Review: The Wheel of Time is a solid adaption that welcomes newcomers
By Corey Smith
The Wheel of Time review, Episode 2: “Shadow’s Waiting”
After the stunning climax of “Leavetaking,” “Shadow’s Waiting” is a bit slower episode, but it continues to expand the world of The Wheel of Time as we get our first glimpses of some of the evil foes to come. Perhaps just as important, we also start to get a sense that Moiraine might be more ruthless than our heroes first thought.
Before we jump into the action, we also get our first look at the opening credits, always important in a fantasy series, and I must say I approve. With all the weaves flashing across the screen, I got a bit of a Westworld vibe, although with more color.
Comparisons have been made between The Wheel of Time and Game of Thrones, much to the chagrin of fans, but this series has more in common with The Lord of the Rings. In this particular episode there is a strong similarity between the flight of Rand, Perrin, Egwene and Mat from Emond’s Field for the White Tower on the one hand and Frodo fleeing the Shire for the safety of Rivendell on the other. There’s even a ferry that must be used to flee the pursuing Trollocs/orcs.
Moiraine, however, is no Gandalf. While Gandalf had a much more jovial outlook on life, Moiraine is far more pragmatic. After taking a ferry across the river, Moraine sinks it to prevent being followed, even though the owner drowns attempting to save it. Such ruthlessness sows seeds of doubt among the young group from Emond’s Field, and some start to distrust their savior. Still, Moiraine remains the group’s only way forward.
The Aes Sedai are as proficient with word play as they are with magic. Moiraine is quick see that Egwene has the potential to channel, revealing that she could become an Aes Sedai should she choose. Meanwhile, Perrin receives hints that he might posses some sort of power related to wolves, but for now Rand and Mat’s only powers appear to be acting bull-headed.
The Children of the Light also figure prominently in this episode, as both Aes Sedai hunters and servants of good. If that sounds paradoxical, it’s because the Children view Aes Sedai as servants of the Dark One due to their ability to channel. Eamon Valda (Abdul Salis) revels in eliminating Aes Sedai. Valda and the Children have large parts to play in the series, and it was interesting to see them introduced this early in the story.
Throughout this more introspective episode, which includes a wonderful story regarding the ancient city of Manetheren, our heroes travel through beautiful landscapes and ruins, again illustrating how rich the show feels. But the quiet does not last as the agents of the shadow catch up with our merry band, forcing them into the ruined city of Shadar Logoth. Like the Children, Shadar Logoth will figure heavily in the series. It’s an evil that exists apart from the Shadow — Trollocs will not even enter it — but an evil nonetheless.
The show does a great job of instilling a sense of dread and foreboding as our heroes shelter in the city, and it isn’t long before the intrepid Mat unleashes Shadar Logoth’s true evil: a shadow that steals the life from anything it touches. Absconding with a jeweled dagger, Mat forces our heroes to flee the city. They become separated into pairs in the process. Before the episode ends, Nynaeve, thought to be killed in the first episode, makes a surprise return, somehow managing to sneak up on Lan as he looks after Moiraine.
Although lacking the giant battle scene from the premiere, “Shadow’s Waiting” does a great job of expanding the world while also moving the narrative forward and developing the characters. Fans might not fully understand where things are headed yet, but the tight storytelling doesn’t overload them either. With the group fractured into pairs, the tension is effectively dialed up for the next episode.