5 best changes The Wheel of Time show has made from the books

The Blood Snow

The seventh episode of The Wheel of Time season 1 begins with a cold open set on the snowy slops of the Dragonmount, where a pregnant Aiel woman fights off soldiers while going through labor. This is a hugely important event in the mythos of The Wheel of Time known as the Blood Snow. That woman? That's Tigraine Mantear, an Aiel warrior who gives birth to none other than Rand a'Thor, the Dragon Reborn.

Despite the importance of the Blood Snow, this is another one of those moments that we never actually see in the books. It remains a lore touchstone, referenced many times even as the story charges ahead to bigger and more important events. But the show has given us an actual scene to ground the mythic nature of Rand's birth in our memories.

I think this was a great decision for a few reasons. First, it lets us actually meet Tigraine, played by Magdalena Sittova, and see how Rand's foster father Tam al'Thor (Michael McElhatton) came to start caring for him. It also serves as our first real introduction to the Aiel. We spend more time with them in season 2 and will be spending even more in season 3, but there's something cool about the idea that the first time we see an Aiel warrior in action, it's Rand's mother. There are layers to this scene! And because it didn't feature in the books, it's an important addition to the overall story of The Wheel of Time that the show has made.

Plus, it's just a banger of a scene. Watching Tigraine slaughter soldiers while struggling through labor is something which stands out in the memory; I don't know that I've ever seen another scene like it. The Wheel of Time has made some interesting changes from the books, but the Blood Snow is one of the more flawless additions.

The Wheel of Time is currently filming its third season. We expect we'll be watching it sometime in 2025.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels