I know it's been quite a while since I've added anything here, but while the first few books are relatively straight forward, starting with this book it really requires me to think about how you organize and plan for a TV production what you could condense and what could be expanded. I've also been trying to continue my reread, but have once again encountered the slog and it is noticeable how much slower the pace becomes starting in book 6 a bit, and very much so by book 7. I wanted to give this fourth season plenty of my attention because it gets way more complicated after this one in terms of density and run time, there will be plot points excised and chapters ignored after this point which is consuming to consider.
I've still got to work on some of what I would want focus on in each episode for flow, however I have at this point figured out the arrangement of chapters. There is a very dense early episode, and the last few encompass only a few chapters each. This will be the first season I put out that breaks the 8 episode mark, with my outline reaching 9 episodes for the content in The Shadow Rising. I think that my outlines will end up having more episodes per season than the first 3 from here on out generally as there is more ground to cover and books will begin being combined starting with my next season.
As a preview to illustrate my point:
Episode 2 covers 13 chapters of material (9-21 mostly), which is a lot, but I think it's really important we not spend too much time in Tear when the most important parts of this book are elsewhere despite the time dedicated in the book to the politics of Rand's decisions. There is enough content you could stretch out here into at least 2 episodes, but this is already going to be a long series and we need to condense some material somewhere especially given the extra time I would want to dedicate to other sequences later. As much fun as the calmer slice of life stuff that is hinted at in the early parts of this book, I just don't think we need a ton of it. The romances in particular in this world move at lightning speed so I think we can let some of that happen in the show too.
Episode 9 meanwhile is 3 chapters worth of content. I had some smaller parts broken out, but I felt like a really epic pair of episodes to finish out the season would be great. Since the prior 3 were 8, I wanted 8 to feel like it could be a finale too.
My real debate is whether the climax in Tanicho and with the Aiel/Rhuidean should be one episode or if each plot point deserves it's own. I feel like for TV both of those adventures will visually be possible to add something to, whether that is additional action or otherwise. For now I've got them as two separate pieces. Each plot thread gets its own sort of finale episode this season so each one has it's space to breathe and do more with.
I promise I'll have a full outline up soon!
Friday, April 26, 2019
Monday, April 1, 2019
Season Three of the Wheel of Time : The Dragon Reborn (or The Heart of the Stone)
By the start of this season the scope and stakes of the story have started to come into view, not really clearly defined as most everyone is still wandering in the dark, but you've got a sense of what the consequences of our heroes' failure is. This season and this book I don't think advances it as much as the next will, but it provides us our first truly different narrative which will get repeated in the later books. Rand is hardly in this story and we will only see glimpses of him outside of the first and last episodes. This does provide space for other characters to grow and show their stuff which I think is necessary. This season will also be more complicated in it's cuts than the second and considerably more complex in the narrative than the first or the second. I expect this to be the first season that represents what the show would model itself after for the remainder of its run. There are at least 3 or 4 different plot lines advancing at the same time and while they all converge, unlike in the prior 2 books/seasons they aren't all on the same path with a common goal, there simply ends up being some overlap. Stories begin to diverge here in this third season and we will find out that as everyone's capabilities grow so will the threats and dangers around them. I do think that the chapters are more evenly allocated per episode this season than they were in the second which got lopsided early and stretched out towards the finale.
I also feel that this season is where a few other liberties for TV will be taken. Both Egwene and Nynaeve are raised to be accepted, but in the books we only know what Egwene saw. They don't need to share Elayne's, but given her prime character status I think it would be a benefit to share her's as well. I always felt the reason we didn't get it is because Jordan hadn't decided if she would be a POV character or not yet. Some of Rand's travels I think can be sort of mixed/combined together. They don't need to be separate and not seeing him every episode will hammer the point across he's really on his own, he needs to be isolated literally and visually. Mat and Perrin get to step forward this season as well which will be fun. The cast is going to get a lot larger this season which will be a bit of a challenge compared to the tighter prior two. This will be especially important as there are characters we only briefly meet this season that will step into much larger/central roles in the next one (namely the Aiel). There is a little room to flesh out some of these sequences and I expect them to do so. Now that Tel'Aran'Roihad is a central device too with Egwene there will need to be a smart way to share the dream sequences that become a prevalent setting for story advancements and foreshadowing.
I also feel that this season is where a few other liberties for TV will be taken. Both Egwene and Nynaeve are raised to be accepted, but in the books we only know what Egwene saw. They don't need to share Elayne's, but given her prime character status I think it would be a benefit to share her's as well. I always felt the reason we didn't get it is because Jordan hadn't decided if she would be a POV character or not yet. Some of Rand's travels I think can be sort of mixed/combined together. They don't need to be separate and not seeing him every episode will hammer the point across he's really on his own, he needs to be isolated literally and visually. Mat and Perrin get to step forward this season as well which will be fun. The cast is going to get a lot larger this season which will be a bit of a challenge compared to the tighter prior two. This will be especially important as there are characters we only briefly meet this season that will step into much larger/central roles in the next one (namely the Aiel). There is a little room to flesh out some of these sequences and I expect them to do so. Now that Tel'Aran'Roihad is a central device too with Egwene there will need to be a smart way to share the dream sequences that become a prevalent setting for story advancements and foreshadowing.
Once again, you will see [1/2] or [2/2] next to a chapter in my listing, that means I have broken apart the narrative of the chapter for how I would want to present the material inside each episode. It does not mean a neat 50/50 split of the material. Chapters connected with a , are concurrent. Chapters connected with a / are POV or narrative shifts.
Episode 17 - Karatheon Cycle
Chapters - Prologue[1/2] / 1,2,3,4,5 / Prologue[2/2]
We will open with Pedron Nial meeting with Fain under a new name, sharing the printing of Rand and Ba'alzamon fighting in the sky over Falme (including kicking Carradin out, but that can be shorter than in the book including the report from Byar, that can really be done by Fain if we need an info dump at all). The cut after this will be the opening of the Wind which will encompass showing us the info deliver in Ch. 50 of TGH (it's like a paragraph about the story spreading) before arriving in the camp of the Dragon Reborn settling on Perrin. Have time to spend with Min & Rand, Perrin talking with Min as well. We can have some wolf dreams that will be the first time we really see Callandor (although it'll become a recurring image). We will conclude the episode with the attack by the Trollocs that convinces them it's time to move with everyone heading to a less than comfortable sleep. Post credits we will come back to finish the prologue with the reminder that Carradin is a Darkfriend as he is confronted by the Mydraall to kill Rand. The whole first episode will focus on the Rand & Co outside of the prologue material.
Episode 18 - The White Tower
Chapters - 10,11 / 12 / 13,14 / 15,16,17,18
This should show some of the trek with Mat towards Tar Valon sharing that he has been getting worse since they left and is hardly there at all when they arrive. We need to get a lot accomplished in this episode all in the White Tower. We will get their meeting with the Amyrlin and Verin sharing info with her along with the knowledge that Egwene and Elayne are to complete the Accepted test. The Gray Man and it's ensuing mystery establishes the Tower isn't wholly safe either, we should get some of Eladia moving around seeming untrustworthy before the finale with Mat's healing.
Episode 19 - The Way Out of the Mountains
Chapters - 6,7,8 / 19,20 / 9[1/2] / 21,22,23 / 9[2/2]
We need to start with the realization that Rand is on the run having left everyone behind, so the party follows. We should have Perrin's encounter with a man who lost himself to the wolves completely in this first section. I will want to include some tower time here as well with Mat awakening and receiving mixed messages from the Amyrlin/Lanfear leaving him ready to leave asap. Following this we will return to have Perrin enter the wolf dream, but this time because he plans to and meeting Hopper again. Then we can transition back to the tower with the lead up to and the Accepted testing for Egwene and Elayne. I do believe whether its related later or done directly this should include Elayne's testing and 3 visions (which would need to be crafted for this). Egwene receives the T'A'R Ring that will be a central ter'angreal for the future plots. Once we've finished with the girls reconvening to seek comfort with Nynaeve we will wrap up the episode with Rand on the run killing the Darkhounds with balefire seeming very unstable at the moment. We know he's own his own, there are threats after him, and he's definitely seeming a little crazier than you'd hope this early in the story. I want apprehension to be a key feeling at the end of this episode.
Episode 20 - Tar Valon
Chapters - 25,26 / 24 / 27 / 28,29 / 30,31
This episode will mostly wrap up the time in Tar Valon with the girls and Mat. We need to ensure we see Mat prove his skill against the warder trainees; namely Gawyn and Galad. The start of the investigation into the black including the appearance of Lanfear with just enough info to point them towards where they need to be (we know they don't UH OH). We should get plenty of T'A'R exploration in this episode, and Mat's adventure into the city that is started with the letter given to him by Nynaeve. By the end of the episode all our characters here are determined and have their exit routes established and are on their way gone. Mat will finish the episode with Thom on their way to the docks.
Episode 21 - The Falcon
Chapters - 33 / 32[1/2] / 34,35 / 37 / 36[1/2],32[2/2],36[2/2]
After 20 episodes it's time for us to meet Perrin's love interest. We will show her in the first sequence of the episode but save her real introduction for a little later in the episode. I want to show that Thom & Mat are on their way to Camelyn. The attack on the boat is cuttable, but I think there is time to include it showing as always they are never far from danger. We can return to Perrin as he venture out to free the trapped Aiel, who we learn is Gaul (a big casting moment) and get the prophecy about The Stone and the next mention of He Who Comes with the Dawn. The escape brings down the Whitecloaks we heard about and we get the fight that requires them to leave town asap. We will finish this sequence with Faile's introduction on the boat yelling at Perrin as he heads below deck. Where we will transition to our ladies (Nynaeve very ill) and their report of Cairhien burning in Civil War as they pass towards Tear. Egwene relates info on a lot of dreams, but I want to focus on 4 that I think capture the key items of foreshadowing/relevant plot info to make worth putting to visuals.
1) Rand holding a blazing sword (Callandor)
2) Perrin with his spirit animal crew (Wolf, Falcon, Hawk)
3) Mat with the dice bouncing around him
4) Perhaps a flash of the Seanchan as a menacing force not to be forgotten
If there were time or good reason, could include the Whitecloak descent on the Two Rivers, but I think that can happen with out additional foreshadowing. We know what was communicated at the start and this is a long story where that payout can take time, astute viewers will remember when we get there. We will finish the ladies component with them having left the boat and having none other than Aviendha appear before them (cliffhanger, and a HUGE casting moment. I might consider having her have the shoufa up to hide her face for now, but that isn't within their culture and I don't want inconsistencies). Just want to downplay the individual importance which will come back to us and make the moment impactful upon reflection.
It's time to wrap up with Perrin's wolf dream that finishes with him being surprised by Rand. I want to switch the perspectives so that as Rand throws fire at Perrin, we then join him and combine his waking and playing the flute from chapter 32 with the ambush in the night by the Darkfriends with a Grey Man, as he ponders if it really was Perrin we can jump back to him awakening with the burn on his chest. He goes to tell Moraine and we close with Faile watching this conversation, but really Perrin, as they continue on the river.
Episode 22 - Threads in the Pattern
Chapters - 38,39 / 41,42,43 / 40,44[1/2],45 / 44[2/2]
I really struggled with a title for this one. It's mostly travel and setup discussions, honestly this episode probably could be combined with the next to make a 7 episode season thinking on it, but we can have a moment to breathe as the last 2 episodes this one sets up will be very dense.
I would begin with the sequence following Aviendha meeting our trio of ladies as they have left the river. We can have some Aiel introduction and the healing sequence before they go their separate ways. We should then rejoin Perrin and Company in Illian and the city impressions that lead to Moraine's decision to find out what seems to be causing the oppressive atmosphere in Illian. The Grey Man and Darkhound ambush will key the reveal with Moraine's return that a Forsaken has taken root in the city. I would drop Perrin's dream sequence and have Moraine arrive shortly after they finish killing the Grey Men, which means that she can't leave after that. I would adjust the timing of this structure so that she leaves to investigate before it gets dark and returns to see the aftermath of the ambush. Perrin, Lan, Faile and Loial can handle the grey men without needing her so I think that smooths this sequence out and shows a bit more urgency in her feeling that things are wrong in Illian.
Mat and Thom's journey doesn't have to be drawn out, but we need to introduce Aludra (who does reappear later, but doesn't need to be a central casting choice the way others are this season) and the fireworks so that Mat has them in Tear. I want to share his tampering moment (perhaps as a quick transition following their escape/split from Aludra), the ambush will still happen and we will wrap up their bit with their arrival in Camelyn and Mat's unsuccessful attempt to deliver the letter to the palace at the gate which can be our hint that things are not the same as last we saw Camelyn.
The episode would finish with Moraine binding Faile to the group with an oath and the information about Rand/Mat/Perrin being Ta'veren, the Horn, and then their flight from Illian. Our closing shot is the group riding hard on the road to Tear.
Episode 23 - Race with the Shadow
Chapters - 46,47 / 50[1/2] / 48,49[1/2] / 50[2/2] / 49[2/2] / 51
Let's wrap up Mat's excursion to Camelyn where we will get to see Rahvin for the first time as Lord Gaebril. Confirming that the Shadow is present (the information that Gaebril is trying to kill our trio of ladies, Elayne in particular is an important sequence in his delivery). Mat's confidence in his luck grows as they leave Camelyn.
We should get to Perrin/Moraine's arrival in Tear, and the nice sequence of Perrin returning to the forge, with Faile coming to watch him. We will pause this chapter's material with Perrin finishing the day and receiving the hammer as compensation.
Transition to the girls travel to Tear, I want to include a few of the dream sequences Egwene has
- Rand with the dragons slithering onto his arms (she doesn't know they are called that though)
- Perrin with the falcon on his shoulder choosing between the hammer and axe
- Mat reaching out to tell her he is coming to them
They arrive in tear, find the "wisdom" like person nearby who says she can find them a good thief catcher/PI and we get introduced to Juilin Sandar who promises he will find who they are looking for. After this Egwene and the ladies transition to trying to use the ring to find more info, but in fact reveal themselves to Liandrin and the Black Sisters by carelessly showing themselves. Nynaeve's storm arrives as Egwene awakens with the bad news.
We will rejoin Perrin at the Inn and their conversations about Moraine's plan to help ensure Rand survives his encounter with the Forsaken who has setup in Tear (Be'lal), along with a conversation about how Lan has seen the Aiel in Tear although most haven't and Perrin reminds them of the prophesy he heard from Gaul that has brought them out of the Three Fold Land (The Waste to Wetlanders).
We should then see that Mat and Thom have arrived in Tear, with a little bit of their journey showing that Thom is getting ill and worse as they get closer. His luck leads him to the right in to find the man who is after our ladies, and determines that he knows how to use his luck now and they'll surely find the ladies soon after his confrontation ends with the man dead as they head back to their inn for the night.
We are going to finish this episode with Nynaeve as she wanders the streets and believes she sees Rand (in the show it should be obvious that it is him). She bumps into Julian who seems on edge and then we see the trap that's been set for them by the Black Sisters. I want to end this episode with Liandrin's proclamation that they are bringing 13 Myrdraal and we can close with Elayne and Nynaeve's screams in the realization of what that means.
Episode 24 - The Dragon Reborn
Chapters - 49*,52 / 53 / 54 / 55
I want to open this episode with Mat's bad dreams from the very end of Ch. 49 as the opening here to show there is a lot of menace about and potentially while we've seen Rand with Callandor and do again the dream can transition to him dead with Be'lal holding it which awakens him and leads us to him taking Thom to a wisdom who is of course the one who was hosting our trio of ladies until just a few hours prior to him bringing Thom by. Mat leaves Thom in her care and starts crafting his plan to help rescue the ladies as he returns to his Inn.
We will jump back to Perrin working in the Forge with Faile and then returning to the inn at the end of the day (quick sequence), where Moraine says she is sure Rand is in the city due to the volume of odd occurances, and that she plans to deal with Be'lal tonight. She tells Perrin that he/Faile/Loial must head for Tar Valon asap, and as Faile goes to look for Loial picks up the hedgehog sculpture in their private dining room which causes her to become unconscious. Perrin finds her, and is only barely held up by Moraine who explains the ter'angreal's trap. He says he won't leave her behind, and Moraine wishes him luck but cannot help him as she must go to the Stone. Perrin leaps at Faile and is taken to T'A'R as Moraine and Lan leave with Loial to watch over them. Perrin awakens in "the wolf dream" to be greeted by Hopper who again explains the danger of his situation, but agrees to help him find and free Faile.
Time for the spectacular finale, TDR has one of the most action packed and exciting finishes in the entire series, and I want to start it off with an additional scene of Rand creeping along the bottom of the Stone wrapped in the void looking up at his climb. We won't spend very much time there only enough to show that Nynaeve saw correctly and that Moraine's belief he is there is correct. Transition to Mat and the rooftops where he encounters Juilin & Gaul who shares that the Aiel are also moving on the stone tonight, the tug of Rand and his fellow Ta'veren is coming together. Mat catches a glimpse of Rand on the side of the Stone, but doesn't really know it's him and then executes his plan with the fireworks to break in. Once inside we hear the alarm, and we transition to Rand who has made it inside exhausted but determined to find his way to Callandor. We should get a moment with the ladies as they find themselves in the dungeon and come up with the plan to try using T'A'R to aid their escape, which finishes with Egwene shielding Joiya in the Heart of the Stone before trying to find the dungeons to see what she might be able to do to help themselves there. Since we are in the dream world already as Egwene leaves we will find ourselves with Perrin & Hopper's frustration with having found a Faile, but not the true one and their search continues as they tear their way through the trap that was laid. Mat sees Rand, but doesn't have time to call out to him in the midst of beating High Lords up with his quarterstaff, including a humorous lucky moment where shouldering it he knocks out someone he didn't even know was behind him.
The last chapter would be about the last 1/3rd of the episode played out as it is presented. Be'lal mocks Rand proving his skill with a sword, and as Rand is nearly in trouble Moraine arrives to wipe him from the Pattern. Our showdown with Ba'alzamon commences once Rand grasps Callandor and creates another skimming portal to follow Ba'alzaamon. I would streamline the rescue sequence a little with Mat arriving right about when Egwene shields Amico who is guarding them, as he releases them they knock her our and fully free themselves instead of sending Egwene back into the dream for no real outcome. The amount of disrespect shown to Mat might be toned down a little with at least one of them (perhaps Egwene giving them thanks for the rescue, both Elayne and Nynaeve are too stubborn and proud to do so still). I have always been bugged by how they treated him in this sequence and I think a little nicety will pay off for developing relationships later when they travel together again.
Perrin's final sequence can be given a little room to breathe, a few rooms found and nothing gained until he finds the room with the Falcon chained to the hedgehog and as he is assaulted by them he pushes on until he breaks the hedgehog with his hammer. He and Faile return to the waking world where they are still on the floor and Perrin is hurt. Faile comforts him and the both whisper their confessions of love and care for each other.
Rand finally after chasing the intimidated Ba'alzaamon back to the heart of the stone, severs his connection to the Dark One, impales him with Callandor. Rand feeling that he has finally won, swells with the power making Callandor shine brighter than the sun, summons lightning all through the Stone. When the fighting has stopped (Aiel, Defenders, etc) he declares himself the Dragon Reborn while everyone kneels down in recognition of him. Head to the credits...
Our short epilogue will quickly show the aftermath of Rand's triumph. Moraine has found a seal (intact) which means the fight is still on going especially given the rate at which the body of Ba'alzamon decomposed it seemed very old. Mat is party to this when a letter is delivered to Moraine, it is from Lanfear. I would not have Berelain do this for a short sequence we can meet her next season. The reveals of the arm & the People of the Dragon I would save for the next season, not all of this chapters material would be in this epilogue. As the words of the letter sink in we find that the people are cheering in the streets of Tear for Rand al'Thor, THE DRAGON REBORN, as his banner now flies not on a lonely stick like last season with few people around him but to the cheers of people as it flies above the Stone of Tear. We focus on the dragon rippling in the wind specifically as a tease for what Rand will learn in the next season.
Episode 17 - Karatheon Cycle
Chapters - Prologue[1/2] / 1,2,3,4,5 / Prologue[2/2]
We will open with Pedron Nial meeting with Fain under a new name, sharing the printing of Rand and Ba'alzamon fighting in the sky over Falme (including kicking Carradin out, but that can be shorter than in the book including the report from Byar, that can really be done by Fain if we need an info dump at all). The cut after this will be the opening of the Wind which will encompass showing us the info deliver in Ch. 50 of TGH (it's like a paragraph about the story spreading) before arriving in the camp of the Dragon Reborn settling on Perrin. Have time to spend with Min & Rand, Perrin talking with Min as well. We can have some wolf dreams that will be the first time we really see Callandor (although it'll become a recurring image). We will conclude the episode with the attack by the Trollocs that convinces them it's time to move with everyone heading to a less than comfortable sleep. Post credits we will come back to finish the prologue with the reminder that Carradin is a Darkfriend as he is confronted by the Mydraall to kill Rand. The whole first episode will focus on the Rand & Co outside of the prologue material.
Episode 18 - The White Tower
Chapters - 10,11 / 12 / 13,14 / 15,16,17,18
This should show some of the trek with Mat towards Tar Valon sharing that he has been getting worse since they left and is hardly there at all when they arrive. We need to get a lot accomplished in this episode all in the White Tower. We will get their meeting with the Amyrlin and Verin sharing info with her along with the knowledge that Egwene and Elayne are to complete the Accepted test. The Gray Man and it's ensuing mystery establishes the Tower isn't wholly safe either, we should get some of Eladia moving around seeming untrustworthy before the finale with Mat's healing.
Episode 19 - The Way Out of the Mountains
Chapters - 6,7,8 / 19,20 / 9[1/2] / 21,22,23 / 9[2/2]
We need to start with the realization that Rand is on the run having left everyone behind, so the party follows. We should have Perrin's encounter with a man who lost himself to the wolves completely in this first section. I will want to include some tower time here as well with Mat awakening and receiving mixed messages from the Amyrlin/Lanfear leaving him ready to leave asap. Following this we will return to have Perrin enter the wolf dream, but this time because he plans to and meeting Hopper again. Then we can transition back to the tower with the lead up to and the Accepted testing for Egwene and Elayne. I do believe whether its related later or done directly this should include Elayne's testing and 3 visions (which would need to be crafted for this). Egwene receives the T'A'R Ring that will be a central ter'angreal for the future plots. Once we've finished with the girls reconvening to seek comfort with Nynaeve we will wrap up the episode with Rand on the run killing the Darkhounds with balefire seeming very unstable at the moment. We know he's own his own, there are threats after him, and he's definitely seeming a little crazier than you'd hope this early in the story. I want apprehension to be a key feeling at the end of this episode.
Episode 20 - Tar Valon
Chapters - 25,26 / 24 / 27 / 28,29 / 30,31
This episode will mostly wrap up the time in Tar Valon with the girls and Mat. We need to ensure we see Mat prove his skill against the warder trainees; namely Gawyn and Galad. The start of the investigation into the black including the appearance of Lanfear with just enough info to point them towards where they need to be (we know they don't UH OH). We should get plenty of T'A'R exploration in this episode, and Mat's adventure into the city that is started with the letter given to him by Nynaeve. By the end of the episode all our characters here are determined and have their exit routes established and are on their way gone. Mat will finish the episode with Thom on their way to the docks.
Episode 21 - The Falcon
Chapters - 33 / 32[1/2] / 34,35 / 37 / 36[1/2],32[2/2],36[2/2]
After 20 episodes it's time for us to meet Perrin's love interest. We will show her in the first sequence of the episode but save her real introduction for a little later in the episode. I want to show that Thom & Mat are on their way to Camelyn. The attack on the boat is cuttable, but I think there is time to include it showing as always they are never far from danger. We can return to Perrin as he venture out to free the trapped Aiel, who we learn is Gaul (a big casting moment) and get the prophecy about The Stone and the next mention of He Who Comes with the Dawn. The escape brings down the Whitecloaks we heard about and we get the fight that requires them to leave town asap. We will finish this sequence with Faile's introduction on the boat yelling at Perrin as he heads below deck. Where we will transition to our ladies (Nynaeve very ill) and their report of Cairhien burning in Civil War as they pass towards Tear. Egwene relates info on a lot of dreams, but I want to focus on 4 that I think capture the key items of foreshadowing/relevant plot info to make worth putting to visuals.
1) Rand holding a blazing sword (Callandor)
2) Perrin with his spirit animal crew (Wolf, Falcon, Hawk)
3) Mat with the dice bouncing around him
4) Perhaps a flash of the Seanchan as a menacing force not to be forgotten
If there were time or good reason, could include the Whitecloak descent on the Two Rivers, but I think that can happen with out additional foreshadowing. We know what was communicated at the start and this is a long story where that payout can take time, astute viewers will remember when we get there. We will finish the ladies component with them having left the boat and having none other than Aviendha appear before them (cliffhanger, and a HUGE casting moment. I might consider having her have the shoufa up to hide her face for now, but that isn't within their culture and I don't want inconsistencies). Just want to downplay the individual importance which will come back to us and make the moment impactful upon reflection.
It's time to wrap up with Perrin's wolf dream that finishes with him being surprised by Rand. I want to switch the perspectives so that as Rand throws fire at Perrin, we then join him and combine his waking and playing the flute from chapter 32 with the ambush in the night by the Darkfriends with a Grey Man, as he ponders if it really was Perrin we can jump back to him awakening with the burn on his chest. He goes to tell Moraine and we close with Faile watching this conversation, but really Perrin, as they continue on the river.
Episode 22 - Threads in the Pattern
Chapters - 38,39 / 41,42,43 / 40,44[1/2],45 / 44[2/2]
I really struggled with a title for this one. It's mostly travel and setup discussions, honestly this episode probably could be combined with the next to make a 7 episode season thinking on it, but we can have a moment to breathe as the last 2 episodes this one sets up will be very dense.
I would begin with the sequence following Aviendha meeting our trio of ladies as they have left the river. We can have some Aiel introduction and the healing sequence before they go their separate ways. We should then rejoin Perrin and Company in Illian and the city impressions that lead to Moraine's decision to find out what seems to be causing the oppressive atmosphere in Illian. The Grey Man and Darkhound ambush will key the reveal with Moraine's return that a Forsaken has taken root in the city. I would drop Perrin's dream sequence and have Moraine arrive shortly after they finish killing the Grey Men, which means that she can't leave after that. I would adjust the timing of this structure so that she leaves to investigate before it gets dark and returns to see the aftermath of the ambush. Perrin, Lan, Faile and Loial can handle the grey men without needing her so I think that smooths this sequence out and shows a bit more urgency in her feeling that things are wrong in Illian.
Mat and Thom's journey doesn't have to be drawn out, but we need to introduce Aludra (who does reappear later, but doesn't need to be a central casting choice the way others are this season) and the fireworks so that Mat has them in Tear. I want to share his tampering moment (perhaps as a quick transition following their escape/split from Aludra), the ambush will still happen and we will wrap up their bit with their arrival in Camelyn and Mat's unsuccessful attempt to deliver the letter to the palace at the gate which can be our hint that things are not the same as last we saw Camelyn.
The episode would finish with Moraine binding Faile to the group with an oath and the information about Rand/Mat/Perrin being Ta'veren, the Horn, and then their flight from Illian. Our closing shot is the group riding hard on the road to Tear.
Episode 23 - Race with the Shadow
Chapters - 46,47 / 50[1/2] / 48,49[1/2] / 50[2/2] / 49[2/2] / 51
Let's wrap up Mat's excursion to Camelyn where we will get to see Rahvin for the first time as Lord Gaebril. Confirming that the Shadow is present (the information that Gaebril is trying to kill our trio of ladies, Elayne in particular is an important sequence in his delivery). Mat's confidence in his luck grows as they leave Camelyn.
We should get to Perrin/Moraine's arrival in Tear, and the nice sequence of Perrin returning to the forge, with Faile coming to watch him. We will pause this chapter's material with Perrin finishing the day and receiving the hammer as compensation.
Transition to the girls travel to Tear, I want to include a few of the dream sequences Egwene has
- Rand with the dragons slithering onto his arms (she doesn't know they are called that though)
- Perrin with the falcon on his shoulder choosing between the hammer and axe
- Mat reaching out to tell her he is coming to them
They arrive in tear, find the "wisdom" like person nearby who says she can find them a good thief catcher/PI and we get introduced to Juilin Sandar who promises he will find who they are looking for. After this Egwene and the ladies transition to trying to use the ring to find more info, but in fact reveal themselves to Liandrin and the Black Sisters by carelessly showing themselves. Nynaeve's storm arrives as Egwene awakens with the bad news.
We will rejoin Perrin at the Inn and their conversations about Moraine's plan to help ensure Rand survives his encounter with the Forsaken who has setup in Tear (Be'lal), along with a conversation about how Lan has seen the Aiel in Tear although most haven't and Perrin reminds them of the prophesy he heard from Gaul that has brought them out of the Three Fold Land (The Waste to Wetlanders).
We should then see that Mat and Thom have arrived in Tear, with a little bit of their journey showing that Thom is getting ill and worse as they get closer. His luck leads him to the right in to find the man who is after our ladies, and determines that he knows how to use his luck now and they'll surely find the ladies soon after his confrontation ends with the man dead as they head back to their inn for the night.
We are going to finish this episode with Nynaeve as she wanders the streets and believes she sees Rand (in the show it should be obvious that it is him). She bumps into Julian who seems on edge and then we see the trap that's been set for them by the Black Sisters. I want to end this episode with Liandrin's proclamation that they are bringing 13 Myrdraal and we can close with Elayne and Nynaeve's screams in the realization of what that means.
Episode 24 - The Dragon Reborn
Chapters - 49*,52 / 53 / 54 / 55
I want to open this episode with Mat's bad dreams from the very end of Ch. 49 as the opening here to show there is a lot of menace about and potentially while we've seen Rand with Callandor and do again the dream can transition to him dead with Be'lal holding it which awakens him and leads us to him taking Thom to a wisdom who is of course the one who was hosting our trio of ladies until just a few hours prior to him bringing Thom by. Mat leaves Thom in her care and starts crafting his plan to help rescue the ladies as he returns to his Inn.
We will jump back to Perrin working in the Forge with Faile and then returning to the inn at the end of the day (quick sequence), where Moraine says she is sure Rand is in the city due to the volume of odd occurances, and that she plans to deal with Be'lal tonight. She tells Perrin that he/Faile/Loial must head for Tar Valon asap, and as Faile goes to look for Loial picks up the hedgehog sculpture in their private dining room which causes her to become unconscious. Perrin finds her, and is only barely held up by Moraine who explains the ter'angreal's trap. He says he won't leave her behind, and Moraine wishes him luck but cannot help him as she must go to the Stone. Perrin leaps at Faile and is taken to T'A'R as Moraine and Lan leave with Loial to watch over them. Perrin awakens in "the wolf dream" to be greeted by Hopper who again explains the danger of his situation, but agrees to help him find and free Faile.
Time for the spectacular finale, TDR has one of the most action packed and exciting finishes in the entire series, and I want to start it off with an additional scene of Rand creeping along the bottom of the Stone wrapped in the void looking up at his climb. We won't spend very much time there only enough to show that Nynaeve saw correctly and that Moraine's belief he is there is correct. Transition to Mat and the rooftops where he encounters Juilin & Gaul who shares that the Aiel are also moving on the stone tonight, the tug of Rand and his fellow Ta'veren is coming together. Mat catches a glimpse of Rand on the side of the Stone, but doesn't really know it's him and then executes his plan with the fireworks to break in. Once inside we hear the alarm, and we transition to Rand who has made it inside exhausted but determined to find his way to Callandor. We should get a moment with the ladies as they find themselves in the dungeon and come up with the plan to try using T'A'R to aid their escape, which finishes with Egwene shielding Joiya in the Heart of the Stone before trying to find the dungeons to see what she might be able to do to help themselves there. Since we are in the dream world already as Egwene leaves we will find ourselves with Perrin & Hopper's frustration with having found a Faile, but not the true one and their search continues as they tear their way through the trap that was laid. Mat sees Rand, but doesn't have time to call out to him in the midst of beating High Lords up with his quarterstaff, including a humorous lucky moment where shouldering it he knocks out someone he didn't even know was behind him.
The last chapter would be about the last 1/3rd of the episode played out as it is presented. Be'lal mocks Rand proving his skill with a sword, and as Rand is nearly in trouble Moraine arrives to wipe him from the Pattern. Our showdown with Ba'alzamon commences once Rand grasps Callandor and creates another skimming portal to follow Ba'alzaamon. I would streamline the rescue sequence a little with Mat arriving right about when Egwene shields Amico who is guarding them, as he releases them they knock her our and fully free themselves instead of sending Egwene back into the dream for no real outcome. The amount of disrespect shown to Mat might be toned down a little with at least one of them (perhaps Egwene giving them thanks for the rescue, both Elayne and Nynaeve are too stubborn and proud to do so still). I have always been bugged by how they treated him in this sequence and I think a little nicety will pay off for developing relationships later when they travel together again.
Perrin's final sequence can be given a little room to breathe, a few rooms found and nothing gained until he finds the room with the Falcon chained to the hedgehog and as he is assaulted by them he pushes on until he breaks the hedgehog with his hammer. He and Faile return to the waking world where they are still on the floor and Perrin is hurt. Faile comforts him and the both whisper their confessions of love and care for each other.
Rand finally after chasing the intimidated Ba'alzaamon back to the heart of the stone, severs his connection to the Dark One, impales him with Callandor. Rand feeling that he has finally won, swells with the power making Callandor shine brighter than the sun, summons lightning all through the Stone. When the fighting has stopped (Aiel, Defenders, etc) he declares himself the Dragon Reborn while everyone kneels down in recognition of him. Head to the credits...
Our short epilogue will quickly show the aftermath of Rand's triumph. Moraine has found a seal (intact) which means the fight is still on going especially given the rate at which the body of Ba'alzamon decomposed it seemed very old. Mat is party to this when a letter is delivered to Moraine, it is from Lanfear. I would not have Berelain do this for a short sequence we can meet her next season. The reveals of the arm & the People of the Dragon I would save for the next season, not all of this chapters material would be in this epilogue. As the words of the letter sink in we find that the people are cheering in the streets of Tear for Rand al'Thor, THE DRAGON REBORN, as his banner now flies not on a lonely stick like last season with few people around him but to the cheers of people as it flies above the Stone of Tear. We focus on the dragon rippling in the wind specifically as a tease for what Rand will learn in the next season.
So I'm starting into Book 7 during my reread...
While Lord of Chaos felt like we had included a lot of detail and space to move slowly the plot points it had, the start of A Crown of Swords is even more so. There are many fans that refer to "The Slog" as books 8-10, but I can already feel in Book 7 Jordan really felt like he could get away with an enormous volume of descriptive literature that isn't really advancing anything. It's detailed and comprehensive in taking what I might perceive to be a very small window of time and making it last multiple chapters.
The aftermath of Dumai Wells takes the better part of the first 100 pages (including the prologue) of the book. Frankly given the pace at which the first 4 to 5 books moved its practically glacial. I can already see that when I look at how you would want to arrange this into a TV show, we are going to be cutting or seriously shrinking the material a lot for this section.
This leads me to think that realistically my total season volume is going to be 8 or 9 total seasons. There will probably be an expansion past the 8 episode total I've hit for the first 3, I think the 4th season is likely to encroach on 10 episodes, but from there I will be combining multiple books into a season. The Fires of Heaven and Lord of Chaos while I had originally thought they would be separated or a finale would adjust how you combine that material, I feel like those 2 being the first combined season is what I will aim for.
7-10 may very well become 1 longer season of material. While the last books are huge, and still deeply descriptive they are also a lot more condensed in terms of characters and plot arcs which I think will help with figuring pacing it as a show.
I think that what is mostly likely to happen is I will be able to put together the first 5 seasons of material from the first 6 books, and then there may be a good gap between when I complete that part and when I tackle the second half of the series. There will be a lot to piece together across multiple books from 7-10 which will be the most taxing part and will require me to finish reading all of them before I can start breaking them out. It is almost startling how you notice things slowing down in LoC then you start CoS and suddenly it's really noticeable how much slower the story is about to get. Reading the jacket covers even seems to show that plots which would have been resolved in a book have been given multi book arcs as the story has gotten fractured enough with the characters to "need" that spread out. I really think trying to adapt it into TV a lot of streamlining of this middle arc is going to be necessary. I suspect you will either start to see me putting far more chapters together into each episode as each chapter has less advancement material in it, or I may just begin excising chapters with limited narrative value.
Tentatively this is how I see myself arranging the materials now that I'm about halfway through.
Season 1 - Eye of the World
Season 2 - The Great Hunt
Season 3 - The Dragon Reborn
Season 4 - The Shadow Rising
Season 5 - Fires of Heaven & Lord of Chaos
Season 6 - Crown of Swords + Path of Daggers + Winters Heart + Crossroads of Twilight
Season 7 - Knife of Dreams & The Gathering Storm
Season 8 - Towers of Midnight & A Memory of Light
Potentially Season 6 might get split depending on how much of that run I think should be included, but the slog is all concurrent story arcs that need some shortening and simplification. We have a lot of great stuff early on and as we progress is where I plan on doing the condensing. I think there is plenty of material in the first 4 books to each warrant their own season before we start condensing and combining.
Tentatively this is how I see myself arranging the materials now that I'm about halfway through.
Season 1 - Eye of the World
Season 2 - The Great Hunt
Season 3 - The Dragon Reborn
Season 4 - The Shadow Rising
Season 5 - Fires of Heaven & Lord of Chaos
Season 6 - Crown of Swords + Path of Daggers + Winters Heart + Crossroads of Twilight
Season 7 - Knife of Dreams & The Gathering Storm
Season 8 - Towers of Midnight & A Memory of Light
Potentially Season 6 might get split depending on how much of that run I think should be included, but the slog is all concurrent story arcs that need some shortening and simplification. We have a lot of great stuff early on and as we progress is where I plan on doing the condensing. I think there is plenty of material in the first 4 books to each warrant their own season before we start condensing and combining.
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