The Wheel of Time’s Best Episode Exposes Its Fatal Flaw

Attention: Contains plot details! Last week’s episode of The Wheel of Time, titled “The Road to the Spear” in Season 3, Episode 4, has been widely acclaimed as the series’ best offering so far. Critics, fans, cast members, and crew alike are praising it on social media. Yet, this episode’s excellence underscores a broader issue with the show—its unrealized potential. The TV industry’s trend of short seasons and extended production times has been a topic of debate recently, and The Wheel of Time seems to be affected by this pattern more than other shows. With fewer episodes, Amazon risks missing the mark when it comes to adapting one of the longest-running fantasy series ever published.

Title “The Spear’s Journey” signals the longest installment of the Wheel of Time series thus far, masterfully utilizing every second of screen time. It focuses entirely on Rand al’Thor’s trip to the ancient, forsaken city of Rhuidean – a mystical ruin nestled within the Aiel Waste that holds deep significance for the Aiel folk. This singular event is the sole focus of the episode, delving deeply into its details without interruption from other characters or plots, ensuring a coherent and visually stunning climax.

I found myself thoroughly captivated throughout the entire 69-minute episode, much like many other viewers seem to agree on social media. The climax was particularly gratifying as it marked a significant peak for the show. However, the post-episode discussion felt somewhat disappointing, serving almost as an anticlimax. In this segment, Rafe Judkins (showrunner), Rosamund Pike (EP and star), and Josha Stradowski shared insights about the daunting task of creating this episode – not only logistically but also in terms of timing, which made me realize the magnitude of their efforts.

As a movie reviewer, I’d put it this way: “Each year, we have just eight episodes to work with, making every moment count more than ever. With ‘This Story,’ we felt the urgency to share something truly captivating. From the initial brainstorming sessions in the writers’ room, it was clear that the journey of Rand and Moiraine was a tale worth unfolding. This relationship is pivotal not just for this season, but for the entire series. Consequently, we decided to rearrange other storylines to ensure we could delve deeply into their shared experiences. Thus, an extra hour was dedicated to their journey, immersing viewers in their unique and compelling tale.

Listening to him discuss the necessity of squeezing in plot details so blatantly can feel somewhat discouraging, because it brings to mind all the other significant Rhuidean-like events that might not get included in this adaptation. In contrast, Pike spoke as a producer, expressing his enthusiasm for the episode written by Rafe, stating, “I believe it’s an incredibly exciting episode you penned—Rafe wrote that one—and I think it offers the experimental scope that I’ve long desired and sought for this show from the very beginning.

Return on Investment

As a passionate movie critic, I can empathize with the desire for more episodes and seasons from my beloved series. Many creators must feel this pressure too, but what makes The Wheel of Time unique is that its expansive narrative is not just an aspiration, it’s the essence of the story itself. Spanning 15 novels penned largely by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson following Jordan’s passing, this epic tale encompasses millions of words, thousands of pages, and countless hours of audiobook, all delving deep into the captivating world of the Westlands.

Even ardent supporters of “The Wheel of Time” series would concede that it didn’t strictly require such an extensive length to convey its narrative and themes effectively. However, this expansiveness is less a flaw and more a deliberate choice, particularly for readers who joined the series towards its completion. Readers of epic fantasy and science fiction frequently appreciate extended series because, when skillfully executed, they offer greater value for the time and focus invested. As you become acquainted with the characters, grasp the magic system’s rules, familiarize yourself with the map, the creature catalog, the invented vocabulary, and so forth, there’s a desire to spend more time in this world to savor your growing expertise.

A significant aspect that contributes to fantasy adaptations being more successful on television rather than in movies is their ability to delve deeper into the storyline and character development. However, upon closer examination, Amazon doesn’t provide Pike and Judkins with significantly more time per book compared to a movie. For instance, Season 1 combined elements from the first three novels, while Season 2 finished adapting the second and third books. The upcoming Season 3 is projected to cover the fourth and fifth books in just eight episodes. This equates to approximately four hours of screen time per book, which is similar to the Extended Editions of the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Length is This Series’ Strength

It’s too bad that the novel series stretches out so much, as it makes full use of its extended length. The narrative often wanders and leads the characters on what appear to be trivial subplots, which ultimately reveal their true personalities and set them up for future challenges. It delves into nearly every nook and cranny of the intricately crafted fantasy world by Jordan, with only a few exceptions – almost, as it might seem forced if every corner was systematically explored, as Jordan may have recognized.

Despite its extensive length, the series manages to steer clear from getting overly complex with magical systems, language inventions, or other common pitfalls associated with the genre. Instead, it maintains a strong emphasis on character development, which keeps readers engaged even during less engaging plot points – this is why books seven through ten are humorously called “the slog”. Spending a dull day with your friend is more enjoyable than spending one alone, and the same can be said about reading a mundane chapter alongside Mat Cauthon and the Band of the Red Hand.

The series’ length was probably a significant factor in the positive reception of the final three books penned by Sanderson following Jordan’s demise, with the approval of Jordan’s spouse and collaborator, Harriet McDougal. As the Final Battle approached, we had endured numerous ordeals alongside these characters many times over, witnessing their resilience and determination portrayed repeatedly. The climax of the story was undeniably therapeutic, yet it seemed almost inconsequential after years spent shaping these characters into formidable heroes.

It’s important to note that The Wheel of Time doesn’t lack original ideas or themes, but it might seem excessive that these were spread across 15 books. The show has admirably captured the essence of Jordan’s world-building, and it’s evident that this universe was his tribute to authors like Tolkien. However, I can’t help but think that a viewer might find it challenging to appreciate details such as Heron-marked swords or Ter’angreals without immersing themselves in the novels, line by line, and cultivating a sense of attachment to this world.

No Solution

Fans have had concerns about the number of episodes and pace since the series “The Wheel of Time” began – back then, I couldn’t help but wonder why the producers weren’t planning at least one season per book, given how naive I was. I’d like to bring this up now so we can talk about it as a key topic, not just after each season has concluded. In another twist of events, every episode could potentially leave us feeling as impressed as “The Road to the Spear” did.

As a passionate film enthusiast, let me emphasize that we, the audience, must always bear in mind the challenges faced by the creative team behind our beloved shows, especially when they don’t align with our expectations. It’s evident that Judkins, Pike, and everyone else involved are pouring their heart and soul into this project, all while grappling with constraints that might not be their first choice.

They understand, just as we do, that adapting Jordan’s intricate descriptions and character nuances for television inherently changes the story’s tone. However, it’s a task Amazon has entrusted to them. It’s crucial to remember that the cast, crew, and creators were initially fans of the series themselves, while studios get involved primarily because of the franchise name’s potential profitability.

In essence, we should appreciate their dedication and efforts, even when things don’t go exactly as planned, for they are striving to bring our favorite stories to life under challenging circumstances.

It’s worth noting that given the complex nature of “The Wheel of Time”, it might be challenging for such a series to receive an extensive adaptation comparable to its source material. Amazon Prime Video has kept the details about the show’s budget and viewership numbers under wraps, but considering the high production costs involved, it seems reasonable to infer that budget constraints could limit the number of episodes in the series. If Amazon finds itself financially unable to allocate more screen time, this points towards a broader challenge faced by streaming platforms as a whole – money often being the primary factor influencing episode counts.

Simultaneously, the strenuous workload of both the cast and crew is also an important factor. Fans fiercely criticized the showrunners of Game of Thrones upon its conclusion, since it was reported that HBO had requested additional seasons but they opted against it. However, just recently, lead actor Kit Harington expressed uncertainty about his ability to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the show. As the final season drew to a close, he checked into rehab, and it seems unjust for these creators to jeopardize their wellbeing and personal lives in order to deliver a new season of top-tier television annually.

It’s a relief to know that elements not included in the TV show will remain in the books, which we can always revisit whenever we like. Speaking of “The Wheel of Time”, only four episodes of Season 3 are left, airing every Thursday on Prime Video until April 17th. The novels are accessible in print, digital, and audio formats for your reading convenience.

2025-03-26 02:10

Return on Investment

Length is This Series’ Strength

No Solution

Read More