The Wheel Of Time, Episode 5 - Top 10 Takeaways

The Wheel weaves, and a new episode discussion comes to pass.
I'm changing up the format this time. Instead of a scene-by-scene discussion, I took my top 10 character moments or plot forwards, and talked about each one for a little bit.
I've also added a topic side bar, so if that is useful please let me know and I'll keep adding it!
Let me know if this format is better please!

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Had to delete a comment I thought was a bit too much of a potential spoiler. No hard feelings, I just have show only people that watch these and don't want anything ruined for them

[@GentleGiantDK]

Stepin's story arch wasn't really about "Stepin". It's a show-don't-tell expanded story arch that both had world building, with a bit of exposition (some general notes on Warder/Aes Sedai bond, the Forsaken), and foreshadowing (laying the ground work for what it means to bond someone as a Warder and what happens if that bond is broken, should that ever happen again in the series... maybe even the introduction of forkroot tea?). So it was one arch that took up (a larger) part of an episode (and the end of the previous one) to lay the foundation for a whole bunch of things down the road. Also, Lan is, among his many stoic characteristics, also very dutiful. Thus, when he was picked to be the Chief Mourner (a tradition several real world cultures have, with various duties - particularly Korean Rites of Passage have wailing mourners, who will also beat their chests, as an expression of grief), he dutifully performed it, expressing his grief, which he might otherwise have kept hidden. And, through the Warder bond, Moiraine could feel the actual grief he was experiencing (which could also hearken back to a previous loss of his from the books, since they're using New Spring as part of the first season too). I've seen several military vets who have expressed the way that whole story affected them immensely, as they've been through that kind of loss of their former comrades in arms.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thanks for taking the time to reply with all that. I agree with you about a lot of this being important ground work for future events in the series. Also I had no idea about the chief mourner role. If that was in the episode then I missed it. Regardless, thanks for explaining it. This is the type of exchange I hope to get out of these videos. Theres so much out there that I don't know, that will go over my head. So having people willing to explain the details I miss is greatly appreciated. Looking at it now, it definitely strengthens Lan's position as a respected Warder among the tower.

[@GentleGiantDK]

@@Kevinbaconator_ Yes, the older Warder asks Lan to lay his hand on him (Stepin) and relieve them (the other Warders and Aes Sedai present) of their grief. Thus he becomes the conduit (not in a magical way) through which their collective grief is being expressed. Another interesting thing, I can't remember who pointed it out (another KZbinr), is the juxtaposition between the high pitched singing/keening at the Aes Sedai funeral in the opening scene (supposedly performed by Alanna) and the deep throat-singing done at the Warder funeral.

[@justin-md4xm]

thanks, that's a thoughtful explanation

[@suitcasemurphy1220]

Awesome episode summary & takeaways from episode! Look forward to future content. ♾

[@MVirion]

Great review! Loved the format. It’s a nice change of pace from the way most other videos are organized. Your commentary was very insightful without spoiling anything.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@larryjones558]

I do like this format. Interesting how the different content creators have ranked this episode. From best to worst. 3 might still be my favorite because Dana the dark friend. But I agree this was an awesome episode considering it’s bridging the two halves of the season. It laid lots of crumbs for stuff we might not see until season 3 or 4. And I’ll add… #thirst

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thanks for the feedback. I like 3 a lot too, I'll be interested to see where they line up at the end of the season

[@akashas6012]

I prefer this format with the notes on the side.

[@msj7872]

This was also my favorite episode.

[@ebenhopwil1886]

As an actual gay man (hey boo!), the handling of the sexuality among Warders and with their Aes Sedai was so well done. Zero stigma, no "oooh, icky" at the idea, just matter of fact about it and a willingness to entertain the idea. Overall, this was a top tier episode for me. There was enough to keep book readers guessing while opening so much of the world and lore for those new to the story. Great breakdown, my friend! Looking forward to more.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thanks for the perspective, and the feedback :) I'm sure there will be plenty of instances that I'll need to rely on other people's perspectives going forward, so it's nice to have people willing to let me know!

[@OnlyInRushville]

Eben do Chris Evans younger brother here (😅) a solid and share his video/channel. Although if Adelorna Sedai finds that beard he may be in trouble.🤣

[@ebenhopwil1886]

@@Kevinbaconator_ You know I'm always around if you need advice around these subjects, but I think you get it well enough.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

@@ebenhopwil1886 just seeing this now but I absolutely will!

[@LeahB31]

I love this format and you having your agenda on the side of the video. It reminds me of Grace Randolph's channel and I love it.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thanks! I realized with 25 minute videos, people probably have their core things they want to hear people's opinions on, and then bounce. Hopefully this will allow them to find what they enjoy instead of leaving before the intro is over. Shoutout to Pat McAfee sports show for giving me the idea lol.

[@LeahB31]

@@Kevinbaconator_ Guilty! 😂 This format actually made me interested in sticking around for about 95% of the video for this episode tbh.

[@michaelsweeney5958]

Keep the Top Ten format !! Good review I am a book reader that has completed the series, and am Loving the way Rafe the cast and the whole WOT production is telling their interpretation of the story in a visual format. Keep doing your thing Bud its working.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Thank you, Michael. I appreciate the encouragement!

[@matslarsson6919]

Liked the format.

[@OnlyInRushville]

Love this format!!!!

[@matslarsson6919]

I hope I will like this episode better after the season is finished. Right now I feel like this episode wasted time on a side story to the detriment of the main plot and the characters that matter the most. Nothing in the episode was bad per se, I just wanted more scenes with Rand, Mat, Nynaeve and LOIAL!!!

[@Kevinbaconator_]

You make a pretty good point. We only have three episodes left (I think.) So if they're truly combining elements of books 1 and 2, that's a LOT of content to cover in 3 more hours. I felt the same way in s8 of GoT. When it was episode 2 and they hadn't done anything yet, I was concerned they didn't have time to cover all the plot lines... Unfortunately I was right. Hopefully this isn't the case for WoT, season 1. Hopefully.

[@matslarsson6919]

@@Kevinbaconator_ I have hope still. I was probably over hyped after ep 4, which was an excellent example of how adaptation can be done well without being a direct translation between different media.

[@nickcarnevalino7462]

Loil is the size of a child ;) also , did you notice the whistle right before Mat found the dagger?

[@Kevinbaconator_]

What?! No I didn't. Will have to go back and listen.

[@justin-md4xm]

you know the title was what Fain wrote in blood on the cell walls in The Great Hunt. Blood calls Blood, among other ramblings.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Totally forgot about that tbh. That's interesting to say the least. Considering he was only in there for 5 seconds this episode. Thanks for the heads up

[@TheAutoimmuneDad]

Did you see Fain both times this episode or just the once? He was also in the scene with the whistle when they were going into the inn. Loial was great and the actors voice and mannerisms was 100% Loial to me! I get that he is shorter than described in the books but it's definitely a budget thing. I agree with you, a shorter Loial so we get more of him! Maybe they will make other Ogier that are older than him larger since they won't be on screen much and they can chalk it up to him being like an Ogier teenager? I agree with everything Claus Olesen said in his comment on your video. The Stepin arc wasn't about Stepin. I personally love this version of Lan much more than the books. He has been plenty stoic and tough as nails to everyone who he isn't close to. Case in point, everytime he looks at Rand haha. We are getting to see his off book page character with those he has an intimate relationship with like Moraine, Nynaeve and his fellow Warders. I like to imagine book Lan as being like this but we only really got him from someone else's perspective. Also the funeral scene made me tear up some. As someone who has lost a friend in a similar fashion, it really hit home. He was definitely playing the role of chief mourner and was carrying everyones loss in that scene. I also like to think he was dealing with some guilt since his friend was under his watch when this happened (even though it wasn't his fault). They also mixed in some real world traditions for that scene like the chief mourner (in some Asian countries they hire mourners for funerals) and tearing his shirt (older Jewish tradition) at the end. For me it shows the Breaking even more with the people of the old world scattered and traditions being mixed together over these thousands of years. That's at least how I like to look at it even if I may be waaaay off based haha. Definitely my favorite episode so far and I am all on board with the changes the show has made so far and the way things are being handled. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@Kevinbaconator_]

I saw him when it was just his arm and back in the scene on my re-watch as well. We actually had the same idea about Loial being a teenager. I had text a friend about it after writing the video and that was our coping mechanism. Hopefully the less screen heavy ogier will be taller. Loial is a young lad after all. Seriously though you almost said it word-for-word how i did lol. For the new Lan, I know I'm going to love it eventually, its just an instance of my brain resisting change. Thankfully, Daniel Henney is an amazing actor so its oh so easy to watch. thanks for your input about the grieving situation too. Wot is so influenced by other cultures that it really makes me feel like i paid 0 attention in world history when I was a kid. I don't think i've had many shows that made me this emotional in the first 5 episodes. thanks for such a detailed response. I'm here for the discussion, so having people willing to take their time and reply with their takes is awesome!

[@TheAutoimmuneDad]

@@Kevinbaconator_ Oh I also forgot to mention that I like this format style!

[@r_r_r_r]

PSA to anyone reading this: If you are a “leg in an Eiffel Tower” it doesn’t matter if you’re touching the other legs, you are part of the same structure and that structure is GAY. ❤️🏳️‍🌈😈 On a different note: Agree with others here, nice format!

[@Kevinbaconator_]

Lmao thanks. I was just going off of the sacred texts kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpqamKqObNedhdk

[@r_r_r_r]

@@Kevinbaconator_ 😂😂😂

[@jamesdecourcey7323]

For Loial, why wouldn't they just use a bigger actor? Hammed (the actor), is only 6'3". I say only like he is a normal height but why not get someone who, without creative camera angles or expensive CGI, appears larger than life? My 2 cents.

[@Kevinbaconator_]

The characters dialogue, voice, and mannerisms are well documented in the series. This was probably the best performance that matched their vision. Some of those big guys can't act for shit. See: any pro wrestler of the mountain

[@jamesdecourcey7323]

@@Kevinbaconator_ Also the White Cloak buffet made me smile ear to ear :)

[@gaoasaurusg2159]

Expensive...forced camera perspective and or a box. This is how filmmakers have made actors appear taller since the dawn of filmmaking. Loial having a beard was the biggest breaker for me. He would not have a beard. He's too young. The show kept saying things had to be cut for time...then add tons of things not in the book ...for reasons. Book Lan is far and away bettet than this one. Toxic masculinity? How about plain old masculinity. Don't see why being a male is now referred to as 'toxic'. Lan is a badass man's man in the book. In the show, he's an emotive guy with a sword that trails along after the strong, powerful female like all the males. Neither he nor any other's are allowed to be the mentors to the boys as they were in the books. Lan doesn't teach the sword. Thom doesn't teach Rand and Matt flute and juggling respectfully ad well as how to survive in the world. Elias is cut completely so Perrin isn't taught anything and the leader of the Tinkers was deleted. His wife becoming the leader in the show. Book Perrin killed the Whitecloak that killed Hopper in the book, which is why the Whitecloaks took them into custody. In the show it's because they were seen twice? Egwene knifes the Whitecloak in the show...grrl power I guess? Yes, we all sit and wonder what will happen next, because they've changed so much book readers have no clue where the show is going next.