You don’t have to be familiar with the book series to appreciate this adaptation of The Wheel of Time, but you might need to be a fantasy fan to understand that sometimes it takes a while (like a season long) to build a world as detailed and expansive as this one. Once you give it that grace, The Wheel of Time becomes a satisfying watch. It’s utterly fascinating in its rules, lore, mystery, and language. It relies on that all-too-common Chosen One trope, sure, but it subverts it too and surprises by the time it reveals who among Moiraine’s team that person is. Though it never reaches GOT levels of grandeur (the CGI could be better), its ever-expanding world of characters and magic delight and enthrall.
"Drawbacks aside, I must say, "The Wheel of Time" isn't bad."
— Ben Travers
The lives of five young villagers change forever when a strange and powerful woman arrives, claiming one of them is the child of an ancient prophecy with the power to tip the balance between Light and Dark forever. They must choose whether to trust this stranger – and each other – with the fate of the world before the Dark One breaks out of His prison, and the Last Battle begins.
Based on the bestselling book series of the same name, The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) and the five young people she believes could save the world.
Pike usually goes for pretty girl roles, so this turn is a standout in her filmography.
If you resist the urge to compare it to LOTR and watch it on its own merits, you’ll find a gem of a fantasy show.
