To Race the Shadow

This season starts with a bang! Holds up on a rewatch! Even after the couple of minutes, the steam doesn't settle (even if the moments are more character driven, they are still amazing). I'm a huge fan of the books and I can tell that everyone involved appears to be as well. They know the characters so well that even if they stray a bit from them, their essence is still there. There's a kiss that happens in this episode that I've waited for for YEARS. Everything receives an upgrade, the music, the costumes, the visuals, the acting, the writing. Everything is just SO good! Excited to see where the rest of the season takes us.

What an incredible start. That cold open was gripping television, and the special effects with the different types of weaves was great. The acting has always been a strength (props to the casting director) and now the stakes are being raised (and raised some more), we really get to see them shine. The dialogue and relationships between characters just feels so natural now, and the show has some of the best villains fantasy has to offer (Lanfear, Moghedian etc). Truly, this feels like the Wheel of Time. There's even some improvement from the books, like with the Forsaken, Liandrin, Aviendha and Elayne. Can't wait to see where the rest of the season will take us.

This episode was good! Definitely a little rushed, but as a long-time book fan I can tell the story is being corrected to bring it back in line with the books. After seasons 1 & 2, I was worried the entire show would end up drastically different, but I'm totally hooked for season 3 and any additional seasons that are produced.

I feel like the characters are finally getting the chance to shine and show individuality. Donal's depiction of Mat is spot on. The Aiel are different from what I imagined, but I'm excited to see more of them in this season.

Overall, it seems like the production quality has gone up. Loving it.

The Wheel of Time has always been an ambitious adaptation, striving to bring Robert Jordan's sprawling world to life while balancing intricate character arcs, deep lore, and thrilling action. After two seasons of careful setup, Season 3 finally delivers on that promise in grand fashion. Episode 1 is not just a return to form-it's a bold declaration that this series is ready to embrace the truly epic scope of Jordan's later books.

This premiere feels like a step up in every way: storytelling, cinematography, pacing, and emotional depth. While Seasons 1 and 2 were enjoyable, there was always a sense that the show was holding back, carefully laying the groundwork for bigger things to come. Now, with Season 3 diving into The Shadow Rising-one of the most beloved books in the series-the show has hit its stride. The scale is larger, the stakes are higher, and the depth of the characters is more fully realized.

For longtime fans of the books, this episode is a triumph. The early novels, while foundational, often felt like prologues to the true heart of the series. With Season 3, we've finally reached the meaty, complex storytelling that defines The Wheel of Time at its best. If the premiere is any indication, we're in for an incredible season.

(First off, I've read the books like a dozen times, so don't let anyone tell you that book readers hate this show. Way more love it than hate it.)

Season 3 is an upgrade in every way. Now that they're not dealing with covid, mid season rewrites due to losing a main star, and all the Hollywood strikes, season 3 really shows what this production is capable of. The season starts with a brutal bang before giving us a minute to catch up on what the characters have been doing since Falme. There are these moments that feel like reconnecting with your best friends because the casting is just so well done. The special effects, aspect ratio, costumes and more are above and beyond beautiful. And yes, they're doing a great job of honoring what is some of Robert Jordan's absolute best source material. I can't wait to see the rest of the season (and series) from here.