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Season 2 Rant - Did they even read the books? (Spoilers)

posted a year ago by joej2923 (3021)
4 replies | jump to latest

I watched season one before recently listening to books one to three. Season two of the show starts towards the end of book one BUT the showrunners are loosely following the source material. I've noticed that the characters are playing different roles and events in the show do not align with the books.

The sets, costumes and CGI look really good. I especially like seeing the spell weaving. Most of the actors are not attractive and I have trouble understanding all the accents. Many of these actors are mumbling or speaking in their various English dialects but
that's partly due to their reliance on actors from all over the globe.

I was disappointed that Nynaeve stayed behind the arches in the show but she did not stay in the books. Egwene and Elaine brought Nynaeve back from behind the arches in the show and three tests that Nynaeve faced behind the arches were different from the tests in the books.

Liandren is a major villain in the books but season two is portraying her as a woman who shows love for her dying son and takes an interest in helping Nynaeve develop.

It's also odd that the show swaps out Hurin for Elyas since Hurin had unique tracking abilities in the books that have been granted to Elyas and Perrin by the show's writers. The whole Rand/Lanfear/Logain story is also troubling since this did not happen in the books.

I just hope Amazon doesn't buy the rights to any more fantasy novels since they have very little respect for the source material.

[–] puremind (254) a year ago

Thank you for highlighting the differences. In my opinion changing the material is only an issue when it leads to plot holes. I personally like Liandren, I think it adds depth to her character and the portrayal is realistic. I have not read the books but such a change in my opinion paves the ground for her sacrificing herself after she has gained the trust of the forsaken. A bit like a Severus Snape in Harry Potter, letting everyone believe she is a true meanie but actually secretly working doing at least one thing right (like protect Nyneve). Based on what you say, nothing like this is planned, but I for one would love to see this because the actress is excellent and she would make for a great "villain that appears to do evil but actually has her own morality and is tamed by no one". I hope this show takes this direction. If not it would create exactly the kind of plot hole and inconsistency later during the show. I hope the changes are fully woven into the rest of the show but so far no harm has come from them.

[–] joej2923 (3021) a year ago

I can understand omitting material from the books since not everything can fit into a tv show or movie. I don't approve of adding/changing characters and storylines. Alternatively, a collection of great actors can elevate a show even if it departs from the source material. I LOVE fantasy shows so I still like the show despite the changes from the books.

Kate Fleetwood is a good actress so she could make the Liandren character a sympathetic villain. It will be interesting to see what happens with Liandren since my research indicates that her ultimate fate was never disclosed in the books. The showrunners could add a new storyline with Liandren that wouldn't conflict with the books.

[–] puremind (254) a year ago

That sounds great, the last episode gives us some clues. She is smart, you could see that Liandren is really only cold because she was abused in the past, but she could still protect Nyneve. She plays along with Selene, letting her believe she is powerless, but she is exactly the kind would doesn't take coertion from anyone and it is possible she might sacrifice in a bravoure act to save Nyneve and frustrate some of the Foresaken's plan in a major way. The portrayal is certainly subtle and the face off between two very cunning women was interesting. I feel Liandren might die for what she believes in ultimately proving that she truly cared about Nyneve. For once this is a Woke narrative I could stand behind because it is actually realistic (compared to the stereotypical empowered women narrative where women have no struggles and no character progression).

[–] Uriel (246) a year ago

I've never read the books and I'm enjoying the season a lot. Much, much better than season one. So straying from the source material certainly isn't hurting the quality at all.

Why do you mention that most of the actors aren't attractive?