Even Haters Have to Admit: Wheel of Time Season 2 Did One Thing Right
The show should be commended for this.
When Amazon Prime revealed its plans to adapt Robert Jordan's iconic fantasy novel series into a live-action streaming show, fans of Wheel of Time were convinced that the streaming behemoth was merely attempting to launch its own version of Game of Thrones. However, once the show's first season premiered, it was apparent that the creative team behind the new series had no intention of tarnishing Jordan's original high fantasy narrative with unnecessary darkness, violence, and intrigue.
Nevertheless, the first season of the saga proved quite divisive, with fans criticizing the writing and lackluster character development, reiterating ad nauseam that the original books were far superior to their adaptation. The second season of the show, however, changed the discourse completely.
Change For The Better
While the second installment of Wheel of Time still left much to be desired, it was far better than the first, with significant improvements in the writing and acting. And even though some of the longtime fans of Jordan's writing continue to criticize Amazon Prime, one fact is undeniable - the show now looks positively gorgeous.
Everything from clothing and armor to dragons and cities looked stunning in the second season, and fans quickly recognized how faithfully the show adhered to the books. The entire production team was lauded for their commitment to making Wheel of Time visually stunning and true to life, with some viewers even noting that they began to visualize the landscapes and creatures featured in the show while reading Jordan's books.
Even the casting was spot on, with none of the actors deviating from the character descriptions the late author provided in the books. Although the overall narrative of Season 2 lacked originality, it certainly deserves praise for its visuals. If the writers continue to improve the quality, it would appear that the forthcoming Season 3 could finally establish Wheel of Time as the premier fantasy show.
Let's hope Amazon Prime doesn't decide to slash the budget for the upcoming season, as maintaining good production quality is crucial to its success.