak-peek-trouble-white-tower-exclusive-11693359

This Reddit Megathread from WotShow has compiled all of the early season reviews. The reactions seem to be very positive for the most part. Opinions seem to say season 3 is a vast improvement on season 2. A lot of scenes seem lifted straight from the book. Episodes 4 and 7 are the clear standouts. The Finale seems very divisive once again but interestingly someone of the people who were very critical of Season 1 and 2's finale(WotUp and Nae'blis) seem very positive about this finale.

I also think that killing them is counter intuitive to their plan of sowing discord. You wipe out the entire power structure of the tower, Sitters and Amrylin, you force the remaining Aes Sedai to band together and fix the issue. You leave the power structure alive and wounded and the remaining Aes Sedai will argue where to place the blame and nothing gets done. Yes, it is reasonable that the BA has more combat weave experience in general. We saw at least 2 weaves that no other Aes Sedai used. But you cannot discount the advantage of surprise that they had during that fight. Between those 2 factors they were able to defeat a larger force before they had time to counter, there is no denying that. But that doesn't mean they can't make mistakes themselves. They successfully fought off the Hall and were escaping. A single Aes Sedai and her 2 warders blocks their exit. Do you think they are taking her seriously or do you think that just maybe they think there is no way 1 channeler is going to stop all 6 of them...... The arrogance. Keep in mind, the one BA they manage to kill in the Hall fight is the one they got into melee range of. Liandrin even talked about it in season 2 about how they could make swords of air but that it was beneath them(my exaggeration) because of everything else they could do. So yes, I think the surprise of Alanna charging them caught them off guard.

I thought the entire "Bubble of Evil" scene in the show to be incredibly well shot. The fact that it was just Lanfear manipulating the events is a neutral thing to me. Bubbles of Evil in the book were always neat in the books but never really made sense. It seems RJ wanted some more fantastical events to take place and so he did and it worked.. But despite being introduced early they rarely come up and is not something that really needs to be explained in the show. I am completely fine with the Bubbles of Evil being True power shenanigans if they continue to be just as well shot.

The Hall attack was about surprise. The majority of the sitters were not prepared and didn't have time to comprehend what was happening before it was over. Alanna was one of the few who was not caught off guard, possibly because she was aware of Suian's plan. The stand off in the street is entirely different.

Because they are arrogant. They just bested higher numbers in the Hall of Sitters. They don't think a single Aes Sedai and 2 warders are a threat. They give it a stand off and either allow Alanna the first attack or Alanna was just faster. Oh no, Aes Sedai being over confidant, how can this be. Same could be said of Alanna, she could of tracked them, sent her signal and wait for backup. Agreed on the Jump cuts.

They are certainly playing loose with the rules for Healing. But even in season 1 with Moiraine on deaths door she was healed and immediately decided to spend the day maintaining a shield on Logain. So they are keeping consistency. But also it works well for TV if you have the ability to Heal you want to "abuse" for the fight scenes. But I will also say that both times Liandrin got really injured and bounced right back she was healed by a Yellow. Actually it might be interesting to track whom healed who and what there recovery times were like. Moiraine was healed by Kerene but it could stand to reason that Greens learn more healing than most. Moiraine and Lan were healed in season 2 by Verin or Adelalas but both are browns, possibly both are poor healers. Moiraine herself always seemed to know healing than other non-yellow sisters. As for Ihvon not getting healed he was dead before Alanna came to, simple as that.

Honestly aside from the pacing, which all fight scenes have as you want the audience to follow the action and allow for different camera angles etc... But I actually appreciate how Alanna, as a Green, tactically decided how to control a fight against a superior force. First she does an attack and disorients her opposition, knocking some down and throwing up dust as cover. Then she and her 2 warders close the distance while dodging the single retaliation sent their way. By getting in close they surprise the Black Ajah as I suspect they don't train for CQC. While "cheezy" in execution I think tactically it worked really well and showed by the Green Ajah is the battle Ajah. The coordination between Alanna and her Warders was impressive.

It was very Bollywood and I think it was intentional for her international audience.

OMG Who thought that "The Shredding" cold open would be the worse part of episode 1. I should say my least favourite part of episode 1. Like hook up that entire episode to my veins and let me live in peace. I just want more of everyone just hanging out and talking. So Many thoughts, it might take awhile to organize them all. Wish everyone the best. The wait for the next episodes is going to be very difficult.

Blunted steel swords have been used in training throughout history. While the books described most of the practice swords as bambo poles lashed together if I remember correctly. I imagine they are not using those on screen simply because Western audiences wouldn't gel with them. So much things put on film is changed simply because audience's expect certain things even if those things are terribly wrong.

I just stumbled upon this clip myself, it was fun to watch. I enjoyed the energy of it. I can certainly see people being unhappy with the choreography though. I took it as 2 young boys purposefully trying to show off for the audience though. I am very curious what they are going to do for the characters of Gawyn and Galad. They certainly have evened out their sword skills in this particular bout. I wonder if they will keep Galad with his extremely Binary world view. He certainly seemed to be enjoying the audience in this clip.

If the conversation takes place after the BA escape that could be the reason that their plans change.

I really like both of these scenes but the one with Rand in Moiraine in particular. Just a solid tension underlying the whole thing. Rands growing frustration and Moiraines continued exasperation. Just makes me more hype for the season.

Could be a flash back, either a cold open in episode 8. Or possibly part of Rands trip through the columns. Either way is a plausible way to have Ishy this season without "bringing him back".

Agreed, it was a lovely twist and the showrunners certainly made sure it was a play on bookreaders. I know my partner loved the moment. I must admit the fight in the books never sat well with me. Rand with a couple months sword training, admittedly with the best swordsman in the world, was able to beat a Swordmaster. Even with the Flame and void and Lews Therim's memories/skills bleeding over it just seems like quite a leap to beat a Heron-marked blade in 1v1. The description of the fight though.... whoa, that is on another level. Absolutely loved the imagery RJ was able to invoke with his choice of words during sword battles.

I don't believe it was an access key in the 13th depository. I do believe that in the list of stolen ter'angreal that was given to The Towerpuff girls there was a Lady in the nude statue among the list. So possible just another of the sleepweavers. I could be wrong and they might change it to something else I still don't think it would be an access key. I believe this mostly due to what they have shown us of Moiraine and the Chodan'ball. If this is the route they have gone with I think it is a downgrade compared to the book but I'll just have to wait and watch.

Or a hidden weave known only by the Aes Sedai who knew of the 13th Depository existence.

As someone mentioned earlier this fight was incredibly quick. Probably less than a minute in length, two tops. Between the slow motion, the cuts to other scenes and multiple camera angles for the "cool factor" it is easy to see why so many of the sitters were caught off guard. Barely able to protect themselves let alone process the fact that this is actually happening, that their sisters of decades(potentially centuries) are devil worshipers. 2-3 sitters are killed almost instantly. I imagine the Whites and greys would be worried about taking cover and avoid the falling debris. Both Yellow Ajah members (black and light) immediately start healing when the opportunity comes. Alanna and Leane both stop fighting when Suian is knocked down. That number advantage drops quite quickly I think.

The way Verin led Yassica into figuring out the Black Ajah was responsible for compulsion being using on Sheriam was masterful. Walked right around that Oath.

Either Verin has amazing reflexes or she knew the attack was coming. It looked like she was able to blunt most of the attack(compulsion?) and then looked to her sister on how to react. It is so fun to theorize again!

I really enjoy it as well. The action looked quite good. Some solid show don't tell moments. There was some dialogue that felt very stilted and I wonder if it was just a poor edit or cut down scene. But otherwise I was quite happy with it. Also did you guys catch the Twisted Redstone door frame at 8:38. Decorated with what appears to be snakes and foxes.

Why does a potential time jump make you cringe? The early books had several lengthy time jumps between them. 1-2 months between tEotW and tGH. Something like the entirety of Winter between tGH and tDR. Certainly as the books progress the time jumps become less of a thing but they are present early.

I would also suggest pausing at 8:38 timestamp.