The Wheel of Time season 1 made a number of important changes to Robert Jordan’s book The Eye of the World, most notably by focusing much more attention on the various plots and schemes of the Aes Sedai. This is in marked contrast to the novel, which focuses almost exclusively on the adventures of Rand al’Thor, the young man fated to be the Dragon Reborn. As a result, viewers get a much more nuanced understanding of how politics and power work in this fantasy world, especially as the all-female Aes Sedai are the only ones who can safely use the One Power.
During the middle few episodes of The Wheel of Time season 1, the series demonstrates the remarkable complexity of Aes Sedai politics. The Wheel of Time's various Ajahs–Red, Blue, White, Brown, Green, Grey, and Yellow–not only have widely diverging views on what the One Power should be used for, but they also diverge on how the Dragon should be treated. That said, they’ll only become a more important part of the plot moving forward. These doctrinal differences often intersect with large personalities involved, as women like Moiraine and Liandrin vie for influence over the Amyrlin Seat and the Hall of the Tower, the governing body of the White Tower.
Focusing On The Aes Sedai In Wheel Of Time Fixes Book Shortcomings
This focus on the various machinations of the Aes Sedai addresses one of the key shortcomings of the book, particularly its rather limited scope. It’s only in the later entries in The Wheel of Time novels that readers get a full sense of the scale involved in the conflict. The later books pay significant attention to the actions of the competition for power between Siuan Sanche, Elaida, and, most notably, Liandrin, who has a major twist in episode 4. In introducing the various factions in the White Tower so early, The Wheel of Time gives viewers a much richer and deeper sense of the stakes involved in the company’s quest.
Furthermore, The Wheel of Time season 1 focuses a great deal of attention on Moiraine and her efforts to prepare the world for the coming of the Dragon and the Last Battle that will define the nature of Creation itself. Unlike in the books, where there are relatively few chapters from her point of view, The Wheel of Time TV adaptation spends significant amounts of time with her and with her main nemesis, Liandrin. The novels largely show her from the point of view of the various people she is trying to control, but the series allows for a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of Moiraine’s motivations and connections.
The White Tower Will Become More Important In The Wheel Of Time S2
Given the direction that the books take as the series goes on, it’s already clear that The White Tower will play an even bigger role in the events of The Wheel of Time season 2. The Aes Sedai have a very vested interest in the doings of the Dragon Reborn, and the motivations of many of the Ajahs (and their members) are often in conflict. The strife between the Reds and the Blues is already evident in season 1, so it is almost certain that this will come to be a stronger and more prominent plot line as the series goes on.
In particular, season 2 will no doubt delve into the precarious position that The Wheel of Time's Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, finds herself in as a result of her conspiring with Moiraine. She isn’t the only one who wants to control the Dragon Reborn and attempt to turn him for her own purposes. What’s more, there are some in the White Tower who have already sworn their allegiance to the Dark One. If the TV adaptation follows the book, they will prove remarkably successful in seizing the levers of power and influence to their own advantage.
Showing The Aes Sedai Early Can Streamline Future Wheel Of Time Storylines
Introducing the various schemes and machinations of the Aes Sedai will also help the series streamline its visual storytelling. Given just how vast Jordan’s creation is and how complicated and entangled the storylines become in the later novels, introducing the various power players involved will save valuable time in future seasons when more attention will also have to be paid to Rand and his struggles as the Dragon Reborn. Viewers will already be familiar with the various Aes Sedai factions and key power players, which means that future seasons of The Wheel of Time won’t have to spend valuable screen time explaining who they are.
Thus, The Wheel of Time season 2, as well as future seasons, will be able to capture the emotional intensity of Rand’s hero’s journey while also doing justice to the encompassing scope of Jordan’s original novels. Given the extent to which season 1 has already set up future storylines, it won’t have to sacrifice those elements of the book series that remain key to its appeal. Instead, it can strike a balance between the more focused storylines on one hand and the more intricate world-building on the other.
Important Wheel Of Time Characters Can Be Introduced Earlier
Some key Aes Sedai characters, most notably Moiraine, are introduced in the very first book of The Wheel of Time. Others, such as Siuan and Liandrin, are only introduced in the second book, The Great Hunt, and many other members of the Aes Sedai aren’t brought into the story until even later, as the contours and scope of the story expand. The Wheel of Time season 1 already introduces other notable Aes Sedai, including Alanna Mosvani of the Green Ajah, but there are many other powerful women, including the Red Elaida, just waiting to emerge in season 2.
Through its early introduction of the Aes Sedai, their personalities, and their motivations, The Wheel of Time season 1 has done a great deal to not only improve and change The Eye of the World but also to set itself up for future success. Going forward, it can not only focus on Rand and his journey to becoming the Dragon Reborn, but it can also show the wider political and social world of which he is but a part. What’s more, his fate will ultimately come to be entangled with that of the White Tower itself, as everyone, whether they fight for the Light or the Dark, will have a part to play in the Last Battle.