A lot of East Asian animation makes use of internal dialogue, and occasionally, live-action dramas from the region do too. In contrast, inner monologue seems relatively rare in Western TV/movie. I know I’ve come across them before, but none springs to mind immediately that I've seen recently. One of my favourite web novels, Lord of the Mysteries (which spans over 1,400 chapters), is being adapted into an animated series. The first 200 chapters will be condensed into just 13 episodes, airing this weekend. (For comparison, Wheel of Time has only around 700 chapters.) I’ve been thinking about how the adaptation will handle inner monologues, since the protagonist frequently uses internal thought to solve occult mysteries - a key part of the novel’s tone and depth. I recently saw a trailer where the main character walks the streets while his inner voice is narrated, which gives me hope that they’ll retain this important narrative device. Whether the adaptation will succeed overall remains to be seen. But it also makes me wonder: Could Wheel of Time have been better adapted if it leaned more into internal dialogue rather than shying away from it?

I’m not sure I have any particularly valuable insights. After finishing AMoL, I don’t think I’ve re-read the series again - or maybe only once (so it has been a long time though I surprise myself by what I remember). But before that, I re-read the books multiple times, starting back when the series had only reached LoC. In many ways, the books ended for me in KoD. While the last 3 books were an ok read for me, I never quite connected with them in the same way (nothing against BS - I enjoy his series that he writes). Season 1 reminded me that, despite thinking that the last 3 books were weaker, EoTW was still my least favourite. In fact, I wouldn't have read WoT if I had only bought book 1 when I was 14. I foolishly bought 6 books in one go thinking it would last me a long time. The outrage of wasting my money (and it was a lot of money for a 14 year old) pushed me to slog through book1 and into book 2. Fortunately, I started to enjoy the series around then. Harem storyline: It is funny, I largely forgot Rand had a harem romance. The proliferation of Harem and Reverse Harem storylines in novels/light novels/webnovels (across English, Mandarin and Korean ones that I read or Japanese Animation i watch) are such that I now drop those books without question. Amongst the lightnovel/webnovels there is quite a clear divide between readers who are willing/love to read harem and those who absolutely unwilling to even entertain such a series even with a minor side plot of harem (which I fall into the latter). It was actually a strange relization for me that even with a series I once loved and re-read so many times, this trope (even reasonably minor in the grand scheme of the story) remains a deal breaker. I am glad they went with the polyarmory storyline - I wouldn't debate whether it was the right thing to do or not for series - this is simply discovery that the trope is an absolute deal breaker for me. A big part of the charm of the books for me in my teen was the gender dynamics. Those exaggerated, often comedic misunderstandings between men and women. All the “wool-headed men” and “light help me, women are impossible” moments that peppered the series were reflective of how my parents’ generation spoke and thought. I initially thought I missed it. But as the series went on and I imagine how that played on screen, I am glad they tone that down signicantly (probably largely absent). Firstly, I don't think it can translate to screen (or dialogue) rather than in the character's headspace. Secondly, it is quite dated - I don't know if that comedic element would translate to the generation after mine (my nephews' generation). It is not how my siblings and I would interact so that may be largely lost on them. It is hard to know. hmm... I guess the only insight in all this that the show has shown me is maybe I have outgrown WoT. I remember it being a big part of me - but I still feel a great love for it - which is an odd feeling.

It's a shame - good bye WoT again

I saw this as a specific response to Elaida calling her a River trash or something in a previous episode. The snubby new Amyrlin does not the satisfaction of "river trash" being cowled even after stilled and deposed.

I believe that relates to Siuan and Leane's healing when they tried to wake her to make her angry after the yellows all had a go to make her mad. I've always read that as meaning the healing was complete ("what was already healed"), and the "wound" was gone, rather than partially healed.

In TGS, Elaida declared Egwene a darkfriend multiple times during the dinner with the sitters without equivocation depsite it not being true. The final episode of this season actually made me think of that scene. i.e. Amyrlins being falsely acused of being a darkfriend. There was no reason for Elaida to delcare Egwene a darkfriend - Egwene was sure Elaida has no proof (she clearly knew it was false). However, Siuan was still concerned that Elaida may succeed in convicting Egwene as darkfriend. Egwene then agreed only if that happens and she is slate for execution would she seek help to escape.

Oh dear, if they are going down this path, then it would probably be Moiraine that gets resurrected since she has to die for Rand to win (though they could have her die very much closer to the last battle)

On Instagram AMA: Question: Big changes from the books in ep8. Are we going to see Salidar? (Providing renewal news!) Rafe Judkins: We have a lot planned for Salidar. There’s a cut scene we will hopefully get to show someday of Ryma, Verin and Leane leaving the White Tower with a group of Aes Sedai to “gather on the shores of the river where Siuan was born”.

Overall I enjoyed the episode. I liked Siuan being killed and being defiant to the end - Interesting that they declared her a dark friend - Elaida did something similar in the books with Egwene and then punished her to the extent of drawing blood - there were questions about Elaida's oath. I would love to know what goes in Moiraine's head - A pity TV isn't a great medium for that - "I saw myself die a thousand times after a thousand times in this gorgeously splendid dress in the middle of the dessert. If I die, I shall look as splendid as I did in my visions." Priorities ❤️ I wonder what Moiraine was doing channeling in the dessert. This is the second(?) time she has done this now - training to master Sakarnen? Moiraine vs Lanfear - it briefly reminded me of a video of someone who animated Scarlet Witch vs Phoenix (for those who don't know, 2 overpowered characters in marvel). And someone commented something like "they are so over-powered they resort to slapping and fists when all else fails". I did like Lanfear trying to strange Moiraine - it feels in character for a jealous vindictive forsaken. Yay, Nynaeve block is gone - though a pity we didn't see the Mog show-down Love Sevanna and her outfits. Oh - the only outfit I didn't like was Elaida's headgear - but suits Elaida's poor tastes and penchant for gaudiness. Enjoyed Min/Mat and Elayne/Thom interactions Sammael's shielding - I have no issues with Moiraine shielding him with a Sa'angreal - but am I the only one who assumed Lanfear shielded him? 😅She did plan this with Moiraine and to have Sam a teacher. In the books she did do the shield on Asmo. Was hoping to catch sight of the Bowl of the Winds - even if they don't intend to go with the storyline - but it is quite a hard bowl to create as a set. Pretty sure I didn't see it - if anyone did, please do tell! Guesses for the future assuming renewal (hopefully!) -Moiraine - I guess she would play Cadsuane's role moving forward? Makes sense why Shohreh Aghdashloo was cast as Elaida when she is a fan favourite for Cadsuane. I do like her a Elaida. -Alanna/Maksim - So I previously thought Moiraine would die and Lan would transfer to Alanna. If Moiraine is playing Cadsuane, perhaps beside being a composite of Myrelle/Alanna, she might also be Merise. Wouldn't surprise me if Maksim become an Asha'man (composite with Narishma). -We're not sure if Leanne was stilled. I assume she would play the role of mentor for Egwene. Or maybe forgotten. Would love to see the actress some more. -I wonder if Liandrin would end up playing Elza's role in wearing the Domination band. Would Mog play Semi's role in that too?

I can't seem to find it elsewhere... Have downloaded it and attach it here (not sure if that work) 8af12fd61b1b3e93553de75afefdb8e1.mp4 . 8af12fd61b1b3e93553de75afefdb8e1.mp4

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSr4D5bPy/ Maybe he is taking asmo's role

Ah - yes, I know which scene that is. I personally did not like Brandon Sanderson's Mat - I didn't realise it happened in book 12 rather than 13. Seeing that you've now seen both author's version of Mat, I think it is unlikely you'll ever like Mat in this first read.

I can't recall if book 12 had much Mat - I don't think he was featured heavily (though I might be wrong). Book 13 had quite a bit of Mat with a major plot involving him. If you had not already picked up on it in book 12 (if he had appeared) you might notice a shift in tone for Mat's point of view with Brandon Sanderson taking over. It might help you enjoy him more if the tone change land better for you. I remember finding Mat irriting on my first read. Over time in subsequent re-reads, I came to realise that part of what makes Mat's scenes humourous/fun is because he is a deeply unreliable narrator. Even his own thoughts are dishonest. He is dishonest about his motivations or his feelings. He complains about people or events in ways that don't match what he is actually doing. There is a layer of irony to everything that he says or do a as a result Brandon Sanderson's Mat tries very hard to be funny - he wise cracks a lot (from recollection). So the tonal shift might work for you. RJ's Mat wasn't trying to be funny. He was funny because he was so unintentionally ridiculous tripping over his own self image of being the wastrel (and everyone tend to see him a wastrel - and in my first read through, that was how I saw him).

Actually, I quite like that Daise shield just had holes and was shredded by arrows and she didn't reform the shield as it stayed torn. Egwene when she was finally faltering against Ishy, you can see holes in her shield where the fireballs blew them open but she reformed the shield to cover the holes (presumably because she has been more trained by the tower or sul'dam) I don't really have an inherent problem with Wilders former a physical shield. Imo it seems less complicated than healing or compulsion and Wilders tend to do those two according to the tower (granted healing in the tv also seem a lot less complex)

In the books, I think Lord Luc killed the wolves around two rivers - I may be wrong in recalling no wolves helped in that battle in the end (not really my favourite so my memory may be extra terrible). Though Lord Luc in the show hasn't really been shown to do anything suspicious that the audience is aware of