Wheel of Time S1 E6 Explained | Free Will, Oaths, & Doorways | Unraveled

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Use your free will to like and subscribe! Remember to indicate book spoilers in the comments!

[@navybrandt]

Your videos should be required watching for all fans of the show. Readers and non-readers alike! It's obvious you put a lot of thought and effort into them. Thanks.

[@nerdygunz7734]

I 100% agree!!!!

[@baardseth82]

I can't get over how you narrate these videos so well, with a calm and scholarly manner. Then throw out a random Power Rangers reference and crack us all up! I certainly hope that Mat isn't fully healed from the dagger yet. I think that a certain event toward the beginning of book 3 is pivotal for Mat's character and I hope they don't cut it. And I certainly hope they let Loial ramble in the next episode. I want to hear a solid 10 minute monologue about the Ways as they travel them. Awesome video!

[@Teacloc]

Best deep dive I've seen of The Wheel of Time Episode 6 and I've watched many. You've got the lore down and do an excellent job of using the various data sources already available to non-book readers to connect dots to explain without spoiling. You also have far better production quality than anyone else with clips, animations, and overlays well done throughout (MegaZord notwithstanding). Well done.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Lol? I love the Megazord! Thank you for your kind words!

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

This is a great deep dive and I like how you help show only fans to understand where the lore is derived. Great pickups on many of the show elements, some of which I've missed with only one viewing. Rafe should bring you on as a consultant (if he hasn't already).

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thanks! Being a consultant would be amazing. Nothing like that is happening though. I do this all on my own!

[@582Dhananjay]

@@UnravelingthePattern but wouldn't that be just amazing?

[@Zulverius]

Great content as always. I just took Moiraine switching up the oath as her telling Suian that she won't ever see her again. The same way Suian's father did.

[@davidgregory7564]

Thanks!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Wow, thanks so much! ♥😘

[@combogalis]

Great video as usual. A couple things to add myself: I like to think of the oath rod's use here as a ceremonial ritual pre-dating the three oaths. They did this for all exiles back when they needed to, and now that they technically don't need to, they still do it because it's traditional. Which happens all the time in our cultures. Also it wasn't "I swear to obey the Amyrlin Seat" in the oath. It was "I swear to obey the judgment of the Amyrlin Seat." It's specifically referring to this one instance, not an overall swearing of fealty.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Good points!

[@artanastacio1569]

" Verbiage is important."

[@GeraltSavior]

I partly agree with you on the ceremonial part. However, I feel like people misunderstand the three oaths here. I have also seen Daniel and Nae'blis say 'well why doesn't she just say she will never return? After all she can't lie'. While that is true, it is only true in that moment. If Moiraine believes she will never return at that instant, she can say so. That does not mean she can never actually return though. The next day she could change her mind and it wouldn't be a problem, because her spoken words the day before were still true when she spoke them. Aes Sedai speak objective falsehoods all the time thinking they are true. So if the Aes Sedai wanted to have an absolute guarantee that a banished sister would never return, another oath on the oath rod would actually be required, so that it would be made physically impossible for the banished sister to return.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@GeraltSavior good point!

[@combogalis]

@@GeraltSavior ***book spoilers*** I believe the books address this when the Aes Sedai swear oaths of fealty to Rand. They can't break those oaths.

[@moreliberty1]

Your deep dive videos are among the best, if not the best. Thank you so much for making these.

[@podcastofthedragon3034]

Another beautiful video, Lauren! You're doing such a good job making post-episode content that appeals to non-readers and stokes curiosity. Also really appreciate how you're bringing in (what is for them) secondary source material with your non-spoilery book quotes.

[@ericsimard5889]

Thanks for the video. You’re always the last reviewer I watch since I save the best for last. Anyway… *spoiler* Really liked the mention of Aiel and ships disappearing in the West. Exciting for future seasons. As for your observation about Ajahs’ heads being the center seated sitters this would be yet another deviation from the books where an Ajah’s head’s identity is known only by Aes Sedais from her own Ajah AND they are often but not always a sitter. Keep those videos coming.

[@Reoh0z]

It's confirmed in one of the Amazon Prime WoT videos that they did have to re-shoot the Waygate scene after Barney left. And one would think, the following scenes were re-written in accordance. It's a shame, I thought Barney was nailing his Matt role.

[@judithhobson5868]

what i love is that suian is still net making

[@podcastofthedragon3034]

I loved that, too!

[@ChrisPorterMusic]

Awesome video as always! One thing I wanted some clarification on. When discussing ta'veren, you said, "When the Pattern needs certain things to happen or change, special people called "ta'veren" are born or spun out by the Pattern." My understanding is that no one is born ta'veren, but rather they become ta'veren when the Pattern needs them to be. When their actions have balanced the Pattern as needed, they then return to their normal, non-ta'veren selves. You are far more learned on Wheel of Time lore than I am, so I just wanted to know if, in fact, people can be born ta'veren. Thanks again for your wonderful videos! I look forward to them every week.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You're right. My explanation was an over simplification.

[@northyorksguy6423]

Your videos are hands down the best WOT content on KZbin. Your production skills and the sheer quality just shines. I love the deep dive analysis and I really do agree with the points you raise, as the evidence you gather for each idea is clear and makes sense. As an avid re-reader since the 90s I love these books but I really don’t mind the changes to the story or how it differs from my head canon. My well-worn imagery and ideas are always there for me to return to and I love seeing a new interpretation but with the same characters. I love the mystery about some things like the terangreal as I’m sure they will be explained more as the series progress and they become more frequently used. One thing I personally would like to see more of is an appreciation as to the vast size of their “world”. The times I have studied that map and you can appreciate just how great the distances are between cities and lands. Again hopefully this world will unfold more as the story continues. Thank you for the excellent videos and here’s to you being the main reviewing guide for viewers!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I agree with you that the new mysteries and variations from the books are partially what makes this so fun! I wish everyone felt the way you do. Let's hope we can do this for years to come!!!

[@uriqomas99]

So good lauren! What a primer for watching the episode in 10 hrs!

[@scotchula3676]

As always, your vids bring a tear to the eye. And goosebumps. When you do your unraveling you also manage to bind things together. It's awesome. Now I just hope they manage to explain why Moiraine could sense Egwene's inborn ability and not Nynaeve's. 😱

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I think she sensed it. That's why she approached her first. But she didn't know she could "channel" already. That's how I'm choosing to interpret it anyway.

[@scotchula3676]

@@UnravelingthePattern That's a thought. I was going with Nynaeve inadvertently masking her ability. A byproduct of her self preservation and secretive tendencies.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@scotchula3676 love this!

[@rantalmore]

Your animation quality is RIDICULOUS Lauren!!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thanks so much! You're RIDICULOUS, which is why I love you!

[@Magnums_Chronicles]

As always you’ve created an outstanding video.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Wow, thank you!

[@hiltrud2001]

Totally forgot to say thanks! You help me shorten the waiting time for the next episode ❣

[@michael_swardh]

You are a master at this Sir! Keep up the amazing work!

[@ATAKeithStewart]

These videos are so insightful, great job!

[@mandyviv57]

This really helped clarify some stuff for me. I watched the series twice now, but I’m only about 3/4 through Book 1, so it really helped without spoiling anything. Going now to see what you have to say about the last episode!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Sadly I haven't made a video about the last episode yet, but I'm working on it!

[@mandyviv57]

@@UnravelingthePattern can’t wait!

[@iphoukwani]

yes thank you! I hate reviews and need the deep dives

[@matthias5048]

Another great deep dive video! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@lewisjohnston1136]

As usual, great video. They are the joy of my week. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@davidlohmanmn]

Bravo.... gorgeous and informative video!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you kindly!

[@darkhoundslobber2028]

"If it wasn't for that meddling braid-tugger."...bwahahaha!!! Love the Scooby-doo shout out, and great explanation of the metaphysics of WoT. I feel like I understand the nature of the Wheel better now than I ever did before, and I've got a bunch of rereads under my belt. Were you able to spot a 3rd painting ter'angreal in the fisherman's hut during the Suiaraine scene? I was looking but didn't see anything definitive. The nature of that encounter still has me intrigued, but I like the holodeck analogy (I won't use any WoT descriptors just to avoid spoilers). I hope we find out how it worked eventually!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I couldn't spot a third! I'm thinking it's similar to other ter'angreal we see in later books. I do think they were physically there in that place, but that's all I'll say for now ;)

[@Teacloc]

@@UnravelingthePattern Did you notice Siuan's ter'angreal was left open, with a painting of a river in the Fingers of the Dragon in Tear, where you'd find such a fishing hut, while Moiraine's, which has a very different painting in it was closed before using. Perhaps these ter'angreal can open gateways to the place, or a virtual representation of the place, depicted in the open ter'angreal. Meaning, this set has a defined set of two destinations.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@Teacloc I like that idea.

[@combogalis]

@@Teacloc I've been sharing the "blue skadoo, we can too" ter'angreal theory since I watched the episode. Didn't think about the relevance of the doors being open or closed though. That's a great catch.

[@Teacloc]

@@combogalis Look at you, coming in hot with a Blue's Clues allusion. 😂

[@brothertaddeus]

As a fan of both WOT and the Fate series, your video helped me realize that ta'veren are basically the Counter Force.

[@michelfosho]

Great video. Really appreciate the amount of work and dedication to make this. Personally I am having a really hard time with this show. I think it is marred by several major issues. To me deviating so far from the source material and lore can only be justified if it adds quality to the finished work, which in my opinion it doesn't. If anything it takes away from it. We now have gaping plot holes which I think will be more and more prevalent throughout the series. Add to that the extreme desire for melodramatic scenes and sad backstories, poor understanding of camerawork, lighting and editing as well as weak, unrealistic dialogue. I will keep watching since these are some of my favorite books which I have reread almost every year since I was a teenager.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I agree with you to some degree, but you have to remember, this is just the beginning. Many of things will likely not pay off for a long time down the road. This season, to me, feels like a set up of the "big picture." I'm think they'll get back to the main characters and book plots in upcoming seasons, but I totally understand why the introduced so much of these backstories and new plots as a set-up and payoff farther down the line. I hope anyway!

[@michelfosho]

@@UnravelingthePattern I appreciate the reply. Yes, one can hope this makes more sense in the long run. Keep up the good work! I will spread the word of your channel to my friends.

[@Yarazin]

Your vids are always great, thank you for all the hard work sir.

[@shannongraham867]

These are SO well done! Thank you!

[@hathor46]

Another amazing video 🤩 Love it!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Glad you liked it!!

[@hiltrud2001]

Watching again, with sound and everything ❣

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You're the best! 😘

[@hiltrud2001]

@@UnravelingthePattern ❤💙❤

[@weeklywheelnews]

The fact that you hear dogs barking when she channels really shows the care given to the Lore.. i originally understood it as a hunting party coming for her (like slave owners chasing down a runaway slave with hounds)… but really, remember dogs don’t like Saidar and always bark at Aes Sedai, and cats the opposite about men and Saidin if I recall.

[@anypercentdeathless]

There's no paradox because she is wrong: The Wheel DOES, in fact, want. It's called a free-floating rationale. Basically, there's no rule saying goals, purposes, must be represented through symbols, or through thought, or by concepts within other minds, for a goal to exist: evolution, etc.

[@taXicity]

Great job man, loved the video

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Appreciate it!

[@taXicity]

@@UnravelingthePattern I really like that you keep these spoiler free, something that will attract show only audince. And they are the best produced videos on the topic that i've come accross.

[@saratogalion3680]

Great content as always.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Much appreciated!

[@johnj650]

Think of Homer Simpson when pronouncing Dónal Finn's name...it's DOH-nal. Another wonderful video, as always!!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha, good tip for remembering. It's tiring trying to get all of these pronunciations right. I'm sure I've messed up many times.

[@johnj650]

@@UnravelingthePattern you're doing a simply stellar job!! Keep it up

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

I thought Liandrin's "man" was as you assumed - a lover or warder that she was keeping hidden, but some others have suggested Padan Fain. It might make sense seeing how their storylines converge without directly overlapping in the TGH.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I thought that too and it was in my original script, but I left it out. Moiraine says she'll "tell them where he lives." I suppose Fain could live in Tar Valon. We'll have to wait and see!

[@navybrandt]

She meets him in North Harbor, but he could live anywhere. The fact that the Red Ajah will do something (presumably bad) to him, implies to me that he can channel - perhaps he's even one of the Forsaken. This means Moraine might even know (*spoiler*) about Liandrin, but is willing to ignore it for the sake of her mission.

[@ChrisHobson916]

I think Moiraine thinks it’s a lover, but it’s really a DF or Forsaken

[@samsmom1491]

If Moraine knew Liandrin was meeting Padan Fain, I doubt she'd have kept it quiet. Some have posited that Liandrin is meeting one of the Forsaken and that does make sense. I just realized that Moraine does not know that Fain is a dark friend, yet. Hmmmm... 🤔

[@maxsilva11]

Regarding what Moiraine knows about Liandrin: she watched her gentle that random male channeler in the season cold open, and yet in episode four, it's implied that the three oaths interpret gentling as violence in a way that triggers the safety clause. (H/t to Holge's videos under the name WotShowTheory)

[@Hamish_Whitehaven]

great content

[@Blyndref]

Great work again Lauren! I’m very interested in how they are going to spin the mat story now until Donel F. Can be brought up to speed…. Do you think any view of him will occur in the last 2 episodes? Perhaps when he was hired on, he did a scene or two?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I don't think Mat will appear in the last two episodes at all, but this is just my guess. I have zero inside info to back this up.

[@tracepaper]

Wonderful!!!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Many thanks!!

[@alananimus9145]

Historical fact. A kingdom doesn't have to have a king. It's really completely but even when there is no king who occupies the throne it's still a kingdom. A location ruled by a queen is a queendom. But a queendom can have a king and a kingdom can have a queen. Or both can have no ruling king or queen but the highest office is still king or queen.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Interesting. TIL. Thanks for the clarification!

[@alananimus9145]

@@UnravelingthePattern I have found that a lot of the practical things people have problems with (Siuan going up river by herself) come from a lack of historical understanding. The two rivers is supposed to be closest in values to us and I have always been bothered by how old the rite of adulthood takes place. It's completely historically inaccurate but I forgive it because people would rebel otherwise. We forget that we have the luxury of not considering 15 year olds adults. Historically however you were a legal adult somewhere between 12-14. The only exception was if you were a from an upper cast. Then it was 15-18. I like how they are pulling from the real world and the time period as much as possible.

[@Thewayoftheryan]

Another home run!

[@sillysyriac8925]

I hated this episode, but I loved this breakdown, and how could I hate on my favorite WOT creator? Well done

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thanks! l I'll be honest, my initial reactions of the episode weren't so positive. It's grown on me.

[@hiltrud2001]

All right, on my tv I can hear you!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You scared me! Was worried the sound was removed!

[@hiltrud2001]

@@UnravelingthePattern sorry! Still don't know what happened! I watched an episode with Stephen Colbert right before and sound was okay! Haven't tried again yet...

[@WheelUpTime]

Just want to mention Lauren if you go on the explore timeline the section on moiraine and siuans meeting describes the painting box doorway terangreal in more detail. They confirm it makes a gateway to a single place, in the fingers of the dragon in tear

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Yeah, in my opinion that is the most "wrong" description, which is why I chose to leave it out, haha. They explain it in two other places differently, and I personally really dislike the "gateway" explanation, haha.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Also, Rosamund Pike talked about this in an interview and implied that it isn't really in Tear. More like an alternate world or space. My guess is some version of the Accepted Test ter'angreal or Tel'aran'rhiod in the flesh.

[@Mantolwen]

You put season 2 here as well

[@stormsend4966]

Another good one. But you didn't touch on what the xray extra says about Siuan

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Which part?

[@stormsend4966]

@@UnravelingthePattern Her talents and abilities

[@jaykay6222]

I can't lie and say the Waygates didn't look cool, but I really genuinely feel a bit of sadness that they changed them from the books. I REALLY wanted to see them in motion, both because it'd be cool, and cause it'd have given me help in solidifying how I imagine them in my mind, as sometimes I get bogged down on those whimsical book qualities that I'm not entirely sure how to translate into mental imagery.

[@jaykay6222]

I'm sure there was a justified reason, but I still think it's silly that Siuan's father didn't go with her. What kept him from going, exactly? Sure it was more emotional this way, but it's not like he was leaving behind that much. Idk, I just think as a responsible father he'd have gone with her. She was incredibly young, and though she could channel, that doesn't ensure she's set up to survive A) the elements and any unforeseen natural circumstances, B) potential raiders/thieves, C) potential whitecloaks, D) shadowspawn, E) etc. It was very reckless to have her leave alone like that, in my opinion, and just doesn't feel like a natural decision to have her go it alone when the reason for him to stay behind felt so weak (that I recall, I honestly don't quite remember why he stayed).

[@athomenotavailable]

Mat's Old Blood was strong enough to fight off the evil of the dagger! When he touches it again in Tear, Nynaeve will cure him not by extracting the darkness like what Moiraine did, but by fortifying his Old Blood with the one power, so that it eats up the darkness like a fertilizer and evolves into Super Old Blood! In doing so, he also gains access to the memories of all those people in Aridhol. (Those people were eaten up by Machin Shin when the Waygate in Aridhol was purposely destroyed during Trolloc Wars. Machin Shin is not able to exist for long in its original form in the real world, so as it ate the souls and bodies of all those people, it transformed into a black ink-like presence on the surface of Aridhol. ) Mat cannot handle so many memories, so his mind sieves out what is useful to him at the time, ie fighting skills and battle strategy, so that he can command the Aiel and armies in Tear to fend off the Seanchan army who is attacking Tear.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha, nice. With all the changes we've seen so far, why not? Lol

[@jonahdav9589]

Rafe has set the Wheel of Time on fire so far with all his non cannon changes. A viewer has no idea the importance of Rand, Matt, or Perrin at this point as they are side bar characters if that. Robert Jordan had those three as the prime characters through out the books. Now side characters like Siun and Moraine are gender swapped into bi or lesbians. Locations like Caemlyn are skipped and removed. The start of the series not taking place with Lewis Therin and Ishmael and dragonmount pillar of light. Wierd changes where Womans circle are tossing girls off cliffs when they were the sensible ones. Poorly explained dagger and reasons why it was bad to take it as Moraine in this version did not warn them to touch nothing. Did Rafe even read the Wheel of Time? Doubt it. All I can sense from the showrunner is that he Hates Robert Jordan.

[@davids182]

@@jonahdav9589 Wow there is just so much to unpack in your comment. I don't even know where to begin. Probably best for my sanity if I don't even try.

[@justasking6930]

I can only imagine the confusion of non-readers if there was no bonus content on Amazon or other online resources such as this. The show really does up the unreliable narrator element from the books. I haven't enjoyed all that much of this season but I am giving them a pass for this season, in hopes that once the world is more established they can improve. I hope as well that season 2 doesn't share some of the clunky editing and at times quite poor cgi. The actors give me hope despite my reservations of how their characters are written. Looking forward to these last 2 episodes and your breakdowns.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I think I agree with you for the most part. I do like the show though, but it could do with tighter writing and especially better editing. I'm still on the fence as to whether it's good or bad to have so little explanation/exposition in the show. Seems like lazy writing if they have to rely so much on "bonus content" to help people understand... but I also don't want them to spend too much time on info dumping.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

The love shack is more confusing to us that read the books.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Exactly. I just don't want people drawing links between the painting ter'angreal doorways and the Waygate, or gateways later. But, to be fair, there are many different types of "doorways" in the books too.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

@@UnravelingthePattern which archway terrangreal that teleported you to a simulation was always done by linked sisters because they wernt strong enough on their own.. but not super moraine... what exactly can the yellow do better than you moraine? You can heal everything by yourself np, even lan has 0 scars from your perfect healing. Shadar logoth pfft piece of cake,mats drinking beer, riding horses and choosing cowardice all within 24 hours

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I think maybe the show is not for you. You seem so hell bent on proving that the writing is bad, but unfortunately you have no power to change that. It is what it is. The Wheel weaves. I understand many of your frustrations, but harping on it over and over doesn't make anybody happy. Consider watching another show or re-reading the books. I'm sorry you feel so betrayed, but it can't be changed at this point. Might be time to move on.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

@@UnravelingthePattern im giving season 1 a covid pass, the show is a mediocre fantasy series capitalizing off name recognition its true. But it could improve... firing the lighting crew is a start, getting some writers over the age of 25 and i would fire rafe... speaking as a gay man hes what we would call toxic diva gay. Im categorizing amazon and book characters. Example amazon rand book rand ect there is book siuane (gareth bloody brine!) Amazon siuane (furer despot terrible ruler)

[@cynthiavanteylingen7922]

When nyneave healed those around her. Did u notice the black sanity strand went away from logain. Could be that he just lost control of his weaves but who knows can sanity be healed i wonder. Book readers will know.

[@lewistodddudley244]

Your content has caused me to lose interest in other content creators--really really well done! Thank you!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Oh no! But I'll take it 😁

[@navybrandt]

Significant book spoiler... . . . . . . I'm curious about your deeper thoughts about using the Oath Rod to swear a new Oath. Yes, it's controversial but it touches on how dark friends are made and the Black Ajah.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Very likely an intentional set-up with those very things in mind!

[@cynthiavanteylingen7922]

Lan says there are rumors of 4 taveren. But that doesnt mean there are 4 maybe its just 3 or 5.

[@kaspermygenfordt2323]

Love that you are using the x--ray content from prime, really gives your videos something extra. MAJOR SPOILERS Must admit I neither hate nor love the focus on relationships and diversity if you can even call it that, honestly don't give a shit haha. I only mention my indifference since, fans seem to be in a big divide about this approach. Yet as a book reader the things I do take some issue with is making someone other than the boys a ta'veren. They could of course totally ignore the way the pattern works in the books and then it wouldn't matter, but if Egwane's eventual rise; is littered with intervening by the great pattern, I just think that would take so much away from her own merits and ofc freedom of choice, suddenly it would not make sense why there is so much conflict between her and the dragon in the later books. I could potentially see Nynaeve being ta'veren, but the show still needs to win me over some on this. :-P But completely dividing the dragon into several people is too much for me, not that it doesn't sound cool it would just be a very different telling and an unnecessary one in my opinion. Now I'm still gonna watch it ofc, but I imagine my face wearing a bit of a scowling expression. :-D Matt staying in Tar Valon makes sense to me, as far as I remember his character doesn't really do anything particular until his recovery from the knife anyway? so him being in Tar Valon is right where he should be, but he isn't trapped though...

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Great thoughts! I agree with you on all points.

[@weeklywheelnews]

Also I think the man that Liandrin meets with will he Padan Fain

[@UnravelingthePattern]

SPOILERS: . . . . . . Mazrim Taim!?

[@sdarms111doug9]

Very nice discussion, you noticed subtle details that I missed (ex. Egwene’s surprise and the trefoil leaf) As a fan of the books the creative license they are taking gets a bit frustrating, but the show is enjoyable nonetheless. Episodes like this can be a bit irritating as almost none of episode 6 was derived from the source material. This episode DID explain a whole lot of issues like the Oath Rod and the Waygates etc. It seems they are filling in members of the audience who haven’t read the books some of the myriad of background details in the books. Not a bad idea. I happen to love the diverse cast and the choices they’ve made for the main characters have been spot on…as a fan of the books I appreciate that. You probably nailed the reason for Matt staying behind. I’ve really enjoyed Barney Harris I. That role, he pretty much embodies the character in the books. I hope nothing bad happened to the kid.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I totally agree with you on all fronts! Once the season is over I'm going to discuss some of this "frustration" in a video or three. For now I'm just trying my best to unravel what I can for show viewers.

[@Kattleyah]

Great video as usual. I am still doing my best to not let the books dampen my enjoyment of the TV series. The story about the relationship between Moraine and Siuan was very weird at first ("Really, do we need this stuff in every single show ..why?"). But I can also totally see why they did it, as it just strengthens the theme of how close they work together, and really, it might have not been too far off to include this in the books too (for my part, I cannot remember the books mentioning any romantic relationship between them, but only read the story once). Similar happens to most scenes that are different. First I feel a little upset, but then see the greater picture and I can still just enjoy the show for what it is. One positive about changes to the story is, I don't know everything that will happen and that is kind of cool. Often it also just needs a different viewpoint to move me into another thought process. Like reading an interview with Daniel Henney (Lan). He mentions how Stepin (again, something not in the books and I found the story line way too long for what was needed to be told) was like a mentor for Lan, a father figure and how **spoiler** Lan will pass this on to Rand later on and be a mentor and father figure to him when he trains Rand with the sword etc. This is something I totally did not think about but makes so much sense. The thing is just, most people dont deep dive into shows and I would miss a lot of hints and connections if I would not watch your videos, so I am still a bit on the fence on how it will work out for normal viewers who just watch the episodes and thats it. On the other hand, I only watched GoT and did not deep dive into it nor read the books, so I am sure I missed so many things there, but in the end those were not important to enjoy the show. Still enjoying the WoT a lot and hope the pace will slow down with S2 and we get more episodes per season too.

[@Kelvryn]

Annoying that moiraine opened the ways with the one power...

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Agreed. Will discuss this more in a future video. There is a list of "frustrations and annoyances" as a book reader that has been slowly building in the back of my mind since the start. I'll discuss all of this in a future video once the season is over and we've had some time to breathe.

[@alananimus9145]

I don't think she did. I think she did open it with the power. A lot of people are jumping to a lot of conclusions and if there is one thing we should all know having read the wheel of time. Never be certain of your own theory. Believe it but don't be certain of it. My current theory is what we saw was her removing a Ward from the way gate. Remember that scene was very heavily edited. Originally it was longer but they had to edit it because Barney left.

[@slowmotion40]

Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag... actual most powerful woman in the world.

[@enginipek9524]

any idea why they haven't mentioned eye of the world until 6th episode? It felt quite odd to learn about it from siuan's dream. also, the need to go there to end dark one for good, I am trying to find a better word but isn't this complete foolishness? The only reason I can come up for this is, they were not confident that the show will continue after 1st season, so that they decided to give a finale~ish appearance to the last episode of the season

[@UnravelingthePattern]

My thinking is that Siuan and Moiraine are misinformed and don't really know what's going on. They're being led into a trap.

[@HowieStephens]

Hmmm I wonder whoever could POSSIBLY be trying to encourage an encounter at the Eye... HMMMM 🤔 Somebody with a history of meddling with dreams....? Gosh there's no way our heroes might be MISTAKEN or misled about some crucial detail that has far reaching ramifications down the line right??

[@enginipek9524]

@@HowieStephens I must be mistaken then. I had an idea that Amyrlin and Moiraine can't be tricked into DESTROYING Dark One :)) it seems you guyz think this is normal. I mean, to give the audience an idea of killing dark one in a skirmish is against the lore they built, isn't it? what of last battle?

[@HowieStephens]

@@enginipek9524 I'm not sure what you mean here; isn't that exactly the lore that's been established so far? The Dark One is touching the world, the last battle is coming, one of these folks is The Dragon who is supposed to defeat The Dark One, and now they're getting hints that The Dark One is weak and they should confront it right now, and they think The Eye of the World is where that needs to happen. That's essentially the same setup in the book and the show, and in both storylines the hints about TEotW can seemingly be traced back to Ishamael. What's the contradiction?

[@pibby945]

(SPOILER alert) I enjoy your videos and find them very informative, thank you. I am wondering how they will manage Siuan later in the show as she deals with a particular hardship by discovering her attraction to men? It is for this reason I find the departure from Siuan and Moiraine being deep friends to being lovers. I stopped watchin when they left Matt behind as they entered the "Ways", especially as the horses were not going with them, your explanation helps a little.

[@robdonut66]

didn't like the Moiraine line to Liandrin re the man she meets. The question for me is who does Moiraine know or think it is? If she thinks he is a darkfriend or worse then why wouldn't she do something about it? If she thinks he is just a man, her lover for example, then why would the reds do anything to him or be allowed to? If they could harm him just for that and Moiraine knows this, doesn't say much for the Tower. It would more likely be Liandrin who loses respect from her red sisters.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Agreed. But those questions are precisely why I like the mystery!

[@GaysianAmerican]

Theres more than one wheel some with 7 spokes others with 8

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I was going to mention this but there's just way too much to cover. I'll discuss that in another video I'm sure.

[@vitali6497]

Spoiler: I am speculating but perhaps the dreams of Siuan are being manipulated to send the dragon to the eye of the world to break the first seal (Aes Sedai in the show may not be protecting their dreams or some persons can get around it). Rather than the dark one setting himself free, perhaps the Dragon is the only one who can release him (since he sealed him in). Essentially, our protagonists are being manipulated to go to the eye of the world and inadvertently break the first seal. The eye of the world can then serve as the seal on the bore, and once removed, the place can turn into Shayol Ghul.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I love this idea, and it is now my head canon!

[@alananimus9145]

We understand very little about the way things work even in the books. For example greater and lesser prophecy. Greater prophecy is The Wheel communicating the future to an individual, a lesser prophecy is The Wheel communicating a possible future. The Wheel creates what it needs to weave the pattern it "wants". Of all talent's we actually know the least about dreaming. For example Min is a dreamer. One thing we don't know is if the Wheel temporarily grant's talent's and we cannot say yea or nay because Jordan never told us inside or outside the books. The truth is there are many possibilities and no possible way to know. As people we must become comfortable with our uncomfortableness with uncertainty. Speaking outside the show this is a good life skill to have.

[@podcastofthedragon3034]

Spoilers: I think you're right. Ba'alzamon takes credit for the stories about TEotW in the books, making it sound like he lured Rand there to break a barrier around the Eye (similar to the one around Callandor). It must be a trap.

[@weeklywheelnews]

i saw what you did there 😅

[@Mantolwen]

Hmmmmm.... ok just got to the end now. Spoilers for book 6 and onwards below. .. Egwene and Gawyn meet up in Cairhien and fall in love. Then Egwene goes to Salidar to the rebel Aes Sedai and they make her their Amyrlin. I wonder if the series' banning of romance for the Amyrlin will be a major issue for Egwene? Not in Salidar, presumably, but later.

[@heli4233]

👍

[@UnravelingthePattern]

😘

[@cynthiavanteylingen7922]

I like they added different sexual orientations siuan and moraine. And played around with different skin collors. Like loial. Originally i thought everyone would be white and straigt cause i am. Grew up like that and read the books that way. But this story has room for different visuels and i love it. Now im not a kid teen and student reading the books but seeing this world as an adult.

[@jaykay8723]

I like the video as usual and appreciate the positive tone regardless of the fact that writing in this episode has really dangerously started to unravel several pillars of lore and world mechanics without real need to do it, as stressed in Knights Watch reviews, and all that intermixed with polarizing over-woke in-your-face elements entering the narrative while sacrificing fun and important book elements. Go Woke, get Broke is no longer just a rare saying, and if this show fails due to modern agendas, I will not live to see the unpoliticized reboot before the next turning of the Wheel, which would seriously piss me off. So, please, use your voice to properly and in depth address and counter all the main concerns that people like Shadiversity and friends from Knights Watch have, and if you cannot, consider joining them in pressure on the showrunner to show less of his boyfriends boyfriend in the show while the 4th oath is being sworn needlessly. My gay boyfriend, who have never read the books, now after 6 episodes knows more about who sleeps with who in the show than is interested or understands the story and the WOT world , which is seriously wrong !!! Writing and editing is becoming unbalanced for the last 2 episodes, and your videos can help only so much for me not to be afraid of the last two. And dear Bezos, we really need more than 8 episodes per season...(sorry for the rant-y comment).

[@hiltrud2001]

Don't hear a word, just see the wording

[@Jay-vp3kk]

"It's my job to unravel the pattern" And it's my job to sit on my ass and enjoy these videos. I think I got the better end of this stick. ;D *****Book Spoilers Ahead************ The Oath Rod scene. I've debated this quite a bit since the episode, and I think you are wrong here Lauren. The Oath forces the user to speak "no word that is not true". It says nothing about changing your mind later or staying true to your word. The oath only enforces you to speak the subjective truth by your own perspective in the here and now. The words "to speak" are important. The words aren't, "not to have spoken" or "ever to speak" which would have granted some leeway for this. An Aes Sedai could with honest intention say "I promise to obey the Amyrlin until she calls me back" because she really means to obey it in that situation. But if later on she finds out something that changes her mind, say she has to return to achieve some very important goal like saving the Amyrlin's life from a plot then it would no longer be true. She could no longer say those words then, but her having said them earlier does nothing to magically influence her behavior now. The extent of the power of the Oath rod is always limited to the present moment in the books. That said, this is still a weird scene. Punishments are handed out all the times in the books and do not require oaths to be obeyed, and a normal promise under the First Oath would certainly still have sufficed. Because while the first Oath wouldn't retroactively force an Aes Sedai to stay true to her word, it is true that she could only make such a promise if she fully intends to keep it and thus the likelihood of her breaking such a promise should be much lower then a normal person. I do really like the symbolism in the scene, it almost being a marriage and very personal even if that is also a bit odd with all the onlookers. I just think it was kinda odd how they went about justifying doing it.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Great points. I can't help but feel like almost everything we're seeing in this first season is really just a set-up, a prologue of sorts, for what is to come in future seasons. Showing the Oath Rod in this way did feel a bit off, but I think they felt the need to show its impact early on, just like they showed the Warder/Aes Sedai bond stuff early. It will likely pay off later.

[@Jay-vp3kk]

@@UnravelingthePattern Oh yes, for as clunky as I felt it was I also think it was done for a reason!

[@shawnherriott1093]

100% agree that Logain was just trying to goad Siuan into sentencing him to death. Seems the door on Moiraine's painting needed to be closed for her to open the "doorway" to the site depicted in Siuan's painting.

[@thespareoftime6790]

#Spoiler Eloquent as always!

[@leekelly337]

Are you or anyone in chat able to point me to the page(s) in New Spring where the notion of "Siuaraine" is implied/confirmed. I just want to see it for my own eyes, because I find it a stretch. I've gotten as far as Chapter 5 trying to find this evidence...Ch. 5 ends with Moiraine jumping into Siuan's bed after nightmares of the DR and tar'mon'gaiden, Siuan is also restless, and they busy themselves with talk of testing...they don't engage in any physical contact, nor is it remotely hinted at. In this situation, I can't think of anything better to do than "tossing the sheets", but it doesnt happen. TBH, I'm willing to let it go, but PLEASE cut their future relationships with Thom and Bryne respectively. I want no part of on screen drama with them falling out of love then in love with Thom/Bryne and any drama resulting from that, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF THE LIGHT, NO!! The oath rod scene was wrong in so many ways, the entire Hall should have gasped, in response. Also, Moiraine's punishment for wondering the wilds and refusing to admit to her business outside the tower, is to be exiled from the tower where she can continue doing what she was being punished for? Kinda dumb IMO...

[@marcoantoniocabreraaguilar8226]

SPOILERS FOR NEW SPRING: Their relationship as "pillow-friends" (a stand-in for lesbian relationships among women of the Tower) is well established. Chapter 12: "If you say so, Siuan." Moiraine did not sound as if she believed, either. "There is one thing I can remedy. May I offer you Healing?". Siuan could have kissed her. In fact, she did. Chapter 17: Merean shook her head with a smile. "Not troublesome, really. High-spirited. None of the tricks Moiraine played were mean, but they were plentiful. Novice and Accepted, she was sent to my study more often than any three other girls. Except for her pillow-friend Siuan. Of course, pillow-friends frequently get into tangles together, but with those two, one was never sent to me without the other (...)"

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Agree with your last point. I don't have New Spring in front of me, so I can't verify the chapter and page, but here is a line about them being "pillow-friends" ""Not troublesome, really," she said. "High-spirited. None of the tricks Moiraine played were mean, but they were plentiful. Novice and Accepted, she was sent to my study more often than any three other girls. Except for her pillow-friend Siuan. Of course, pillow-friends frequently get into tangles together, but with those two, one was never sent to me without the other." The concept of "pillow-friends" is exactly what you think it is: Romantic/sexual relationships.

[@leekelly337]

@@marcoantoniocabreraaguilar8226 Kissing a good friend doesn’t make you a lesbian or gay, ch. 12 is inadmissible. Merean calling them pillow friends is note worthy, but people love to use the “unreliable narrator” all the time and I will use it here. That’s her possibly unreliable opinion of their relationship. No physical relation is ever committed to page by Jordan. But cool, let’s just make it so in the show and please cut their future established relations out. Honestly, I always thought Moiraine/Thom was out of no where, and Siuan/Byrne isn’t critical to story and could definitely be cut from show. Please no relationship drama in show, PLEASE!

[@leekelly337]

@@UnravelingthePattern thanks to you and @marco for this drop, it’s note worthy but possibly unreliable opinion of their relationship. Either way, my biggest concern is future drama, so I just hope they cut their other established relationships from the show, because there are way more important things I want to see in show.

[@marcoantoniocabreraaguilar8226]

@@leekelly337 In Ch 17 Moiraine is flustered by what Merean "reveals" (just read the few lines following the excerpt I quoted). So their pillow-friendship is confirmed by Moiraine's own thoughts. There's plenty of context throughout the books and from RJ's own interviews confirming what the nature of a pillow-friendship is. You're welcome to change your mind in the face of evidence or not. Cheers! Edit: Just saw your last comment. Agreed on the point that we've much to cover to waste time on relationship drama. That said, I wouldn't mind some tension along those lines if handled carefully and relegated to the background as it was in the books.

[@slowmotion40]

Aes Sedai means servant of all. These women have intentionally handicapped themselves, through the three oaths, so as not to appear as a threat to the rest of the world. Siuan's assertions that, "This is her world", seem to be the words of a megalomaniac, what people fear most of the Amyrlin and the White Tower. To me this was lazy writing at best.

[@kasimshaikh3750]

Your videos are entertaining.. Wish I could say the same about the show. But I heard they had issues in shooting because of Covid. But so far it's been below par.... Thanks YT channel like yours are there to make up for it.

[@athomenotavailable]

The most powerful person before the DR was the Emperor or Empress of Seanchan.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

This is arguable, but also, this video contains light book spoilers for new fans who haven't read the books. Please mark your comment with spoilers. Thanks!

[@hiltrud2001]

Am I the only one not hearing?

[@concken1]

It's a bad choice to make Moiraine so much of the focus and making so many changes. Ugh.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I don't think it's a bad choice. I just hope they don't keep doing it season after season.

[@thedarkonestaint6105]

My biggest issue with the show as of yet, is a lack of exposition. They just keep throwing new names and terms out there and explaining next to nothing.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

It's funny, I normally like that in shows, where they don't over explain. In this show I think they don't explain enough!

[@thedarkonestaint6105]

@@UnravelingthePattern I'm right there with you, I love figuring things out as I go. Being shown not told. Granted the exposition we've gotten has been wonderfully done. There's just a lack of it. Like ta'varen it was mentioned in the first 2 minutes of the show and never again.

[@athomenotavailable]

Moiraine hasn't sworn fealty to Maigan, she can disobey her. The plot logic in EP5 and 6 is really bad throughout, swear on the oath rod to obey her exile punishment was a nonsensical plot development. What the show could have done was for Liandrin to insinuate more strongly that Moiraine is Black ajah since she is acting mysteriously and did not warn the tower of trollocs in TR. That would be a good reason for the Hall to force Moiraine to reswear her oaths. Moiraine reswears, then declare she is not black and then just replied Siuan that she was looking for a powerful channeler, and she did succeed - Nynaeve. Later, the Amyrlin called for Nynaeve, Moiraine brings her to Siuan. They talk etc, then Moiraine stays behind for sex and discussion. Siuan the Dreamer tells her about the EOTW. Moiraine leaves after midnight, sends Lan to fetch Loial Rand Mat Nynaeve, while she herself fetches Egwene and Perrin. The kids celebrate their reunion at the Waygate.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Not sure of you've read the books but the Aes Sedai pretty much have to obey their superiors. Moiraine was ordered by Maigain, probably the head of the Blue Ajah, and only the Amyrlin could bypass the order.

[@TheToxicScott]

The new swearing on the oath rod to obey her exile punishment can't be a nonsensical plot development until we see where it goes. I'm pretty sure she swears to obey Siuan and not The Amyrlin which will be important. Why would Liandrin accuse Moraine of being Black Ajah when most Aes Sedai don't believe they exist plus it hasn't been brought up in the show yet? If the show goes with the book Liandrin story then there's another good reason why she wouldn't want to be bringing up the Black Ajah.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

I expected more honesty from you. Siuan isnt an authoritarian despot, her open humiliation of aes sedai and petty demands of worship are pathetic and not accurate. Moraine broke no laws. If liandrins boyfriend can channel then moraine and her are both breaking the law. Siuane is not unjust and any sitter would of spoke up and defied these decisions... not go along with the furer and turn their back on an innocent sister. The episode was garbage and a terrible depiction of the white tower

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree. The idea that I'm somehow dishonest because I disagree with your opinion is silly. That said, I did mention that Siuan using her power in the way she did to force an Oath of fealty felt off to me. But I'm trying not to spoil this too much for non book readers. I'm analyzing this based on the show on its own merits, not based on the books. Believe me, as a book reader I have my concerns. But that's not what this video is for.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

@@UnravelingthePattern the dishonesty is saying siuane is played 100% accurate when you know that isnt true. Siuane feared reprisal and had to sneak around for fear of her life. She had to involve verin for that very reason. She couldnt banish ppl on a whim, use the one power to make them kiss the floor and beg in front of others. I didnt write the wheel of time RJ did, rafe and friends dont respect any of his characters and we shouldn't just go along with it like dumb stans. This isnt siuane sanche its a tyrant like elaida

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@mattmatthewmatchuu Ok.

[@ChrisHobson916]

This is not a retelling if the same cycle as chronicled in the books. It is a telling of a different cycle of the wheel. As RJ1 said, each cycle of the wheel will be different on the micro scale, but will hit the same major points on a macro-scale.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

@@ChrisHobson916 thx i couldn't tell

[@michael_swardh]

I hope they make Rand the dragon and no-one else, otherwise it will be too much shit talk about the show. "Woke crap" and so on....

[@SeiShinCasios]

*Care spoilers below!* Rafe already stated that book readers will know who the dragon is months ago..

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Agreed, but could you please mark this comment with spoilers? Thanks!

[@SeiShinCasios]

@@UnravelingthePattern I'm on my mobile now, best I could manage is a fat notice above, is there a way to put a spoiler banner like in Reddit/forums in KZbin comments? *Edit.. rereading this I don't think I was the one you meant :D

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thanks! You're right, I was talking about the original comment. It's all good.

[@ricksilva9645]

This episode was sponsored by Amazon.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

The episodes of the show are all sponsored by Amazon silly. My videos are not however.

[@SeiShinCasios]

@@UnravelingthePattern best answer you could have given. Turned my frown into a smile 😁

[@noelandrews7509]

The Botox lip lady smashing that pole into the ground makes me laugh every time I see it