The Road to the Spear

No spoilers ahead of a user, who has read the books multiple times.

An amazing adaptation and Rafe indeed succeeded with one of the most important early plot points in the development of Car'a'carn.

The adaptation stayed mostly true to the books, even word by word at some points.

It was engaging, breathtaking and exactly what I would like to see as a book fan.

Truly for me, one of the best pieces of TV I have seen recently and this episode specifically, even tho the overall tone of the season is amazing, raised the bar of the show.

Josha was amazing. Truly my Rand al'Thor!

I hope the show gets renewed. The cast and crew deserve it.

A no spoiler review from a book fan.

For 33 years fans of the Wheel of Time have read this particular plotline thousands and thousands of times. It is one of the most memorable and emotionally charged pieces in the entire Wheel of Time. This is where many fans said "Robert Jordan is truly great" reading this plotline.

For 33 years readers have dreamed of seeing this play out, most of us never thought it could be done.

It has been done, and it was spectacular. There are not enough words to describe this episode and do it justice. For both book and show fans alike this is truly a masterpiece.

My first ever written review, because I feel I need to express how great this moment is. Josha Stradowski, Rosamund Pike. They understood and I felt it. That is the best compliment I can give. They knew what it meant. It is the best thing I have watched in a long time and I am ever so grateful to all the crew and cast who brought this to life and really poured their souls into it.

I think this beats any other episode in the series I can't even rate it a 10 it needs to be rated a 1000 LIKE WOW WOW WOW!! Josha's acting was the best thing about it i felt like I was inside the episode from how he expressed his emotions, it made me cry it was so so so good!! The show really needed to focus on rand and in my opinion this is the best way to do it. Rand can now finally shine and actually earn the amazing moments he deserves and step into the leader role. Rand and moiraine's relationship is so important for me and I think after this it changed forever! He literally waited for her and carried her out while he was so weak himself and aaa this is a new beginning for them I think.

Best of all episodes so far - all seasons. Have read the books, many, many times since 1990 and I often skip this part in rereads. However, it was an awesome experience visually. They translated the words to pictures in an excellent way. It explains what women will see when entering the rings in Rhuidean - many possible futures, and what Rand will experience - going back in time with every step taking him further and further into the past until we see the origin of the Aiel. It really is a Rand focussed episode for those that think the show has so far been focussing on the women leads. An equal oppportunity show.

I owe Rafe Judkins a massive apology. I didn't trust him to write the Trial of Rhuidean after he wrote s1e8 and s2e8, which were two of the worst episodes of the series in my opinion, but this was one of the most beautifully-crafted, moving hours of television I've ever watched, and absolutely blew me away. Josha Stradowski delivers an Emmy-worthy performance. Rosamund, Ayoola and Natasha are all excellent. Visually, the show has never been more stunning: from the costumes in the various flashbacks and flash-forwards to the visual effects and set design for the Glass Columns. A phenomenal episode that should earn the series more critical acclaim and viewership!