Wheel of Time JordanCon news! Bain and Chiad revealed! Dain Bornhald! Cast Q and A!

[@cookiediangelo8511]

I like how the wheel of time is giving a lot of older women major roles. I’ve heard by older female actors that once they turned 40 they only got roles as witches and mothers. I’m glad that we get to see so many of these actors getting major roles.

[@charliebrett2432]

If we count Aes Sedai as witches you could argue that the show has just reinforced the gendered stereotypes in film yet again. I completely agree that it is needed more in film/tv but I have to give credit to the show for casting a very diverse cast which I think also accurately depicts Jordan's immense world (even if some people didn't like the changes from the books).

[@cookiediangelo8511]

@@charliebrett2432 By witches the women who I heard this from was talking about old ugly witches, and if there was a good witch, she would be either young or grandmotherly and not have much to do with the story.

[@azurepulse1870]

If you ask the whitecloaks, they're still playing witches in the WoT. XD

[@GallowglassVT]

Ngl, I got really giddy when we got the Maidens' reveal. Like, even if S2 turns out crap, I'll forever hold that moment sacred in my heart.

[@LogoRR]

The aiel were the highlight for sure! The hand-talk is a great addition that i wouldnt have been surprised if they had forgone it in the show. The cadin'sor looks great and so does the algode shoufa, and they all wore them in a unique way. **Chef's kiss**

[@WoTUp]

I was so excited when I saw them!!

[@TroyYounts]

Yeah it was so Teaser-y ! The Aiel looked so Cool!

[@yellow_sedai]

Wow when the actors started doing maiden hand talk I started jumping up and down. I cannot wait until the next season premiers.

[@chrisdewfall7920]

They looked amazing !! And hand talk !!! And so excited to see how they've changed the one power, one of my gripes of the first season was the portrayal, although some of the scenes looked amazing using the one power.

[@anlemeinthegame1637]

Great video. Psyched me up for season 2. I may have to rewatch season 1 now!

[@WoTUp]

Thats a definite!

[@judithhobson5868]

the hand talk is awesome, looks so natural

[@WoTUp]

It does!

[@mjdaniel8710]

The Maidens looked great

[@xaviergrande2819]

No shifts. Give me the news directly into my veins. WOT up is my WOT IV.

[@222damien]

man, i was at a family funeral today and i really needed this. thanks pal.

[@WoTUp]

Im so sorry for your loss :(

[@mkwlls]

I think I'm in love with Bain❤❤. Chiad, I guess I'll have to put with😂

[@willbarnstead3194]

It’s interesting how the pronunciations are so different than they are in my head after reading the books.

[@mjbinon]

My man, do NOT take anything Jon says in these videos as a sign that you have been pronouncing anything wrong in your head. Love the guy, but his pronunciation's are notoriously and hilariously bad, as he himself has admitted.

[@robertborgman]

So cool. I'm pretty sure Maja is pronounced "maia" tho 😊

[@WoTUp]

Oh! Im so bad at pronouncing names!! Thank you!

[@CufflinksAndChuckles]

It's great that the WoT community gave these actors respect and positivity. Even though the show got a 71% on IMDB and 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, many fans didn't appreciate some of the changes Rafe made or the overall quality of the show. But I heard that when people saw the actors, the overall reaction wasn't filled with boo's, and for that I'm grateful.

[@michelleashford6730]

Full frontal was an Aussie sketch show in mid 90’s. She is a New Zealand actor. Very excited for season 2

[@carrained]

The woman to the right, Maja Simonsen, should've been Aviendha, such a miscast... I got SO excited when I saw her, like wow they really got this right! And then... 😬 Also, as someone from Scandinavia, I definitely do not understand which character Americans are talking about when it comes to these names 😹 I think you talked about Birgitte..? Also also, if Sarah is the expert, I guess I can blame her for the fuck ups in the last episode of season 1! I definitely think a correct magic system is more important than getting every detail of the Aiel right...

[@mjbinon]

Sarah is a consultant. She can advise, she can warn, but she has no power to dictate how the show is written or shot. For all we know, she argued strongly against the things you have issues with, but it was shot that way anyway. Things to keep in mind before you go "blaming" anybody for something you don't like.

[@carrained]

@@mjbinon T'was a joke, about how they're prioritizing anything BUT the magic system. I don't actually blame the one not making the executive decisions, don't worry. Edit: I saw an interview with Rafe as the show released and that man is very determined when it comes to what he wants this show to be so it's actually very clear who's at fault.

[@nathanmorgan3647]

@@carrained Here here! Rafe is the Shai'tan

[@Swiergotka78]

Maybe she didn't have enough chemistry with Josha?

[@liamh9814]

Well said. Both Ragga and Maja are beautiful and either would have been perfectly cast as Aviendha. Unfortunately Rafe (who can’t pronounce Moiraine properly) does not want us to have nice things. Rafe should have stuck to being a reality show contestant. Luckily when I think of Aviendha I now think of Ragga….and Maja…..that is something at least.

[@cazgreene3055]

Great video although you didn’t mention what Rafe said about the background/set behind him. There is a lot of discussion about this across the fandom with some including well loved content creators saying it is the testing chamber in the White Tower and others Rhuidean or Cold Rocks Hold in the Waste but when you listen to Rafe he says we will know it and something like that it is a place that is in season 2 & 3 and features water, blood and many costume changes. I think this has to be the Heart of the Stone of Tear. The girls frequently return there and change costumes while trying to control themselves in the World of Dreams. The blood is the huge battle of course and the water is when Ba’alzamon turns the air to water when Rand is fighting him in Tel’aran’rhiod while everyone else battles in the real world. Even though the setting is more rustic than I imagined it does have archways and columns and looks hewn from stone. If they have portrayed the Stone of Tear as literally being a citadel inside a massive rock it makes sense. It is also possible that part of that design behind is actually crescent moons.

[@WoTUp]

Haha. You got me. I have a whole other video brewing on this and I have some good ideas ;) I left it out of this one on purpose! But give me a day or two!!

[@cazgreene3055]

@@WoTUp I had a sneaking suspicion you would 😂 seemed unlike you not to. And always wise to sit with it a little. I could be completely wrong of course but as I tell my kids - not often 😜

[@ronbamberg]

"...I honestly think it's going to be earlier..." Spill it, please.

[@dmlebeau8547]

DJ Kay Slays Rollin 110 Deep is The Black Tower.

[@toportime]

Rima looks like she will make an awesome Sheriam!

[@russelljackson8153]

Why does the actress for Chiad look like she should be Avienda?

[@phnome123]

I need more information! :)

[@WoTUp]

Absolutely!!!

[@dusanradin5868]

Kad će više S 2?

[@gizmoochi]

When are they going to announce who Steve is?.....

[@vladimirmacorovic5471]

i mean really...in the books the avienda is described as being almost as high as the rand

[@shamancarmichael5305]

Ok Jon, next year we're going to JordanCon! Right? 😁

[@WoTUp]

Im going to try my best!!!

[@stevenl.5490]

I really wanted the Texan accent for the Seanchan! Maybe we'll get a Southern accent instead? Fingers crossed 😄

[@shediva5705]

How the heck was there not a GoFundMe to get your beard and attached human to Jordan con? I am broke as a joke but I would slide sad cheddar so you could go. Time served, bro.

[@paulramen2535]

Ha! I’d like to see your list of characters if you’re saying Sheriam ”is definately top-ten”. IMO she’s an interesting character, among top 50 possibly, with an interesting arch with a good twist to the end of … her arch. Will be interesting to see what they do with this redhead in the series.

[@WoTUp]

I'll have to do a top 10 fav characters video sometime. But for now my top 3 are: Gawyn Faile Verin. :D

[@Swiergotka78]

Costumewise nothig beats Josha's woollen pullover and his sheepskin coat 😂

[@WoTUp]

100% Mackelmore

[@chrissteele5312]

Do you think that if I have captions on ? That it will translate madien hand talk for me? 😂

[@WoTUp]

Oh I HOPE SO!

[@purpleajah7425]

Apparently they confirmed at the panel that they were signing their names, and then JordanCon.

[@rainbowsprinklez]

I love this show, don't get me wrong, and I love that we got maiden handtalk, but is it just me, or did the handtalk feel a little forced? Like not natural? Admittedly, that's a hard thing to ask of someone. I just hope the ladies get more comfortable with it as the show moves forward.

[@lostinalaska8991]

With logan men can feel the when women channel kind of an icy tingle. The more power used the stronger the feeling.

[@damongnojek3912]

I saw the thumbnail and thought that they were satirists in mocking garb.

[@WoTUp]

Oh. I love the costumes personally! I think they look amazing!

[@damongnojek3912]

@@WoTUp to be fair, I was watching Rings of Power for the first time last night, when I typed this. I wasn’t in a good mood. Just throwing shade. I hope that people like this show. I haven’t seen it yet.

[@nathanmorgan3647]

@@damongnojek3912 Season one sucked and destroyed the books. Unfortunately, unlike ME fans who held the line, WoT fans pretend everything is fine and call you racist and mysoginist if you dont sing that same tune. 😆

[@worlddd7777]

I still dont know how will producers handle Rand and the fact that he is grey eyed, tall, ginger, white boy that kicks ass

[@nathanmorgan3647]

They will Make him gay to wipe those sins you mentioned away.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

costuming did not obviously read the book, Aiel spear maidens have short hair, it is a point of character growth and mark of no longer being a warrior for Aviendha to have long hair. btw chiad is suppose to be short by Aiel standards Aveindha is not, making her shorter than chiad is a big casting issue.

[@WoTUp]

Height isn't going to totally be a concern when casting for the Aiel. I mean theres a ton of tricks to use to get around it ... and even if they don't its not a huge deal. As for the hair, Sarah explained it on twitter. Its easier to get actors and actresses for these roles and not have them be made to cut their hair or use wigs then it is to require it. So they decided not to.

[@joshuatempleton9556]

height is a concern when it is a cultural and defining traits of the characters. and claiming that it is more difficult is just another excuse to ignore source material. Rands mother had an Aiel hair cut, the point is to actually resemble the characters in the story.

[@nathanmorgan3647]

Then there is the problem that Aviendha looks adopted.

[@OlversEars]

Jon, going to WoTCon?

[@WoTUp]

Ahh I would LOVE to. But work commitments unfortunately keep me away :(

[@amarsh311]

Spoiler warning for Shadow Rising should be added.

[@raven7956]

In your spoiler warning, you should have mentioned that you might reveal something from the 4th book which I'm reading now. Not cool.

[@raven7956]

@Day Thanks for the info, I didn't know that season 3 includes book 4, cause I had to (unfortunately for myself) skip a lot of recent vids from this channel and the like to avoid spoilers.

[@HallyVee]

Hang on, why the heck wouldn't you use asl? Seems like kind of a no-brainer.

[@WoTUp]

I have hearing loss and have been learning ASL myself for the last while. I think maybe it would be easier to create a new language because a lot of specific words and phrases for WoT and specifically the Aiel probably wouldn't translate well or even exist, but I'm not 100% on the whys! Just that they created a new language for them :)

[@nathanharmon8971]

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. I will be able to forgive a lot of weird things if they really stick the landing on the Aiel

[@WoTUp]

So far Im incredibly impressed with the Aiel!!

[@liamh9814]

Aviendha is beautiful ,as beautiful as Sophia Loren. Rafe can’t pronounce Moiraine properly. That’s why the beautiful Ragga and Maja are Bain and Chiad.

[@WoTUp]

Is this ... a coherent thought? Cause I can't make sense of it. Good try though.

[@liamh9814]

@@WoTUp if he can’t pronounce the names it reveals why he picks a pretty ordinary looking lass (who is a cracking actress) to play a woman who is described as beautiful. Ragga and Maja would suit the role more,band I suspect most think that but would not dare admit it.

[@andrewberenson5717]

I am glad that Ragga is playing Bain rather than Chiad. Per the WoT Companion Bain is taller than Chiad (albeit an inch - 5.8 ft to - 5.7 ft; but taller is taller). Ragga is taller than Maja. This is a minor detail that would not affect the plot if Bain was shorter than Chiad on the show. But if all things are equal, I am glad they were able to maintain this small consistency with the books. The Aiel cardin'sor look amazing. It is exactly how I would think the Aiel would look like. I think the show will merge the characters of Dain and Byar together. I think this can be done without too much change to the overall character arcs of Perrin and Dain. I hope someday someone asks Rafe was their ever consideration to merging Chain and Bain's character into one character. They are almost always on the page together. The show certainly could have merged them without the need to significantly change any story arc. I wonder if the fact that they are two separate characters means we will see more emphasis on their interactions with Gaul as a means to show some of the unique aspects of Aiel culture in how they view relationships. It could be a good way to show rather than get some of the explanations that Aviendha tried to give Rand during TSR and TFoH. As Jon said it is also a way to highlight the bond of first-sisters. Another conversation Aviendha does not have to have with Rand on screen. When the Maidens are using hand talk and the show wants to indicate that the scene is from the Maidens' PoV, I am sure we will see subtitles. If it is from a character's PoV where she/he is not meant to know what the Maidens are saying (for example Rand or Perrin), then I do not think we will see subtitles

[@mjbinon]

Maybe this is the same thing you're saying, but I don't see a need for Byar at all. Other than being a witness (unreliable at that) to Perrin's escape from the Whitecloaks in EotW, he doesn't really bring anything more to the table. Dain is already obsessed with "getting" Perrin, and I don't recall anything else in Byar that could get merged into Jay's role that would add anything to that. As Jon has said many times before, there are a TON of named characters in WoT, way too many to appear on screen. As many as 2/3 of them will be cut/merged/left unnamed, and Byar is a prime candidate for that.

[@andrewberenson5717]

Jon. I disagree that there was not a bad costume in Season 1. I did not like the ball and gag that the da'mane wore in the last seen in Season 1. I hope they do not bring that back in Season 2. If you were a male channeler before one of the so called slog books, you would not want to channel.

[@purpleajah7425]

Based on some of the S2 footage, I think they weren't ball gags. They were septum piercings with a mouth covering hanging from it. We see another character wear one in the S2 teaser, but from the side, so you can clearly see it's hanging from her nose (it's a different style because she's not a damane)

[@Bobaganush26]

But!

[@christophernoia5197]

This whole jordan con video was so cringey. I like how its called a "q&a" while its all planned and scripted. The sheriam video was very odd and made me feel uneasy. Besides who really cares that much about sheriam anyways!? Should have revealed the selene casting. Also the idea that ayoola smart has been playing aviendha for over a year and couldnt think of anything she does or does not have in common with her is crazy and made me laugh. I also laughed at the answer of "we are both tall" from one of the other aiel girls I am totally prepared for the disaster that season two could end up being and i reccomend you all prepare for that too. I hope its great, but im not going to hold my breath.

[@wyvern723]

Disappointed about the Seanchan not having Texan accents.

[@patrickelmasian1079]

The Aiel on the left is wearing a sword.....really upsetting how much this show is gonna ruin this book series. Also why not have the Aiel all have red hair. If Rand is supposed to look like an Aiel but the Aiel are of diverse ethnicity, does this make sense? the spears are also really weird looking to me. Why have such a long spearhead? It makes it more likely to snap off and the spears seem to be not long enough. For a sense of stealth carrying shiny weapons doesn't work.

[@WoTUp]

Ragga Ragnars (Bain) is definitely NOT wearing a sword. None of them are. I even went back over the video and pulled up some stills to just make sure I didn't miss anything. I see spears, a bow and arrows, a buckler, and belt knives ( all very common Aiel weapons...in fact their belt knives are often described as very long). But not a sword. So I think you are mistaken on that one. As for all Aiel having red hair ... they don't. They are diverse 100%. The best and most common description from the books is: "Most have light coloured hair, light eyes and are tall." That's most. Not all. Some are blonde. Some have darker brown hair (in fact, there are at least 2 named Aiel with dark hair), some have dark complexion, and some are lighter and are just tanned from the sun. Some are very tall and others (in fact, a few of the maidens that pop up in the stories constantly with Rand) are very short. Just like a real cross section of a society ... they are not all photocopies of each other. So the 3 Aiel here, actually, are incredibly book accurate. As for spears. They are inspired by Zulu short spears, the closest real-world equivalent is the iklwa used by the Zulu. It is described as having an overall length of 38" with a head in the 13-14" range ( the picture seems pretty close to that ... ) (Quote from RJ about the Aiel) "...they contain some elements of the Apache, some of the Zulu, some of the Bedouin..." So. Just because it does not match your head cannon on what you think it should look like or be ... does not mean it is not correct. As far as I'm concerned, they got the Aiel as perfect as can be.

[@nathanmorgan3647]

@@WoTUp sorry, but no. While the Aiel are not all red heads, they are all light eyed, pale skinned and tanned from desert sun, medium to very tall height, with red, blonde and light brown hair covering 99.99% of them. They were not described anywhere in Jordan's work as being any more genetically diverse than your very stereotypical northern European. Jordan's references to Apache, Zulu, and Bedouin was referring to fighting style, weapons, and cultural inspirations, although I would argue there was a heavy Celtic influence as well with the Sept, Clan, and Wise Ones filling the roll of Druids, right down to the myth of the druids being able to walk out in the middle of a battle between opposing clans and everyone being scared to touch them. Not a single one of the Aiel characters are ever described as anything remotely approaching a Zulu or Apache person. Not one. And to call this Aviendha book accurate is a flat out joke. OP is on point when saying you can't say Rand in farmer clothes looks like an Aielmen if Aielmen out of their Cadinsor don't look like anything specific.

[@slavshuravesky6933]

Any WoT fan would not watch this abortion. Hopefully it will get cancelled soon.

[@WoTUp]

Sorry to disappoint you, but millions of WoT fans do watch it ... and love it (myself included) and it already is filming the 3rd season. There is almost a 0% chance it will be cancelled because it is doing well ... and making money. Which is kinda the point.

[@slavshuravesky6933]

@@WoTUp If you read the books, you can't be a fan of the show. I really wanted to love it. I lasted for 5 episodes in which time they ruined story arcs of every single character they touched. It is WoT in name only. If you love the show then you either never read the saga to completion or simply do not remember it.

[@WoTUp]

@slavshuravesky6933 I disagree. I've read the series 77 times. And I love the show. Its ok if you dont like it. Not everyone does, But dont gatekeep something because you feel you know better. There are millions of WoT fans who love the show. Including some very prolific people in the fandom who have been in RJs camp (beta readers, friendss, family) since the beginning.

[@slavshuravesky6933]

@@WoTUp 77 times? You have read a 14 book series 77 times? In effect reading 1,078 books? At a rate of a book a week that would be 20 years. If you read twice as fast ( a book every 3-4 days) it would still be 10 years. I think that you, sir, are a liar. As far as anyone associated with the book series - they distanced themselves from the TV show pretty fast. So you are lying about that as well. As you are about the popularity of the show. Where can you see that? Where are all the youtube videos discussing the show? There is no excitement for it besides the initial ire of the fans. This show is dead. They can produce another season but it will flop just like the last one did.

[@WoTUp]

@slavshuravesky6933 well you are certainly entitled to your opinion. No Im not lying about the amount of times read. There are people in the fandom who have read it more than me as well. If you were a regular of my channel you would likely have already known most of this. Also, no one distanced themselves, a lot of RJs inner circle are involved with and have endorsed the show. There are a ton of youtube channels dedicated to WoTI can name 10 off the top of my head....with tons more who cover the show as a secondary but not main topic) and at the time it released it was Amazons highest watched show. Look. Im not saying its the greatest show ever made. Im saying everyone should like it (there are some who do not ... you for example) but there are a lot of fans. In fact so many they are already filming season 3 ... Amazon wouldnt renew it unless they are making money. So again. If you dont like it, it's absolutely fine. But don't pretend that everyone else dislikes it as well. Find something else you like and champion that!! Be positive! Its gotta be exhausting being so negative all the time. I hope you have a good day!!

[@alcazarfreddy]

Good overview video! but whats your take on the hair color and overall description of Sheriam compared to the casted actress? not mega happy there to be honest

[@nathanmorgan3647]

@AbsentDay indeed. It is almost like they should not have made the entire world even emonds field a genetic melting pot or something and made Rand's height, hair, eyes, AND EXTRA PALE skin together be what makes him stand out. But nope, cant do that now. Worldbuilding disaster.

[@jasonpeters617]

WHERE IS SEASON 2???? A year and a half ago people were cast. Wtf!!! WHERES MY SHOW??? STOP BS'ING AND PUT SEASON 2 OUT!!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!

[@alcazarfreddy]

Extra one: Sarah Nakamura is the expert correct? HOW did she allow Perrin having a wife!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@WoTUp]

Unfortunately, Sarah has no power over creative decisions at all. Her job basically is to advise on what can/would happen and how certain things should look/playout as far as the books. But thats all she can do is advise. She has 100% had fights over certain things that she has made public ( for example there was once an idea that Perrin should talk to Bears not Wolves because it would be cooler, both her and Rafe fought that one) So its definitely not a Sarah thing. I think the idea stemmed from having Perrins gentle nature and quiet demeanor have a visual cause and to pre load his storylines Trauma in a way where he can not be seen to ignore it later on. I for one did not super like the change, but I can see why they did it ... I just would have liked to see it done in a different way