I mean we’re in Schroedinger’s script territory here. Who cares? What impact has this change had on the core of the story?

We do. It gives them plot armor and plays into fantasy tropes. It’s far better writing to play into the which way will he go, save the world or destroy it aspect of the Dragon. It allows you to build tension between Rand and his friends and his friends between one another - something Rand often plays to his advantage throughout the books. He’s had some cool moments. He will get more. Keeping him nerfed for a bit also helps with power creep. Yes. In service of better storytelling in a visual medium.

I didn't say that. And I generally agree with you that Rand has not had enough screen time. But I'm pretty sure that Rand is about to get his this season. If they do it right, he'll get a season or season and a half as an unquestioned hero before he starts to slide into antagonist territory. Rand always being the protagonist would make for kind of boring television. They haven't handled him perfectly by any means, but his arc is still pretty much the same: S1/B1 - Rand has no idea what he's doing; S2/B2 - Rand doesn't want to admit he's the Dragon; S3/B3 - Rand affirmatively claims the mantle of the Dragon.

But has it actually mattered to the plot in any meaningful way?

Because Rand is going to become the antagonist for awhile and you want to be invested in the other characters when that happens.

Eh. Okay. This seems kind of like a nothing burger to me. I’ll wait for it to actually matter before I get mad about it.

They are building Rand more slowly than in the books. That’s not necessarily a poor choice. And when your biggest actress has nothing to do for an entire book’s worth of content, you create content to keep her central - especially since you’ll need her back.

If I’ve seen those, I’ve forgotten them. Please provide a link.

Sorry. I don’t agree with this at all. You’re hanging on a single line “could be a boy or a girl” and assuming a reliable narrator. The line was in service of the mystery box, not the other way around.

My experience was mixed with non-book people. Some knew it was Rand right away. Some thought it was Nyn. One was all in on Perrin. All were sort of underwhelmed by the actual reveal. The problem was that the “mystery” necessarily shifted the focus away from Rand at the expense of developing the relationships between Rand and the others Emond’s Fielders.

Exactly correct. For example, I think it was a bad idea to frame season one the way they did. “Who is the Dragon?” just didn’t work. I think it was probably someone’s too clever by half attempt to get people invested in the characters, but the story just isn’t structured to make that a viable choice. That one choice was likely responsible for some of the most disliked aspects of the season (Nyn’s mass rez, for example) and had the effect of skewing away from Rand. One can be critical without resorting to insane ad hominems against the showrunner or hysterical, performative whinging about RJ rolling over in his grave. The hyperbole that comes from some of the show haters is just cringe inducing and it signals a lack of interest in any actual discussion.

Nope. It sure wasn’t.

No it isn’t. It’s using context clues to make logical inferences.

Fortunately, I have never suggested such a thing.

My main criticism of that battle is that it was too long. Moiraine and Lan’s intervention should have immediately and definitively turned the tide.

First of all, a poster is not just a still shot from some portion of the video footage. It is a different media and serves a different purpose. But let's set that aside. Your original complaint was that the poster, Because you wanted This is exactly what the poster depicts. Rand is walking away from Rhuidean. We know this from the ritual spears which are thrust into the ground at the top of the ridge line above the city. In the poster, Rand has crested the hill with Moiraine in his arms and walks toward the viewer. His strength, purpose, and concern is evident in the way he carries her - like a loving father bringing a sleeping child to bed. The sun is rising behind Rand. The way the light bisects the frame just above Rand's foot along with the puff of dust just underneath it gives the impression that Rand is literally brining the morning sun with him as he walks. It is a pretty spot on depiction of "He Who Comes With the Dawn". Consider also that Rand is in a different place in the tv series than in the show. In the show he does not have Callandor and has not yet accepted himself as the Dragon Reborn. This season is where he will take his power. So this poster is also evocative of Rand's journey from protected to protector, weak to strong, unsure to confident. So what you really seem to be upset with is that the image doesn't contain the city of Rhuidean or the gathered Aiel chiefs. That's fair, I can envision a cool image that contains those elements, we probably get one in the show itself. It looks like you and I agree that they chose the correct moment for the poster though. So that's something!

Finally.

The idea that one can only speak positively about the show if one is being paid to do so is offensive and not productive.

We know from the trailer that Rhuidean is right behind him and that the Aiel are waiting ahead of him. This stark image of Rand and Moiraine is far more powerful than one loaded up with people and things many viewers do not yet understand.

That is literally what the poster is. What are you talking about?

I understand that the directors for this season are more familiar with action scenes than last season’s.

It’s not.

I’m excited for Mat vs. Gawyn/Galad.

The YouTube channel “Unraveling the Pattern” did a shot-by-shot analysis. He lightened up that scene and gave it a little color. It’s obviously the Emond’s Field 5. But the second from the left is farther back and hard to make out. Could be Min. Could be Lan. Looks like Moggy to me.

Agreed. Looks like part of Moiraine’s visions.