This review contains full spoilers for The Wheel of Time episodes 1-3.

The Wheel of Time Season Overview

The Wheel of Time turns, and a new season begins explosively with two excellent episodes showing what the series does best: creative magical battles, messy personal drama, and grappling with the world-shaking repercussions of the clashing agendas of powerful people. The episode that follows, however, is a bit of a let down by comparison, offering some good intrigue and emotional scenes but lacking focus because it has to weave together too many plots to set up what’s next.

Aes Sedai Drama

Aes Sedai in the show wear the colors of their factions far more prominently than in the books, to make it easier for the audience to keep track of who’s who and on what their general deal is – and it’s hilarious that now that Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) has been revealed to be secretly Black Ajah, she’s conveniently also splashing in some black along with her red apparel. Tensions are high in the White Tower: No one’s sure just how deep the contamination goes. Their concern is both warranted and misdirected, focused on the rest of the Red Ajah only to learn that the highest ranks of all of the groups have members who have devoted themselves to the Dark One.

Aes Sedai Magic

Aes Sedai dialogue is very cleverly written so that they twist words while always telling the truth. The magical carnage quickly spills out into the streets of Tar Valon, with nameless Aes Sedai meeting creative and deadly fates. The use of shielding and healing makes for a particularly dynamic fight where combatants don’t necessarily stay down but death is still a real possibility.

Emotional Moments

That’s particularly true for a Warder, whose job is to protect their Aes Sedai at all costs. The other strong emotional note of the fight is Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) saving Siuan despite being exiled by her former lover last season.

Continued Storylines

After the initial fireworks subside, The Wheel of Time provides something that’s been all too rare since the first episodes of the series: Moiraine and the five people she rescued from Emond’s Field all together, grappling with the weight of their destiny and the deep connections that bind them. Season 1 and 2 largely corresponded to Robert Jordan’s first two Wheel of Time novels, and season 3 opens with a lot of talk about how Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) should embrace his destiny as the Dragon Reborn and claim the sword Callandor in Tear.

New Character Layers

The Aiel warrior Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) gets the most new layers thanks to her sweet relationship with the princess and Aes Sedai in training Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney) and her general contempt for the idea of a “wetlander” being her people’s chosen one.

Challenges and Struggles

Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) is having a tough time, haunted by nightmares of her torture by the Seanchan caused by Lanfear. The show continues to be much bloodier and hornier than Jordan’s books.

Final Thoughts

Episode three is the weakest in this three-part premiere, pulled in too many directions as it sets up plots that will pay off in later episodes. One of the episode’s biggest problems is how much time The Wheel of Time is devoting to its villains.