Dain gave Aviendha water against Child Valda’s orders not to. Perrin overheard that, so he respected Dain for that and for treating him nicely. That is why Perrin stopped Aviendha from killing Dain.
Moiraine kills a horse to prevent Lanfear from following them. Aisha: I might forgive you for this eventually. Lanfear murders a man for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Aisha: That's what you get for asking questions.
I look forward to your reactions so much! To answer one question you had (no spoilers, ofc): Dain is a Whitecloak, like Child Valda (the one who's afraid of wolves). They come from any nation, but do have their own base you'll see in future seasons. But they basically wander around thinking the only way to save the world from the Dark One is to be Aes Sedai-hating fascists. Dain's last name is Bornhold, btw. Valda made a reference to Dain's father protecting him. Child Bornhold, Dain's daddy, is the Whitecloak who was nice to Moiraine last season after Valda stopped her (and the others) on the road and fondled her in ep 2.
Regarding Lady Suroth Long nails are the sign of nobility and status in Seachen nation worn only by those of blood as she said , having them cut she was demoted and humiliated
As for the Brown Ajah, Yep! they're the nerds and researchers, who believe the most important thing to do is rediscover the lost knowledge of the world.
Just want to say, I thoroughly enjoy your Wheel of Time videos! I'm a lifetime WoT book reader and I just want to say you're awesome for saying that Sheriam was "compelled" because for whatever reason the WoT fandom seems to have agreed on "compulsed" as the active verb for "compulsion" and it drives me crazy! 😂
Even married to the Queen, Barthanes would not expect deference from an Aes Sedai, unless said Aes Sedai were his counseler. Thats why Moiraine smiled when she did her little fake curtsy to her nephew. Its kinda like when you call a small child Sir or Mam. Its cute. 😂😂
@AishaWilson Also, thank you so much for reacting to this series. As a black male, it gives me comfort. I was reading these books and thinking I was the only black fantasy/scifi geek out here in love with this series three decades ago. 🤣🤣
Unraveling the pattern has breakdowns of episodes complete with maps. He’s a few episodes behind right now but he is pretty much the definitive source for this sort of thing.
Great wrap-up and you see a lot and greatly piece meaning together. Only 1 point of clarification - in the Seanchan culture, the damane are never unleashed, they remain as leashed pets until death. Suroth was talking about the leash-holders, which they call Sul’dam, which are chosen and trained for years to positions where they control the damane. The Sul’dam are the women standing behind the collared girls and give the commands.
@@AishaWilsonI can’t tell if you have read the books or not with many things you say in videos and comments, and this is one of those haha yes it is a more vague concept than “fear” or “anger” but I think “frustration” is a better description of what helps her break through, at this point at least
Reminder that in season one episode two Moiraine restores vigor to their exhausted horses so in that regard she could rejuvenate someone who is tired enough that they want to sleep keeping them from doing so. Therefore when she says "No." to Rand's question she's telling him she cannot channel without saying that to keep secret what has happened to her while avoiding talking about an incredibly painful subject.
I gotta tell you Sis, I cycle through a whole pile of reactions to this show but yours are consistently the funniest. You keep me laughing cause #relatable 😂😂😂
@@kylecook7187 omg i love Everyday Negroes too! And Lezbi Needy, Matthew Haynes, and Manic Meeks. Oh and Daniel Green and that guy from Unraveling the Pattern, idk his name
Aisha, Robert Jordan (RIP) must be pleased with your commentary of the Amazon’s WOT series. Even though a lot of liberties and WOT book deviations were taken by Amazon, your commentary has captured much of the cleverness, spirit and subtleties of his WOT epic. I feared Amazon had misfired with its 1st season episodes plagued by covid, but with those astute viewers such as yourself keep alive the endorphin delight of Jordan’s epic fantasy, You have an appreciative quick mind. I have been obsessed with WOT series since 1994. It was the events in the “The Great Hunt” book (particularly the remarkable story arc of Matt) that triggered both my reading the series multiple times and listening to series audible books multiple times too. I’m 80 and hope I live long enough to see all of the remaining Amazon episodes yet to come. Superb casting choices were made in the Amazon WOT series.
Thank you so much for this comment! I am very much enjoying the series and plan to read the books once it's done. Also putting into the universe that we can watch all the seasons together 💕
This episode does such a sgood job of making Show Watchers understand why book readers do love Verin so much! (Btw, Verin is a Brown sister, the Librarian-Ajah) Her smiling face when she both speaks to Sheriam to sneak her out so her fellow Brown can snoop in the ledger, and when Liandrin has a way too obvious alibi with the asparagus and bad acting xD
yeah name Dain Bornhald is only important because they expect you to remember his dad, the gray-haired whitecloack who questioned Moriane in episode 2 of the previous season
Non spoiler book detail to answer your question on coffee/energy drinks: Only one people in the Wheel of Time have coffee, the Seanchan. They call it Kaf. Many teas have caffeine however, so it isn't unlikely Wetlanders get their buzz from a cuppa tea.
Aviendha comes from the waste where there is nothing but sand and scorching sun and the water means life and is the most precious thing that exists... Perin is still under the influence of the way of leaf /the tinkers peaceful ideology
Damane means "leashed one" in the old tongue... and what Suroth called Liandrin, marath'damane means "those who must be leashed". The sul'dam are the "leash holders"
The Forsaken betraying each other is part of the game. The Dark one encourages aspiration, and the best way to climb the ladder of hierarchy among the Forsaken is to... eliminate.. any competition that you cannot turn subservient.
Thank you for another great reaction. Your comments positively ooze dry wit that is a delight to behold. To answerer your question about the Brown Ajah they the scholars/bookworms/librarians of the White Tower. They are often overlooked by other Aes Sedai as being a bit clueless on how the real world works outside of their libraries. On the other hand thanks to their studies they often have information other Aes Sedai don't. When you referenced how the Seanchan collar all women who can channel and then only release some who pass certain trials to become sul'dam I won't spoil anything but that is not exactly what Suroth said/meant. It is so, so much worse than that. More will be revealed by the end of this season. At this point Nynaeve can only channel if she is really angry or really scared. Because she knows so little of the Seanchan she was neither and unable to touch the one power. Don't expect Nynaeve's temper to be a problem once she learns more about the Seanchan. Egwene was captured because she was holding back the Seanchan and was effectively at the end of the line/rear guard and being targeted by two damane trained to use the One Power as a weapon. "Nynaeve is a bull in a china shop" = truer words were never said. The long nails among the Seanchan nobility was taken by Robert Jordan from certain customs in ancient China. if you were super rich you did not show off your wealth by having a flashy car. Instead you grew out your nails so that it became impossible for you to perform menial tasks or even dressing/washing/ cleaning yourself if you know what I mean. It was a sign you had enough money to pay servants or slaves to do that sort of thing for you. Among Seanchan nobility the long nails and shaved hair is a sign of your rank and standing in the empire. By having her nails cut like that Turok was effectively demoting Suroth. By doing it in such a public setting in full view of not only other nobles but commoners he was adding to her shame. It was meant to be a show of power by Turok putting an overly ambitious subordinate in her place.
Loved your reaction yet again! I have a tip for you re the night shoots. If you turn the brightness up on your screen, everything will be so much easier to see.
You are quite good at keeping up with the story! Lots of people just forget what happened last week or even in the current episode. Thank you for the reaction and sharing your thoughts!
Re: the "Mat was born mine" line, remember that in season 1 Moiraine says that the dagger was feeding off of the darkness in Mat as much as he was of it.
That’s really interesting because that’s not in the books at all! It’ll be neat to see what they do with Mat. And Fain. I’m half expecting Fain to become a Forsaken.
The Seanchan view all women who can channel as rabid dogs that needed to be tamed. The sul'dam are trained until they prove themselves worthy of handling women who can channel. They are technically the "dog-trainers". This also explains Surorh's attitude towards Liandrin, an untamed woman who can channel.
You dont fully understand the damane situation yet .. I think next episode is going to explain it better. Great reaction! Aviendha's introduction was amazing, I love her and the casting is perfect!
no it was well explained but she missed it, It is Suldam person who controls Damene that needs to prove worthy, damane is never freed , that was clear from what Suroth said...
@@Berndr Only really clear to those of us who know the vocab. But we know we'll see Egwene being broken in the kennels next week, so we'll get the full explanation when she does.
Just as an aside, Robert Jordan also wrote a historical fiction series about the Revolutionary War and it (his books) touched on the subject of slavery. The Seanchan story arc is a clever analogue of slavery and yes, next week should explain.
Terrific reactions and commentary Aisha. As a multiple-time book reader, I know where we are heading with this season for sure, even it this an adaptation. The seeds are already sewn. I do however have to say that they've given villiains so much more depth than in the books. It is truly a pleasure to see the meanderings of the story develop.
Thank you 💕 And I really, really like when shows take the time to show their villains as multifaceted. They should have their own motivations, emotions, and sometimes even virtues even if they're making poor/harmful decisions
Your thought proccess on this is great. I really appreciate your analysis. I think to one comment about sparing Moriaine (aside from her being the star of the show) is that his mission is to save the world by turning everyone to the Dark. He is a believer in the Dark. So he believes himself to be a savior of the world by breaking the cycle of reincarnation/time or breaking the wheel by releasing the Dark-One. So part of his mission is converting/subverting everyone to the dark. Desperate people, with few (percieved) choices are more likely to turn to the dark. He uses all of the characters weaknesses against them in the hope of turning them to the dark, Winning is a lot easier if all the power players are on your side.
Always look forward to your reactions. Small thing you may have misspoken, Verin is brown ajah not green. And Dain Bornhold is a white cloak too. I love how the show shows all the factions and nuances within both the dark and the light. As in everyone has their own good and bad reasons to do what they do.
Dain is a pretty interesting character with a lot of nuance in the books too. Won't elaborate depending on what the show decides to actually use. It's close enough I can't say book stuff without possible spoilers but also far enough off I have no clue what they're actually gonna do.
As always, loving your reactions. I laughed out loud at multiple points because you are just So. Fucking. Funny. and I appreciate you and your content so much :)
you did not understand, Damene are never uncollared, it is Suldam the person who controls them that has to prove worthy to use damane's power , damane are always kept as slaves and never freed
Another great review! So much revealed in this episode! Aviendha the Aiell is my 3rd fave character after Nynaeve & Lan! Badazz!!🤩 Egwene is gonna go THRU IT next episose but it'll make her stronger like she wants...the wheel weaves as it will.... From a non-book reader just love this show🎉
Liandrin and Suroth can’t be friends because Liandrin can channel and Suroth believes that channelers need to be collared and controlled. Not a good mix.
Elyas is the Wolfbrother who freed Perrin. Aviendha is the Aiel woman Perrin freed from the cage who is searching for the Car'a'carn. Dain Bornhald is the axe wielding Whitecloak that met and talked with Perrin.
There are prophecies in the books and they are very prominent and give a lot of context to people's motives. It would do that here too but maybe they will bring them in later or something I don't know.
There are subtleties to things that were shown on screen this episode with the Seanchan which will be explained in more depth soon, now that we have Egwene to lead us through the full experience of being a damane. No spoilers! But let's just say... wait until you have the whole picture. Your initial take based on initial impressions is understandable. You should reserve the right to alter your opinion probably within the first half of the next episode, I'm guessing. But yes, from what pictures can show (vs. what books can reveal about inner thoughts and feelings) your observations are cogent.
The girl playing the Aiel is actually pushing 6 feet tall if I remember correctly. That is one of the main traits of the Aiel, they're known for being above average in height. 😂 On a more serious note, the Damane are never released and are viewed as little more than pets.
This was a wild episode. So many layers. Aiel are badass. The actress playing Alviarin is amazing this season. Enjoyin the heck outta ya reactions lately.
I'm impressed at your reasoning behind your theories/conclusions, I am excited to see your reaction when the answers come out on the show (which might even be different than in the books!) As a side note, We met Dain's father (Geofram Bornhold) in S1E2, when Moiraine and the gang were headed to Tar Valon and ran into some Whitecloaks (this is all before the Valda stuff).
I love your reactions so much! Unfortunately, when a woman is made Damane, she remains Damane for the entirety of her life. The Damane that we've seen so far have been Damane their whole life and so they act and are treated differently, the ones that are captured in the span of the series will be treated like animals and experience more gruesome treatment. Robert Jordan did a great job creating a group of characters that are absolutely deplorable. I think an interesting thing to keep an eye out for is the dysfunction amongst the two sides (Light vs. Dark). We have multiple groups fighting for the light, but are often fighting and killing each other. Likewise, amongst the Darkfriends and forsaken, their is animosity (Liandrin and Suroth, Suroth and Ishammael) and clear plans to betray each other.
Yeah my main thought was that I can appreciate that the seanchan see access to/wielding of the one power as something to be watched and somewhat monitored since it could be easily abused. But the way their doing it is completely wrong and abhorrent.
It should be safe to Google Wheel of Time map. Basically Cairhien is like the equivalent of DC and Falme is Los Angeles and the White Tower is Chicago roughly. Fal Dara from last season would be like at the Canadian border with Canada being the Blight and source of Trollocs. Distances aren't quite that but it should give you some spatial layout for events. Atuan's Mill where the Uno scene happened is slightly East of Falme so like Vegas or something. Hope that helps.
There is quite a good map on the Atlas of Ice and Fire site. Ignore the ASOIAF map and scroll down to the Wheel of Time Atlas and click on it. Also a quick bit of trivia GRR Martin and Robert Jordan were close friends, and there is a character in ASOIAF named after RJ, Trebor Jordayne.
so funny when you said do they have coffee, they actually don't at this stage, but in the book, Seanchen brings coffee with them and no one has seen coffee before their invasion ... but they call it cof
28:12 The One Power probably could keep them awake (via a certain weave), but remember how in the finale of S1 Moiraine's access to the One Power was taken from her by the Forsaken Ishamael (then called the "Dark One", but he's the latter's most powerful lieutenant instead). The only one having access to the One Power at this point among these two is Rand. But he is still a novice in these matters and as a male channeler he would be risking going progressively mad (like Logain) because of the Taint of the male half (Saidin) of the One Power.
In his defense, I would say Rand did in fact put months of work into finally getting access to Logain - not his fault it didn't end up accomplishing anything. Not like there were any other obvious options for solving his major problem, i.e. he is currently a ticking bomb just waiting to go off. I would also say the plan and its execution was his - it seems pretty clear Moraine hadn't been in touch with him until this episode, nor does it seem like she had given her eyes and ears any direct instructions regarding him before now. The only thing she did was have Logain moved to Cairhien, certainly perhaps hoping to draw Rand out, but Rand had to make the decision to go, and came up with and executed his own plan for gaining access. Not saying I'm the biggest fan of that plan - the beating did seem out of character, which has me side eyeing "Selene" for possible influence on his thinking, for sure. But he was obviously getting desperate by that point, and at least it was a plan.
The seanchan have invaded falme, it's their stronghold in the west (which is why High-Lord Turak was annoyed that they'd taken a village too far east - because they can't hold it currently). So an Aes Sedai being anywhere the seanchan are is dangerous, not falme specifically.
As others have mentioned - don't mind the Black Ajah being downright evil, the Browns are awesome! Also... Liandrin was in Germany in spring? White Asparagus is a seasonal *obsession* here... and the Westerlands are more or less Eurasia after the Breaking... 🤣 I also love that a couple of the other Forsaken are either mentioned or implied in Lanfear's and Ashamael's discussion in the dream - and in the final BDSM-femdom 😉 scene (and I'm only half joking, the books have a *ton* of implied BDSM connections) in Tel'aran'rhiod ("the unseen world") Lanfear is dressed like one of the other Forsaken is typically described so there may be a consolidation of characters. As a book reader I feel I was right to give the show another chance after the semi-debacle of S01, but "The Eye of the World" was clear to prove a problem to begin with because it's essentially intentionally a re-imagining of "The Fellowship of the Ring" so any adaption would have to live with that and now we're getting more original developments. I exceedingly enjoy your complex and reflected reaction and analysis! Best regards Raoul G. Kunz
I loved this episode but never know if its because of book knowledge... that's why i love these reactions so much :) . I can see others have explained a bit about damane so wont do more :)
I wish I could've seen my face when you said [redacted]. Like how did you guess that!? Hope you are ready for the last 3 episodes this season and don't forget The Last Battle is coming.
@49:00 or so, about training and being collared. No, you ar enot allowed to remove the collar once you are trained. I guess they will elaborate on this in the next episode, considering how it ended, but adding a bit of explanation and context, but no story-spoiler, below if you want to read more anyway. . . . . . . If you are found to be able to channel then you are proper F'd. You will forever be one of the ladies in grey dresses and the mouthpieces. You will physically and emotionally broken until you are a subservient little lapdog until you die. It is the ladies that control the Damane, called the Sul'dam, that are revered and train extensively to one day be allowed to train and manage a Damane. Look at it kinda like a K9 Police officer. They train to become a police officer, then they are (hopefully) assigned a puppy that they help train to become a Police dog. Same here but the Damane are usually 20-something women. In Ep3 when the grey-dressed woman walked around pointing at women she was detecting who could channel and pointing them out to become new Damane.
Just a side-note about this world: Women basically had to step thier game up ever since the dark one poisoned the One Power against men. Before that, before the breaking, this world was a much more gender equal society. A lot of show watchers are confused about why women are so much more prominent in this series.
@AishaWilson She's talking about the dystopia that they live in now. The series takes place in Liandrin's world where men have less power but still snatch it back however they can.
@@AishaWilson While you're not wrong that that is how Liandrin is presenting the world, keep in mind she really doesn't like men in general to begin with, and has lied on screen a few times now. A good thing is to take everything an Aes Sedai says with a grain of salt, they're a tricky bunch as a rule before we get into whether they work for the shadow or the light as individuals.
@SleepyShammy You just stated what most people think about Aes Sedai. And that's why everybody is shook. Like, is she telling me the truth for reals? I mean, I know she can't lie. And it's the things they DON'T tell you that's scary.
With this series, beware of taking things characters say at face value or assuming they're true. Ishamael (the FATHER OF LIES) says Mat was born evil? That Perrin will definitely lose his humanity? That anyone he targets will eventually be desperate enough to sell their soul to him? Remember who is saying this. Ishy is sketch as hell and literally lies so much and so effectively that he became legendary for it. Liandrin, Ishy's own minion, has been imprisoning and tormenting Mat for months, telling him all his friends forgot about him and his life is worthless. Would this campaign of psychological warfare be necessary if Mat were just bad to the bone by nature? Seems to me Ishy wants him broken down to the point where he's willing to believe it, but there's no actual evidence. And literally the *only* person who's said that being a wolfbrother means Inevitable Darkness is Ishy himself. To Perrin, to make him more afraid of himself and unwilling to trust the wolves. I think you're missing some pieces with Lanfear, maybe because you were bored with the Selene/Rand scenes and tuning out. 😆 She told Rand (and yes, I did say you can't trust what characters say, but even less should you trust 3000-year-old legends to be strictly factual - Moiraine really knows very little about the Forsaken! it's been a long time!) that when she was with Lews Therin (the previous Dragon), she'd mirrored him and pretended to be the person she thought he wanted, hiding her dark side. She says that he eventually saw who she really was and that's why he left her. He left her because of who *she* is, not because he was chasing another woman. Given what we see of who she really is, I think that was very sensible of him! (And marrying someone else, some unknown amount of time AFTER the breakup, is not an offense against her or reasonable cause for a murderous rampage. Despite Lanfear's belief that his soul belongs to her forever and he can't opt out.)
You keep asking for a map and heres a little map/history video I did specifically for show watchers who haven't watched the books during season 1! No spoilers for you! ua-cam.com/video/jP8yDTvCYvg/v-deo.html
I don’t think Liandrin is doubting her choices. It gets laid out in the dream conversation between Ishamael and Lanfear, when she blatantly admits she’s going to betray him. One of the main downfalls of the dark side is always that they are more than willing to constantly backstab each other.
Exactly. The Forsaken are confederates, not friends. They are constantly vying and competing for the dark one's favor. The one he favors is named the Naeblis. Ishamael is currently the Naeblis, but he only keeps his position as long as he pleases the dark one. Dark friends are constantly seeking the favor of the Forsaken. By the way, the Forsaken do not refer to themselves as such. They call themselves... The Chosen- lol. If a dark friend dies...bye Felicia. If a Forsaken dies, resurrection- maybe. Depends on the fiat of the dark one at the time of death.
I do love Rand but yeah. He does deserve the slander. I can't complain too much though because yes this episode was so much fun. So specifically Wheel Of Time.
Reminder that this is in absolutely no way Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, it's just bad fan fiction that uses some of the same names and places. Less than 10% of what's actually in the book manages to make its way in and even that is terribly perverted.
Dain gave Aviendha water against Child Valda’s orders not to. Perrin overheard that, so he respected Dain for that and for treating him nicely. That is why Perrin stopped Aviendha from killing Dain.
She said *MANICURE!!* 😂😂😂😂
You misunderstood the Seanchan. They view the one power as extremely dangerous. Once a woman with power is collared, they won't ever be freed.
Yeah they are slaves for life. The ones who are trained are the slave owners. They aren't seen as human.
Moiraine kills a horse to prevent Lanfear from following them.
Aisha: I might forgive you for this eventually.
Lanfear murders a man for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Aisha: That's what you get for asking questions.
I look forward to your reactions so much!
To answer one question you had (no spoilers, ofc): Dain is a Whitecloak, like Child Valda (the one who's afraid of wolves). They come from any nation, but do have their own base you'll see in future seasons. But they basically wander around thinking the only way to save the world from the Dark One is to be Aes Sedai-hating fascists.
Dain's last name is Bornhold, btw. Valda made a reference to Dain's father protecting him. Child Bornhold, Dain's daddy, is the Whitecloak who was nice to Moiraine last season after Valda stopped her (and the others) on the road and fondled her in ep 2.
Thank you 💕
There is a map on the pause menu. If you look at "in this scene". It shows where in the world the scene takes place. Select it to enlarge it
Regarding Lady Suroth Long nails are the sign of nobility and status in Seachen nation worn only by those of blood as she said , having them cut she was demoted and humiliated
As for the Brown Ajah, Yep! they're the nerds and researchers, who believe the most important thing to do is rediscover the lost knowledge of the world.
We love readers 💕
Just want to say, I thoroughly enjoy your Wheel of Time videos! I'm a lifetime WoT book reader and I just want to say you're awesome for saying that Sheriam was "compelled" because for whatever reason the WoT fandom seems to have agreed on "compulsed" as the active verb for "compulsion" and it drives me crazy! 😂
Thank you so much! And my father was a spelling and grammar purist so growing up I had to say things correctly or else 🤣🤣
I've been reading these books since I was 12, I was always saying compelled haha. I think they say compelled in the text
Even married to the Queen, Barthanes would not expect deference from an Aes Sedai, unless said Aes Sedai were his counseler. Thats why Moiraine smiled when she did her little fake curtsy to her nephew. Its kinda like when you call a small child Sir or Mam. Its cute. 😂😂
I figured as much 🤣 I liked their dynamic. I can somewhat envision Moiraine being on the softer side with him when he was a child
@AishaWilson
Also, thank you so much for reacting to this series. As a black male, it gives me comfort. I was reading these books and thinking I was the only black fantasy/scifi geek out here in love with this series three decades ago. 🤣🤣
Unraveling the pattern has breakdowns of episodes complete with maps. He’s a few episodes behind right now but he is pretty much the definitive source for this sort of thing.
And he avoids spoilers.
Great wrap-up and you see a lot and greatly piece meaning together.
Only 1 point of clarification - in the Seanchan culture, the damane are never unleashed, they remain as leashed pets until death. Suroth was talking about the leash-holders, which they call Sul’dam, which are chosen and trained for years to positions where they control the damane. The Sul’dam are the women standing behind the collared girls and give the commands.
Anger more than fear is what unlocks Nynaeve's block
Hmm I'd venture to say frustration, even
@@AishaWilsonI can’t tell if you have read the books or not with many things you say in videos and comments, and this is one of those haha yes it is a more vague concept than “fear” or “anger” but I think “frustration” is a better description of what helps her break through, at this point at least
That zoom after you set all bets are off for Daniel Henney though had me howling 😂
Reminder that in season one episode two Moiraine restores vigor to their exhausted horses so in that regard she could rejuvenate someone who is tired enough that they want to sleep keeping them from doing so. Therefore when she says "No." to Rand's question she's telling him she cannot channel without saying that to keep secret what has happened to her while avoiding talking about an incredibly painful subject.
Such a good point!
I gotta tell you Sis, I cycle through a whole pile of reactions to this show but yours are consistently the funniest. You keep me laughing cause #relatable 😂😂😂
Everyday Negroes is pretty good too and Adison actually did a podcast with a big WoT content creator, LezbiNerdy, reading the first book.
@@kylecook7187 omg i love Everyday Negroes too! And Lezbi Needy, Matthew Haynes, and Manic Meeks. Oh and Daniel Green and that guy from Unraveling the Pattern, idk his name
Ishamael, Betrayer of Hope, Father of Lies. That is all I have to say :) enjoyed as always
Aisha, Robert Jordan (RIP) must be pleased with your commentary of the Amazon’s WOT series. Even though a lot of liberties and WOT book deviations were taken by Amazon, your commentary has captured much of the cleverness, spirit and subtleties of his WOT epic. I feared Amazon had misfired with its 1st season episodes plagued by covid, but with those astute viewers such as yourself keep alive the endorphin delight of Jordan’s epic fantasy, You have an appreciative quick mind. I have been obsessed with WOT series since 1994. It was the events in the “The Great Hunt” book (particularly the remarkable story arc of Matt) that triggered both my reading the series multiple times and listening to series audible books multiple times too. I’m 80 and hope I live long enough to see all of the remaining Amazon episodes yet to come. Superb casting choices were made in the Amazon WOT series.
Thank you so much for this comment! I am very much enjoying the series and plan to read the books once it's done. Also putting into the universe that we can watch all the seasons together 💕
This episode does such a sgood job of making Show Watchers understand why book readers do love Verin so much! (Btw, Verin is a Brown sister, the Librarian-Ajah)
Her smiling face when she both speaks to Sheriam to sneak her out so her fellow Brown can snoop in the ledger, and when Liandrin has a way too obvious alibi with the asparagus and bad acting xD
I wasn't sure if we were gonna get the smiling, confused, inquisitive Verin this season, but here she is!
I really like her character so far, and all the brown ajah! I hope we get more of them!
yeah name Dain Bornhald is only important because they expect you to remember his dad, the gray-haired whitecloack who questioned Moriane in episode 2 of the previous season
He is moderately important later on
Verin, who is in the tower investigating stuff, is not green Ajah. She is of the brown Ajah.
Yep! The Green Ajah are the ones who Bond multiple Warders and prepare for the Last Battle. The Brown Ajah are the scholars.
Yes🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 non book reader reactions ftw🎉🎉🎉🎉
"Is it acrylics? Because, YIKES!" made me laugh so hard I had to pause for a solid minute.
Same! That one destroyed me for longer than it should've. Absolutely hilarious! 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm just trying to look out for my sis Suroth ya know? 🤣
Non spoiler book detail to answer your question on coffee/energy drinks: Only one people in the Wheel of Time have coffee, the Seanchan. They call it Kaf.
Many teas have caffeine however, so it isn't unlikely Wetlanders get their buzz from a cuppa tea.
Aviendha comes from the waste where there is nothing but sand and scorching sun and the water means life and is the most precious thing that exists... Perin is still under the influence of the way of leaf /the tinkers peaceful ideology
Your intuition is amazing, I loved for example, your use of the "Dreamwalker" as a label for Lanfears abilities in Tel'aran'rhiod (World of dreams)
Damane means "leashed one" in the old tongue... and what Suroth called Liandrin, marath'damane means "those who must be leashed". The sul'dam are the "leash holders"
“I saw what Rand’s Momma can do” = gold :-)
I thought your analysis of Elyas was especially insightful 👍
Yes it really was! So thoughtful, I didn’t think deeply on his character and his isolationism until watching this deep dive.
The Forsaken betraying each other is part of the game.
The Dark one encourages aspiration, and the best way to climb the ladder of hierarchy among the Forsaken is to... eliminate.. any competition that you cannot turn subservient.
Thank you for another great reaction. Your comments positively ooze dry wit that is a delight to behold. To answerer your question about the Brown Ajah they the scholars/bookworms/librarians of the White Tower. They are often overlooked by other Aes Sedai as being a bit clueless on how the real world works outside of their libraries. On the other hand thanks to their studies they often have information other Aes Sedai don't.
When you referenced how the Seanchan collar all women who can channel and then only release some who pass certain trials to become sul'dam I won't spoil anything but that is not exactly what Suroth said/meant. It is so, so much worse than that. More will be revealed by the end of this season. At this point Nynaeve can only channel if she is really angry or really scared. Because she knows so little of the Seanchan she was neither and unable to touch the one power. Don't expect Nynaeve's temper to be a problem once she learns more about the Seanchan. Egwene was captured because she was holding back the Seanchan and was effectively at the end of the line/rear guard and being targeted by two damane trained to use the One Power as a weapon.
"Nynaeve is a bull in a china shop" = truer words were never said.
The long nails among the Seanchan nobility was taken by Robert Jordan from certain customs in ancient China. if you were super rich you did not show off your wealth by having a flashy car. Instead you grew out your nails so that it became impossible for you to perform menial tasks or even dressing/washing/ cleaning yourself if you know what I mean. It was a sign you had enough money to pay servants or slaves to do that sort of thing for you. Among Seanchan nobility the long nails and shaved hair is a sign of your rank and standing in the empire. By having her nails cut like that Turok was effectively demoting Suroth. By doing it in such a public setting in full view of not only other nobles but commoners he was adding to her shame. It was meant to be a show of power by Turok putting an overly ambitious subordinate in her place.
Thanks so much for this additional information. It definitely helps to put more in perspective! 💕
Loved your reaction yet again! I have a tip for you re the night shoots. If you turn the brightness up on your screen, everything will be so much easier to see.
You are quite good at keeping up with the story! Lots of people just forget what happened last week or even in the current episode. Thank you for the reaction and sharing your thoughts!
Thank you so much!
Re: the "Mat was born mine" line, remember that in season 1 Moiraine says that the dagger was feeding off of the darkness in Mat as much as he was of it.
Ah, poor Mat
That’s really interesting because that’s not in the books at all!
It’ll be neat to see what they do with Mat. And Fain. I’m half expecting Fain to become a Forsaken.
Rand actually calls it his Heron Marked Dagger.
Great reaction video as always! Just BTW, that Sister doing the detective work in the Tower is Brown. 😉
Thank you! And yes I noticed during editing that she said 'fellow browns' 🤣
The Seanchan view all women who can channel as rabid dogs that needed to be tamed. The sul'dam are trained until they prove themselves worthy of handling women who can channel. They are technically the "dog-trainers". This also explains Surorh's attitude towards Liandrin, an untamed woman who can channel.
You dont fully understand the damane situation yet .. I think next episode is going to explain it better.
Great reaction! Aviendha's introduction was amazing, I love her and the casting is perfect!
The previews for the next episode are intense (as it should be)! But, yep, it's going to become very clear why Liandrin hates people like Suroth... 😢
Ayoola Smart is going to be great in this role.
no it was well explained but she missed it, It is Suldam person who controls Damene that needs to prove worthy, damane is never freed , that was clear from what Suroth said...
@@Berndr Only really clear to those of us who know the vocab. But we know we'll see Egwene being broken in the kennels next week, so we'll get the full explanation when she does.
Just as an aside, Robert Jordan also wrote a historical fiction series about the Revolutionary War and it (his books) touched on the subject of slavery. The Seanchan story arc is a clever analogue of slavery and yes, next week should explain.
"They eventually uncollar you..." my sweet summer child. I love your reactions! Saw your 6th already, THE reaction is colletive!
😊 thank you
Terrific reactions and commentary Aisha. As a multiple-time book reader, I know where we are heading with this season for sure, even it this an adaptation. The seeds are already sewn. I do however have to say that they've given villiains so much more depth than in the books. It is truly a pleasure to see the meanderings of the story develop.
Thank you 💕 And I really, really like when shows take the time to show their villains as multifaceted. They should have their own motivations, emotions, and sometimes even virtues even if they're making poor/harmful decisions
“What is it with these shows snd horses” 😂
“Belly rubs all around” I’m dying
My face when you said dreamwalker. Amazing.
Your thought proccess on this is great. I really appreciate your analysis. I think to one comment about sparing Moriaine (aside from her being the star of the show) is that his mission is to save the world by turning everyone to the Dark. He is a believer in the Dark. So he believes himself to be a savior of the world by breaking the cycle of reincarnation/time or breaking the wheel by releasing the Dark-One. So part of his mission is converting/subverting everyone to the dark. Desperate people, with few (percieved) choices are more likely to turn to the dark. He uses all of the characters weaknesses against them in the hope of turning them to the dark, Winning is a lot easier if all the power players are on your side.
Always look forward to your reactions. Small thing you may have misspoken, Verin is brown ajah not green. And Dain Bornhold is a white cloak too. I love how the show shows all the factions and nuances within both the dark and the light. As in everyone has their own good and bad reasons to do what they do.
Thank you 💕
Dain is a pretty interesting character with a lot of nuance in the books too. Won't elaborate depending on what the show decides to actually use. It's close enough I can't say book stuff without possible spoilers but also far enough off I have no clue what they're actually gonna do.
As always, loving your reactions. I laughed out loud at multiple points because you are just So. Fucking. Funny. and I appreciate you and your content so much :)
you did not understand, Damene are never uncollared, it is Suldam the person who controls them that has to prove worthy to use damane's power , damane are always kept as slaves and never freed
Another great review!
So much revealed in this episode!
Aviendha the Aiell is my 3rd fave character after Nynaeve & Lan! Badazz!!🤩
Egwene is gonna go THRU IT next episose but it'll make her stronger like she wants...the wheel weaves as it will....
From a non-book reader just love this show🎉
You mean in the show or the book?
Liandrin and Suroth can’t be friends because Liandrin can channel and Suroth believes that channelers need to be collared and controlled. Not a good mix.
Huge fan of your reactions. Glad i get yo watch your reactions and review.
Thanks so much 💕
Elyas is the Wolfbrother who freed Perrin.
Aviendha is the Aiel woman Perrin freed from the cage who is searching for the Car'a'carn.
Dain Bornhald is the axe wielding Whitecloak that met and talked with Perrin.
Yeah, the only people with a supply of coffee here are the Seanchan, who call it kaf.
Ayisha a Damane will never be un-collared
best episode so far for book readers maybe also for none readers
We got SO MUCH this episode! Still digesting
Moiraine 's uncle was King of Cairhein twenty years earlier. He was the cause of the Aiel war.
That's why her family had a bad reputation.
Yes, you Need a .Mac! They should include one.
There are prophecies in the books and they are very prominent and give a lot of context to people's motives. It would do that here too but maybe they will bring them in later or something I don't know.
There are subtleties to things that were shown on screen this episode with the Seanchan which will be explained in more depth soon, now that we have Egwene to lead us through the full experience of being a damane. No spoilers! But let's just say... wait until you have the whole picture. Your initial take based on initial impressions is understandable. You should reserve the right to alter your opinion probably within the first half of the next episode, I'm guessing. But yes, from what pictures can show (vs. what books can reveal about inner thoughts and feelings) your observations are cogent.
The girl playing the Aiel is actually pushing 6 feet tall if I remember correctly. That is one of the main traits of the Aiel, they're known for being above average in height. 😂 On a more serious note, the Damane are never released and are viewed as little more than pets.
Thanks for that info! I guess everyone just looks shorter next to the actor playing Perrin lol
This was a wild episode. So many layers. Aiel are badass. The actress playing Alviarin is amazing this season. Enjoyin the heck outta ya reactions lately.
Do you mean Liandrin?
Or Aviendha?
Liandrin.
There apparently are maps in Prime x-ray bonus content
I'm impressed at your reasoning behind your theories/conclusions, I am excited to see your reaction when the answers come out on the show (which might even be different than in the books!)
As a side note, We met Dain's father (Geofram Bornhold) in S1E2, when Moiraine and the gang were headed to Tar Valon and ran into some Whitecloaks (this is all before the Valda stuff).
I love your reactions so much!
Unfortunately, when a woman is made Damane, she remains Damane for the entirety of her life. The Damane that we've seen so far have been Damane their whole life and so they act and are treated differently, the ones that are captured in the span of the series will be treated like animals and experience more gruesome treatment. Robert Jordan did a great job creating a group of characters that are absolutely deplorable.
I think an interesting thing to keep an eye out for is the dysfunction amongst the two sides (Light vs. Dark). We have multiple groups fighting for the light, but are often fighting and killing each other. Likewise, amongst the Darkfriends and forsaken, their is animosity (Liandrin and Suroth, Suroth and Ishammael) and clear plans to betray each other.
Yeah my main thought was that I can appreciate that the seanchan see access to/wielding of the one power as something to be watched and somewhat monitored since it could be easily abused. But the way their doing it is completely wrong and abhorrent.
@@AishaWilsonthe ones who are damane their whole life are basically domesticated animals.
It should be safe to Google Wheel of Time map. Basically Cairhien is like the equivalent of DC and Falme is Los Angeles and the White Tower is Chicago roughly. Fal Dara from last season would be like at the Canadian border with Canada being the Blight and source of Trollocs. Distances aren't quite that but it should give you some spatial layout for events. Atuan's Mill where the Uno scene happened is slightly East of Falme so like Vegas or something. Hope that helps.
There is quite a good map on the Atlas of Ice and Fire site. Ignore the ASOIAF map and scroll down to the Wheel of Time Atlas and click on it. Also a quick bit of trivia GRR Martin and Robert Jordan were close friends, and there is a character in ASOIAF named after RJ, Trebor Jordayne.
Very helpful!!! Thank you!!
so funny when you said do they have coffee, they actually don't at this stage, but in the book, Seanchen brings coffee with them and no one has seen coffee before their invasion ... but they call it cof
Sorry to disappoint with the Black Ajah being no good, but the good news is that the Brown Sisters are the best!!
Lovely reaction, as always :)
You have a very good eye. Aviendha’s fight style does incorporate capoeira.
Let's go I've been waiting. 👋
The"great leader" is the actual devil "The Dark One."
28:12 The One Power probably could keep them awake (via a certain weave), but remember how in the finale of S1 Moiraine's access to the One Power was taken from her by the Forsaken Ishamael (then called the "Dark One", but he's the latter's most powerful lieutenant instead). The only one having access to the One Power at this point among these two is Rand. But he is still a novice in these matters and as a male channeler he would be risking going progressively mad (like Logain) because of the Taint of the male half (Saidin) of the One Power.
In his defense, I would say Rand did in fact put months of work into finally getting access to Logain - not his fault it didn't end up accomplishing anything. Not like there were any other obvious options for solving his major problem, i.e. he is currently a ticking bomb just waiting to go off. I would also say the plan and its execution was his - it seems pretty clear Moraine hadn't been in touch with him until this episode, nor does it seem like she had given her eyes and ears any direct instructions regarding him before now. The only thing she did was have Logain moved to Cairhien, certainly perhaps hoping to draw Rand out, but Rand had to make the decision to go, and came up with and executed his own plan for gaining access. Not saying I'm the biggest fan of that plan - the beating did seem out of character, which has me side eyeing "Selene" for possible influence on his thinking, for sure. But he was obviously getting desperate by that point, and at least it was a plan.
Yeah, as far as I can tell, she put the pieces on the game board and left a chair, Rand had to choose to sit down and play the game presented.
Your commentary wasn’t too long, it was great. 😊
The seanchan have invaded falme, it's their stronghold in the west (which is why High-Lord Turak was annoyed that they'd taken a village too far east - because they can't hold it currently). So an Aes Sedai being anywhere the seanchan are is dangerous, not falme specifically.
As others have mentioned - don't mind the Black Ajah being downright evil, the Browns are awesome!
Also... Liandrin was in Germany in spring? White Asparagus is a seasonal *obsession* here... and the Westerlands are more or less Eurasia after the Breaking... 🤣
I also love that a couple of the other Forsaken are either mentioned or implied in Lanfear's and Ashamael's discussion in the dream - and in the final BDSM-femdom 😉 scene (and I'm only half joking, the books have a *ton* of implied BDSM connections) in Tel'aran'rhiod ("the unseen world") Lanfear is dressed like one of the other Forsaken is typically described so there may be a consolidation of characters.
As a book reader I feel I was right to give the show another chance after the semi-debacle of S01, but "The Eye of the World" was clear to prove a problem to begin with because it's essentially intentionally a re-imagining of "The Fellowship of the Ring" so any adaption would have to live with that and now we're getting more original developments.
I exceedingly enjoy your complex and reflected reaction and analysis!
Best regards
Raoul G. Kunz
23:40 EYE will be swearing to them anyway, i am trying to get up on that wheel after rand escapes
I loved this episode but never know if its because of book knowledge... that's why i love these reactions so much :) . I can see others have explained a bit about damane so wont do more :)
Some characters are "unreliable narrators" when they give us information they think is true...
I wish I could've seen my face when you said [redacted]. Like how did you guess that!? Hope you are ready for the last 3 episodes this season and don't forget The Last Battle is coming.
@49:00 or so, about training and being collared.
No, you ar enot allowed to remove the collar once you are trained. I guess they will elaborate on this in the next episode, considering how it ended, but adding a bit of explanation and context, but no story-spoiler, below if you want to read more anyway.
.
.
.
.
.
.
If you are found to be able to channel then you are proper F'd. You will forever be one of the ladies in grey dresses and the mouthpieces. You will physically and emotionally broken until you are a subservient little lapdog until you die. It is the ladies that control the Damane, called the Sul'dam, that are revered and train extensively to one day be allowed to train and manage a Damane.
Look at it kinda like a K9 Police officer. They train to become a police officer, then they are (hopefully) assigned a puppy that they help train to become a Police dog. Same here but the Damane are usually 20-something women. In Ep3 when the grey-dressed woman walked around pointing at women she was detecting who could channel and pointing them out to become new Damane.
Suroth Sabelle Meldarath. I do love fantasy names.
25:97-26:00
It’s the Aiel word for the Dragon 🐉 Reborn.
Not quite, the Car'a'carn is their own prophesied hero figure, that they're now looking for. Isn't necessarily the Dragon Reborn.
Verin is Brown Ajah, not Green
Just a side-note about this world: Women basically had to step thier game up ever since the dark one poisoned the One Power against men. Before that, before the breaking, this world was a much more gender equal society. A lot of show watchers are confused about why women are so much more prominent in this series.
That's interesting. If one were to go by what Leandrin says I'd think the world was far more misogynistic when men were able to wield properly
@AishaWilson
She's talking about the dystopia that they live in now. The series takes place in Liandrin's world where men have less power but still snatch it back however they can.
@@AishaWilson
While you're not wrong that that is how Liandrin is presenting the world, keep in mind she really doesn't like men in general to begin with, and has lied on screen a few times now.
A good thing is to take everything an Aes Sedai says with a grain of salt, they're a tricky bunch as a rule before we get into whether they work for the shadow or the light as individuals.
@SleepyShammy
You just stated what most people think about Aes Sedai. And that's why everybody is shook. Like, is she telling me the truth for reals? I mean, I know she can't lie. And it's the things they DON'T tell you that's scary.
With this series, beware of taking things characters say at face value or assuming they're true. Ishamael (the FATHER OF LIES) says Mat was born evil? That Perrin will definitely lose his humanity? That anyone he targets will eventually be desperate enough to sell their soul to him? Remember who is saying this. Ishy is sketch as hell and literally lies so much and so effectively that he became legendary for it.
Liandrin, Ishy's own minion, has been imprisoning and tormenting Mat for months, telling him all his friends forgot about him and his life is worthless. Would this campaign of psychological warfare be necessary if Mat were just bad to the bone by nature? Seems to me Ishy wants him broken down to the point where he's willing to believe it, but there's no actual evidence. And literally the *only* person who's said that being a wolfbrother means Inevitable Darkness is Ishy himself. To Perrin, to make him more afraid of himself and unwilling to trust the wolves.
I think you're missing some pieces with Lanfear, maybe because you were bored with the Selene/Rand scenes and tuning out. 😆
She told Rand (and yes, I did say you can't trust what characters say, but even less should you trust 3000-year-old legends to be strictly factual - Moiraine really knows very little about the Forsaken! it's been a long time!) that when she was with Lews Therin (the previous Dragon), she'd mirrored him and pretended to be the person she thought he wanted, hiding her dark side. She says that he eventually saw who she really was and that's why he left her. He left her because of who *she* is, not because he was chasing another woman. Given what we see of who she really is, I think that was very sensible of him! (And marrying someone else, some unknown amount of time AFTER the breakup, is not an offense against her or reasonable cause for a murderous rampage. Despite Lanfear's belief that his soul belongs to her forever and he can't opt out.)
Just a minor point to clear up. Verin is brown ajah, not green ajah.
Daniel Henney is definitely FOINE! That being said, Perrin could get it
Wolfsisters seem plausible
I hope so
Verin is Brown Ajah. Damanes don't graduate from collar.
23:42 yeah black ajah realy aint it, but theres still brown ajah xD
If you ever need someone to delete spoilers in your comments, let me know.
You keep asking for a map and heres a little map/history video I did specifically for show watchers who haven't watched the books during season 1! No spoilers for you!
ua-cam.com/video/jP8yDTvCYvg/v-deo.html
BTW: It is IshamAel 😅😊 You are missing an A ;)
I don’t think Liandrin is doubting her choices. It gets laid out in the dream conversation between Ishamael and Lanfear, when she blatantly admits she’s going to betray him. One of the main downfalls of the dark side is always that they are more than willing to constantly backstab each other.
Exactly. The Forsaken are confederates, not friends. They are constantly vying and competing for the dark one's favor. The one he favors is named the Naeblis. Ishamael is currently the Naeblis, but he only keeps his position as long as he pleases the dark one. Dark friends are constantly seeking the favor of the Forsaken. By the way, the Forsaken do not refer to themselves as such. They call themselves... The Chosen- lol. If a dark friend dies...bye Felicia. If a Forsaken dies, resurrection- maybe. Depends on the fiat of the dark one at the time of death.
Oh....... you might be screaming next episode. Egs in for a BAD time
Yeah I got that from when they put a literal leash on her 😭 I don't know how but this is somehow Rand's fault 🤣🤣😭
I do love Rand but yeah. He does deserve the slander. I can't complain too much though because yes this episode was so much fun. So specifically Wheel Of Time.
Car a carn= Dragon Reborn = Rand btw
Of course, all roads lead to Rand ☺️
Reminder that this is in absolutely no way Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, it's just bad fan fiction that uses some of the same names and places. Less than 10% of what's actually in the book manages to make its way in and even that is terribly perverted.