Overall I really enjoyed the first 3 episodes. Lots of little nods to book readers and a lot of details that may not be picked up on first watch. I do understand most of the things that were changed for the TV show. It's not 10/10, more like 7 or 8/10 for me right now. Probably a little lower for the first episode (just so much to do and get through and alternatively felt both rushed and slow) but 2 and 3 were pretty good and I feel like they are figuring out the pacing. I do think non-book readers are probably bound to be a bit lost through 3 episodes.
Really liked the Winternight battle scenes.
Whitecloaks live up to my expectations - I know some people say they are more over the top in the show, but I disagree. They were definitely the type that would kill Aes Sedai and hunt them down, not to mention anyone they think is associated.
Fain was just right, curious when we'll see him again, given the changes to their travel itinerary. I was underwhelm by Thom's introduction, but he could definitely grow on me. I get why they didn't have him there at Winternight, just too many characters to introduce already given they were only going to do that in 1 episode. Definitely wish they could have gone 10 or 12 episodes per season, then the "pilot" could have been 2 episodes and really allowed for some better introductions and development of the world as a whole.
Definitely didn't care for the cold open (chase scene). Don't think it worked and doesn't seem relevant, even with Moraine and Lan there.
Overall though, to me it felt like the World of Time. It wasn't the exact same, but I didn't expect it to be. I really like the world details, the costumes, actors are for the most part doing well. Most of my complaints in that department are probably Pike - I did not like her introduction in the teaser and didn't like it in the show either. Felt a bit too forced, but I think she'll settle into the character (hopefully). I actually like all the young actors and think they've done a good job portraying their characters and the various internal struggles they have going on. Rand already standing up to Moraine (when he probably shouldn't be, but that's normal), tension between him and Egwene, Perrin being broody (more about him in the spoiler, if that works). Matt's the one I had some issues with early, but he's already growing on me. And the women playing Egwene and Nynaeve are killing it.
Is there a spoiler policy for this thread?
Edit: guess spoiler tags don't work anymore?
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Love how Nynaeve was re-introduced with regards to Lan and snuck up on him.
Like how the wolves are involved so far, but they better explain a bit more soon for non-book readers.
I like the fan theory that Perrin's wife was a darkfriend - sure seemed like maybe she was about to brain him, and it would explain her apparent distance leading up to to Winternight. Plus it would give her character a bit more depth instead of just having been there solely to be killed for Perrin's character arch.
The bat scene was just perfectly gross.
Don't think the Whitecloaks would have told the group to seek out an Aes Sedai for healing, although I get that was probably to try to show the disconnect internally between the 2 factions.