The world of The Wheel of Time grows ever larger as we move even further forward in this intense new fantasy series, and “The Dragon Reborn” is of incredible importance to this growing saga. All along the way Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), has been seeking out The Dragon Reborn, the hero who will defeat the darkness, and now it appears that a new dragon has now risen, a man named Logain Ablar (Álvaro Morte) who is possessed of great and terrible power. And he means to re-make the world as the Dragon. And it’s here where things get very interesting.

Of interest in “The Dragon Reborn” is that we gain a deeper understanding of the political machinations and inner workings of the Aes Sedai. They may be a sisterhood dedicated to protecting mankind from the darkness. But they are not at all a cohesive family unit. Many chapters make up the Aes Sedai and we mee them in greater detail within this episode. It is clear that each chapter of the sister has its own allegiances and ideas as to how balance should be achieved with the light and the vanquishing of the dark should be handled. It also makes you think that Moiraine’s own mission may be placed in doubt here.

Action fans are also delivered a serious adrenaline rush with a full-on epic fantasy battle scenes here in “The Dragon Reborn”. And the carnage that is unleashed on screen is sure to keep audiences entertained. Magic meets metal in this epis fight scene and it’s epically cool to see. Of key importance is that we get to see Daniel Henney skills unleashed as the noble al’Lan Mandragoran. And al’Lan is one hell of a bladesmith. Henney’s natural samurai-like elegance is on full view in this scene and he cuts a perfect warrior figure as he takes the fight to the enemy.

Episode by episode, The Wheel of Time continues to get better and better, and “The Dragon Reborn” was one suspenseful watch that delivered the goods in terms of the viewing experience.

The Wheel of Time streams on Amazon Prime on Fridays.

Image: Amazon Prime

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We were very lucky to be able to speak with series’ stars Madeleine Madden and Zoë Robins, on the special The Wheel of Town Gather.Town event, who portray Egwene al’Vere and Nynaeve al’Meara in this epic series.

We talked about how they think this mega-adaptation of Robert Jordon’s best-selling fantasy series works to extend the scope of the fantasy genre in a bold new direction, how they underwent a five-week ‘Wheel of Time’ BootCamp to get into character and how they think the late, great Robert Jordan would have reacted to seeing his series reach the screen on Amazon Prime.

Watch the full interview below:

Madeliene and Zoë were lovely to talk to and presented an amazing insight into the show and how it came to be realized on screen.

The Wheel of Time is far and away one of the best new series to arrive on Amazon Prime and new episodes are currently streaming every Friday.

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Building off of the explosive ending of Episode Two, “Shadow’s Waiting”, Episode Three of The Wheel of Time, “A Place Of Safety” starts off with a bang and delivers one hell of a bold and bloody opening. Rising Kiwi star Zoë Robins is in the thick of all of it as Nynaeve al’Meara, and it’s one hell of an epic scene that evokes the raw power of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now in its setting and is my favourite moment of the series to date. Robins brings Nynaeve to life with a dramatic fierceness and she’s a solid firecracker here as Nynaeve.

Episode Three, “A Place of Safety” also introduces audiences to one of The Wheel of Time’s most important characters in the form of Thom Merrilin (Alexandre Willaume), a gleeman and very enigmatic character who knows far more of what is going on than he lets on about. Willaume gives Thom a rockstar edge to his performance, and channels in my mind the performance and style of the one and only Tom Waits in his performance here as Thom. His’ is an interesting role within the series and audiences will immediately take a liking to Willaume thanks to his performance.

“A Place Of Safety” is also important as it builds up more of the relationship that is shared between Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) her Warder and bodyguard al’Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney). We learn of their backstory together, and how they serve one another within this world. Henney especially has much to do in this episode as al’Lan lets his guard down around Robins’ Nynaeve and he again showcases a samurai’s calm and resolve as the great swordsman.

With some intense action, and strong character moments, “A Place of Safety” is another important chapter to The Wheel of Time and it takes us to a very interesting place as an audience.

The Wheel of Time streams on Amazon Prime on Fridays.

Image: Amazon Prime

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While Episode One, ‘LeaveTaking” establishes the tone of The Wheel of Time and introduced us to its primary characters, Episode Two “Shadow’s Waiting” quickly built up the momentum of the series and things are moving very quickly in this second episode. Out heroes Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), al’Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney) and newcomers Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris) quickly move across the fabled mythical land of The Wheel of Time as they attempt to escape a Trollic attack and the adrenaline gets turned up in this episode.

Close calls and action is the name of the game here in “Shadow’s Waiting” but the real emphasis of this second episode is that we see how our characters react to being forced from their homes and having to deal with a destiny that is not of their choosing. As an audience, it’s interesting to see them have to deal with this newfound destiny and how it affects their characters and we come to see what they’re made of as an audience.

We are also introduced to a new threat in the form of the Whitecloaks, a fanatical, militarized religious order who are led by the sadistic zealot Child Eamon Valda (Abdul Salis). Salis makes for a particularly loathsome villain and it’s very clear that he has an axe to grind with the women of the Aes Sedai. The presence of the Whitecloacks makes this second chapter of The Wheel of Time that much more intense and I’m certain that we’ll see Valda bringing more chaos to the story as the narrative moves forward.

Episode Two, “Shadow’s Waiting” builds out the world and ends on a hell of a cliffhanger and fantasy fans are in for a solid rush now thanks to The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Time streams on Amazon Prime on Fridays.

Image: Amazon Prime

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So begins Robert Jordan’s classic tale of epic fantasy The Wheel of Time and now this grand fantasy adventure is coming to Amazon Prime and audiences looking for a colossal tale of majestic heroes and foul villains will be in for a very fun ride with this all-new series.

The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the Aes Sedai, a powerful organization of women who can use magic. She takes a group of five young people on a journey around the world, believing one of them might be the reincarnation of the Dragon, a powerful individual prophesied to either save the world or destroy it.

Developed by Rafe Judkins, The Wheel of Time is a grand adaptation of Robert Jordan’s epic high fantasy adventure series and long time fans of the books, along with those new to this epic fantasy story will be pumped with what’s on offer. Director Uta Briesewitz shapes The Wheel of Time with a broad vision that makes for an incredibly splendid fantasy world to look upon and which is both aligned to the familiar trappings of the fantasy genre but also feels entirely fresh at the same time. Amazon has truly spared no expense in bringing the world of The Wheel of Time to life and it is marvellous to look upon.

Episode One “Leavetaking” sets the stage for the story that is to come in The Wheel of Time and Briesewitz works quickly to establish the key characters of the series. We are quickly introduced to the series lead Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) an Aes Sedai and sorceress of incredible power and her Warder and bodyguard al’Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney) who have come seeking ‘The Dragon Reborn’; a mythical hero who will either bring balance to the world or break it. We are also introduced to the five who may just be The Dragon Reborn: Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris ) as Mat Cauthon and Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoë Robins).

Tensions mount, prophecies are uttered and soon the very real presence of the battle between light and dark is brought to the screen and The Wheel of Time kicks into high gear! Those fantasy fans seeking a good dose of action, swordplay and magic will be well in for a good amount of fun as this first episode gets moving. Briesewitz and her team lay the groundwork for where The Wheel of Time will move forward and it certainly gets moving quickly towards the end of the episode.

If I had to pick my favourite part of “Leavetaking” it’s certainly the showdown between Moiraine and al’Lan with a pack of monstrous Trollocs. And it’s an utterly epic scene! The way in which The Wheel of Time showcases magic and swordplay is just epic to watch and Pike and Henney move in unison together as these twin warrior guardians with swiftness and grace. Pike brings a great dramatic sense to her manipulation of magic as an Aes Sedai and Henney is a skilled and tactile swordsman, who cuts deep and brings to al’Lan a samurai’s sense of discipline and skill. Both of them share terrific chemistry together and you feel the history that exists between these two characters who are now seeking to preserve the world no matter what the cost.

We are now at the dawn of an incredible new fantasy series with The Wheel of Time and both existing fans of the genre and those new to these stories should get ready for a very promising new series.

The Wheel of Time streams on Amazon Prime on Fridays.

Image: Amazon Prime

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