Wheel of Time: The Dark Along The Ways Show Only

December 17, 2021 8:28 AM - Season 1, Episode 7

Moiraine and her charges are diverted from their path by an unexpected encounter, revealing Moiraine's true goal, Lan's past, the fractures that have grown in the group, and the identity of the Dragon Reborn.

The Dragon Reborn is revealed in this penultimate episode of season 1. -EW Recap

What are we thinking, gang? Is it shocking reveal that the least developed of our characters is the Dragon Reborn?

posted by WedgedPiano (12 comments total)

I inadvertently saw a spoiler for that a few days ago unfortunately, but my main reaction was "him, really?". Loved his mother's fight scene though!
posted by kumonoi at 12:33 PM on December 17, 2021 [2 favorites]

Is he definately the Dragon? The Bar seer's none answer seemed to be inconclusive and I also have no idea why soldiers were trying to kill the red Haired woman at the beginning (what's his name's mother).

I am sad that imho the weakest actor in the party is going to be the main big bad.

Also, was it just me or was most of the dialogue this week extra mumbly?
posted by Faintdreams at 1:28 PM on December 17, 2021 [2 favorites]

I think Joshua Stradowski will get better over time! Partly because my favorite performances of his are most relevant to Rand’s book storyline, but also he’s a Dutch actor putting on a British accent (which he’s mentioned finding a challenge) in his first English-speaking role of note. I’m betting his performance will loosen up a bit as he stops having to think about language stuff as much. The rest of the main cast are from Anglophone countries.

Speaking of non-Anglophone actors, Majda Šittová (Rand’s mom) was magnetic. Most of her resume is stunt work, but hopefully she’ll get some bigger roles out of this if she decides to do more acting.
posted by bettafish at 3:15 PM on December 17, 2021 [3 favorites]

I read that the actor who plays Mat is being replaced in the next season. I find him to be one of the better actors in the whole production. Shame.
posted by SoberHighland at 3:44 PM on December 17, 2021 [4 favorites]

Fuck it. Have him speak Dutch, add subtitles, and never explain it. (I am actually serious about this)
posted by schmod at 5:45 PM on December 17, 2021 [9 favorites]

I'm really digging the jewelry and boots in this show. Also Moiraine's suspenders. There's some good costume design going on.
posted by curious nu at 6:09 PM on December 17, 2021 [4 favorites]

And the shippers rejoiced throughout the lands! (Or was it just at my place? Ahem.)

I too was spoiled about the thing. Just can't seem to stay offline long enough to avoid them dammit.

I suspect Rand is meant to seem a little bland, the actor is probably playing him as directed. This could give the character more of an arc over time.
posted by Coaticass at 7:03 PM on December 17, 2021

(Just realized autocorrect changed Josha’s name, whoops.)

Re: costume design, I really want that gold top-of-ear cuff that Moiraine wears in Tar Valon, and also Rand’s leather fanny pack. I also like that Egwene’s top is good quality (compared to, say, Mat’s) but the embroidery is pretty but a little uneven in a way that suggests she embellished it herself.
posted by bettafish at 7:36 PM on December 17, 2021 [1 favorite]

This show does have some very beautiful clothing and props/sets.

Rand's mom! It's not clear who she was fighting, but I wish I could see more. That was the best action scene so far. And her face was so expressive I want her to be the lead in an action flick where the hero can't speak for some reason.

Moiraine giving a little nudge to Lan (about Nynaeve) before presumably going to her death was complex: A nice gesture to a loved one, and also a dirty trick to keep him distracted while she slipped away.
I'm enjoying this more each episode.
posted by Acari at 8:31 AM on December 18, 2021 [3 favorites]

Wait, is Lan Moiraine's beard?

I'm so confused about the show's implied sexual dynamics of the Aes Sedai-Warder bond.
posted by schmod at 8:43 PM on December 18, 2021

He’s not her beard, he’s her platonic life partner. All Aes Sedai and their warders are close, but not all are in a sexual or romantic relationship. Presumably Moiraine and Siuan’s relationship is secret because you can’t publicly date someone you’re pretending to be enemies with — I think the conversation between Dana and Rand in episode 3 was a way to signal to us that homophobia isn’t a thing in this world.
posted by bettafish at 6:40 PM on December 19, 2021 [1 favorite]

True, but I feel like the show (and books) signal fairly heavily that Lan and Moiraine’s relationship is extremely unusual in terms of the Aes Sedai/Warder bond.
posted by schmod at 10:17 AM on December 24, 2021