The Wheel of Time (TV Series) A Taste of Solitude (2023) User Reviews

Great start of the season

[Christian_stjernberg · 8/10 · 1 September 2023]

Once again fantastic acting by Kate Fleetwood (Liandrin), who has the most intense scene with Nynaeve, really showing more of the true colors of the Red Ajah as well as Nynaeves potential powers.

Rosamund Pike also continiues to be awesome as Moiraine! Great scene with Master Domon showing how Aes Sedai conduct business :D Overall fantastic scenarie and beautiful nature locations as well as the charming place where Tomas, Lan and Verin hang out.

With an epic ending where Lan in the best Aragorn-style fights multiple Myrddraal, protecting Moiraine, this was a great start to the second season.

Significantly Better than Season 1

[bluejays-88045 · 7/10 · 2 September 2023]

I did not like Season 1 it was a massive hot mess especially towards the end where story fell apart entirely with an very, very bad ending episode. This episode is getting unfair hate as if it is bad when it tries to do its best with the disastrous ending of season 1 and considering how bad that was, what do you expect? In my view this is watchable, not brilliant but not bad enough that I cringed watching it. People who said it got worse are overreacting.

It should be obvious to everyone with eyes that the acting, the sets, the attention to detail, and the script all got leveled up from season 1. I do not think it is 'there' yet but any improvement over the obvious CGI, low budget costumes, and.wookie suit trollocs is very welcome.

Season 1's problem was not that it deviated from the books, it's that it deviated in all the worst ways, especially at the end. The LoTR movies, famously some of the best in fantasy, heavily deviated from the source material but did so in a way that frankly improved the story (and hit all the major plot points) not the other way around. It is possible that Season 2 of this show may go down that path and that would be a very welcome change.

Making Lemonade out of Lemons

[gingermullet-24407 · 8/10 · 1 September 2023]

And oh boy howdy was it given some sour lemons in terms of the finale of Season 1. Now, this wasn't entirely the fault of the creators, there were a lot of unexpected production issues and last minute changes that had to be made but there were so many bad decisions in the season 1 finale and the season 2 premiere doesn't immediately go into fix it mode but instead just naturally progresses in a way that was pretty good. A lot of this episode was spent establishing what's going up with all of the characters, introducing new ones and setting the scene for the series to come but boy howdy does it do that rather effectively! The dialogue can be a bit corny but the actors performances mostly make up for it. I think it was a solid choice to not focus on Rand this episode and expand on literally everyone else. Matt could have gotten some more screen time here and the time skip was to be fair a pretty lazy way of getting around where they left him but it needed to be done and hopefully moving forward we can watch Donal come into his own as this character. Bayle Doman really shined here though they should have introduced him in season 1, even if just briefly. I'm curious to see where Moirane cut from the one power will go, it obviously doesn't happen in the books and I have a couple ideas of what they might could be doing, some are good and some are not so good but seem possible. The series needs to commit now that Moirane is gonna be gone in a few seasons. They cannot cut her sacrifice in Fires of Heaven out, I truly think that would be a woolheaded decision. Im hoping that they use this as an opportunity to let the other characters combative abilities shine as apposed to relying on Moirane and just sort of do the rest of her story the way it was originally done. Have Nymaeve learn to heal a severed connection from the one power just like how she did in the books, have her heal Moirane when she returns much later and make that a big moment for near the end. I just hope they don't get impatient and just let it sit. I guess we'll just have to wait and see but it gives me hope at the very least.

Terrific episode to restore hope in the series

[Arosa_mg · 9/10 · 2 September 2023]

After the bit of a mess that was episode 108, it was reassuring to be back in the Westlands and see that the producers and the showrunner have made significant improvements on almost every aspect and every complaint about the show. The show's pacing, VFX, costumes, and dialogue are better than in season 1, and the acting continues to be fantastic. Also, a big complaint I had last season was the perceived size of The White Tower. This season, it feels larger in scale, more lived in, more majestic -- and every place we saw was like that.

The first episode did an excellent job immersing us into the world and updating us on where friends are without unnecessary explanation or wasted time and was so engaging that I only realized Rand's (my favorite character) absence later. I suspect that is because while Rand is arguably the main character, book readers (and Padan Fain) know the story in truth requires an ensemble cast because they all play a role.

Now that there is no mystery of who the dragon reborn is, each of the characters start shining for who they are, and this episode gave me hope that is/will be the case going forward; particularly for Perrin whose character development suffered from last season's mystery.

Much better than season one

[svrnmancoaching · 9/10 · 3 September 2023]

WAY better than season one. Visually its much more reminiscent of what I imagined in the books. The show is paced better and they obviously got a budget boost cause the special effects changed dramatically to be closer to the books.

The first season was pretty good, but as a fan of the books many changes were super disappointing. This season is off to a way better start and I'm much more excited. Feels WAY closer to what I was hoping for. The white tower feels BIG, the dialogue and tone is slower and darker, and the plot changes they do make (which we all understand is necessary unless they make 500 episodes) at least capture the truth of the books on some level.

As a books fan, this season is a relief. Way better.

Season 2 lands in form

[cristiantomescu · 10/10 · 1 September 2023]

After an unevent ending to the first season, it looks like Wheel of Time returned in force.

The strong worldbuilding is now felt, the plot carries, and the characters are fleshed out masterfully.

It also looks like the production valued increased big time - from sets to costumes to VFX, it all adds up to a wonderful viewing experience.

If you had your doubts about giving this season a go, please remove them. It is WORTH your time and worth sticking around for more. 2x01 was just the appetizer.

The world of Robert Jordan is truly brought to screen as it should have been from the start. And it can only grow and expand from now on.

They all died!

[gnmpphbyty · 3/10 · 10 October 2023]

I enjoyed Season 1 and was excited to see the show's continuation. To be honest, this episode was pretty boring and unimpressive. I'm hoping the season improves from here. However, there was one aspect that I feel I just have to mention...

Perrin's story starts with him marching with some people to go somewhere. Honestly, I did not pay attention to anything they were saying, because ALL OF THOSE CHARACTERS DIED. Like, last episode. I watched them die, and then 15 minutes later this episode starts and I see them walking with Perrin like nothing happened?

The writers didn't even try. They could have conjured something like: "Oh the Aes Sedai just... showed up and healed everyone! Yay!". But no. The characters simply exist. They never died. This doesn't look like anything to me. And the craziest thing... THEY ARE DISCUSSING THE CHARACTER THAT I JUST WATCHED MURDER THEM.

I was waiting for Perrin to wake up from a dream and kept thinking "man, this scene is so long". It wasn't until we got a second scene with this crew that it dawned on me: I am supposed to forget that I watched these characters die.

I'm sorry, I am willing to suspend some disbelief for a fantasy show, but if the writers can't even fake the semblance of continuity, I'm not going to bother paying attention to this story line.

The wheel bided its time.

[W011y4m5 · 8/10 · 2 September 2023]

Whilst oh, so many other high-budget fantasy series have fallen by the wayside since The Wheel of Time's initial airing of its first season, S2 seems to have released at a rather opportune moment; "Lord of The Rings" crashed & burned in solemn mediocrity, right out of the gates, "Shadow & Bone" seemed to struggle in making any impression on audiences whatsoever & Netflix's other franchise "The Witcher" has irrevocably fallen in to mismanagement & decrepitude with S3; the only viable challenger still left standing remains HBO's "House of The Dragon", which likely shows no signs of abating. However, what's most fascinating is seeing this ironic dark horse of a show rise out from beneath the shadow of others & finally find its feet with the opening episode of the long-awaited follow-up, establishing itself as what may very likely be THE fantasy saga, keeping George RR Martin's universe on its toes for the foreseeable; far maturer, darker, with a distinct & impressive identity... What an improvement from the last.

Better than season 1 but still a bad adaptation

[VibesonFleek · 5/10 · 4 September 2023]

Putting aside the fact that this adaptation is really stretching the boundaries of how far a story can veer away from its source material while still claiming to be an "adaptation," season 2 is absolutely, indisputably better than season 1 on its own merit.

Season 1 wasn't just a bad adaptation, it was a bad show. The set design, music, costume design, writing, everything about the production was awful. Season 2 is at least a decent show on its own merit, which it needs to be, because it's definitely not a faithful adaptation.

The music is a big step up in quality and I actually really like some of the OST in season 2. It's good stuff.

The White Tower is portrayed so much better in season 2, they actually did a pretty good job of bringing Tar Valon to life.

There are far less WTF moments in season 2, although they are still there.

The show still has the problem of feeling like bad fan fiction of excellent source material but looking beyond that it's a step up in terms of quality from season 1.

The decision to make Moiraine the central protagonist is still a questionable one and even more questionable considering how they butchered her character. Book Moiraine is a mastermind schemer and planner with an iron will and a shrewd mind. Everything she does and has done for the last twenty years, is all towards the singular goal of ushering the dragon reborn safely towards the last battle. Show Moiraine is an idiot who abandons the Dragon Reborn after finding him and loves the ride off alone into the night, while shielded/stilled, and leaving Lan behind. Show Moiraine is a character who learns Fades are around and then proceeds to tell exactly no one about this crucial information before riding off into the night alone. It's the fantasy equivalent of a character in a slasher movie deciding they need to split up and investigate the basement alone. This is only the criticism of a single character. Every character has changes that make them objectively worse than their book cousins.

However, I truly believe the show, on its own merit, has absolutely improved in quality in season 2 from season 1. I'm just not sure it's improved enough to justify using the Wheel of Time name.

So good to be back

[rationalnerd · 10/10 · 1 September 2023]

After almost two years of wait, we are back, and it feels great! We start off with a long time jump, and our characters scattered all across the world. The pacing is good, the new characters very entertaining (gotta love Verin and Adeleas), and if you're open to changes from the books, you should have a great time!

Some of my highlights:

• The several call backs to the first episode of season 1. Between Moiraine's bath and Bel Tine, we're in for the gut punches.

• That fight in the last few minutes of the episode! Mind blown, and great to see how terrifying Fades can be (and how incredible Lan is)
• Strangely, the miscommunication. We hate it in the books, but Alanna misunderstanding Egwene? This scene was top notch. Really.

A refreshing start

[chlozj · 8/10 · 3 September 2023]

After an underwhelming season 1 and a season finale that we may all happily forget, I am relieved to find that the season 2 premiere has improved on all fronts. This is a wonderfully paced introduction to bring us upto speed with where our characters are at and introduce us to some new names and faces. I particularly enjoyed the Tower scenes and novice life, and also the meddlings of a certain Red Sister. It was also amazing to finally be introduced to Verin who was portrayed wonderfully- I think im detecting a slightly broad/Yorkshire twang and it's working for me! Bayle Domon as a blue-eyed Welshman/Illianer is perfect as well. Very much looong forward to seeing where the next episodes lead us.

It's extremely good

[sevojr11 · 10/10 · 4 September 2023]

I'm very surprised at this season. Everything is so good. The trollocs and fade are so cool and the colors of the one power looks soo good. This show is has turned up Everything since season 1. Perrins powers are impressive. I particularly love how nyneave training is going. Also the seanchan costumes are impressive also their channeling. And the scenery is so good. And the special effects are so much better. And The portrayal of Verrin Sedai and her sister is so good. It's also so sad the moraine sedai and lan doesn't have a bond anymore. Something should b3 don't about Ishamael he's is troublesome. And no one knows what he is planning.

Why bother adapting a book if you change everything?

[amaury-hubault · 1/10 · 10 September 2023]

Ok, characters name are the same. But that's almost the only thing, story has both to do with the book. Only 2 scenes over 60 minutes.

It's a total invention, then it would have been less disappointing to name it differently. And I anticipate even more disappointments as important characters weren't introduced yet.

This episode is a waste of time, I'll try to continue but I don't expect much.

Season 1 was already very different from the book and the changes were poorly chosen, but it seems they went further. I hope another director will reboot it in the coming years because the story deserves it.

Absolutely Loving it as a book fan

[thetishdave · 10/10 · 6 September 2023]

People are entitled to negative reviews if they have actual reasons.

Personally, I'm loving this season. Anyone who expects the books in tv format will continue to be disappointed. There's no way they can chronologicaly follow the book so they have to weave them together.

In season 2 they're doing a better job of this than in 1, as expected as the groundwork has now been laid.

The changes that have been made, I have loved (although would it have killed them to have Sherriam say be steadfast? Lol) so far and am enjoying the apparent added depth to Liandrins character.

This series is doing as near perfect a job as it can of adapting the books in a way that is compelling on screen.

And it's only going to get better. Can't wait for more!

Threesomes are crucial as a novice

[brvalkenburg · 2/10 · 3 September 2023]

These writers do not understand the characters.

Nynaeve does not fight with swords! She hates this type of violence. Why make her a Mary Sue , where she is good at everything? She is a healer!!! She would also never drink that dirty water. Just F off.

Egwene is not really Egwene either. She was a strong, positive, happy, even character who immediately fit in with the tower and became quite proficient. Good at weaves. She felt the tower was where she belongs. Not this emo skinsuit.

Moraine being stilled (this is confirmed now with the warder bond being broken)..... What can I say?? This cannot be repaired unless Rafe really wants to change the order of the books. She is also a horrible person to Lan. But not for any conceivable reason, since he is the only protection you have.

Speaking of Lan, he is not in this show. I like the actor playing Lan. He could have been a really believable Lan. Stoic and basically a wall. Strong unmovable. Sadly the writer make him cry the most. Really??

Perrin and Loial, well first of all Loial is suppose to be dead after being stabbed in the heart by Matt's cursed Dagger. (actually also Ingtar, Uno). He doesn't look like Loial either, why not use some prostetics for his ears and mouth?? This doesnt cost a lot! Nor does everything have to be CGI!! Perrin is, I guess, okay, just boring af. How can you make a wolf guy, boring? Why does he need new powers to see the past? ( somewhat accurate based on smell, still)

Rand...... Oh right that guy, yeah he is not important. F him. Just some boring white guy. Lets talk some more about threesomes and see Lan crying. Fights between Moraine and Lan. (2 characters who almost never fought by the way). Yeah, that is way better than Rand. Light a candle buddy. I will light one for myself as well.

Great season opener

[TheWheelWeaves · 8/10 · 7 September 2023]

You can see right off the bat that the quality has improved from season one (though I enjoyed it too). While season one had a huge mountain to climb in having to adapt to tv the first book, which was always going to be difficult, books two and three are much more similar to the rest of the book series, so I was confident it would be a smoother ride.

This episode really set up the plot and caught us up on events. Great world building and characterisation, you quickly get a good sense of what's driving characters and what they're struggling with. The magic system is more deeply explained and the overall threat reiterated, with a tantalising glimpse of what's to come both in the rest of this series and the wider plot. A solid season opener.

Prime's Best hit tv series

[moviesfilmsreviewsinc · 10/10 · 12 January 2024]

Prime Video has attempted to adapt Robert Jordan's 14-novel fantasy epic, The Wheel Of Time, into a TV series, aiming to give Jeff Bezos his own Game of Thrones. The first season was the streaming platform's most-watched original series of 2021, but it was not beloved by viewers. While the world-building was impressive, Rosamund Pike was also praised for her role. Despite lukewarm reactions from critics and viewers, a second season premieres on September 1. The Wheel Of Time is compared to an aged whiskey, where viewers sip, savor, and consider its many merits while considering whether they actually like whiskey. The Wheel of Time is set in a matriarchal land ruled by the Aes Sedai, magic-wielding women who channel the One Power to maintain peace. The Dark One corrupted men, leading the Aes Sedai to hunt down and kill the few remaining magical men. Pike's Moraine is tasked with hunting down the Dragon Reborn, defeating the Dark One, and saving the world. However, her mission is not entirely successful. The Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor, abandons her at the Eye of the World, and a new threat, the Seanchen, threatens future episodes. Moraine is unable to touch the True Source or wield the One Power, leaving her unable to touch the True Source or wield the One Power. The season two premiere features Moraine filling buckets of water, lugging them up hills, pouring them into bathtubs, and taking emotionally sudsy soaks. The second season of The Empire Strikes Back feels higher than the first, with the stakes feeling as high as before. The battles are as bloody and bawdy as before, and the looming threat on the horizon is as impressive and frightening as before. The Aes Sedai are impressive and frightening in their coolly detached approach to their life's work, and we learn more about them through Nynaeve al'Meara, including The Arches, which form the basis of some of the sisterhood's more twisted novice trials. The second season is an improvement on the first, as it feels more assured. Although it is still slow and ponderous, it is overflowing with vastly overcomplicated and convoluted plot points. The background music is as distracting as before, but the outstanding performances, real worlds, and rich lineup of female characters are still there, making the second season richer and more engrossing. The Wheel of Time, a fantasy series on HBO, has a less universal appeal than its predecessor, Thrones. While it features politics, intrigue, and excellent acting, it feels less human than HBO's epic. The show may be too slow for those unfamiliar with high fantasy, and viewers may feel like they need to watch with a glossary of its most used terms. Some characters may have changed, but overall, the ambitious TV project is a satisfying sitcom and has piqued interest for the confirmed third season. Patience is a virtue, as patience is a virtue.

Dull, uninteresting start with ZERO stakes

[ascott-88182 · 3/10 · 5 September 2023]

I slogged through season 1, was not impressed with how it ended. Even so, I thought I would give season 2 a fair try. Well, episode 1 of season 2 is just more of the same - I will not be finishing season 2. My advice: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.

The show spends a lot of time on boring plot points and does not do anything to hook you on the characters and what they are trying to achieve. When the action does get going it's nonsensical and void of any tension because I do NOT care about these characters.

PROS: acting is solid, with a cast that is clearly talented. The acting alone almost got me hooked. The landscapes and settings show some improvement from season 1.

CONS: the story does not make much sense, character motivations are unclear, writing is erratic, pacing jumps from incredibly slow to rapid fire without warning and with absolutely no build up, and sets/costuming still comes across as a high-budget theme park show.

Not great...

[drm2642 · 2/10 · 5 September 2023]

The problems from season 1 continue. Book 2 has a definitive start that could've worked into an episode. Instead we get complete changes, missing characters, bad acting, scenes that feel like filler. Fades are not just snarling beasts. They talk and say creepy stuff. Trollocs are monsters, they're not just misunderstood. These are just some of the changes. Matt should be funny and charismatic. This show makes me sad. Did they even read the books? I'm not so sure. This is like a mellow dramatic teen show, except those are better than this boring snooze. There's a reason the books series is popular.

Such poor execution

[dpbpmp · 1/10 · 7 September 2023]

When turning a book into a movie, keeping the small things accurate is the simplest part. Unfortunately they didn't even do that. The show is well shot, the acting is good, and the majority of characters were very well cast. None of this was enough however to keep me, someone who read all the books and loved each of them, from turning the show off halfway through season 2 episode 3 out of frustration because of the massive differences they unnecessary changed from the books. Extremely disappointed with this effort and I will eventually get around to watching it all but I currently have little to no desire to continue watching.

It got worse

[david-visser11 · 1/10 · 1 September 2023]

The new season is out and after a disappointed first season I hoped the production quality increased. But... it seems it went down more.

1. Besides some names you can't really recognize the books any more. Season 1 followed the books roughly but now they just did their own thing. Is it so difficult to respect the source material?

2. Cheap production quality, the sets, props and clothing look very cheap and fake. Same as in season 1.

3. Myrdraal are weak as fudge

4. They just mix lots of ethnicities through each other without any logic. The books were filled with different cultures with their own clothing style, architectuur and culture. In the series they just mix it and well.. it is not a match.

5. Loial still looks like a guy in a Halloween suit.

Terrible

[liam_langham · 1/10 · 1 September 2023]

Absolutely terrible episode.

Acting and direction worse than b level.

So we needed an episode to show the warder bond but in this epsiode we get a terrible exposition info dump about Aes Sedai being severed delivered to a group of people who would have knowledge of it. Garbage.

Needless changes again.

Nynaeve spending 5 months training with warders, alongside terrible training with the Aes Sedai. Strange meeting in the garden.

Conducting Novice training in the kitchens.

Fades having the ability to disappear mid fight is going to be problematic.

Uno's acting is embarrassing.

Perrin writing letters that could be intercepted telling people that the horn has been stolen by darkfriends. WTF

Embarrassing scene between Allanna and Egwene with an Aes Sedai having a BFFs chat with a Novice about sex.

Having to make trollocs misunderstood rather than evil?

Theres so much that was terrible its hard to get all down.

Truly feels like generic slop.

Unnecessary and Inexplicable Changes

[tiffanychantelle · 3/10 · 1 September 2023]

I understand that tv writers sometimes need to make small adjustments to source materials, but it really feels like they're just needlessly changing things and not for the better.

I get there was difficulty of some sort with the actor playing Mat and that's why his story has changed. But why did they have to make these changes to everyone else's storylines?! Why would they think this is what viewers want? Is it the ego of the writes feeling like they need to put their own stamp on things?

Moiraine's story was fine the way it was written. Rand's story was perfect the way it was written. Perrin didn't need a random invented wife! It's still infuriating the butchering that was done to the story in season 1 and season 2 is apparently off to the same start. Honestly it would have been better if they'd never made this show at all and just left these books alone.

The Inevitable Jumbled Episode 1 of The Wheel of Time

[jseph1234-262-617488 · 2/10 · 2 September 2023]

This is just a continuation of the Confused and Mostly Bad Season 1 of "Not" The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan but Rafe Judkins "Adulteration" of The Wheel of Time.

I will present this review without Spoilers and I will point how the whole series has been broken because of The Ill-Considered decisions of the Show Runners and Amazon Prime starting with Season 1

1. Divergence from Robert Jordan's Characterization of Nynaeve, Mat Cathun, Perrin.

Somehow Nynaeve is now a Super-Swordswoman (Not in the Books). Mat is not a Happy Go Lucky Gambler but some sort of Depressed degenerate and Perrin instead of being a Thoughtful, Patient, Gentle Soul is this Man out for Revenge.

With the presentation of just these divergences from Season 1 the Story has broken from the Coherent and Well-thought presentation by Robert Jordan to Angsty, Overly Dark Tale of ridiculous extremes.

Can't and won't watch anymore of this Season or any other because it will continue to go down hill to the inevitable crash at the bottom. Back to listening to more of the TRUE Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan.

Unbelievably boring

[terrylarosa · 1/10 · 15 September 2023]

The first season was fairly mediocre. The first couple of episodes have been a staggering tedious, bore. I've barely any idea what's going on. Not because I'm incapable of following it. It's just so uninvolving with the pacing of a tree sloth in a coma. The characters, story and plot are mind numbingly dull. Every 2 minutes someone mentions the as sedai which are dull witches or something. This is even worse than The Witcher Season 3 and that's saying a lot. LOTR show is eons above this because that show actually had characters you could focus on unlike this dreary affair. I don't tend to like shows with a lot of magic because they to conjure up things out of thin air. Episode was even duller; something I didn't think possible. One more ep like this; endless boring jabber and this will be another to throw in the towel. I think I'll go watch that excellent Ahsoka episode again first though.