The Wheel of Time isn't just a Witcher clone it's your next fantasy show obsession

Date:
Tue, 16 Nov 2021 17:00:12 +0000

Description:
We've seen the first six episodes of Amazon Prime's The Wheel of Time here's our spoiler-free review

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Amazon Prime Video s expansion into the fantasy genre has been unusually
slow for a high-profile streaming platform. While its competitors, including Netflix, have churned out numerous big-budget fantasy shows and movies, Amazons large-scale offerings have been few by comparison.

But thats about to change. With two high-cost (and potentially high-stakes) fantasy shows releasing in the next year, Amazon is going all-in on trying to compete with Netflix shows such as The Witcher and Shadow and Bone . With its Lord of the Rings adaptation not arriving until September 2022, though,
Amazon is pinning its hopes on another fantasy series to deliver a telling blow to its rivals: The Wheel of Time .

Based on Robert Jordans beloved high fantasy book series of the same name,
The Wheel of Time could be the streamer's next big must-watch series. But, given its unwieldy lore, multiple narrative threads, and seemingly infinite number of characters, fans have wondered if the 14-strong novel series story could ever be adapted in a precise way. Here's 5 things we learned about The Wheel of Time at its world premiere These are the best Amazon Prime TV shows to watch right now Or check out these top tier Amazon Prime movies instead

If youre one of those fans, allow us to put your mind at ease: Amazons The Wheel of Time is a wonderfully realized adaptation of Jordans sweeping and imaginative source material. It captures the richness of the books
fantastical world, expansive plot and morally complex characters, and does so while retaining the core essence of what has made The Wheel of Time novels so popular. (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Set in an unnamed world though its routinely known as the Randlands or World of the Wheel The Wheel of Time follows the adventures of Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a powerful sorceress who belongs to an all-female organization known
as the Aes Sedai.

Alongside her Warder Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney), a bodyguard whos intrinsically linked to her by the One Power that she can wield, Moiraine embarks on a quest to find the Dragon Reborn, a mighty warrior and the only individual who can stop the Dark One from consuming the world. About this series

- Based on Robert Jordan's popular fantasy book series

- Developed by Rafe Lee Judkins

- Produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television

- Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

- Season 1 contains eight episodes

- Season 2 is already in production

When her mission leads to a village known as the Two Rivers, which is soon attacked by the Dark Ones forces, Moiraine realizes that one of five young adults must be the Dragon reincarnated. Leading the quintet Rand alThor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene alVere (Madeleine Madden), Nynaeve alMeara (Zoe Robins), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris)
on a world-spanning journey to determine who the Dragon is, Moiraine must
also work out if that individual will save everyone from the Dark One, or
join his side and destroy life as they know it.

And thats as plainly as The Wheel of Times plot can be described. Simply put, The Wheel of Time is a dense, expansive narrative: multiple storylines intersect at various junctures, thousands of characters come and go within Jordans 14 tomes, and numerous locations are toured at a somewhat breathless pace. And thats before you take into account the books rich and unique approach to magic-users and other fantasy elements. (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

So its pleasing that Amazons adaptation has streamlined the novels labyrinthine story and worldbuilding as much as possible. From the opening minute of the series premiere, were treated to a summary of events, courtesy of Pikes Moirane, that precede The Wheel of Times overarching plot. Its only brief, but it instantly sets the scene for whats currently at stake in the Randlands, and means that audiences dont have to sit through a lengthy preamble about its past.

The removal of filler material makes for tighter storylines, too. Dispensing with lengthy walks to inns and other locales, which would ordinarily slow the plot down, allows Amazons adaptation to capture the richness of the novels without getting stuck in the minutiae; their inclusion may be vital for the novels, but such content is unnecessary for TV.

The shows weaving narratives also alternate at a reasonable pace. Episodes dont get bogged down in one storyline for too long, which keeps things
ticking (pun intended) along nicely, and gives us plenty of time to learn about the series main characters including their personality types,
strengths and weaknesses, and where their moral compasses lie.

That isnt to say that there arent some pacing issues. The Wheel of Time quickly and unnecessarily jumps from one instance to the next in some cases, particularly before and during action sequences. While this can be attributed to the editing process, its still disorienting on occasion. (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

While much of the novels padding has been removed, Amazons adaptation can
also feel a tad ponderous at times. But, sometimes it needs to be. The shows plot will likely be difficult to follow for viewers who havent read the
books, so some scenes require lots of exposition to keep audiences in the loop. This slow-burn approach, then, is necessary in some cases, but The
Wheel of Times problem is that it does this in some scenes where explanations arent essential, which can sometimes make it feel like a drag.

As much as Amazons adaptation has retained plenty of the novel series elements, it takes some creative liberties with its story arcs. The shows first season doesnt only adapt the first book, The Eye of the World; it also draws from the second novel, The Great Hunt, and tweaks the timeline of when certain events occur, where particular characters are introduced, and what role they play in proceedings. Such alterations may divide The Wheel of Times fan base and, ultimately, some may not fully endorse or may be disenchanted by the direction that the show takes.

The Wheel of Time is a wonderfully realized adaptation of Jordans sweeping
and imaginative source material

Still, Amazons adaptation has to appeal to established fans and newcomers alike. With the series chief creative team wanting to tell a story that general audiences can enjoy as much as diehards, some plot revisions are unavoidable, regardless of how unfaithful some fans may think they are. And, for the most part, they fit seamlessly into the primary plot, which makes
them less noticeable.

As for the aforementioned action scenes, The Wheel of Times sequences are anything but family friendly. Battles are brutal, ferocious, and lend a grittiness to proceedings that some fantasy shows are reluctant to lean into. Some are particularly hard-hitting one lengthy, barbaric fight sequence in episode one may startle viewers in its gratuitousness and give rise to shocking moments that certainly leave their mark. (Image credit: Amazon)

Such surprises arent solely reserved for the shows fights, though. The Wheel of Time subverts audiences expectations throughout, delivering frequent emotional story beats and shocks that showcase the internal and external
power struggles between its main characters and within the wider world.

The events that Moiraine and company endure and there are plenty of them make the characters relatable, though, especially the Two Rivers quintet. Rand, Egwene, Nynaeve, Perrin and Mat are plucked from relative obscurity,
and thrust into a situation where the stakes couldnt be higher. As an audience, we cant relate to that specifically, but we can sympathize with characters who have the weight of expectation placed on them. And their predicament illustrates how different people will, or wont, rise to the occasion. These are people torn between their quaint lives and their supposed importance to the entire world, so the pressure is bound to tell one way or the other.

Understandably, theres a naivety about these individuals, so its easy to overlook some of their less-informed decisions. There are moments, however, where the likes of Mat, Rand or even Lan make impulsive choices that are out of character they dont make sense to the wider narrative and feel like ill-placed plot devices and, like some of the shows pacing, its off-putting.

Thematically, The Wheel of Time is a series thats reflective of modern-day society, too. Despite its fantasy-based, medieval aesthetic, its exploration of geopolitics and distrust are particularly resonant. Reincarnation, the concept of yin and yang, the cyclical nature of time itself in the series world, and the legacy we leave behind are also examined in great detail, painting a picture of a fictional world that draws on real-world historical influences as well as real-life issues that are prevalent today. What we
think (Image credit: Amazon Studios)

The Wheel of Time is a sweeping and visually striking coming-of-age tale that feels like a fitting tribute to Jordans works. Its much more than a fantasy show, too, with dashings of romance, a serving of underrated comedic moments, and a torrent of drama that delivers a moving, pulsating and compelling entry-point to the late authors vibrant but intricate fictional world.

The expansive nature of Amazons adaptation is where it really shines, though. The productions sheer scale and scope is Game of Thrones- and Lord of the Rings-esque, and its clear that The Wheel of Time takes particular cues from them, including its political, horror and action sensibilities; theres even a bathtub scene to rival The Witcher, such is the range of fantasy shows that The Wheel of Time has taken inspiration from.

To simply describe The Wheel of Time as a clone of any of the above, though, is to do it a disservice. Its very much its own series, even if comparisons
to George R. R. Martin and J. R. R. Tolkiens legendary book series, and subsequent big- and small-screen adaptations, are merited. Theres a richness and lived-in vibe to The Wheel of Times world, and its so vast that there are bound to be spin-off shows if Amazons mainline series is a hit among fans.

Sure, it may seem like your typical action-packed, thrilling story about good versus evil, but its much more than that below the surface. With the jury still out on Amazon Primes Lord of the Rings adaptation, even before it launches next September, the streaming service could use a big-budget, state-of-the-art fantasy show in its back catalog and The Wheel of Time definitely fits the bill.

The Wheel of Times first three episodes will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 19. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly. Invincible season 2 : what we know so far



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