Wheel of Time - Thoughts on the First 3 Episodes (Spoiler Free)

I am a huge fan of the Wheel of Time books. I started reading them with my dad in high school, and while I stopped reading for a while I picked back up after I heard Brandon Sanderson had finished Robert Jordan's masterpiece. I have read the whole series twice, once through the books themselves and once through the audiobooks (which are a masterclass). So to say I was excited for the TV show is putting it mildly.

But, like many, I was also really apprehensive. These are not easy books to make into screenplay. When Amazon was said to be dropping $10million (!) an episode, ironically my fears were both relieved and intensified. I am a firm believer that our best creative choices stem from scarcity--but just the right level of scarcity. With that sort of cash, unfortunately, a "fix in post" mentality can easily occur.

Today the first three episodes were released, and while I was not planning on writing anything about them I do have some (spoiler free) thoughts and want to talk about them. I will also make a more spoiler filled post later.

1.) In general, I would give the first three episodes a B-. At their best, they stray into A- territory and hit some pretty high highs, so to speak. At its worst, C to C- territory. There are some pretty cringe special effects, dialogue, and story choices. But honestly C territory isn't that bad given how ephemeral those moments are overall, and how primed for disappointment the astronomical expectations have made a fanbase ravenous for such an adaptation.

2.) Casting and characters: overall I am extremely happy with casting. While the main set of younger characters have a bit of a WB esque sexy teen drama look about them, for the most part they overcome this with good acting and line delivery. I was shocked to learn that the actor for Matt in season 2 has already been re-cast (though the two actors look similar enough) because I thought Matt's acting was excellent. But no complaints here, I thought casting was some of the strongest parts of the show so far. There is unfortunately a melodrama to much of the delivery that was off putting for me in a story that is already over earnest, especially as we have been conditioned to be used to either the grim dark of thrones or the tongue-in-cheek sparkle of Marvel movies. But overall still good, and there is a lot of potential here for the show to find its footing and really nail delivery. Here is hoping!

3.) Special effects: this is hit and miss. Trollocs look pretty good, but have just enough Halloween store campiness about them that I'm not in love with their look. More than serviceable, and at times very good. Part of the issue is that men who have, say, boar's heads are just not easy to make look good on screen as opposed to story description (though it certainly has been done well before). While its not the strongest, as I said its good enough, even great at times. Channeling (the magic of the series) receives what I think is a really beautiful interpretation, with an almost dance-like quality that, while going against the lore of the books (such motions are not needed, lore-wise) I think makes for a visually interesting experience. However, there are some wacky lighting choices made, and something constantly feels off and rushed about the effects. The special effects at no point reach Game of Thrones levels of fidelity and artistic beauty, and Lord of the Rings, while over 20 years old at this point, simply has better art direction. There are several instances where the effects stray into being, if not bad, decidedly on the far side of the uncanny valley (there is one point mid first episode where a trolloc is torn apart by Moiraine, and it is probably the worst effect of the first three episodes). While everything is good for the most part, I was constantly left wondering where that $10 million per episode went. One is left with the impression that the show makers must have thought they had unlimited money, and soon found just how quick $10 million goes and were left scrambling. So, a lot of good potential here, but I also think there just is not as much talent in the VFX department as with, say, Dune, or Game of Thrones, or Lord of the Rings. A lot is missed not just on execution, but on artistic direction. What is more, while I was having a hard time putting my finger on exactly what was going wrong, there is something that is, just ... off about the effects and their integration with the world. But still, overall a B-.

4.) Story: one of the stronger parts of the shows, which land the plane where it counts. However, there was a constant feeling that the story was proceeding at the pace of an excited fan, somewhat breathless at the chance to tell their favorite bits of dialogue or to display their favorite set piece, thereby rushing in the execution to make sure they get everything out. Dialogue is too clipped at points, character interactions are frequently rushed, and like the turning of a wheel the vague feeling of being led along on rails rather than watching an organically developing story. However, that said, again there is a lot of potential here. The show mercifully avoids laborious exposition (the books themselves were notorious for having a glossary of terms in each volume) When the story took a deep breath to give the characters and plot devices a bit more room to stretch and breath, the show truly does stray into brilliance. In those moments the true gravitas one would hope for in a show like this shines through, and a confident timbre in execution gives us a peek into a show that can become truly magisterial and brilliant. One hopes the show makers have enough confidence to work as if they will be given enough in-show time to tell the story properly.

5.) Sets: BEAUTIFUL. Wow. The landscape shots are absolutely gorgeous. I could not be happier about them. The sets themselves however have the same hard-to-put-your-finger-on-it uncanny valley quality that unsettles true immersion whenever it starts to take hold. Some of the indoor scenes feel like one walked into a Disney theme park room in some Pirates of the Caribbean ride: it is extremely well crafted and put together, and has a whimsical quality that is unfailingly fun. But one constantly feels that they are characters on a set with the indoor scenes. Ultimately a minor critique.

6.) Story: so far so good. There are some questionable changes and additions that were needless (and a few which actively contradict the original lore, like the idea that women could be the dragon) but these are in the grand scheme of things minor, and a few are understandable. There is an on-rails feeling that the first three episodes never quite shake. Characters seem to accept their fate quite quickly (when the main characters leave, Brand's dad nods his head at them as if this was expected and losing his son to strangers after a devastating attack on their home village is just a Tuesday.) 

7) Music: not a lot to say--its excellent throughout and is one of the stronger aspects of the show.

Overall: the show is oozing with potential. While the execution falters at times, it never falls off the horse. It never descends anywhere near the disaster that was MTV's Shannara, but for $10million an episode the show doesn't yet reach the Game of Thrones heir level I think we all want. But, fingers crossed, it is close, and could very easily get there with some tweaks in pacing, dialogue, and art direction.