The Wheel of Time Review (Minor Spoilers)
The Wheel of Time, based on Robert Jordan’s high fantasy series (particularly the first book, The Eye of the World), tells a grand tale filled with magic, intrigue, action, and romance.
So, how good is the new Amazon series? Well, fans of fantasy, rejoice! The Amazon adaptation, developed by Rafe Judkins, faithfully represents the books and stands out as one of the best high fantasy series I’ve seen. The storytelling doesn’t feel rushed or overly condensed, maintaining the essence of the original material.
The show benefits from movie-quality production values, stunning locations (like Prague), detailed sets, and a stellar cast of actors.
Meet the Characters
The Wheel of Time starts by introducing the main characters and their world. It features classic high fantasy elements – a grand battle between good and evil, prophecies, magical beings, a hero’s quest, deep friendships, and epic love stories.
What sets this series apart is its well-developed characters. Every character has unique motives, dreams, fears, insecurities, strengths, and weaknesses, making it easy for viewers to connect with them. The actors fit their roles perfectly, delivering strong performances that enhance the show’s appeal.
The Amazon original stars Rosamund Pike as the magical Aes Sedai Moiraine and Daniel Henney as her Warder, Lan Mandragoran. The story also focuses on five young individuals – Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris), and Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoë Robins) – from a small, Shire-like town called the Two Rivers. Additionally, Alexandre Willaume plays Thom Merrilin, a gleeman and mysterious figure, adding depth to the cast.
The Story of The Wheel of Time
In this story, life cycles back every thousand years, and the Wheel of Time turns again. The Dragon is reborn, destined to fight the Dark One, the ultimate evil. One of the five main characters is the Dragon reborn, but who? Moiraine saves four of them from the Dark One’s minions and embarks on a quest to the White Tower. Darkness follows them as they enter a world full of danger and magic. Along their journey, they meet new characters and face various trials.
The Wheel of Time TV Series Review
The Wheel of Time stands out as one of the best new TV shows in years. With a talented and diverse cast, outstanding production design, immersive dialogue, and a captivating story, it sets a high bar for other epic fantasy adaptations. The show’s portrayal of love scenes is tasteful and avoids the explicit content found in other series like Game of Thrones.
The Romance
While Moiraine and Lan are compelling characters, the budding romance between Lan and Nynaeve is particularly captivating. Episode four explores their relationship, making it a highlight of the series. Although the relationship between Lan and Moiraine appears more platonic, the potential romance between Lan and Nynaeve promises to be epic. Additionally, the teenage romance between Rand and Egwene is sweet and complex.
Everything Comes Together to Create Magic
Lorne Balfe’s musical score, the beautiful costumes, realistic special effects, and well-choreographed battle scenes all contribute to the series’ magical atmosphere. The first episode sets a high standard, and the rest of the season follows suit.
The Source Material
Although I haven’t read all the books due to some problematic elements, the TV series does an excellent job of giving female characters their due. Avoiding the objectification seen in the books, the series portrays women as strong and fully developed characters, equal to their male counterparts. The diverse casting is another positive change from the books.
Will There Be a Second Season?
Thankfully, Amazon Studios has already renewed the series for a second season, with filming having started in July. Given that the series is based on a 14-volume epic, we can hope for many more seasons to come.
Overall Thoughts
If you enjoy romantic fantasy shows with a touch of Tolkien, The Wheel of Time is for you. Unlike Game of Thrones, it lacks disturbing content, making it a refreshing epic fantasy series. I highly recommend it.
Content Note: TV-14 for intense scenes of violence and mild, non-sexual nudity.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (New episodes release on Fridays, with a total of eight episodes in the first season).
Have you watched The Wheel of Time yet? What do you think of the new romantic fantasy series? Share your thoughts below!
