"The Wheel of Time" Strangers and Friends (TV Episode 2023) Poster

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9/10
Rand is plotting...
rationalnerd1 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A great episode, in which we find out what Rand has been doing since his fake death. And he has been plotting! I love that for him. Our boy is smart and plans ahead for one goal, which he seems to achieve by the end of the episode. And he has met some... interesting people. I wasn't expecting to enjoy Selene interacting with Rand, but I was wrong.

Moiraine suffering and lashing out at Lan was heartbreaking, but overall very close to the books (even if more intense!). I can't wait to see what's in plans for the two of them for the rest of the season.

I love pretty much everything going on in the White Tower. Elayne?? Mat and Min?? That's a duo I did not expect and am very much enjoying...
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9/10
The hunt continues!
michaelmag-565651 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Minor spoilers! Episode 2 picks up where ep 1 left off in terms of improved quality. We finally spend some time with the new Mat, who seamlessly pulls of Mat's cheeky quips and puns. I loved the banter between him and Min in the scenes they share. We also finally meet the Daught-Heir, Elayne, who is fantastic. A perfect casting!! I can already see great chemistry between Egwene and Elayne. We continue on with a new storyline not from the books in Lan and Moiraine and the aes sedai continues to try and push away the warder, for reasons we are yet to find out. I am intrigued by this storyline but worried it might take up too much of the story in season 2, meaning other more important elements are rush. We havent had a lot of screen time for Rand yet, but being the Dragon Reborn, Im sure his time will come. Some great action at the end of the episode, and i loved seeing Loial throwing his weight around. Really enjoying the start of season 2 and this comfortably beats ep2 of season 1.
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9/10
Picks up
chlozj3 September 2023
Season 2 is proving to be a big step up from season 1 and I am finally immersed in the show in a way that feels truly reminiscent of the books. The characters are starting to shine and the world is being fleshed out, I feel like we are getting much more time to get to know the people and places that make this such a unique and captivating story. The music and costumes are wonderful and the dialogue speaks to many beloved scenes from the books. The portrayal of the magic system is also visually much more compelling in this season and I especially appreciate the depiction of different weaves and the description of each element. A very enjoyable watch so far!
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9/10
Keep the essence while making the characters more real
Arosa_mg2 September 2023
Episode 202 was solid. I enjoyed Elayne's and Selene's introductions the most. Book Elayne can sometimes be annoying, and I was pleased with her portrayal. Somehow, even though she repeats she is the daughter heir a couple of times and calls Egwene her subject, the way Elayne took having her luxuries away and accepting the punishment was great to make it clear that she is more than meet the eyes and not an out-of-touch princess.

I also enjoyed show Selene more. While I'm glad most people I spoke to about the show agree she is not to be trusted, the show's version is excellent mainly because Selene is out of the bat, more believable, mature, and interesting than in the damsel in distress stereotype she is in books.

In conclusion, both characters are in a way upgrades from their book versions while still recognizable and familiar. I can't wait to see more of their story in the show.
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9/10
Characters Are True to Source Material
MovieBuff54542 September 2023
There are some who are not happy that the plot does not follow the source material. Yet, I am happy that it does not. The characters are true to the book and superbly cast. I feel as if I'm seeing old friends who I followed through all of the books. Were there 14 of those books? I can't remember now yet I loved reading them. The plot line is making its way to the same eventual outcome that developed in the books. I can understand the reasons why the writers chose a different way to unfold the story. They emphasize what is important, such as the bond between Aes Sedai and Warder, the strong friendship between those of the Two Rivers, the evil of the Dark One and his disciples, the conflict between the different factions of the Aes Sedai. Season Two seems to have devoted more funds to production and special effects, which is appreciated. I'll definitely be watching every week. Oh ... and I love the Bonus Features.
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3/10
What the hell is going on?
miikd8 October 2023
I was introduced to TWoT in season on. I thought the cast, sets and story was very interesting. I then made the mistake of reading the books. The best adaptations will follow the source material as closely as possible. That is clearly not what is happening here. Not even remotely. The first season was a bit closer but this season it has left the path and is wondering around in a disjointed confusing mess. I mean seriously, what the hell is going on?! The characters are scattered all over the place in a way that makes little to no sense.

I think what is happening is the show's creators have decided to make it their own. Robert Jordan spent years outlining the story, creating a masterpiece. This looks like it was conceived by committee. The characters are completely different characters in the show than in the books. The situations make no sense. It shows the arrogance of the creators that they think they can do better. The they are wrong.

I do like the casting a lot. It's the one thing that saves the show. The sets are also incredible as well as the costumes. The costumes are Emmy worthy. The music is meh. The sound design is adequate. The dialogue, while clean, is still difficult to understand and that is due to the mix, which is poor. There is so much whispering that is mixed so low that it gets lost in the music and effects. Visually the show is very dark and sometimes it's hard to see what's happening. For now I will continue to watch hoping that the strong cast can actually save the show. Another reviewer said it's like GoT season 8. Sadly I would agree.
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9/10
It's A Woman's World
sebinsquares1 September 2023
In the world of The Wheel of Time it's the women who hold the power and the tv show it's the women who dominate almost every episode as well. The actresses elevate the script of this very character driven episode with their talent to evoke emotions that transcend the often very thin dialogues.

With the exeption of Daniel Henney's Lan, the men in this show have been flatlining. After not appearing in the season premiere Rand returns this episode with improved acting by Josha, but still subpar compared to his female cast members.

To further prove my point: just compare Marcus Rutherford's Perrin blank stares to the intensity with which Kate Fleedwood (who deserves way more credit in her acting - why isnt this woman a household name yet?) fleshens out her Liandrin role.
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10/10
Picks off where it started
moviesfilmsreviewsinc12 January 2024
In episode 2 of The Wheel of Time season 2, the plot is revealed, including Rand's dire situation and the conclusion of the plot thread left at the end of Season 1. The show's mythology is gradually revealed, with glimpses of the Dark Ones and action sequences. Rand agrees to help Logain, believed to be the Dragon Reborn, and they share many similarities, making their dynamic interesting. The episode concludes with Rand finding someone he can relate to, enhancing the overall story. The Wheel of Time 2×02 returns to the fantastic world of magic and prophecy, with an eventful episode that introduces the characters and relationships. The episode follows the investigation of five young people from the same village as the Dragon Reborn, who could save the world from the Dark One. Season one revealed that Rand was the Dragon Reborn, but all characters have a significant role in the fight between good and evil. The first episode showed the main characters' separation geographically and emotionally. The interpersonal drama escalates in The Wheel of Time 2×02, with more action and a stronger connection to season one. The episode feels more connected to the overall narrative, making it a strong piece of the overall narrative. In the season 2 premiere, viewers only saw Rand once, but this episode reveals his true intentions. Rand, who believed he confronted the Dark One, set his lieutenant free, avoiding everyone because men who can channel magic go insane. He works as an orderly at an institution, caring for men who have been "gentled" by the Aes Sedai, who have removed their ability to channel magic. Rand feels a kinship with these men, believing their loss of reality is their fate. He misses Egwene and others but finds comfort with Selene. Rand is bereft of the people and places that once shaped his world and fears becoming something he doesn't want. He needs to find a more productive path forward for a positive resolution to the final battle. Moiraine, an Aes Sedai, has a plan to help defeat the Dark One, but her Warder, Lan, is not involved. The bond between an Aes Sedai and her Warder is sacred, and their relationship is strained. Egwene's relationship with Nynaeve is also going through a rough patch, as jealousy has gotten in the way of their training at the White Tower. Egwene feels abandoned by Nynaeve, but her friendship with the new royal novice Elayne shows hope for help. The most important plot point in this episode is with Perrin, who encounters powerful foreign invaders. The fleet of ships on the western shore with magicians attacks, and Perrin and the army from Fal Dara encounter these powerful invaders. The fight sequence is thrilling, followed by dreadful moments, making The Wheel of Time 2×02 an eventful and exciting episode.
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3/10
Do not read the books after this.
richhamilton1975-808-4890762 September 2023
Having read the books, this adaptation bears little resemblance to them. It has similar characters, but the story is missing. How Rand meets Seline is missing, Huron the sniffer and Rands lord story as well. They've game of thones'd it.

Matt's story line is completely at odds and does not relate to the book and how Matt was affected by the dagger and Rands story arc.

Moraine is so different from the original it's horrendous. There are little bits that come through but the over all story is such a let down.

Nice to see that the other main characters have survived.

Overall this is game of thrones series 8.
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3/10
It's definitely a show
infinitetyler1 September 2023
I've now officially gone from "this is an offensively bad adaptation" to "this isn't The Wheel of Time at all". Please read the books, I swear they're good. The show just introduced a character who should have been introduced in season 1 because she was a major part of the plot, and I don't have a problem with stuff like that, because changes due to logistics are forgivable. But so much of the writing feels like someone trying to tell their own story using Robert Jordan's characters. It was nice to know Rand & Matt are still in it. I liked a couple of Perrin's scenes they pulled from the book. Episode 2 is slightly more engaging than episode 1, but this series is still a train wreck that should be cancelled immediately before people permanently associate it with The Wheel of Time. It's really cringe how much they focus on who's hooking up with who. Aging the characters up in order to make the audience comfortable with their intimacy instead of not making that a focus at all for a few years was a huge mistake and really cheapens everything. But again, this is someone telling a story using Wheel of Time characters, not The Wheel of Time. Wait, hold up- Min & Matt are winning me back... this looks accurate... they're pulling me in... no, just kidding, here's a teen drama plot thread about a character based on Rand. Stop giving me false hope, show. Omg, that's supposed to be Elayne? Oh, how about another Lan self-pity scene? Will Moraine girl-boss the problem away? But now they're doing a good representation of the Senchean. But now they've moved some characters around, and I have to assume it's to give the story a safe/predictable ending for the season.

This is painful to watch. Please put this show out of its misery. It's suffering.
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