The first two episodes of the Amazon Prime series feature an intriguing cast and plot as well as production costs of the stratosphere and sweeping views of Prague where it is being shot.
If you’re in the mood for high fantasy imitation medieval times, or suffer from withdrawal symptoms from incest and hoaxes game of Thrones, or are devoted fans of Robert Jordan’s epic series of 14 books and a prequel, wheel of time is here. If, however, you’re not looking for any of these things, or are looking for high fantasy in places other than medieval Europe, you’re bound to be disappointed.
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It was a fun experience to watch the first two episodes on the big screen with Jordan’s sword-branding and cloak-sporting connoisseurs of the series. The production cost of the stratosphere was to be seen in Prague’s costumes and extensive scenes where the show was being shot.
The few minutes of the prologue sets everyone in motion with events taking place on the unknown planet where the Dark One was defeated by the Light, guided by the Dragon. As he was being taken off, the Dark One was able to tarnish the One Power so only women could use it – men would go crazy (yay!)
He is prophesied of the Dark One breaking out of prison and S. Sedai, who channels the One Power, seeks the Dragon’s reincarnation to fight the Dark One.
wheel of time
- session 1
- Duration: 60 Minutes
- Producer: Rafe Judkins
- Starring: Rosamund Pike, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutherford, Zoe Robbins, Barney Harris, Madeleine Madden, Daniel Heaney, Michael McElhatton, lvaro Morte
- Story: A powerful woman leads a group of youth to their destiny
The first season follows the events of the first book of the series, the world’s eye, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), an ace Sedai, arrives in a small town with the famous swordsman, Al’Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Heaney). Moiraine senses the power in five young men – Rand (Josha Stradowski), Agwen (Madeleine Madden), Nyanev (Zoe Robbins), Matt (Barney Harris) and Perrin (Marcus Rutherford). Although she is not able to tell who is the reincarnation of the dragon. With the arrival of the terrifying Trolox (sounds familiar from Orcs?) to the Dark One, Moiraine urges the youth to visit the White Tower.
The youth are especially not happy to be bossed by the strange and handsome nobleman. Also in the way of youth, they do not follow instructions and bad things happen naturally.
Like Ace Sedai, the Jedi and in all pursuit of the high fantasy not all wizards are as powerful as they used to be and are hunted down by vicious military orders like the Children of the Light. Whereas the levels of violence—burning at stake, mutilated animals, and dead bats ejected from the mouth (ewww…) are at game of Thrones without level, ambitions and political conspiracies, wheel of time Its more like a straight forward search NS Lord of the Rings– There’s even an orc cousin, the Trolox.
While the show took some time to make progress and woo the audience, the second episode moves fast. The action is all happy, glorified and gory. Pike is lovable and unmistakable, the young cast is charming and with the second and third seasons already renewed, we can expect a lot more dismemberment and disruption in addition to witches, magic and nasty animals.
The Wheel of Time will stream on Amazon Prime Video from November 19 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu
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