From the very beginning, what I have done is picture the show as a different turning of the wheel to the books. The overarching story is the same. The destination and most of the major players are the same. There are many common waypoints on the journey, but the details vary somewhat. The one thing I have never been able to abide with TV adaptations has been fans of the source material seeking the cancellation of a show. I get that for any adaptation, there will be disappointment from some, many or even most fans of the original. But seeking cancellation has resulted in almost every adaptation of a major fantasy series ending before the story is told. I pray that WoT doesn't suffer the same fate.

As much as I liked Siuan, there really is nothing left in the story that she is needed for. I liked that change - though I should admit that I found Elaida leaving her alive in the books frustrating. I generally find it frustrating where villains in stories overpower, capture, then leave alive to escape, their opponents. When Moirraine was channelling in the desert, my thought was she was providing a shield against Lanfear travelling into the area. Forcing Lanfear to engage her, rather than directly striking at Rand. Lanfear also wanted to since Rand had, in her eyes, rejected Lanfear and chosen to remain with Moirraine. You're not the only one who assumed Lanfear did the shielding on Sammael. I assumed that too, just as Lanfear shielded Asmodean in the books. We know that Semirag (sp?) is around in the background, probably with the Seanchan. It could be either one, but for sure Moghedian is dying along the way. All in all, I *LOVED* this episode. The worst part of having watched it is not knowing yet if Season 4+ are happening. If anyone from the production team is reading this - consider this a plea for another 4 seasons.

Your other points I have little strong opinion on. About Faile - damn, but they could not have found a better casting for her. She is absolutely great. On Alanna, what bothers me most about her in the show is the tactical ineptitude she displays. She's a Green. They are supposed to be the battle Ajah and she again went into an unprotected forward position with 2 children and a wilder as support. Nothing to detect or counter being attacked. It just jars with my memory of her from the book striding into the middle of a Shai-do force with her warders and kicking the hell out of them.

There's nothing particularly that Moiraine needs to do later that cannot be achieved by giving it to another character. So there's nothing really preventing her leaving the series altogether next week. I hope she will be back, but if not, then not. I'm just hoping with everything I have for a greenlight. Regardless of show/book variations, I'm enjoying the show immensely, just as I did the books.