The Wheel of Time Character Breakdown: Rand (Haven't Read the Books)

Hello The Wheel of Time fans! We are back to share some more in-depth thoughts on the main characters. We are starting with Rand! Let us know if we're on the right track with our understanding of Rand. Without spoiling anything for us as show-only WoT fans, please share your thoughts on how the show and the actor is portraying Rand. Leave us a comment below!

[@ToriTalksTV]

NO SPOILERS PLEASE 🙏🏽 😊

[@dominicbrennan1882]

The thing to remember about Rand in the first half of season 2 is that he thought he defended the dark one at the end of season 1. At that point he thought he had done his duty and all that remained for him to do was try and get a grip on his abilities and stay away for his friends to keep them safe plus try not to channel and go mad. It’s only around the season midpoint that he realises the conflict with the shadow is only starting and I suppose you could say he is motivated again. I also think the show is building Rand up slowly. In the books and show Nynaeve has her block so she can’t just be wheeled out to obliterate the Seanchan or forsaken. Likewise they need Rand to develop slowly less there be no tension as Rand could simply nuke everyone. There is also an element of having to provide things/moments for the other characters. In the first two books the emphasis was on Rand with Egwene only stepping out of his shadow with the Seanchan. By way of example in the books it was Rand who destroyed the shadow army that Nynaeve and Egwene wiped out at the end of season 1. Plus in book 2 Rand took on Ishamael more or less on his own as Elaine and Nynaeve were busy helping Egwene and Perrin and Mat were occupied with the Seanchan & whitecloaks. I suspect that we will see a lot more of what Rand is capable of in season 3 given that in the books there are distinct plot lines to give the others something to do.

[@jasonfarley9025]

Unlike most Wheel of Time fans, Rand is actually my favourite character. His imperfections make him I to such a fascinating character. And he is NEVER perfect, always making mistakes. I feel like the essence of his character, putting others before himself, is fully present in the series.

[@ToriTalksTV]

I love this 🧡 -Tori :)

[@mirrordances]

It's true that it's early days and Rand has a big character arc still mostly ahead. (Probably not a spoiler given that you know how long the book series is?) I think the key things to pay attention to with Rand in season 1 and 2 of the show are: 1) He's really terrified. Being a man who can channel = being a time bomb that will kill everyone you love. I'm not sure the show has hammered on this hard enough, since people keep missing it as a major motivator for Rand. We've seen Logain hallucinating voices that tell him to kill, and we've heard Rand tell "Selene" outright that he's afraid of killing people he cares about when he inevitably succumbs to the corruption of the male half of the One Power - every action he takes before Moiraine tells him the Last Battle *wasn't* over is all about that. (Remember, he was following her instructions and thought it was over! He didn't know his destiny as the Dragon was still going to come for him; he just thought he was stuck with Magical Time Bomb Syndrome and was trying not to take other people with him.) Also, he's terrified of Lanfear and trying to keep HER from being a danger to everyone around him. (I think there's a huge difference between "Selene" and Legendarily Evil Lanfear, to Rand, and he's not at all into the latter. She is literally holding him captive by threatening to kill anyone he talks to too much.) He doesn't have any power over most of the situations he's in! He keeps being at the mercy of dangerous people who outclass him in experience. 2) Pay attention to Rand and power. Rand and channeling, yes, but also the power that Ishy offers him and he refuses in s1e8 - the power to reshape the world however he wants, and make puppets out of people. His scenes with Errol in the mental hospital in s2 were very important - Rand has strong convictions on how people should use power, and how the powerless should be treated! ...now look at the people ahead of him on the road, and how they use power. Moiraine is his model, and she is incredibly ruthless. So is Siuan, and so is Lan. With the fate of the world at stake, they believe they're right to be willing to sacrifice other people - does Rand have to change his priorities to properly be the Dragon? Who will he become, if he does? That sweet boy who wanted to be kind, reliable, trustworthy... well, can the Dragon Reborn afford to be any of those things? We spent some time on establishing who Rand *was*, because as the Pattern starts chewing him up, he's going to change a lot.

[@dorisveeken5354]

This is really well put

[@AndyLuu72]

You both have really good assessments of Rand. He is somewhat naive and very reluctant to be the Dragon Reborn. Even after he proclaimed himself, he didn’t truly know how to be THE Dragon Reborn. It will be a long journey for him.

[@rantalmore]

Rand Al Thor is my favorite character in all of fiction or non fiction story telling. I look forward to the day he is yours as well ❤

[@williamgelinas6646]

I haven’t watched the Dusty Wheel’s Lanfear breakdown yet but I’m glad to hear that you guys were on it! 👍🏻. Lanfear is the Innkeeper’s/Matt’s favorite character so I’m sure there was a lot to talk about. In terms of Rand I think you’ll see that there is a lot more to come from him…..next season should be big for him…..but that being said he’s never been my favorite character compared to many others(Mat, Perrin, Nynaeve, Aviendha, Elayne and some others…). I will say that I’m a Physician Assistant working in inpatient psychiatry and because of that I’m very interested to see where they go with Rand and his journey. 😉👍🏻

[@ToriTalksTV]

It was an absolute honor to be invited by Matt to discuss his favorite character! Thank you for your work! I’m a registered nurse 😊 I appreciate your specialty and can see the extra appeal of Rand’s journey! -Tori :)

[@jasonfarley9025]

I really hope we will see Rand come into his own in Season 3. Learn more of the sword, and The One Power, and his political acumen.

[@tofystedeth]

I don't remember if you've rewatched season 1 yet, but much like the books it really benefits from a second run through with new knowledge. Yes the show did try and background him a little bit to deflect attention for the Dragon mystery (though I also saw people who immediately figured it out because he was the first guy we saw and also "looked like a main character"). But also, a lot of his actions and the things he says are much more interesting when you realize that everything after the end of episode 1 he knows he was a foundling in the Aiel war, and after escaping Dena he now also suspects he can channel.

[@philc2729]

They are definitely slow playing Rand. Certainly the discovery of his roots and of the Aiel culture will bring out Rand more. Rand has many epic moments in book 4; they will certainly need to bring them to screen in S3.

[@ToriTalksTV]

I can’t wait for more Rand and the Aiel culture! Thank you! -Tori :)

[@rantalmore]

10 full minutes about Rand ?!?? ❤🎉❤🎉🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤ 🎉

[@ToriTalksTV]

💕💕💕

[@DeadsySedai]

We are missing something with Rand that was in the books, however they could remedy this in season 3. As an example he has a full on fight with Ishy in the sky above Falme in the 2nd book. Season 3 is supposed to be a big Rand season based on the material, and they've stated it will be a big Rand and Perrin season, and they also stated season 2 was a big Egwene and Nynaeve season. If they do season 3 right, you'll at a minimum find Rand to be very interesting. The other thing I'll say in defense of the show creators is Rand's build/growth in the books is kind of weird. It's been mentioned in other comments but he does a crazy thing at the end of book 1 that would make you wonder throughout the rest of the series why he doesn't just do that every time he sees a bad guy. I think it's good to take it slow. With Nynaeve it's different; they showcased how powerful she is, but she has a block, so it's ok that she is not doing crazy things all the time now.

[@jonathanpicket124]

I love you guys doing character breakdowns! Keep the content coming. 😅❤️

[@ToriTalksTV]

Thank you!! We appreciate you and your support!! -Tori :)

[@feralart]

One thing they haven't really delved in on yet is the prophecies known as Karaethon Cycle, mentioned in S1 but not explored, and the impact they have on Rand's mentality. Then there are also the viewings Min has had about him, Perrin, and Mat that they haven't covered.

[@ryanbryan3]

Luv you ladies :D Thank you for mentioning you were on the Dusty Wheel...a 12 hour stream is a bit much for me, but I went and watched your whole section. I knew you guys would love being on his stream and have hoped for a while that you could make it happen :D Keep your content coming *heart*

[@ToriTalksTV]

We love you so much!! Thank you for watching us on Dusty Wheel - it was such an honor! We appreciate your kindness and support always! -Tori :)

[@AndyLuu72]

There is NOTHING wrong with thirsting over Rand. 😂 I thirst over him, even though he’s WAY too young for me. My husband thirsts over Ishy and thinks Rand is too average. 😂

[@leza4453]

What is it with Ishy and men? I heard that so often, that men find him too hot to handle.

[@HoofnIt03]

Oh! See? You already reminded me of something else! I am excited to see how the show brings on his aiel background.

[@ToriTalksTV]

I’m most looking forward to learning about the Aiel culture as it pertains to Rand! -Tori :)

[@GentleGiantJason]

Hiding the Dragon hurt some of the character development especially Rand.

[@HoofnIt03]

I was so excited to see you both on The Dusty Wheel! Rand...I made it through the books once, and Rand isn't my favorite character for the reasons you mention. I love him and he does a lot, but I love others more. I know I will see it with new eyes and thoughts on a re-read. But you all make me wish I was watching without the books! So fun! ❤

[@ToriTalksTV]

Thank you for watching us on The Dusty Wheel!! 💕💕 -Tori :)

[@paulkalaj3500]

In the books, their is a lot more, chapters on developing Rands powers and how he deals with the responsibility. when he is leaving everyone, and runs to the town before killing Ishy, he has to use the power to stay alive and in the book it is a lot more time, but you guys got it exactly right the series is making the girls more prominent, but you guys nailed all the major points. awesome. The interaction with Logain in the series shows that he is so powerful that, he can fight anyone or anything, Logain Ablar noticed that Nynaeve, during the healing was more powerful, but Rand is much more than even her, the wisdom wilder. I think he is scarred, Rand is scarred to use the power, unless he knows for sure that the person is going to kill! He, Rand does not hold it back, lets it unleash, this is what I think the show runners wanted to show, when Rand was easily cutoff by Siuan Sanche the Amirlyn by herself. Its this power and his inability to control it, so the series cannot explore all the possibilities, like the book can. In the Series it took 8 of the stronger Damnae to cut-off Rand and shield him, and it appears the little Damane which was front and center in the second series is very powerful, in the books their was a few Woman Chanellers that were super strong.

[@ToriTalksTV]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this!! -Tori :)

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

When I read the books, I didn’t care about Rand and barely paid attention to him for 3 book! Everyone brings their own perspective. I only cared about Rand as a caregiver for Mat. I paid full attention to Moiraine and the girls in the books too for a long time. Rand suffered though in the show because of the loss of Mat in the last episodes of Season 1 and all the rewrites of those last two episodes. You are projecting a viewpoint on the writers I don’t think is there. They care about Rand.

[@paulkalaj3500]

@@kathryncainmadsen5850 I don't understand? Logain and Rand lasts moments are pretty clear Rand channels so much that it scares Logain. Moraine is "Gandalf', more human since Gandalf is something more than an elf, Gandalf has a ring, she has an angreal. Rand in the books, is the first power user, to use white blank, to kill special hounds, on his way to falme or some place else. keeping it spoiler free. 🤩🤔

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

A lot of young male readers loved Rand since most of book 1 was in his perspective BUT I felt exactly the way you did in the books! I found it hard to care a lot about him for a long long time. JORDAN wanted us to see them as a group and he knew Rand would be that messiah stereotype if he paid too much attention to him. So his focus on Egwene and Perrin’s travels and Mats problems with the dagger and Moiraine and Lan and Nyneave. All Rand did was worry about everyone else and freak out. As you read on, you realize that caring about everyone else so much is why he is the Dragon. I think it would have been better in the show if those last 2 episodes in Season 1 didn’t lose his best friend Mat and have all those COVID problems and forced rewrites. But they have done a good job showing us how kind he is. Believe me, he is the A plot in most of season 2. They are bringing him along to be who he needs to be in S3. Also, I think Josha is a talented but young actor who is still learning. He hasn’t made many interesting acting choices yet. We’ll see how that progresses.

[@ToriTalksTV]

I love all of this! When you wrote “caring about everyone else so much is why he is the Dragon” I felt that in my heart! It helps me understand him from a deeper perspective. And I completely agree that the actor is good, but I haven’t seen much of a stretch from him. Thank you so much for these comments! -Tori :)

[@IAmNotThatSteve]

Thanks for another great video! Concerning Rand, in season 1 Min tells him see see "rainbows, carnivals, and three beautiful women". We have had any rainbow or carnivals yet, but this show has a plethora of beautiful women. It would be fun to hear your non-reader thoughts on who they are.

[@mr.dr.s1628]

I like what Tori said during the Dusty Wheel live stream after watching a scene with Rand/Selene and Rand/Lady Anvaere, about feeling bad for Rand. He’s in over his head and doesn’t know who to trust. That’s the essence of much of Rand’s early journey. Rand has found himself thrust into an incredibly complex and dire position, anointed the most important and powerful person in the world. And one who is destined to go mad. Dangerously mad. None of it is something he would have remotely wished for. His whole world has been turned upside down and he lost everything he ever wanted. Yet all he wants to do is the right thing and to protect the ones he loves … and, after a bit of acceptance, save the world and sacrifice himself doing it. It’s a lot to deal with!! I feel incredible empathy for Rand. And I think the actor playing him is doing a great job (season 2 in particular) showing him being overwhelmed and trying so very hard to figure out how to meet his “duty” without hurting people. The show has chosen to deemphasize this some in order to flesh out other characters and set their arcs in motion, knowing that there is plenty of Rand’s journey yet to come. Season 3 should see a lot of Rand development.

[@ToriTalksTV]

Thank you!! I’m looking forward to more Rand! -Tori :)

[@csarmii]

Dusty Wheel live stream? When?

[@ToriTalksTV]

@@csarmii This past Wednesday.

[@csarmii]

@@ToriTalksTV cool thanks! I found it.

[@mr.dr.s1628]

@@csarmii kzbin.info5W4sjl_iJnI?si=oxz06_rAj2dKyFqB Their segment starts at 1:55:37

[@jenliz6248]

Since they went with the whole “who’s the dragon reborn?” in the first season, they hid Rand’s importance by kind of keeping him as the trusty side character with limited lines and scenes. I think what’s missing is screen time. They have to pack so much in 8 episodes, and because Moraine is a big named actress, she gets extra screen time. A lot of readers hate the whole is he thing, but my non reader friends and family were really into it so I guess it was a good call. That’s not to say there aren’t some major improvements in his character! He’s aged up slightly in the show and acts closer to his age. I’m not sure any teenage boy at any time period would be so naive and often childish as early books Rand. I think people really like his character, because he tries to protect his friends and worries about them. Later, he realizes every person depends on him, and he tries so hard and often fails. Oh, and in the books, the ends of books 1&2 have him ridiculously powerful as far as magic in book 1 and sword fighting in book 2 that it’s just too unrealistic. By book 3, Jordan obviously realized he needed to change it up a bit and made him less capable so he had room to grow until the end of the series. Anyways, he is a great character, but not, I would say, always the most interesting compared to Mat and Perrin. Rand is like that super reliable friend or family member that is always dependable always willing to help out overall great guy, but who also has a chance of going crazy and killing everyone.

[@ToriTalksTV]

Thank you so much for this! It’s incredibly helpful! -Tori :)

[@rantalmore]

He isn’t aged up the show and also has the most screen time.

[@jenliz6248]

⁠@@rantalmoreI don’t think you can say that for sure as the book doesn’t explicitly say the age. I’m going by the producer & director saying they aged them up.

[@jenliz6248]

@@rantalmoreYes, yes, he has the most screen time, but he’s still mostly sharing that screen with someone else who appears more important. It’s just like these nonreaders say - he just didn’t seem important.

[@rantalmore]

@@jenliz6248 his age is explicitly 20 in the books and show. Born 978 story takes place 998. He is aged up maybe 6months. They mean mentally cause in the books they act 14

[@jasonfarley9025]

NO Dr S! We LOVE your thirst!

[@ToriTalksTV]

😂🩷-Dr. S

[@GentleGiantJason]

Mat stabbed Rand with the dagger and he has an ugly looking wound. Later Rand killed Ishy with Tam’s sword. It sounded like there might have been some confusion.

[@Alewaxon]

I think, like a lot of people have pointed out one way or the other, that they are trying to balance out the "big hero moments" between characters and even you guys picked up on the idea that they are (for the most part) doing a good job at making it feeling like a "team" and that the task would be a "team effort" rather than a Lone Savior... It's not like the books don't give you that, it is certainly a big group of characters and they all play key roles; it isn't wrong to say that The Wheel of Time is not about just ONE character, but a group of them, but it is also true to say that the central figure of this story IS Rand, IS the Dragon. I think what you have to kindof keep in mind something that it isn't a spoiler to say given that is something you've already been told, it has been stated and implied and is an assumption that you are working with already given what I've seen of your discussions: which is the fact that Rand is the one that can go against the big bad, that when the times comes to the "big things", likely no other character would be able to do it but him (with other people's help in many shapes or forms but him nonetheless) So my overall take on Rand's portrayal in the show, and his lack of "POP" for some viewers, is because they are trying to balance and even out right giving or taking some of Rand's early "big" moments and giving it to other characters or spreading it around because it is much easier to do so right now when the stakes are just being built... As the story continues, things will get harder and it would require stronger characters... Once again, not spoiling anything, just that we all know how these stories go, how the stakes and fights and stories get bigger and bigger, characters get stronger and stronger and eventually the big bad, the big fights, happen... So they are trying to "spread the love" around in the moments that they actually (kindof) can where it wouldn't feel like a world breaking kindof stretch like it would be in the later events of the books where it would be simply not believable that an specific feat would be done by any other than our supposed strongest characters... For example, if you ask ANY book reader whether or not Egwene should've been able to withstand, even for a fraction of a second, an attack for Ishamael, the answer would be a big NO; Ishy is MILES ahead of Egwene in terms of power and MILES ahead in terms of knowledge and control over the power... But, for the sake of that moment, they decided to give that scene to her, to Perin, Matt and such, instead of having Rand fight Ishy by himself... Some people don't like that they are taking so much away from Rand, I'm ok with it but I think that they need to be careful and season 3 they need to start putting Rand on the spotlight All of this I talked about is mostly in terms of that "WOW factor" of the character... I think they are doing a good job building up the character itself and the problems he is going to have to deal with; but once again, they need to really drive it home... The issue of the corruption of the male power and him being worried about loosing his mind; this idea that the very thing that can save them is going to destroy him; how that holds him back... They need to make it more explicit and really show the dangers of it, specially for such a supposedly powerful channeler -PS: And lastly I would say that it would be soooo fun to hear you guys talk about the topic of "Power" in a future video: your views and thoughts on the One Power, how it works for you and how do you think the characters we have seen rank amongst each other in terms of power... It would be cool to find a way to comment about a LIST of strength for the characters we know so far without going into spoilers; it could be a list that only takes into consideration the RAW Power alone, how potentially strong they are without going into details about their arcs, their feats of power, what they do with it, whether they are dead or alive, whether they live or die or get gentled, nothing that can spoil; just, in a vacuum, how powerful with The One Power these characters are... Because I'm quite sure you would be shockingly surprised with a couple of characters and the differences between where you think they are and how they actually rank (There is an actually TIER list of ALL the characters of the series and where they rank in terms of the one power)

[@rainbowsprinklez]

Can I please have a link to the time you ladies were on the Dusty Wheel?

[@ToriTalksTV]

Here it is: kzbin.info5W4sjl_iJnI?si=5xA_rsa5j0Wtekfn We come on at the 1:53:40 mark. :) -Dr. S

[@nw10101]

One of the book reader criticisms of Rand in the show is that he isn't being given an opportunity to shine. The books (no spoilers) had to do a two-step forward, three-steps back thing to keep his character growing. He did like awesome level things early on, but then can't do the simplest things. That's harder to do on screen - compare to Nynaeve. Her explosions vs. incapability doesn't always come across right. I think the show is trying to avoid that with Rand by making his arc a little bit more straightforward power wise while maybe allowing people to see the parallel. Plus, using the male power makes you go mad...

[@WheelUpTime]

Drag-Nsync 😂

[@WheelUpTime]

Also regards your whole feelings, i dont think its all that unusual. Its only towards the end of book 3 or so when a lot of people start to become more interested in rand. Hes very wishy washy in the early books, which was a decision of the writers to be realistic. He asked himself, how would a teenaged boy from a backwater town really react if he found out the fate of the world laid on his shoulders, oh and then chuck in the devils after him, his dads not his real dad, his girlfriends leaving him to become a wisdom and hes inveitably going to go insane. Its a lot to process haha. Thats what leads go him feeling so aimless in the esrly parts of the series, but you are right in that discovering his aiel heritage is coming soon and it will start to help him connect more tothe stakes of the world at large as you noted he has struggle to do :) hope this helps

[@ToriTalksTV]

Omg, brilliant!!

[@ToriTalksTV]

@@WheelUpTime This is absolutely helpful!! Thank you so much, friend!! -Tori :)!

[@Shaz1993xoxo]

To answer your question, based on how far I've got in the books, what your missing are the big moments Rafe decided to give to the girls (Egwene) - season 1: taking out the trollocs in the battle, season 2: a proper battle with Ishmael as opposed to what we got with him being shielded and then him stabbing him with a sword. In short, blame Rafe for anything you feel is missing with Rand's character development.

[@rriggs6547]

So I think what you are missing is that Egwene has already left Rand behind. She left him when she agreed to be the Wisdom's apprentice. And then again when the group was heading toward Tar Valon Egwene decided she was going to become Aes Sedai. And that means she wouldn't have any relationship with a guy until after becoming an Aes Sedai which is a minimum of 10 years even if she is historically fast. Egwene wants to be powerful more than she wants to be with Rand. In season 2 Rand is trying to figure out where that leaves him. Thus the entire bed convo with Selene. The show has already hinted at his relations. In the books, Min's visions are always correct even if she doesn't understand them at the time. They didn't do this in the show, but in the first book Min has a vision of Rand smoking a pipe. This is the last scene in the last book and Jordan wrote it even though the last three books were completed by Sanderson. I say this just to point out that Jordan knew major plot points and foreshadowed them all the way from the first book. There are a number of things that seem part of the background at the time that actually have a lot of meaning as the series goes on. In season 1 when Rand and Mat and Thom are staying at a farm for the night the little girl has a doll of Birgitte. In the final episode of season 2 we see her as a hero of the horn. Maybe we will see more of her? Birgitte also likes men who are not considered handsome. In each of her lives she has some form of a relationship with Gaidal Cain. Then we see Uno, who most people would not consider great looking as he has the eyepatch and all, standing next to her when the heroes are revealed. This is a strong hint that Uno may be Cain. I know the TV show has changed a number of things, but for the most part they have kept to the spirit of what is happening. So when we see Rand staring up at Elayne who looks like an angel with the light behind her and asks who she is, and for the first time in the show she just gives her name, that probably means something. In every other meeting she makes sure people know she is the daughter-heir. As an aside, I never thought Rand was the main character in the books. Jordan may spend 400 pages with Perrin and then the next 300 are with Nynaeve and Elayne. And then we might have Aviendah for a while. Or we see Mat. Or we see Egwene. All of these characters are treated fairly equally in the books. So yes Rand is the Dragon Reborn, but the story is about the whole group of Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendah. And you saw it a little in the show so far, but Rand is actually the most stubborn of the guys. I will say I really want to see how they deal with Logain going forward. He was a character that everyone thought was minor in their first read but turns out to be really important by the end. The show has already made him far more important. As far as his power, he has about the same amount of power as Nynaeve in the books. She is basically a step below the strongest a woman can be. Logain is a step below the strongest a male can be. So when he sees just how powerful Rand is that is just more confirmation that Rand is the Dragon. You might also want to remember that Aviendah called him the Car'a Carn. The Aiel have a different set of prophecies from those of the Dragon. That was the last thing we heard in the main show. Yes they did the teaser with Moggy afterwards. I wonder where things are going next.

[@ToriTalksTV]

I’m so glad you reminded us of the idea that Egwene essentially chose power over love. It adds another layer to Rand’s struggles. -Tori :)

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

So many Spoilers! The last scene in the last book? Are you kidding me? So he lives? Huh. Who knew. 😮 Maybe delete and hope they forget?

[@heartflame503]

Good grief spoilers galore what is this disrespect !! do better.

[@Accolonian]

You are right to be feeling that something is missing. And it is because of the season one stunt of trying to make the Dragon Reborn a mystery. Firstly it repressed Rand as a character since he was mostly out of focus. Secondly, it presented you with a lot of other choices as possible Dragons, many of whom may have been more interesting choices seen with 2020's vision. You even got to thinking that a female Dragon was possible, which it simple isn't because of the one power being split into a male and a female part; The Dragon Reborn simply IS male. So the reveal of the Dragon Reborn must have seemed to you as the most bland and boring choice, I get it. The farm boy to hero story seems overdone, but it wasn't 40 year ago. Also the age shift from book to TV. I think your perception of Rand would shift if he was a bit younger like in the book. Just a few years younger and you would have gone all in mom protective mode instead of thirsting. That would definitely have changed your perception of him :D

[@ToriTalksTV]

You make so many great points! It’s very validating - thank you!! -Tori :)

[@tofystedeth]

The boys are the same age they were in the books. The only one of the Two Rivers kids that was aged up for the show was Egwene.

[@Accolonian]

@@tofystedeth Well, they sure seem a lot younger in the books.

[@khomo12]

Ladies!😊😊😊 Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉 and good fortune! I talked to another non-bookreader, as a non-bookreader myself, who really enjoys the show too, and is slowly reading the books; She said, "that in the books you spend more time with rand. In the first book, which I have read, he's really a sympathetic character. " Yeah, the aiel culture is a big part of it in future seasons, I would imagine.👍👍👍🎡🎡🎡⌚️⌚️⌚️

[@ToriTalksTV]

Happy New Year!!! 🎆 That’s really good to know - thank you!! -Tori :)