THE WHEEL OF TIME 3. The End of a (Good) Journey

Paradoxically, the most highly rated installment of the series so far was not enough to save it. Amazon is counting the money, fans are gathering signatures on a petition. The third season of The Wheel of Time, a fantasy series based on the monumental cycle of novels by Robert Jordan (continued after his death by Brandon Sanderson), is based on the fourth and fifth volumes – The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven. Alongside Moiraine Sedai (Rosamund Pike) and her not-so-blindly loyal Lan (Daniel Henney), we continue to follow the Dragon Reborn in the form of Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) and track the fates of his friends – Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), Mat (Dónal Finn), Egwene (Madeleine Madden), and Nynaeve (Zoë Robins).

While earlier seasons focused mainly on the five young protagonists, this time the plot clearly expands. The friends are maturing and feel that, although united by a common goal, they want to pursue it in different ways. Thus, Rand sets off to the land of the Aiel to undergo yet another ultimate trial. Egwene and Nynaeve become involved in events at the White Tower, where an attempt is made on the Amyrlin’s life. Perrin returns to the Two Rivers. Mat continues to struggle with the influence of the dagger from Shadar Logoth. As I mentioned earlier, Jordan’s cycle is monumental.

Not only in terms of the number of volumes, but also in the complexity of the world created. The storylines expand, the characters evolve, and there are more of them. Although the series version tries to make necessary cuts and changes, it cannot go too far in these adaptations. This is likely the reason The Wheel of Time was cancelled. From a production standpoint, it is one of the best series to have appeared on screen in recent years. Well-designed costumes, diverse locations, and solid CGI generated costs that did not translate into results. The irony is that the most recent, third season received the best reviews from critics and viewers alike. Maintaining the above-mentioned strengths, the latest installment of the series managed to eliminate the most irritating flaws of its predecessors.

Plot shortcuts and merged storylines, which in the earlier episodes gave an impression of chaos and disregard for Jordan’s world, have gained fluidity and logic. Changes in character relationships, although there remains a strong trend of emphasizing female characters and queer storylines, depart from the manner typical of overwrought young adult fiction, introducing more balance and consistency. Not only the characters, but the relationships between them have matured.

A generational gap in acting is still visible, yet the younger actors have gained a certain confidence. It seems that their performances are increasingly the result of conscious choices, rather than obvious shortcomings. Although it must be noted fairly that this is not always a change for the better. Productions in which CGI plays a major role require courage and imagination from actors. The Wheel of Time also faced criticism for the uneven quality of scenes using special effects. Some battles were executed nearly perfectly, while others were closer in quality to 1990s television series.

Season three, though visibly better in this regard, still includes sequences that are simply dull. This relates both to the CGI used and the level of acting – sometimes the viewer smiles wryly at the sight of all those menacingly frowning magic users waving their hands about randomly. These are, however, exceptions; overall, the series remains visually impressive and enjoyable to watch. The Wheel of Time fell victim to Amazon’s strategy, which considers The Rings of Power its flagship project.

The latter, although also receiving mixed reviews, has a much broader impact, both among critics and viewers. Nevertheless, The Wheel of Time, especially after its successful third season, gained a large and loyal fanbase. A petition to revive the production – or find it a new home – has already gathered nearly 200,000 signatures and continues to grow. Addressed to Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television, it demands either a reversal of the cancellation decision or a distribution deal with another streaming platform.

Considering the development of the series, I support these efforts. Not enough to join the #SaveWoT movement, but enough to hope that Rosamund Pike returns in a fourth season – on Amazon or elsewhere. The decision to cancel The Wheel of Time is not only the result of financial calculation but also a sign of the times: even great stories today must fit the formats of the algorithm. This makes it all the more important to appreciate the third installment of the series as a moment when the show truly grew into its literary source material.

Even if the fans’ protest does not yield the desired result, this final chapter of the Dragon Reborn’s story can be seen as a worthy conclusion.