So your last paragraph description of nuclear family is basically what 80 percent of world population would have looked like in our own world in 1300s. Most of the characters we see in books come from people in the elite, warrior, or religious(magic) classes. Through out recorded human history with some variation gender roles have been consistently similar because of biology and survival needs. Variations of gender roles has usually occurred because of unique differences in the environment or some major change like disease that drove an adjustment. I would argue that the freedom to explore gender identity hasn't lead to more happiness or stability among most people. And for most of us it's not really something we seek out for entertainment. Especially among the demo of people who watch shows on streaming services. Rafe went with probably least likely to succeed option on a service that sucks at fantasy. Amazing it lasted 3 seasons. And the tragedy was what it might have been.

There is not enough of a television audience to support a big budget feminist queer fantasy epic. On top of all the other more objective issues the show was still catering to a small proportion of people that routinely watch TV on streaming. So Go woke go broke is actually not a bad summary for show being canceled.

I just re read EotW also. Lots of lore and concepts dropped in casual conversation that would not have been out of place in show. The dream sequences also were just nightmares that didn't tell audience much either. Everyone knows why first season was set up the way it was. The knock on effects stayed with the show throughout. I never wished for show to be canceled. It was a very niche show though with too large a budget for it's targeted audience. It could have been epic but tried to be something it wasn't.

I just re read first half of EotW. It would have made great sort of light horror suspense action.

If books are not currently popular (which I agree probably aren’t to modern fantasy audience) then Amazon was stupid to adapt them. A better question is who subscribes to Amazon Prime and actually watches the shows? I think that audience would have liked a different adaptation. This adaptat

With a bit of editing the prologue would have been an excellent start. It would not have worked if show just jumped into the show as presented. This adaptation got 3 seasons. Not sure how to evaluate if that is a success or not. IMHO several better adaptations were in this story.

With hind sight I would say it's only really great on re-reads. Also spacing books out with re-reads of certain books before advancing. I don't recommend the series because of that. Also modern fantasy readers are too detached from certain cultural ideas to not be offended by things in books. I assume there are more interesting newer series that don't cause so much angst and take less than a year to read.

I think I was the exact perfect demo for these books. I read first 3 back to back about a year after release. I was 20 and fairly well read in fantasy at time. First 3 books are really a product of the time. I don't remember prologue being confusing or boring because other stories used similar displaced scenes. Honestly it could be slightly reworked and make as much sense as show scene stilling the runner or women's circle stress test of Egwene. Reality is Rafe and Amazon wanted a feminist story and a mystery box so we got what we got. Not because season one was a better TV adaptation.

I have found some interesting interpretations from watching YouTube channels that were very supportive of show. I think they are very valid if different than mine. Being in what was the original demographic for this era of fantasy and having a background somewhat similar to Jordan I didn't really have issues with book that many modern readers highlight. So show adaptation felt like it was highlighting pretty unimportant aspects. I think adapting New Spring may have been a better place to start for Rafea adaptation.

I agree except I hated clothes in this show and there was no consistent approach outside of Aiel and Seafolk. The world felt small and odd. Show felt like a stage play frequently. Sorry edit for Tanchico. So maybe you win but I was meh watching season 3.

Jordan had a very weary soldier outlook and worldview. Most just can't identify with it.

Rafe forwarded Napier as a main character because they didn't secure Tam actor. We got Maksim and Alanna having baker boy conversation and goofy death fake outs instead of Perrin development. Rafe had a hand in perception. Also Both Wolfbrothers have African ancestry. We got little wolf stuff that wasn't goofy or overly sappy. They literally made Perrin and Elyas more "Brothers" than wolves. And by casting diverse actors ( many of which are my favorite characters and actors) the show became a target for " kill the minorities" trope. Just make a violence filled horror leaning war story about cool heroes and awesome world building and most of this shows troubles disappear. When I want fried chicken I don't choose based on restaurants organic vegan desert options. Just give the sucker's what we want and count your profits.

I 100 percent agree with that. Not enough time to build up main characters outside of that paradigm. Probably not all Rafes fault. Lots of seemingly good decisions at time played in to difficulties when covid started spanking production around. Writers strike. That's why I said a more GoT type adaptation would have weathered storm better because this adaptation had a tight window for success. I needed everything to go well and lots of things didnt.

Season 1 was important. Many fantasy and gamer type fans who will ride or die with certain shows found Rafes version preachy and demeaning to characters they loved. So many potential fans either left or became enemies of show and folded it into the war on much of current media and gaming. Damage was done. Show improved but still stuck with many elements of progressive idealogy overshadowing the story. It was not sole reason but always in background for people to mock. Amazon didn't market effectively. Not enough progressive audience filled the void. Not hard to understand. you are a self examined nuanced person. Most viewers are not. Left leaning audiences scream on the internet but don't support IPs through purchase or views that are needed to support massive projects. It's Streaming services fault foe not understanding market.

I think you are correct. If I remember Amazon was looking for fantasy. Rafe made a pitch that coincided well with Amazons desire for public show of anti me too and misogyny. By time show actually became reality a large portion of potential audience had more formed opinions that were not universally positive about political lean of Rafe and the adaptation. Rafazon needed a really well crafted show to break through culture war noise. Problems arose. Show became a cult following show not a GoT. I would have prefe=Ed a delayed show that might have had a chance to finish.