I can't think of any TV show that's ever adapted a book series where 1) the differences from the books are as significant as has been the case so far in this show, and 2) my enjoyment of the show has been as high as for this one. I think this is the best episode so far. You can see how they're preserving the key elements of the plot from the books, in spite of the very significant changes. This is the right way to do an adaptation for a TV show.
Sadly, a lot of bookcloaks I've found hide behind the differences in plotline, but when pressed there's a lot of people upset about the cast diversity. It's impossible to debate with them, they're 95% bigotry and 5% critical thinking. I loved the show so much after season 1 that I finally picked the books up after knowing about them for at least a decade. I read the entire series in between seasons. I still love the show, more so this season than the first but the one thing I will say is that the characters feel true to who they are in the book, and the main beats and feeling of the books are there. I'm so excited for what's to come, and I enjoy watching your reactions.
The nails are real, but they do then lacquer them, which makes them stronger and probably is what makes them stay straight as they grow. I wasn't completely sure, but when Turok said, do not return until you are decent right before cutting her nails. I think he was saying, you are banished till they regrow, and it was only Ishy's gift that got her back in.
FWIW, as longtime book reader: this season has been fantastic, and this episode takes the cake. I think I can honestly say that most of the changes, especially those related to this episode, have *improved* on the books.
Aviendha is awesome. In the books Aiel humor is talked about often, and so seeing her poke fun as perrin and laugh at him is great. They are from so far away that their culture is way different. Most ppl think of Aiel as savages but as she said in the show she follows "Ji'e'toh", a strict code of honor. She also said she has 'toh to Perrin, and her water is his. Coming from a place with a name like "the Aiel Waste", seems like water would be valuable. Maybe if ppl understood them better..
The show is really hitting its stride this season. Banger after banger, they hit the key notes from the book but get there in different ways. As a reader this is great! Cos it means theres still things for us to discuss and theorise and try to figure out instead of knowing beat for beat everything that will happen. Loved yalls reactions to this one. Energy is at a high! Probs my fave ep of the show so far period
This is my favourite episode so far this season. I've watched the Aviendah fight scene more times than I can count. "Do you like to dance?" I SCREAMED when she said that line!
yeah once i just accepted this was a total re-interpretation of the books, im enjoying it. i know generally where we are headed but its fun to not know how we are going to get there
I have been reading these books for over 20 years, I started reading them back in '98 when I was in High School. So far, I love the show, it is close enough to the books that I recognize it and the characters, but it is different enough to keep me on my toes. I LOVE the fact that I have no idea what will happen next.
Here are the Ajahs and what they are motivated by/their purpose: Blue: causes, pursuing justice Green: warriors for the Light Yellow: healing Red: protecting the world from men who can channel Brown: knowledge, recording history White: philosophy, applying logical sense Gray: mediation, guiding compromise between multiple political forces Black (a secret Ajah): helping the Dark One win the final battle
I love your enthusiasm on the costumes design. I think that they are nailing the feel of the culture in the books. With this already being shown as a post apocalypse Breaking of the world cultures werent separated by race but experience and beliefs and the chothing styes were a big way that people would know where you are from. Elayne noticed the Two Rivers weaves and patterns of Egeuwnes (sp) blanket and Child Bueyar was able to notice the metal work of Perins ring. I was struggling with the changes in S1 but the FEEL of S2 has really captured the heart of the characters and motivations even if they arent hitting all the plot points of the books. Love your guys reactions and you are right. Avienda is a BAMF. So good
this was much closer to the book than season one ... they use all events from the book but change them a little. add something to it and even merge some events ... Book is of course better but I am really enjoying the show ... and particularly this episode because it was closest one to the book's major events than any previous one ... i feel they are getting back on track and it is only going to get better ... great reaction thanks
As a book reader, for me this was the best Episode of all of them so far. Finally, insights in the Forsaken and many important Book Mentions of Important things..
for fourteen books that are planned for 8seasons with just 8 episodes each, it was never possible to adapt it book per book. What I see is they took the whole story, trimmed the plot points that can be taken out without ruining the skeleton or major points and then had to move things around to make it make sense and still give the needed emotional and story telling bits to non book readers. All characters are still where they are or if not, on the way to where they should be in the story at this point but in just new ways that are making me pleasantly surprised, feeling like going back to experiencing the story again for the first time. And I must say how I'm so in love with Aviendha, oh men, I can't believe how they got her whole vibe so much
29:58 as a book reader, I am loving this season. I honestly don’t know what will happen next sometimes, and other times I loving the major plot point coming to life in screen
The Three Oaths are as follows: To speak no word that is not true. To make no weapon with which one man may kill another. Never to use the One Power as a weapon except against Darkfriends or Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme defense of her life, the life of her Warder, or another Aes Sedai.
@@Matthewvhaynes I love the positivity that you two bring to the show. It's nice to see a non book reader react positive. Too much cynicism lately for things that are just meant to entertain. ☺️
Rule-of-Thumb when it comes to Seanchan hierarchy: The longer your nails and the more shaved you hear is, the higher your status. For example, Turok is fully shaved, Suroth still has a patch of hair in the middle of her head. The two Voices (with the wierd cage-looking facemask) have half their heads shaved. There are nuances of cours,e but as a general rule-of-thumb
I'm a book reader loving season 2, and your analysis of the show continues to be astoundingly insightful. I've been waiting all season for your reactions to Aviendha! (I commented about this back on your reaction video to eps1-3.) The fighting skills, personality, red-haired dreads, etc. 😆
Aviendha tickled my emotions hardcore just seeing her on screen, just seein lines like "your water is mine" "the Car'a'Carn" etc... just WOW. (Oh and she does Aiel justice, they kick arse!)
Nice one guys, that was fun to watch non book readers enjoying the show. This episode was the closest this show has come to the book story, so us book fans are finally warming up to it. Just one suggestion, go back & rewatch Rand-Selene scenes this season, you may understand a bit more now. Also think about what is happening to Rand in real life & what is happening in a dream. Lanfear is the Daughter of the Night after all!
Best episode of the season! I agree with the other commentators that this was closest to the book so far. Hopefully they'll keep this up! Aviendha! Bornhold! Hopper! 🥰 The dreamworld! Good stuff;-)
I'm glad show-only people are reacting positively to this episode, because more than any other episode so far this one felt like it was for the book readers so I was nervous that it was just too much and too nerdy. There was a lot of lore dumping in name drops, places and concepts. Like Turak mentioning the empress. The tel'aran'rhiod. Or the other forsaken. And then little details in some of the scenes. All very cool stuff. If you're into persuasion you might be more of a gray than a brown. Unfortunately the nerd ajahs weren't as well fleshed out in the books. I'm hoping that's something that changes in the tv show. They seem to be making browns a much bigger deal already which gives me hope.
There's NO such thing as too nerdy. We may be blind when it comes to the Wheel of time, but the both of us are huge nerds for other fandoms! So I welcome this kind of storytelling!
Loved this reaction, and loved your stuff last season, too. As others have said, this one was actually full of book material, and a lot of book readers really loved it. Last season started relatively close to the books, at least in terms of basic plot points for the first few episodes, then drifted further away. This season has been kind of the opposite. It started way out on a limb, and has been drifting closer to the books as the episodes progress. There are still major differences, but I think this one captured the feeling of the books better than any previous episode.
Aviendha was everything. One of my favorites. My 17 year old daughter’s name is Aviendha. You should have seen her face at the name drop. That is the first time she has heard her name in reference to another… other than her father and I telling her about the books. Great episode.
Great reaction. This was a wonderful episode. Lanfear was properly vicious, obsessed, and really deviious. Aviendha kicked butt, or butts plural. She is my favorite character from the books and Ayoola Smart was a great choice. And almost unnotided, Elayne the daughter-heir proved herself resourceful, calm, and very powerful. And Hopper is the best boi!
The language you can actually learn is elvish from LOTR. Robert Jordan created the Old Tongue which they are utilizing here, and there's a lot in the books, but it's not a complete language. I'm sure they're drawing on what's in the books for the parts spoken and written in old tongue.
Yeah, there's actually quite a vocabulary built of Old Tongue even if it's not complete. You can read and write it and speak it and communicate most things at least generally.
they actually hired a linguist, or whatever expert on language is called and she studied what was available of the Old Tongue, cross referenced it with various languages, new and lost languages, and dissected it's possible etymology so she could see some logic in the grammar and stuff. It was a really cool interview, I just can't for the life of me, remember which channel it was
@@cgnefarious5785 oh for sure, even in the bts about set design and the time and effort they give to costumes for all characters, the stories behind them. The hate being thrown at the whole production is totally undeserved
I just love watching your reactions to this story. I am a book reader and I have to say that, for me personally, I feel they have gotten the balance just right in terms of dropping enough little things in the storyline to make book reader's squeal in delight, but making the story cohesive enough that non book readers would still understand the story - you don't need to have read the books, to get what's going on, but if you've read the books, there are just so many little things you pick up on. To make a weird comparison - it's like those kids jokes that are actually adult jokes, but you're not old enough to understand the subtext. The kids still think the joke is funny, but for the adults it's REALLY funny. On another note - and it's probably been said before - the way you tell the story HAS to be different for TV, because you don't have 20 pages to go off on a tangent about something or other. You can't tell a story spread over 14 books beat for beat and word for word. It's two different mediums and so the stories are going to be different. As long as they get the major plot points down and get the characters where they're supposed to go, in the truest fashion they can manage, they should be given the benefit of the doubt and trust that they actually know what they're doing. And so far, I have to say, Rafe and his team seem to know what they're doing. I hope he gets the 8 seasons he's aiming for because he and his team and doing an amazing job so far. Anyway - keep up the good work, knowing what's coming, I can't wait to see your reactions.
as a book reader - I 100% agree with what you said. The show is different in some ways but the story is still there, the major beats, the characters - this season is amazing and we are not even into the actual "meat" of the story, books 1-3 never even scratched the surface of the plot of the books really - its so much deeper and thats the same for these two seasons - there is sooo much more stuff to come. im excited!!
Oh yeah, you're hooked! 10 minutes on fingernails! I too questioned the plausibility of the cut, but I'm sure the bladesman has performed the rite more than once. Good reactions to the best episode yet!
Love your reactions. Started watching you from the first season. Also i am just really proud of the WoT community. Whichever react channel i go to, they all talk about how welcoming we are ❤
If persuasion is your gift, you, sir, are a Gray. The Gray Ajah are diplomats, negotiators, legal experts, and mediators. The Blue Ajah, though, pursues justice and a better world - their informants and schemes are but means to those ends.
@Matthewvhaynes A little! I say all Aes Sedai are at least somewhat political & the Ajahs are like political parties. Someone joked AS should be labeled like politicians in the news, ex. Moiraine (Blue - Cairhien), & I think it's great shorthand. For myself, Brown has its appeal, but I favor Blue - to apply that knowledge to further bend the arc of history toward justice.
The books are never gonna go away. Truer words my friend. Been reading since the mid 90s and I'm loving the show. They nailed the cast and the heart of the characters which makes the changes fun. We're still going the and place but we're just getting there a little differently. That being said 3-4-5 this season have really nailed some big book beats and have been my favorite 3 of the show thus far. Nailing it guys love the reactions
1:26:17 I read the books and don’t remember what the “Al’” means in the names, either. When you do read the books, you can go through books 1-3 and the prequel be fine before season 3
Oh and your comment for the scene of Aviendha and Perrin: "he's gonna go Aieeeeeeee!" I died laughing. Your responses and insights are my favorite! ❤❤❤
I love the wheel of time. I read both of blood and bone, books I hope another book is on its way. I think when I started the books, they were talking about a movie ❤😊
I'm a non-book reader as well, and I am digging all of it. If it was implied, Rand, Egwene (sp?), Perrin & Matt, have a part in all this? They all could have the dragon in them. I was really hoping Nynaeve would end up leading and changing the outlook of The Reds. However, what if she is actually THE DRAGON!!!? I know, I know Rand freed Ismael, but why wouldn't he since he has the power in him to do so? Just theorizing, too. Thank you, two, for the reaction. Until next week. See you on the flipside.
No, Rand is the Dragon. He is the only one. He is the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon. We saw him at the opening of the final episode of season 1 when we saw the futuristic past. Lews Therin is the guy Lanfear was in love with in the past. This guy keeps getting reborn to fight the Dark One again and again, it is his thing. The other characters have their own things going on and their parts to play in the grand scheme of things. But they are definitely not the Dragon or anything.
As a book reader, I'm really enjoying season 2. Since the end of season 1 varied so much from the book the first few episodes I had no idea what to expect. Now that things are going I have a few ideas of where things will go, but I'm also expecting some more big differences.
In S1 Min had the viewing of all the stars filling up the black space and vice versa, when those characters were together. So the star is a good analogy.
i am most amused by people speculating about minxmat, avixperrin, elaynexegwene lmao. yeah all their meetups and relationship look like the quintessential stereotypical love matches or something i guess. fun pairings and nice additions to this season.
There are wheel of time comics made through tor books from a comic called dynamite. A new spring series and an eye of the world series. There's also a graphic novel series. The comics were suppose to be a monthly series, but it did stop around the time of the authors death. I heard a rumor because of the TV show that it might be remade, but that's just a rumor.
The 2 Rivers naming convention with al'____ is like "son of" similar to like Mc____ for Scots/Irish names, or having ____ian at the end for Armenian names
Alternatively the al' prefix means something different in the Borderlands, as in al'Lan Mandragoran. the al' prefix signifies royalty there, or in some of the borderland countries. Not so much in the Two Rivers, where it has the "son of" connotation, but could signify a bloodline that's been tracked back to the days of Manetheren, etc.@@Matthewvhaynes
Another thing that's not spoilery but just cool to know about the world of Wheel of Time is that the 1st Age is generally considered to be our age we're in now, so Wheel of Time takes place thousands of years in our future. The 2nd age ends with the breaking of the world 3000 years before the events in the show in the 3rd Age. The name Al'Thor in the Two Rivers literally means Son of Thor, and it's just another representation of how legend fades to myth and even the myths of our current age (Thor) get modified in future centuries and millennia throughout the turning of the Wheel of Time until they're long forgotten in the age that gave them birth when that age comes again.
There are 7 ages with variable lengths in time, so it will be a long time until the 1st age comes again and we'll have long forgotten the meaning of "Thor". So, the question is really did the legends of Thor inspire the name Al'Thor, or did Rand inspire the legends of Thor in our age, and does it even matter which came first? Wheel of Time is so interesting in that cyclical nature over the long game!
As a book reader who was happy with season 1 ither than the unavoidable problems caused by COVID, this season is so far an improvement. That's not criticism for the first season but praise of the second.
Not sure about the analogy but i would say in this story the Dragon might be both the Paladin and Dark Knight lol. And everything else. He is like the most absolute powerhouse character ever written in fantasy and not just for his magical skills. His characteristics and arc is just one of a kind in literature. He just grows so much and for that he has to go through so much too. I don't know how much of that will be in the show, but it is the case for the books at least. Think about how you see Lanfear and what a competent, successful, talented and beautiful woman she looks to be. And that woman was in love with this man who was at least a match for her... Aside from her being evil....
Hey peeps, As a second time book reader, i am happy to see your reaction. I have made the mental gymnastic leap of separating book from Show so no worries. Truth be told, I think maybe if Jordan had not passed , he might have refined the books some but he had not that luxury. It was satisfying to see your joy at the entrance of Aviendha .
I think the force that is bringing Rand and Lanfear together here is Lanfear herself lmao. In a way the man she loved is now dead actually, but she just wants to pretend like that is not the case. Rand is Lews Therin but at the same time he is a new man... She thinks she knows him and she does, but does she...
Avi would find all the main characters in this story "cute" probably lol. So would the rest of the Aielwomen. You do not know them yet, it is interesting to see you speculate so much so early on when you have only briefly met her lol.
As it all goes on we will see more nods to the books, book 1 was always going to be the most difficult and as they weave the story we'll see more, will take time but episode 5 season 2 you REALLY start to see some actual payoffs.
SEASON 2 FULL REACTIONS : www.patreon.com/posts/wheel-of-time-88603499?Link&
EPISODE 1 : ruclips.net/video/edS9Kj1iczU/видео.html
EPISODE 2 : ruclips.net/video/Y0R_uKKSgkc/видео.html
EPISODE 3 : ruclips.net/video/Rfz5rNB0FF4/видео.html
EPISODE 4 : ruclips.net/video/UL6ODKzydOc/видео.htmlsi=4Vp307QviBlkIugs
I can't think of any TV show that's ever adapted a book series where 1) the differences from the books are as significant as has been the case so far in this show, and 2) my enjoyment of the show has been as high as for this one.
I think this is the best episode so far. You can see how they're preserving the key elements of the plot from the books, in spite of the very significant changes. This is the right way to do an adaptation for a TV show.
This episode is like EXACTLY what the books feel like when they’re going full power. And as a show, I’m so happy to see people hooked on the drama 😅
But of course!
Sadly, a lot of bookcloaks I've found hide behind the differences in plotline, but when pressed there's a lot of people upset about the cast diversity. It's impossible to debate with them, they're 95% bigotry and 5% critical thinking. I loved the show so much after season 1 that I finally picked the books up after knowing about them for at least a decade. I read the entire series in between seasons. I still love the show, more so this season than the first but the one thing I will say is that the characters feel true to who they are in the book, and the main beats and feeling of the books are there. I'm so excited for what's to come, and I enjoy watching your reactions.
Thank you ❤️🫡
Nice stats you just made up there
The nails are real, but they do then lacquer them, which makes them stronger and probably is what makes them stay straight as they grow. I wasn't completely sure, but when Turok said, do not return until you are decent right before cutting her nails. I think he was saying, you are banished till they regrow, and it was only Ishy's gift that got her back in.
"She's beating you with Tiktok dances"
when I tell you I CACKLED at that line
FWIW, as longtime book reader: this season has been fantastic, and this episode takes the cake. I think I can honestly say that most of the changes, especially those related to this episode, have *improved* on the books.
🤣🤣🤣
This had the most nods to the books of any episode and ive been looking forward to non reader reactions :)
Good to hear! And thank you
Did you notice that one Brown WAS a Ravenclaw? Yassica Sedai is played by Katie Yeung who played Cho Chang in Harry Potter.
OHHH SHOOOT!!!
@@Matthewvhaynes I missed it too. I did not make the connection.
Aviendha is awesome. In the books Aiel humor is talked about often, and so seeing her poke fun as perrin and laugh at him is great. They are from so far away that their culture is way different. Most ppl think of Aiel as savages but as she said in the show she follows "Ji'e'toh", a strict code of honor. She also said she has 'toh to Perrin, and her water is his. Coming from a place with a name like "the Aiel Waste", seems like water would be valuable. Maybe if ppl understood them better..
The show is really hitting its stride this season. Banger after banger, they hit the key notes from the book but get there in different ways. As a reader this is great! Cos it means theres still things for us to discuss and theorise and try to figure out instead of knowing beat for beat everything that will happen. Loved yalls reactions to this one. Energy is at a high! Probs my fave ep of the show so far period
This episode felt the most like the book. Total WOT vibe.
Absolutely. I am just so happy they are finally leaning into tel'aran'rhiod. Such an important concept that they have hinted at since the first season
This is my favourite episode so far this season. I've watched the Aviendah fight scene more times than I can count. "Do you like to dance?" I SCREAMED when she said that line!
Hehehe
yeah once i just accepted this was a total re-interpretation of the books, im enjoying it. i know generally where we are headed but its fun to not know how we are going to get there
I have been reading these books for over 20 years, I started reading them back in '98 when I was in High School. So far, I love the show, it is close enough to the books that I recognize it and the characters, but it is different enough to keep me on my toes. I LOVE the fact that I have no idea what will happen next.
Thanks for sharing!
Here are the Ajahs and what they are motivated by/their purpose:
Blue: causes, pursuing justice
Green: warriors for the Light
Yellow: healing
Red: protecting the world from men who can channel
Brown: knowledge, recording history
White: philosophy, applying logical sense
Gray: mediation, guiding compromise between multiple political forces
Black (a secret Ajah): helping the Dark One win the final battle
I love your enthusiasm on the costumes design. I think that they are nailing the feel of the culture in the books. With this already being shown as a post apocalypse Breaking of the world cultures werent separated by race but experience and beliefs and the chothing styes were a big way that people would know where you are from. Elayne noticed the Two Rivers weaves and patterns of Egeuwnes (sp) blanket and Child Bueyar was able to notice the metal work of Perins ring. I was struggling with the changes in S1 but the FEEL of S2 has really captured the heart of the characters and motivations even if they arent hitting all the plot points of the books. Love your guys reactions and you are right. Avienda is a BAMF. So good
Yay!!
this was much closer to the book than season one ... they use all events from the book but change them a little. add something to it and even merge some events ... Book is of course better but I am really enjoying the show ... and particularly this episode because it was closest one to the book's major events than any previous one ... i feel they are getting back on track and it is only going to get better ... great reaction thanks
Im glad it has your stamp of approval!
As a book reader, for me this was the best Episode of all of them so far. Finally, insights in the Forsaken and many important Book Mentions of Important things..
for fourteen books that are planned for 8seasons with just 8 episodes each, it was never possible to adapt it book per book. What I see is they took the whole story, trimmed the plot points that can be taken out without ruining the skeleton or major points and then had to move things around to make it make sense and still give the needed emotional and story telling bits to non book readers. All characters are still where they are or if not, on the way to where they should be in the story at this point but in just new ways that are making me pleasantly surprised, feeling like going back to experiencing the story again for the first time.
And I must say how I'm so in love with Aviendha, oh men, I can't believe how they got her whole vibe so much
My favorite non reader reactions! I been waiting all day for this 😂 y’all we’re fast this time. Nice!
Hahaha we were trying to get it up quick!
29:58 as a book reader, I am loving this season. I honestly don’t know what will happen next sometimes, and other times I loving the major plot point coming to life in screen
Actually there is a graphic novel of the prequel novel, New Spring, which tells the early days of Moiraine and Siuan, and how Moiraine meets Lan.
*adds to cart*
They did graphic novels for the first book Eye of the World as well.
I was about to comment this… there absolutely are comic-style pieces of Wheel of Time content
They are pretty good too
And they are releasing the second book The Great Hunt later this fall. I think November
The Three Oaths are as follows: To speak no word that is not true. To make no weapon with which one man may kill another. Never to use the One Power as a weapon except against Darkfriends or Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme defense of her life, the life of her Warder, or another Aes Sedai.
I love that you two understand the characters by just watching the show. It's shows, for me at least, that the show is getting the characters right.
Thats good!
@@Matthewvhaynes I love the positivity that you two bring to the show. It's nice to see a non book reader react positive. Too much cynicism lately for things that are just meant to entertain. ☺️
Best episode so far, I watched with my non-book reader mother and had a hard time not trying to explain every little detail I noticed form the books
"you're gonna be saying aiieeeeee" 😂😂😂😂😂
That whole part had me laughing out loud.
"What's gonna happen to Egweyne? Her ark is gonna be insane"
Yes.
Rule-of-Thumb when it comes to Seanchan hierarchy: The longer your nails and the more shaved you hear is, the higher your status. For example, Turok is fully shaved, Suroth still has a patch of hair in the middle of her head. The two Voices (with the wierd cage-looking facemask) have half their heads shaved.
There are nuances of cours,e but as a general rule-of-thumb
I'm a book reader loving season 2, and your analysis of the show continues to be astoundingly insightful. I've been waiting all season for your reactions to Aviendha! (I commented about this back on your reaction video to eps1-3.) The fighting skills, personality, red-haired dreads, etc. 😆
Aviendha tickled my emotions hardcore just seeing her on screen, just seein lines like "your water is mine" "the Car'a'Carn" etc... just WOW. (Oh and she does Aiel justice, they kick arse!)
He way y'all "mmmm" and "ahhh" in sync is adorable😂😂
Haha ❤️
Nice one guys, that was fun to watch non book readers enjoying the show. This episode was the closest this show has come to the book story, so us book fans are finally warming up to it.
Just one suggestion, go back & rewatch Rand-Selene scenes this season, you may understand a bit more now. Also think about what is happening to Rand in real life & what is happening in a dream. Lanfear is the Daughter of the Night after all!
Best episode of the season! I agree with the other commentators that this was closest to the book so far. Hopefully they'll keep this up! Aviendha! Bornhold! Hopper! 🥰 The dreamworld! Good stuff;-)
Im loving it!
Love your reactions Matthew and Cosmic! Been a fan since Mandalorian season1. Bookreader since 1990, so glad you found and love the tv series!
This episode was packed with goodies. It might be my favorite episode this season or at least tied with episode 3 for me.
43:25 excellent take on the Seanchan. Birthright is everything
Best single episode of the entire series so far
I'm glad show-only people are reacting positively to this episode, because more than any other episode so far this one felt like it was for the book readers so I was nervous that it was just too much and too nerdy. There was a lot of lore dumping in name drops, places and concepts. Like Turak mentioning the empress. The tel'aran'rhiod. Or the other forsaken. And then little details in some of the scenes. All very cool stuff.
If you're into persuasion you might be more of a gray than a brown. Unfortunately the nerd ajahs weren't as well fleshed out in the books. I'm hoping that's something that changes in the tv show. They seem to be making browns a much bigger deal already which gives me hope.
There's NO such thing as too nerdy. We may be blind when it comes to the Wheel of time, but the both of us are huge nerds for other fandoms! So I welcome this kind of storytelling!
Definitely agree with your comments on review bombing!
Thank you!
Loved this reaction, and loved your stuff last season, too. As others have said, this one was actually full of book material, and a lot of book readers really loved it. Last season started relatively close to the books, at least in terms of basic plot points for the first few episodes, then drifted further away. This season has been kind of the opposite. It started way out on a limb, and has been drifting closer to the books as the episodes progress. There are still major differences, but I think this one captured the feeling of the books better than any previous episode.
Im glad the book fans are pleased!
Aviendha was everything. One of my favorites. My 17 year old daughter’s name is Aviendha. You should have seen her face at the name drop. That is the first time she has heard her name in reference to another… other than her father and I telling her about the books. Great episode.
Aweeee thats so amazing! Im glad you guys got to witness that moment!
From book reader Perspective, the best episode of all so far
Great reaction. This was a wonderful episode. Lanfear was properly vicious, obsessed, and really deviious. Aviendha kicked butt, or butts plural. She is my favorite character from the books and Ayoola Smart was a great choice. And almost unnotided, Elayne the daughter-heir proved herself resourceful, calm, and very powerful. And Hopper is the best boi!
When they say there was alot revealed in the LAST episode 😂😂
Can't wait for your reaction to Mat's arc.
The language you can actually learn is elvish from LOTR. Robert Jordan created the Old Tongue which they are utilizing here, and there's a lot in the books, but it's not a complete language. I'm sure they're drawing on what's in the books for the parts spoken and written in old tongue.
Yeah, there's actually quite a vocabulary built of Old Tongue even if it's not complete. You can read and write it and speak it and communicate most things at least generally.
Thats so cool!
they actually hired a linguist, or whatever expert on language is called and she studied what was available of the Old Tongue, cross referenced it with various languages, new and lost languages, and dissected it's possible etymology so she could see some logic in the grammar and stuff. It was a really cool interview, I just can't for the life of me, remember which channel it was
@@bevssabado3460 Yeah, I remember that interview. It's crazy how much love the showrunners clearly have for this series.
@@cgnefarious5785 oh for sure, even in the bts about set design and the time and effort they give to costumes for all characters, the stories behind them. The hate being thrown at the whole production is totally undeserved
Love your reactions and theories. Thank you.
Glad you like them!
Shout out to The Dusty Wheel! You guys, we need a collaboration👌🏻
Could be happening sooner than you think 👀👀
@@Matthewvhaynes LFG!!!!🔥
THIS EPISODE>>>>>>>>>>
YES!
I just love watching your reactions to this story. I am a book reader and I have to say that, for me personally, I feel they have gotten the balance just right in terms of dropping enough little things in the storyline to make book reader's squeal in delight, but making the story cohesive enough that non book readers would still understand the story - you don't need to have read the books, to get what's going on, but if you've read the books, there are just so many little things you pick up on. To make a weird comparison - it's like those kids jokes that are actually adult jokes, but you're not old enough to understand the subtext. The kids still think the joke is funny, but for the adults it's REALLY funny.
On another note - and it's probably been said before - the way you tell the story HAS to be different for TV, because you don't have 20 pages to go off on a tangent about something or other. You can't tell a story spread over 14 books beat for beat and word for word. It's two different mediums and so the stories are going to be different. As long as they get the major plot points down and get the characters where they're supposed to go, in the truest fashion they can manage, they should be given the benefit of the doubt and trust that they actually know what they're doing. And so far, I have to say, Rafe and his team seem to know what they're doing. I hope he gets the 8 seasons he's aiming for because he and his team and doing an amazing job so far. Anyway - keep up the good work, knowing what's coming, I can't wait to see your reactions.
I look forward to your videos every week!!!!!
Yay! Thank you!
as a book reader - I 100% agree with what you said. The show is different in some ways but the story is still there, the major beats, the characters - this season is amazing and we are not even into the actual "meat" of the story, books 1-3 never even scratched the surface of the plot of the books really - its so much deeper and thats the same for these two seasons - there is sooo much more stuff to come. im excited!!
Oh yeah, you're hooked! 10 minutes on fingernails! I too questioned the plausibility of the cut, but I'm sure the bladesman has performed the rite more than once. Good reactions to the best episode yet!
Haha 😊
Love your reactions. Started watching you from the first season.
Also i am just really proud of the WoT community. Whichever react channel i go to, they all talk about how welcoming we are ❤
Because you guys are! Best fandom we ever provided reactions for!
Great video! I'm here for the Perrin era too! It's great for us book readers to see Perrin Perrining!
Also, I'm a book reader who likes the show and loves this season!
I actually own hardback graphic novels of The Eye of The World (first book). TOR published it
I know what im doing post season 2!
Just found your channel and I have to say I love how intelligently you two discuss these episodes.
I've been waiting for this one!
If persuasion is your gift, you, sir, are a Gray. The Gray Ajah are diplomats, negotiators, legal experts, and mediators.
The Blue Ajah, though, pursues justice and a better world - their informants and schemes are but means to those ends.
So they're politicians? 😭😭😭 im changing my mind! Lol im gonna be a brown and just read books then haha
@Matthewvhaynes A little! I say all Aes Sedai are at least somewhat political & the Ajahs are like political parties. Someone joked AS should be labeled like politicians in the news, ex. Moiraine (Blue - Cairhien), & I think it's great shorthand.
For myself, Brown has its appeal, but I favor Blue - to apply that knowledge to further bend the arc of history toward justice.
I love the books and am also really enjoying the show. I am quite enjoying some of the changes and I see it as the next turn of the wheel.
Liked this before I even started watching. Can’t wait for your reaction!
I like how some of you thoughts are on point.
The books are never gonna go away. Truer words my friend. Been reading since the mid 90s and I'm loving the show. They nailed the cast and the heart of the characters which makes the changes fun. We're still going the and place but we're just getting there a little differently. That being said 3-4-5 this season have really nailed some big book beats and have been my favorite 3 of the show thus far. Nailing it guys love the reactions
Thank you Jason! Means a lot
1:26:17 I read the books and don’t remember what the “Al’” means in the names, either. When you do read the books, you can go through books 1-3 and the prequel be fine before season 3
Sharon Gilham is the Costume Designer for season two.
Love your analysis, and the questions you come up with. :)
Glad you like them!
Absolutely loved this episode!! Love your reactions🙌
Thank you!! 😁
Verin is my favorite book character, wayyyyy too smart, always 2 steps ahead of everyone else.
I love her already
Oh and your comment for the scene of Aviendha and Perrin: "he's gonna go Aieeeeeeee!" I died laughing. Your responses and insights are my favorite! ❤❤❤
Haha thank you!! ❤️🙏🏿
39:10 also the momentum of a heavy chunk of metal coming down at speed
There are already comic books for the wheel of time
And only the first 2 books which is perfect
I love the wheel of time. I read both of blood and bone, books I hope another book is on its way. I think when I started the books, they were talking about a movie ❤😊
All the characters are tavern which means they are the center piece of the quilt so they are all super inmportant and have a role to play
I'm a non-book reader as well, and I am digging all of it. If it was implied, Rand, Egwene (sp?), Perrin & Matt, have a part in all this? They all could have the dragon in them. I was really hoping Nynaeve would end up leading and changing the outlook of The Reds. However, what if she is actually THE DRAGON!!!? I know, I know Rand freed Ismael, but why wouldn't he since he has the power in him to do so? Just theorizing, too. Thank you, two, for the reaction. Until next week. See you on the flipside.
No, Rand is the Dragon. He is the only one. He is the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon. We saw him at the opening of the final episode of season 1 when we saw the futuristic past. Lews Therin is the guy Lanfear was in love with in the past. This guy keeps getting reborn to fight the Dark One again and again, it is his thing.
The other characters have their own things going on and their parts to play in the grand scheme of things. But they are definitely not the Dragon or anything.
Great reaction guys! Very insightful theories. This ep was exposition heavy!
He also told her to not come out until she is presentable, that means until her nails grow back.
Ahh
36:37 you’re “parts of the dragon” are called Ta’veren in the books. People act like spokes to Wheel, instead of cogs.
Yep we have Graphic Novels by Mcmillan that cover the first book. Also Dynamite will be publishing "The Great Hunt" soon!
As a book reader, I'm really enjoying season 2. Since the end of season 1 varied so much from the book the first few episodes I had no idea what to expect. Now that things are going I have a few ideas of where things will go, but I'm also expecting some more big differences.
Wait, we (WoT fandom) overly break things down?! I never noticed....😂😂😂
🤣
Great reaction as always! Love the sword talk! ❤
Thank you!! 😁
In S1 Min had the viewing of all the stars filling up the black space and vice versa, when those characters were together. So the star is a good analogy.
There are Wheel of Time graphic novel adaptations through Dynamite.
Comgrats I need the full reaction time to make a patreon account
Hahaha thank you!
Brown is the best Ajah! 👌
Haha im inclined to believe
i am most amused by people speculating about minxmat, avixperrin, elaynexegwene lmao. yeah all their meetups and relationship look like the quintessential stereotypical love matches or something i guess. fun pairings and nice additions to this season.
I believe it was Dark Horse but the Eye of the World (bk 1) was made into a comic book and it is worth taking a look at.
There are wheel of time comics made through tor books from a comic called dynamite. A new spring series and an eye of the world series. There's also a graphic novel series. The comics were suppose to be a monthly series, but it did stop around the time of the authors death. I heard a rumor because of the TV show that it might be remade, but that's just a rumor.
The 2 Rivers naming convention with al'____ is like "son of" similar to like Mc____ for Scots/Irish names, or having ____ian at the end for Armenian names
Ahhhhhh
Alternatively the al' prefix means something different in the Borderlands, as in al'Lan Mandragoran. the al' prefix signifies royalty there, or in some of the borderland countries. Not so much in the Two Rivers, where it has the "son of" connotation, but could signify a bloodline that's been tracked back to the days of Manetheren, etc.@@Matthewvhaynes
Even if the Two Rivers folk don't realize the significance.
Another thing that's not spoilery but just cool to know about the world of Wheel of Time is that the 1st Age is generally considered to be our age we're in now, so Wheel of Time takes place thousands of years in our future. The 2nd age ends with the breaking of the world 3000 years before the events in the show in the 3rd Age. The name Al'Thor in the Two Rivers literally means Son of Thor, and it's just another representation of how legend fades to myth and even the myths of our current age (Thor) get modified in future centuries and millennia throughout the turning of the Wheel of Time until they're long forgotten in the age that gave them birth when that age comes again.
There are 7 ages with variable lengths in time, so it will be a long time until the 1st age comes again and we'll have long forgotten the meaning of "Thor". So, the question is really did the legends of Thor inspire the name Al'Thor, or did Rand inspire the legends of Thor in our age, and does it even matter which came first? Wheel of Time is so interesting in that cyclical nature over the long game!
As a book reader who was happy with season 1 ither than the unavoidable problems caused by COVID, this season is so far an improvement. That's not criticism for the first season but praise of the second.
I really love watching your reactions! I have a summary for Lanfear that isn’t really spoilery - worst ex-girlfriend ever!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
The first book was adapted into a series of graphic novels.
Not sure about the analogy but i would say in this story the Dragon might be both the Paladin and Dark Knight lol. And everything else. He is like the most absolute powerhouse character ever written in fantasy and not just for his magical skills. His characteristics and arc is just one of a kind in literature. He just grows so much and for that he has to go through so much too. I don't know how much of that will be in the show, but it is the case for the books at least.
Think about how you see Lanfear and what a competent, successful, talented and beautiful woman she looks to be. And that woman was in love with this man who was at least a match for her... Aside from her being evil....
Hey peeps, As a second time book reader, i am happy to see your reaction. I have made the mental gymnastic leap of separating book from Show so no worries. Truth be told, I think maybe if Jordan had not passed , he might have refined the books some but he had not that luxury. It was satisfying to see your joy at the entrance of Aviendha .
We love her
I think the force that is bringing Rand and Lanfear together here is Lanfear herself lmao.
In a way the man she loved is now dead actually, but she just wants to pretend like that is not the case. Rand is Lews Therin but at the same time he is a new man... She thinks she knows him and she does, but does she...
The first book, Eye of the World has a graphic novel series. It’s hard to find.
Thx for sharing your thoughts.❤
Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!
Don't let the Bookcloaks get you down.
Avi would find all the main characters in this story "cute" probably lol. So would the rest of the Aielwomen. You do not know them yet, it is interesting to see you speculate so much so early on when you have only briefly met her lol.
As it all goes on we will see more nods to the books, book 1 was always going to be the most difficult and as they weave the story we'll see more, will take time but episode 5 season 2 you REALLY start to see some actual payoffs.
This episode was 🎉🎉🎉🎉
You need to go back to episode 4 and listen to Selene when She is talking about her former lover. It is fantastic
55:40 you can learn most of the major star trek languages (the famous one is klingon)
As im currently watching the next generation 😭🤣