We’re already back with my thoughts on Episode 2: Shadow’s Waiting of the Wheel of Time. I like that Amazon dropped three episodes all at once, it gives me something to write on for the week. But also I like that you can get to know the characters. Often times a show will drop something flashy in at the start to grab people’s attentions, but until you get to know the characters, in the next few episodes, you might not be as drawn into the story.

Note: I am going to try and not do spoilers and keep a spoiler section at the end, but an episode recap might spoil what has already happened.

Shadow’s Waiting Recap

The group, led by Moiraine are on the run with trollocs chasing at their heels. They run across other threats as they travel cross country. The White Cloaks question them but with a little misdirection Moiraine leads them away. Moiraine is able to maintain their energy, but with hers flagging and being wounded by the trollocs, they are forced to secret refuge in Shadar Logoth.

What Doesn’t Work?

This episode was a whole lot better for me than Leavetaking. This one moves very fast though as well. Now, not as fast as the last one in terms of action. The first episode has a big trolloc fight, here they are more on the run, it is what is going to be coming behind them. And while there is action around Shadar Logoth the feel of it is very different.

There are of course some more changes in this episode, I’ll talk about them coming up. But I don’t have as much issue as I did with the last episode in what they changed, places they bypassed and plot points likely going forward.

What Works?

I think they do a very good job of building up the tension between the Aes Sedai, Moiraine and Mat, Rand, and Perrin. Perrin can see why they have to leave and he is clearly running if you saw the first episode. But Mat and Rand are rightfully skeptical of what Moiraine has been telling them. After the moments of running from the trollocs and not seeing the trollocs for a little bit, they just can’t follow on faith anymore.

This also, with it being a slower paced episode, we get to dive more into the characters I feel. They do a good job of starting to develop Egwene and Moiraine’s relationship. And the hesitancy of the characters, in particular of Mat’s character in this episode. While they maybe don’t show it the best for how much time has passed on the run, this feels like the point in the book where they feel like they can stop running, at least for a little bit, which is saying something with the episode titled Shadow’s Waiting.

Again, I’m going to keep talking about this, they have done such a good job with casting. Mat really gets a chance to shine in this episode, I think, and the upcoming one as well. While there are some changes to his story, I don’t feel like it detracts or feels like they are forcing him into a story moment for the sake of drama. And a lot of that comes from the actor just stepping so well into that role. The story surrounding him works for the character and actor.

Final Thoughts on Shadow’s Waiting

Like I’ve said, I like this episode better than Leavetaking. I’d say that Leavetaking was a 6.5 out of 10, good enough that I’d want to watch more but probably not good enough for me to watch the whole series if it wasn’t one I was already interested in. Shadow’s Waiting to me took that up to an 8, it’s a very good episode and very good character development. They let the characters breathe as we got to know them.

Now, I get pushing the tempo for the first episode because the book spends a chunk of time before the action really starts. But we get an idea of the characters only. Here we get to know the characters. We get to see Moiraine in action in something that she’s more comfortable with. And the White Cloaks are terrifying, especially the questioners, which they should be.

To me, Shadow’s Leaving got me hooked more into the series. Even with difference, I think it still works. And we’ll have to see if that continues or not. But now that we are starting to get a foundation for the characters, I expect that I’ll enjoy it more.

What did you think of Shadow’s Leaving? Let me know in the comment section below.

Spoilers

Baerlon

Now, there are some changes from the book that I want to talk about. Firstly, they completely skip going to Baerlon this is actually not an issue for me. Baerlon was a good way to set-up that there are and can be dark friends everywhere, and a solid spot to meet the White Cloaks and Min, but it isn’t completely needed. I think that the introduction to the White Cloaks was more effective here.

In the book we meet the White Cloaks, people are giving them room and giving them a wide birth, but here we get to see a questioner immediately and how terrifying they are. And also got to see the difference between a Questioner and a regular White Cloak as well.

In terms of Min, I am fine with not meeting here there. I want Min in the show and I believe that she’s been cast so we’ll get to see her. But Caemlyn would be a perfectly fine spot to meet her. Or even have her already be at Tar Valon, but probably be ideal to meet her before then just for some story elements.

Shadar Logoth

And then let’s talk about the difference in Shadar Logoth without Mordeth being there and trying to get Mat, Perrin, and Rand to help him. Mat instead just wanders off on his own and finds a box with the ruby hilted dagger in it. That’s less exciting, and it was a bummer that we didn’t get to see Mordeth.

Now, it’s not so much of a bummer because it’s so important to the story. It’s more of a bummer because Shadar Logoth was an amazing location to see in the show. Mat’s reasoning still makes sense for taking the dagger. But to see the twisted and empty ruins of Shadar Logoth, that’d have been amazing. They made it look properly impressive and empty. The falling apart because it’s been neglected not because of battle works. I’d love to have explored it longer.

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