The Wheel of Time Review: The Eye of the World (Season 1 Episode 8)
The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 8, “The Eye of the World,” finds Rand, as the Dragon Reborn, facing off against the Dark One. However, it isn’t quite the showdown most of us were probably expecting.
There’s no grand battle, no big action scene. Those moments do happen in the finale, but they are back in town. Instead, the big face-off is more of a psychological battle, which makes it all the more intriguing.
Look, Rand doesn’t have any one power fighting skills, so an actual battle would have been a little awkward to watch. Instead, we get to see the Dark One try on his powers of persuasion, and it really looks like Rand is falling for it for a bit. There may have been yelling and cursing at my screen directed towards Rand.
You really can’t look away during their showdown because you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting to see if Rand will follow the plan or join the Dark One. It’s an unexpected first/final battle, but it works.
However, the one thing this big showdown lacks is any sense of fear of Dark One. We don’t really know anything about him. We haven’t seen his evil ways, so there’s honestly not much fear for Rand’s safety going into this battle. There wasn’t a doubt that Rand would make it out alive.
Sure, we’ve seen Trollocs and the Fade, and while we are told they act on the behalf of the Dark One, we don’t see him controlling them. He’s just off in the distance somewhere giving orders, allegedly. So the Dark One’s power and the danger he brings is still a bit of a mystery for us.
Because of this, it is hard to really be afraid of him. He’s more of a curiosity at this point.
Before switching topics, I have to say that I like Rand a hell of a lot more after this episode. His speech about how the dream life isn’t for him because his Egwene wouldn’t want any of this is applause-worthy. You’ve been redeemed from the annoying guy we’ve had around all season in my book.
It’s unclear for this non-book reader what is in store for Season 2, but I’m definitely intrigued and cannot wait for more episodes.
As Moiraine and Padan Fain make clear, this is only the beginning, and there are many more battles ahead. I can’t wait to see how our group of characters handle it and discover what, if anything, changed after the battle between Rand and the Dark One.
Moiraine being without her powers is an interesting twist. She still has lots of wisdom and vague warnings to impart to our Edmond’s Field Five – well, Nynaeve, Egwene, and Perrin – but her being powerless will affect a lot of things, including how she views herself and her relationship with Lan.
Stray Thoughts
- Nynaeve’s death had me SOBBING. Thank goodness Egwene saves her.
- But also, Nynaeve says some amazing final words as she sacrifices herself.
- Moiraine and Rand chatting as they journeyed is fascinating. I kinda want more of the two of them together.
- Nynaeve admitting to tracking Moiraine and not Lan is such a fantastic, small moment.
- Why can Egwene hear things in the wind but not Nynaeve?
What did you think of this episode of The Wheel of Time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Wheel of Time Season 1 is now streaming on Prime Video.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).