The necessity of the change in medium forces alterations in all book-to-screen adaptations, and Amazon’s The Wheel of Time is no exception. Many of these additions and deletions have divided the existing fandom; some detest how the series has been modified thus far, while others have embraced the alterations.
The distinctions between the novels and the programme have been made, for better or worse. Some were small and had little to no effect on the show as a whole, such as Thom Merrilin’s (Alexandre Willaume) lack of his long, bushy moustache. Others could have a more significant impact on the plot and characters. Hopefully, the showrunners and writers have been up to the task as Season 2 production draws to a close.
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How Waygates Work
The darkened Ways, a maze of bridges that greatly shorten journey time if you can survive, are entered by waygates. The way they are opened could have the biggest influence on future plots, despite the fact that their appearance varies widely depending on the show and media. According to the literature, the only way to open and close the gates is by removing and replacing a stone trefoil leaf.
Although there is a picture of Fain holding such a stone, the show simply offers channelling, which is not at all how it functions in the book. Who can access the Waygates will be substantially impacted if this alteration is not taken back.
Mat Staying Behind
The sixth episode’s conclusion features one of the biggest deviations from the books. In order to enter the Blight and battle the Dark One, the party comes together in front of the Waygate. At this stage in the drama, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) is still of the opinion that any one of the five residents of Two Rivers could be the Dragon Reborn. When Mat doesn’t enter the Waygate as it closes, the entire company is taken aback.
Although it differs significantly from the novel, this adjustment was necessary for the show. For reasons that are now unknown, Barney Harris, who played Mat in season one, quit the production during the pandemic lockdown. Despite the fact that Mat has a new cast, the change in his plot will need to be managed carefully if Mat is to go back on track for the following seasons.
Moiraine Stilled?
Moiraine seems to be disconnected from the One Power during the pivotal confrontation between Rand and the Dark One. She tells Lan (Daniel Henney) that she is unable to touch the Power anymore. It seems Moiraine will struggle in Season 2 after witnessing Logain endure this fate. She might have been protected from the Power rather than completely shut off, though. In either case, this departs significantly from the novel.
In the novels, Moiraine never loses her capacity to channel. When it comes to the One Strength in the first few novels, Moiraine is the one doing the most of the work as Rand and the others continue to grow into their power.
Perrin’s Missing Mentor
Many book readers were unhappy with the way Perrin’s story was handled, including how his show-only wife was killed off, how he abandoned his trademark axe, and whether or not he harboured feelings for Egwene. The fact that Perrin never met Elyas Machera is the story’s most significant gap to date. In the books, Elyas makes an early appearance and aids Perrin in comprehending his odd bond with the wolves.
Elyas may yet make an appearance in Season 2 despite not showing up where he does in the books. It would be a shame to eliminate the character totally because he plays such an important role in Perrin’s story.
Rand Leaving the Party
Rand not going off on his own does not occur in the book, just as Mat remaining behind does not. Instead, he goes back to Fal Dara with everyone and starts teaching Lan how to use his father’s sword. Rand, Mat, and Perrin all decide to join the search to recover the artefacts when Fain steals the Horn of Valere and the dagger with a ruby hilt.
Rand is unlikely to join the hunt for the horn now that he is apart from the group, at least not in the way it happens in the novels. Rand might travel to Tear, which would thrust his narrative into the plot of the third book. Rand will have a difficult time navigating the world on his own no matter what occurs.
The Denizen of Shadar Logoth
Shadar Logoth, a dead city, was almost accurately depicted on film. The city streets were appropriately menacing because they were devoid of all life—even insects and birds dared not inside the walls. This is when Mat finds the dagger with a ruby hilt that starts to corrupt him. In the book, Mat, along with Rand and Perrin, meet an elderly man named Mordeth who tempts them with treasure. In the programme, Mat finds the dagger on his own.
Though he doesn’t cast a shadow in the book, Mordeth may have been alluded to in the television adaptation, but Padan Fain (Johann Myers) is more likely to be seen in this scene. This is appropriate given how closely connected Fain and Mordeth are in the novel.
The Eye of the World
The adaptation made significant changes to the titular Eye of the World and the activities that take place inside. The Eye is a well of unadulterated, pure saidin in the book (the male half of the One Power). In the book, Rand summons this power and uses it to dispatch a recently liberated Forsaken before channelling it toward the Trolloc army advancing on Tarwin’s Gap.
The battle at the Eye, though, is the biggest modification. The old Aes Sedai symbol they stand on is cracked in the television series, and Rand appears to slay the person he believes to be the Dark One. These modifications might alter Rand’s plot in the upcoming seasons.
The Number of ‘Ta’veren’
In the first season of The Wheel of Time, the word ta’veren is used a few times, but it is never fully explained. In a nutshell, a ta’veren is a person who, for a period of time, has a substantial influence on the Great Pattern of the Wheel and turns events around them.
The only known surviving ta’veren in the books are Rand (Josha Stradowski), Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), and Mat (Barney Harris, Dónal Finn). Egwene (Madeleine Madden) and Nynaeve (Zo Robins) have been added to the list in the television series. Having two more could make certain plots more interesting because strange things happen around Ta’veren.
The Ruby-Hilted Dagger
Speaking of the Shadar Logoth dagger, this venerable MacGuffin has also experienced some alterations. On the surface, the ruby in the dagger has typically been pictured as being set in the pommel. The production team claims that this was adjusted solely to make the ruby stand out more when grasped.
The alteration in its capabilities is more intriguing. The Ogier Loial is seen being stabbed with the dagger at the conclusion of Season 1. According to the regulations in the books, Loial should have perished horribly because the dagger instantly and severely kills anybody it scratches. The dagger Fain is carrying has therefore been significantly diminished for the show, unless it is a fake.
Traveling to Tar Valon Instead of Caemlyn
The people of the Two Rivers travel to Tar Valon, the capital of the Aes Sedai, after becoming divided at Shadar Logoth. At least, it is how the show portrays it. The gathering takes place in Caemlyn, Andor’s capital, in The Eye of the World. In this instance, a group of Aes Sedai are seen bringing in a caged Logain. But at this point in the books, a few significant characters are introduced, most notably Elayne Trakand and Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan.
Although Elayne’s appearance in Season 2 has been officially confirmed, Caemlyn’s has not. She might make her debut at the White Tower. Although many fans were unhappy Caemlyn did not make its Season 1 premiere, the decision made sense given the budget and time restrictions.
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