#wotseries

What I liked:

1) Casting & acting both are great so far! I especially love Rosamund Pike as Moiraine. It feels so right. And I adore our Lan and Nynaeve – they are embodying the core traits of their characters really well. I’m excited to see what kind of actor our Rand is – I get the feeling he has great things in store for us as viewers as we continue to see the character evolve.

2) Lots of things to love about the visuals, particularly the sets and scenery. So much of it is beautiful! Costumes are pretty cool, too!

3) They are making some good choices about what to cut and what to keep, and subsequently linking things together (that maybe weren’t connected in the books) for the sake of building the world effectively on a smaller scale. That is the biggest challenge in adapting these books and I think so far, pretty good!

What I didn’t like:

1) CGI and cinematography for fight scenes (trolloc attack) felt a bit lacking for such a high-budget show. I would like to see them using more real actors, make-up & prosthetics for things like Trollocs instead of making them entirely CG because they are looking a little awkward and fake, especially when you see a bunch of them running and moving around. Moiraine using the One Power also could use a bit more CGI creativity and improved execution. Let her throw the ENTIRE HOUSE as it’s coming apart at the bad guys, next time!!

2) I don’t like the added drama in the Two Rivers. Matt doesn’t need a sad family life (cheating dad, alcoholic / neglectful mother) – he has enough trauma coming his way later in the series (as they all do). I would have kept the relationships and families at home more innocent and happy as they are in the books because that is what the characters are ultimately fighting to protect as they continue on their harrowing journey.

3) When so much has to be cut, I wish they wouldn’t add things that aren’t in the book (unless it helps them effectively shrink the world and build connections that aren’t already there). So some of the “new” stuff was frustrating to me.