WHEEL OF TIME POST MORTEM ft. Merphy Napier (+ Tier List)

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Be aware of spoilers! Check out Merphy Napier's channel: kzbin.info/door/7FW6FYqPLeQIXMSulBfOLw

[@mr.bigzy262]

Years ago, my grandmother was in the hospital. I went to visit and she was asleep. But my grandpa was reading one of the Wheel of Time books. He told me the entire story and I remember being so into it. When my grandma passed, I went to my grandpas from time to time and he would tell me more about this book series. I started reading the books a year ago and stopped after the 3rd. This video has convinced me to finish the series so I can discuss it with my grandpa before he passes.

[@harrycorbiniv]

did you finish? just started eye of the world

[@officialdevinroberts]

Still want to know if you finished

[@stark5270]

I just finished the series. It's life-changing. I hope you got to have that conversation with your gramps

[@MoviesNStuff]

Did you finish?

[@mr.bigzy262]

@@harrycorbiniv I’ve made it through 9 of them. Still working on it!

[@thebkg]

I've always viewed it this way. Rand lived, but the Dragon Reborn died inside the cave. And thus the prophesies were fulfilled.

[@thevirtualpipeclub215]

Exactly

[@timsgilable]

The prophecies says nothing about the dragon reborn dying, just that his blood on the rocks of shayol ghul.

[@baconftw11]

Yeah I thought him living was perfectly fitting, and honestly unsurprising. My personal issue was more with the Alivia prophecy saying she would "help him die", which amounted to nothing more than her leaving him a horse and some gold to ride away with in the end (unless I missed something in my reading of it). I felt far more cheated by that prophecy than the "blood on the rocks" one.

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

@@baconftw11 Yes that was how it turned out. The horse. A little underwhelming for one of the eldest and most powerful Damane, said to be stronger in channeling than even Nynaeve.

[@cdubbau135]

@@timsgilable Technically the Aelfinn told him that to live, he must die. And they always give true answers.

[@oswin5775]

One of my favorite things about this series is how I can love the characters but also be annoyed at them sometimes. It feels like they're real people

[@quinnpd]

Talmanes was a great character.

[@kilsonflob]

Verin is always forgotten in tier lists, but I guess you don't have S+ tier for her anyway.

[@j4242]

Verin Rules!

[@Levi_Zacharias]

Verin and Talmanes, best side characters

[@tylorhobbs8920]

To be fair, I think Verin would want to be forgotten. It's the best place to be sneaky from.

[@hansyolo8277]

When I got to her final scene I went though a range of emotions. And she became my favorite character (or tied for it) in the series. She gave up everything, even her very morals, to complete her mission for the good of the world, and outsmarted the Black Adja and the Dark Friends and gave the forces of evil the middle finger.

[@clevereduardosilva2346]

Verin is S tier for me

[@lordofdoinks3940]

Honestly i feel like hoppers deaths hit me the hardest, after that i got my cry out

[@averyhotpinterestuser9941]

Haven’t finished the Wheel of Time, but stopped by to say I love the thumbnail

[@deanryanmartin]

Two intelligent bookworms in fantasy genre. This is dope!

[@nosferatum791]

I don't get the thumbnail :( What does it refer to?

[@brianreck5971]

I thought the Battle of Dumai’s Wells was the height of the series....until Egwene defended the tower against the Seanchan. Great stuff.

[@KaliCarter]

I'm with you, bro. Both were amazing.

[@celticmyst08]

God that scene was so epic. Loved when the Aes Sedai command center learned there was a defense in the novice quarters, and they're all confused about how that's possible, and then it dawns on them. Egwene. Ahhhhh chills.

[@theupperechelon7634]

@@celticmyst08 There's a scene the day after when the Aes Sedai deal with the aftermath and (I'm paraphrasing here) one of them mentions that it was an exaggeration and the response is that is was all true. Incredible but true. That's when they decide for her as the Amyrlin and she 'heals' the Tower. It's so incredibly well done. The only bad part is that it isn't longer.

[@jsbrads1]

I found the Aes Sedai’s admiration of Egwene there to be unbelievable. The Novices’ admiration of Egwene is not only believable, but beautiful. I thought Egwene’s final act was more climactic. Dumai was big, I think the ending could have bigger for Rand. When I read the second to last book, I created in my mind a much better ending for Rand at Shayol Ghul.

[@dead_slime1915]

Yeah when that happened I was thrilled

[@mk9beatz]

5:08 this is LITERALLY why i didn’t cry at Egwenes death… i didn’t believe it until Rand said actually said it.

[@robertlester641]

Birgitte would definitely be my "grab a beer with" choice. I would also be Brue Ajah. Tam abso deserves "S" tier. Rand told the Dark One the difference was "I was raised better this time". BOOM.

[@pretendtheresaname9213]

Just gonna leave a like and get out, don't wanna get spoilers. Btw what a masterpiece of thumbnail.

[@kaladin783]

One of my favorite characters remains Logain. He's such an oppressive presence starting with the first book when he locks eyes with Rand sitting on that wall. When traveling with Siuan and Leane you fear and respect him, and during his black tower days he feels like a bastion of strength and again, he inspires fear. His inner monologue during a memory of light is probably one of the most satisfying payoffs. He chooses empathy over power, and makes a positive name for the black tower. He was broken by Taim, then remade by the last battle. The talent, not the curse.

[@christopherarcand2614]

I thought the lack of development of the Black Tower was really disappointing. I would love a short book of seeing the events of the world through the eyes of the Ashaman in training in the Black Tower and seeing the division slowly occurring

[@andrewnietfeld7213]

Yeah tower was kinda forgotten about for a while there

[@berlineczka]

For me that was part of the slog. Book six (my favourite) ends with an epilogue where Taim basically declares that the Black Tower belongs to the Lord of Chaos now. I was SOOOOO hooked on it, and so excited for this. And I had to wait till book TWELVE to get a single chapter from the Black Tower again. Meanwhile, Perrin was trying to free Faile for like five books and Rand spend this time brooding in a corner. We get the minutia of the small houses of Andor and their picking order (which are completely irrelevant to the main storyline) and we do not get info on the Black Tower for six fricking books.

[@acurlyboi2944]

@@berlineczka could’ve sworn taim said that at the end of knife of dreams not LoC

[@pyrometheus4277]

​@@acurlyboi2944 nah its literally why its called the lord of chaos

[@acurlyboi2944]

@@pyrometheus4277 nah, in the LoC prologue, demandred is told to “let the lord of chaos rule” by the DO. the epilogue of that book is also with demandred and the DO says he has done well. the epilogue to KoD has pevera and some tower aes sedai visit the black tower to bond some Ashaman, and they meet taim and his lackeys. he then says the lord of chaos line. hold this L

[@frking100]

The saddest deaths in the series for me where Bela's and Hurin's.

[@ChocolatierRob]

Bels survives and makes it back home.

[@frking100]

@@ChocolatierRob bela died my dude sorry to spoil it. I dont take the companion as canon as it gets a bunch of other stuff wrong

[@ChocolatierRob]

@@frking100 Fair enough. Seemed pretty implausible anyway.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

Why are you not talking about Narg......

[@mordyth]

Hurin, for sure, is bound to the horn

[@ewalsh7682]

I only really felt the Slog in Crossroads of Twilight. Path of Daggers’ Rand plotline was really interesting to me and then Winters Heart’s Mat storyline escaping Ebou Dar really gripped me

[@pep48ito]

I loved watching Merphy read this series because I was reading it as well, I finished a little before she did but it was great to see her reactions while all the scenes were still so fresh in my mind. I also started the series on your recommendation Daniel so thank you for sending me down that road.

[@DMR013]

I find the section about fake out deaths hilarious. I remember when I first got introduced to the full concept of balefire and I thought this would be used for that very purpose. Honestly I thought it would have been utilized more often. An endless amount of South Park's Kenny. "Oh no they killed Elayne hurry kill them with balefire so she returns to us."

[@kinslayermds]

Well there was that entire sequence with knotai and the dogs...

[@jenslarsson8686]

Well, they couldnt have used it that much anyway, because the world would have ended. One of the few times was when mat and avienda(spelling?) died in caemlyn when Rand is trying to take kill Rahvin.

[@timswabb]

This sounds like what Terry Pratchett would do with balefire. I love how he played with fantasy tropes.

[@marshalsea000]

Yeah, it's cheap. One of the many things that years ago made me sigh and lose respect for the whole thing. It's been interesting watching these, as I've never reread WOT post release, so a lot of this is "bang... oh yeah I remember this bit" and occasionally "bang... oh god yeah, that annoyed me... and that... and that." Flawed masterpiece, too many obvious references... and a massive lost opportunity with Asmodeus, and the whole "Who Killed Him" for years... gah... still want to smack him with a rolled up news paper: Bad Writer!

[@timswabb]

@B Marshalsea No doubt it’s flawed, but it’s also a masterpiece. The people who read it as each book was released often seem the most frustrated with Jordan. I found bingeing it all at once much less frustrating. No beloved theories gone up in smoke, no long waits for a middle book that lacked resolution, no worries about the health of the author. Just move on to the next book.

[@samuelrussell5760]

The most egregious fake out death is definitely Lan. He has such a great "death," taking out one of the forsaken with the completely badass, "You're not listening. I didn't say I was going to win. I said I was going to kill you." And then he sheaths the sword. Letting him survive that removes the stakes and cost that Lan was ready to pay. There is a counter-argument that Lan's whole idea that "death is lighter than a feather..." means that he should survive in order to pay the higher cost of duty that is heavier than a mountain. But you kind of have to chose which emotional impact you want. Galad surviving feels a little contrived (why did Demandred not finish him off?), but with Annoura paying the cost to save him by burning herself out, I think that's okay. I would agree that Rand surviving is fine, but the fulfillment of the Alivia viewing is definitely a weak point. How is getting Rand a horse, clothes, and some money "helping him die?" And even if it is, why did Rand's lovers decide to enlist Alivia's help to do this? Elayne, Min, and Aviendha don't tell those that they and Rand trust the most (Perrin, Matt, Nynaeve, Moiraine, Lan, etc.), but they let Alivia in on their secret even though they explicitly don't really trust her. Is that just because they feel they need to fulfill Min's viewing? Also, is nobody worried that Moridin got away? As in, at least Moiraine and Nynaeve (and probably Perrin) know who the other body was (and don't know that Rand switched into it, as far as I understood). After Rand's funeral, aren't they worried that the most powerful forsaken has escaped.

[@xF1revolution]

Demanded left Galad to bleed out to draw Rand out, as he named him brother.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

This is absolutely brilliant! Also Merphy is a savage for wanting either Nynaeave or Lan to die.....

[@AzoiatheCobra]

2 years later here is a reply Although it would break my heart, i aggree with her. to many fake deaths and one of those two would make so much sense.Lan dies: he fuffils his "dream" and nynaeve faces the only thing she cant heal (death) on the person she loves the most, while having to keep calm and resist the pain of the bond or else everything they are ighting for is for nothing. or Nynaeve dies by the dagger morridin throws at alanna (who takes nynaeve place), this after having saved an asedai using herbs, and because the place they are they cant channel so no Heal for her. And... she is the only person she cant use Heal on. Meanwhile Lan, the man who always though he would die fighting the shadow, lives while his loved one died.

[@jonathankoan]

My favorite booktubers talking about my favorite series. Yay!

[@cdubbau135]

If I could pick one last story, it would be the fall of each of the Forsaken and why they turned to the Shadow. And the worst things they'd done during the Age of Legends to earn their names.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed that would be awesome!

[@petersotherland9230]

One of my favorite things about the series is even when I dislike a character as a person (unpopular opinion, I can't stand Egwene) I love what they contribute to the book and the story. Her character is so compelling and its such a good arc, but I have no problem saying that I would never want to spend any time with her at all. Its so fun that characters in a series can cause such a visceral reaction. In a lot of other fiction series I've read I feel as though you just get a buffet of "good" characters and you can choose which of them is your favorite because they are all relatively likeable. But, in WoT I never feel obligated to like a character as a person in order to enjoy them as a character in the book.

[@tonyparish2740]

Amazing interview. I would love to see a black tower story line. I think Androl is an amazing character with so many nuances that eventually he would lead the tower and create great achievements!

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed! He was a great new character and Logain was a excellent too. So much could be done with that

[@nosferatum791]

Sorry for offtopic: That "BEFORE YOU READ: Discworld" video was amazing. I was completely uninterested in the series, because I didn't want to read 40+ books tapeworm, and thanks to that video I added the series inside the series about Death to my TBR, and I'm interested in at least one more series from that series. So: Thank You Daniel :)

[@susanwoodcarver]

nosferatum791 Please consider reading Pratchett's Guards Guards. It is my all time favorite and I think you'd really enjoy it.

[@nosferatum791]

@@susanwoodcarver Thank You for recommendation kind soul :)

[@mikilmichaeljoshi2387]

Bro mee too. just started small gods. good so far

[@stephenbarrett8861]

Guards Guards!

[@coleton7048]

Nah, Mort is the best place to start.

[@sofielundsskolan]

SPOILERS: The end of the series I don't really get how people even consider Rand's death a fakeout. Pretty much every time the prophecy is brought up to remind us that Rand will die, we are also reminded that he must do so to live. Which obviously is contradictory, but how can you forget that there's more than just "he will die" in there? His resurrection at the end was completely expected, though the manner in which it happened might not have been. If you're even more of a bigbrain, you saw it coming because of the Jesus allegory

[@jellevanbreugel325]

thank you!!!

[@Loomx5]

Yeah like I don't understand how you can see Rand, the biggest Jesus allegory in fantasy since Aslan, and not think he'd be resurrected.

[@dead_slime1915]

Yeah I thought it would happen but liked how it left mystery to confirm Spoiler It happened when the bail fire connected and the soul that wanted to die switched with the soul that wanted to live

[@basicoptimalmouse]

I interpreted it at the end as he assumed he would die. Karatheon just says "blood on the rocks" not "severed head".

[@TheMaginor]

Lol at including Uno in the character tier list, but not Thom, Verin, Cadsuane, Davram, etc. etc.

[@Frenzywonder]

I started reading WOT 6 years ago and only finished it last fall and I completely understand Merphy's feeling, it's not a "fake fan" kind of feeling and more like missing out on the hype kinda feeling. And like her I -will- reread the series at one point to be able to fully engage with online content as a read it without the fear of being spoiled.

[@sanj9278]

SPOILERS Egwene's death was so hard for me because of what she represented for the future. All the ideas she would have brought to The Tower; allowing Aes Sedai to join The Kin upon retirement, inventing and re-discovering lost weaves. Just her general disagreement with the way so many things were done in The Tower, some things probably due to influence of the Black Ajah, but still noticing how bad it was and having the power to change it for the better. Instead, we're going to get more of the same old guard in Cadusuane as the next Amyrlin. And the way she died due to the selfishness of Gawyn. So disappointing. So painful.

[@brittayoung5574]

100% and for all of the other fake out deaths, I would have trade 2-3 of those as real deaths for Egwene living! She is also probably my favorite character- which I’m surprised to see is unpopular.

[@mrgodliak]

Lol, it’s been a year and a half since I finished and I had forgotten she died until reading your comment.

[@thejerg]

To be fair, without her sacrifice, it's entirely possible there wouldn't have been a future worth talking about

[@sanj9278]

thejerg I don’t think she needed to die to do what she did. She was too powerful, too skilled. She only died because of Gawyns idiocy.

[@cazgreene3055]

YESSSS

[@upload2010]

I love when she says. “ when I met Rand “ that’s how I talk abt these characters. I suppose all of us are like this though. ❤️

[@seamusb9012]

I had such a different experience with Egwene, she got me through the slog and went out as my favourite character

[@Trisjack20]

I liked her more at the end than the beginning. I think she acted in early books with a level of confidence that to a reader like me came across as unearned arrogance. Yet her experiences forged her and when she acted with that same innate confidence at the end of the series it felt so earned and powerful. Her work as a prisoner inside the tower 'Honey in the Tea' etc were some of my favourite chapters and totally promoted her for me from a character I was beginning to sometimes really like to an absolutely brilliant fulfilment of character promises I had been glimpsing since book 1. She truly was the ultimate Amyrlin Seat and was a worthy leader.

[@samuelrussell5760]

I feel like she does grow, but it’s still frustrating how she falls into the trap that all the Aes Sendai fall into of assuming that she needs to guide and train the Dragon Reborn. Coming from Cadsuane, this belief seems at times justified. Coming from Egwene, it never really makes sense. Then again, Rand uses this at the field of Merrillor to manipulate her into gathering the forces that won’t listen to him. So I guess it works out.

[@eddug4350]

Egwene #1

[@nathanoleary1439]

I absolutely agree with waiting to read a new spring. I waited to read it until after all the others and appreciated the closure it gave me on the series, the world, and Robert Jordan.

[@johnhuffman9533]

Merphy: "I don't need a thousand pages..." Sanderson: "Who asked you?"

[@zemphis7149]

I feel like having a drink with Rand would feel like a battle strategy meeting

[@hanushnewton5724]

I mean it would be like having a drink with a man that is ancient and all powerfull

[@Panteni87]

Or a deeply philosophical conversation that lasts to deep in the night

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

An interview for an appointment or an execution?

[@kev4366]

idk, he still has moments when around the Eomends Fielders where he is loose and friendly. But I don't think he'd be very comfortable to be around for anyone else

[@trielt1]

I just want to mention the fact that he picked a picture of Arthur from the Merlin series to represent Gawyn.

[@martawolna6027]

I'm a simple man, I see WoT video, I click

[@jenslarsson8686]

The reaction when she said she didnt want both Nynaeve and Lan to die, just one... 😂😆

[@hoi-polloi1863]

Not gonna lie, I did gasp with horror just a little bit!

[@ChristmasLore]

I wanted Nynaeve dead.

[@davidkang5708]

When Bela died, I was honestly really sad. You grow an attachment after 14 books!

[@pinkhornet8737]

Loved watching you both talk about WOT. Makes me feel like a reread. My favourite side character was Siuan Sanche.

[@Trisjack20]

Flipping awesome character

[@JamesI88]

Galad is one of my favorites of the tertiary characters

[@dillonpatterson4310]

I wish they would have just morphed galad and Gawyn into one character.. I couldn't stand Gawyn through the majority of the series. Hes so petty and childish it's so annoying.

[@JamesI88]

@@dillonpatterson4310 I thought this for some time, but I like Galad so much the way he is that i dont want it any more.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed. His arc is also one of my favourites. I personally feel very connected to Galad as I have a quite strict old fashioned dedication to my beliefs and personal ideals and I often fear to come across as inflexible, bigoted person because of that. I really do like Galad even early on and I can totally sympathise whi his frustration at all the risk taking and rule breaking that make for a good story but in so many cases would just result in sadness and harm. To see him join an organisation of high ideals but with crippling flaws and then without deliberately meaning to rising to the top of that organisation to bring it into the final battle on the side of light where it had always claimed to belong was so satisfying.

[@Streamweaver]

None of the villains scared me as much as Rand when he reunited with Tam.

[@ChocolatierRob]

I always felt that Egwene’s death was karmic for never really learning humility. There is the big incident where She , Elaine and Nynaeve treated Mat like dirt for saving him. Egwene lacked the true friends around her to help her realise how shitty her behaviour was and help her grow from it. When Elaine and Nynaeve get called out for their behaviour they still do not understand what they did wrong and only reluctantly go through with an apology so that they don’t disappoint Aviendha and Birgitte. However this does prime their characters to later make it up to Mat and see his true value. Elaine is thrilled to later see Mat and understands the value of what he is bringing her, Nynaeve has an awesome rant from the heart at Tuon about how how great Mat is. Egwene unfortunately ends up in a political situation where she is _not_ surrounded by deep friendships with people who will call her out when she behaves poorly... she ends up with Gawyn who is similarly blind to his faults. Egwene only learns humility in the same way that Vivenna understood it at the start of Warbreaker before her character development, just another form of pride. Egwene grew as a politician, not as a person, karmically this cost her and she died as a symbol.

[@davidbowles7281]

It was a mistake in my view. Logain should have cleaned up the Ashaman mess, not Egwene falling on her sword.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

I shall remind you that it was Egwene who ultimately made the decision to appoint Mat as Commander of the Forces of the Light, and she did so after a long introspection & reflection scene where she reflected on how back in Emond's Field, Mat once pulled a girl out of the water who he thought was drowning, when she really wasn't, and everyone got pissed at him for it -- when that same girl really *was* drowning a few months later, Mat was in the water immediately before anyone else could react and saved that girl's life. In other words: Egwene concluded that while, yes, she and the other 2 Wondergirls didn't actually need the rescue back in the Stone, Mat will always come through when people really need him. And she was the deciding vote in giving him the most crucial position amongst the Forces of the Light apart perhaps from the Dragon Reborn himself, and the one where Mat got to shine to his fullest potential, as a result of that realization. While we are on the subject on Egwene's relationship to the 3 boys: I would also like to remind you that, after having plenty of opportunity for long bouts of reflection while locked in a tiny cell underneath the Tower, she came to a deep understanding of what it must have been like for Rand to have been locked up in that box. More so, she concluded that it must have been far worse for Rand, because she has the belief that her ordeal is for a cause which he definitely didn't have, plus she can escape to Tel'Aran'Rhiod whenever she feels like it. We see this I believe in the chapter that ends with Verin's visit, where she tells Siuan about this realization in T'A'R. Tell me: how is that in any way an expression of Pride? Moreover, could you do a Character count for me on how many people understand Rand's trauma to the level that Egwene shows here? In conclusion, Egwene most definitely does come to the realizations the other girls do, but they are relatively small scenes late into the series so they are often overlooked, and more so than that Egwene is so hated by a lot of the fandom that I think many people are just blind to the growth and epiphanies of humility that are there. Of course, Elayne is hated too.... but again, her epiphanies of humility happened earlier in the series, so readers would have more time to appreciate them.

[@davidbowles7281]

@@AhsimNreiziev I have a hard time not thinking of Jordan smacking down "uppity women" by these change. I can't help but notice the sexism woven into these novels.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

It's probably all on me, but I don't quite understand what you mean by "all these change". Could you please elaborate to help a poor, unfortunate soul out? _[Also yes that was a deliberate reference :P]_

[@shredgordon3240]

@@davidbowles7281 wdym? The best characters in the series are women, egwene is just the exception.

[@rustlepalace-inn7229]

Totally agree with Merphy on Egwaine it was a moving and perfect death. I think Faile should have stayed dead too. However, to not like Matrim is straight up blasphemy!

[@CatrionaReads]

Saving this video to come back to when I'm done the series! 3 down, 12 to go!

[@darrellwinters3202]

The Shadow Rising is probably the best book 👍👌👌

[@Bob_just_Bob]

Listening to you two talking on this series is making me smile and it’s really making me want to go back and re-read the series.

[@roberthyde3511]

If we could get one more book I would want to see what Demandred had to do to become Bao

[@callmeishmael7333]

Pretty sure Brandon pitched the idea to Harriet, but it came too late in the series for the arc to land well.

[@uri4263]

Wasn't that written in "River of Souls"?

[@Trisjack20]

THAT would be sweet!

[@shredgordon3240]

Im pretty sure there’s a short story about it.

[@scott4482]

Look back to chapter 15 of EoTW and you'd know Lan and Nynaeive would survive. Mins viewings are always true and according to RJ always in the future.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed

[@RainbowCurveCostuming]

I just finished the series for the first time and I am happy I can finally watch this video. I would love to chat about it like Murphy Napier is doing here. Like her I had to shut myself away from the fandom and I am now just binging all the wheel of time KZbin content

[@jestmythoughts675]

The deaths in the last few books seemed rushed, I solidly agree with that, especially when you were, half raised on these books, rereading over and over, for ten+ years, taking the journey as it were with the characters, then all of a sudden so much back and forth happens. Quite agree the roller coaster of emotions was rough. There is so much of the world that was created that is still missing and I wish I could learn more about and explore! Also, no Thom Merrilin on that list of characters?

[@Joey48283JosephBailey]

Just finished A Memory Of Light literal minutes ago!!! Thanks OG Goblin for getting me into this series! Love it so much! Rand has to be best character work ever! Egwene has my favorite female arc/badass scenes (Aviendha has too but in a different sense)

[@ashleyplamondon9718]

I'm on my 4th time reading the series it dosen't get old still makes me laugh and cry and feel the struggles of the characters still catching things I missed amazing

[@patrickboyle1135]

"I hate Gawyn" One of us, one of us, one of us!

[@bethburge6403]

I don't know how you can not read the series again. I just finished it for the first time, and can't wait to start again. I feel there are things I missed early on, now that I see where it all went.

[@davidbowles7281]

Because its not very good.

[@yam1desu]

This was amazing! Thank you for this conversation. Inspired me to re-read the series for a third time!

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

I think the spinoff I'd like to read the most is a book detailing Luc and Tigrane's adventure. One sibling struggling in the Blight becoming harder and harder until he becomes an asset to the Dark One and one sibling traveling to the Aiel Waste and attempting to fit in with the Maidens before dying while giving birth to the Dragon. We can meet Janduin, Tam, Gitara, and younger versions of the Wise Ones an Rhuarc. I think it would be a wonderful book.

[@sweetlilhifi]

Loial is absolutely S tier. I was a kind of iffy, a new fantasy reader and when he showed up I just got so excited for this series.

[@zimagic]

Great video. I'm constantly amazed by the community's pronounciation of all the names. They just sounds so different in my head! :D

[@rriggs6547]

After listening to the series on CD I hear the pronunciations in my head from that.

[@jeje162-]

Stories I would love to see in order from most to least anticipated, Jain Farstrider, Aiel war from Lan perspective or Tam's life outside of Emmonds Field, Cadusuane's early life, Artur Hawkwing's time, age of Legends edited to try and hide spoillers

[@kaladin783]

Also Demandred building his place with the Sharans

[@jeje162-]

@@kaladin783 yes that would be good to see

[@rriggs6547]

I want to read a book of short stories going through the past lives of Mat. After that, It would be from Hawkwing saving the white tower till his death and the Aiel 100 years later. I would also be really interested to see how things evolve with the Seanchan as the truth about women who can channel becomes widespread and men who can channel become more prominent.

[@jeje162-]

@@rriggs6547 A book of Matt's Memories oh that would be good.

[@nicodomeus4753]

Off shoot I want, Olver, and his future meeting with a young lady who is really good with the bow.

[@pharrigan-hikes]

Just finished the series today! So excited to be able to watch this video now and talk about this series

[@jeffharper8757]

just recently happened upon you people, and i'm so glad I did! Love your content and your energy and passion. Thanks!

[@samanthaa.6055]

No mention of the Plot of Death where Perrin looks for Faile for FOUR BOOKS?!?

[@racheljaeger6173]

Not nearly as bad as the women vibing in Ebou Dar for six years and failing to find the stupid bowl of the winds or Elayne attempting to become queen for just as long 🤦‍♀

[@maxbaugh9372]

At least when that one finally resolves we see the goddamn Shaido get what's been coming to them for 7 books. Hope they enjoy those collars, 'cause they're not coming off!

[@BleydTorvall]

I feel like Merphy would put Tam on the "Iroh" tier if she'd been the one making the chart. They've got a lot in common really.

[@katieamarsh]

Rereads are amazing and you can skim all the Elayne stuff in the slog.

[@SuperDemandred]

I've heard much talk of this slog. What in the name of the Light is it?

[@joseywales7463]

@@SuperDemandred It's 14 books, most agree 7-10 are slow.

[@rriggs6547]

@@SuperDemandred I think it occurs with readers who are reading the whole series at once. I read the first 5 books and then each one as it came out. I didn't feel any slog. Neither did others I know who read them as they came out. But if you read them all at once the first time somewhere around books 6 or 7 to around 10 or 11 many people think it is slow. I admit, on my second read-through I read character arcs. Once everyone branched off I read the Perrin arc, and then I read the Mat arc and then the ... You get the point. I found that made the series feel different and fresh to me. Honestly, the Rand arc was the hardest for me in the middle as I thought Rand was being an immature jerk for a long while.

[@DZIGIN]

5:21 That saying: ,,Like you've stolen emotion from me" i completely agree with...i hate that also in comics,movies and especially tv series

[@totenks]

The more I appreciate clothing design, the more i enjoyed the clothing deacriptions during rereads.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed and it is something that sets him apart. When I talk to some fantasy fans they seem to think you need a lot of different races for your fantasy to be diverse and yet Jordan uses just humans and its incredible how diverse it is. Just describe the people in the room and you know what land you're in. This is going to work WONDERFULLY in the visual medium because you can show it without words. I know no other series (I am not as extensively read as some) that does even half as well at depicting the culture via the appearance of the country's people.

[@rahulmore7681]

The Thumbnail cracked me up😂

[@avi6837]

It's done.. Finally.. No more excuses. I have to read the series now to watch this video. Christmas 2020 is my target for this 🤞

[@Trisjack20]

Do it and when you have comment here and tell us what you thought

[@michael305m3]

How has it been so far?

[@avi6837]

@@michael305m3 Now It's Christmas 2021 😂 Finished Shadows Rising till now.. will be finishing The 🔥 of heavens by Year End 😎

[@the_uggh]

Wheel of Time is the series I've read more than any other. If you can get past the terrible slump around Crossroads of Twilight - it is such a rewarding payoff. Crazy series

[@AikiraBeats]

See that's what I'm worried of

[@seekeroftruth1970]

No need to worry. Series is worth it. Just be aware of it.

[@joseywales7463]

@@AikiraBeats skimming helps

[@davidbowles7281]

@@joseywales7463 If you have to skim, that's a sign its not worth reading.

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

Enjoyed it very much. Learned of Merphy through an appearance with you, Daniel, and I have truly enjoyed her content, her WoT reactions and her character arc, if you will.

[@killerkonnat]

By far the spinoff I'd want to see the most is the future of the world and the aiel people. After Aviendha's visions of the future.

[@Trisjack20]

Oh I couldn't read that I would find it so heart breaking. Which probably means it is a great book idea.... For me I would like to see the War of Power.

[@killerkonnat]

@@Trisjack20 The thing is. It's already been hinted that the future has changed because something happened differently from her visions. I'd want to see how much has changed or stayed the same.

[@Trisjack20]

@@killerkonnat I really hope it is different. That was a hard chapter to read. Great idea mate.

[@jeffreyweber6526]

Murphy is on point Lan should have died sheathing the sword

[@thebluewizardofdetroit]

Hard disagree. One of the themes that I saw in the series is that if you accept your destiny and work towards it, you are rewarded when you have fulfilled it, but if you fight your destiny you will pay for it.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

I couldn't disagree more. Lan's entire Character was about him having already decided that he was definitely going to die fighting the Shadow, and that living was pointless because he was going to die anyway. If he actually had died, what would have been the point of Lan as a Character? He decided he was going to die, and he did. Great work there, guys! Amazing Arc and all that! To have him *live* , however.... now *that* is Character Work worthy of _The Wheel of Time_ . And, because I think Lan would not have continued living without Nynaeve -- because of the Bond, but even without it -- I also vehemently disagree with Merphy that either one of them should have died. It can't be Lan, because of above-mentioned reasons, and it can't be Nynaeve, because then Lan would die, and Lan needs to live.

[@michael305m3]

I thought lab was actually the fake out death that most deserved to live

[@michael305m3]

Lan*

[@kriplaniankit774]

In 14 books i never bought that Rand is actually going to die. (and most of the fake-out deaths, except for Lan's).

[@johngranheim3134]

I agree. When a book series like this goes on and on with "Oh, and by the way, you're gonna die" I always assume the opposite. There's also so many references throughout to how hard these prophecies are to interpret. So it always felt off to me that they were so certain about that part.

[@VorlonServant]

Neither did I. The prophecy talks about his blood being spilt but, especially in fantasy, there are many different kinds of deaths. The more the books laboured that he would die and the greater the fatalism the more certain I was right that he would survive.

[@K.O.D.888]

awesome how videos from a while back still resonate strongly ! Rand n Tam, good one.

[@mattronimus]

It's about a fantasy series that gains new readers all the time. Plus the show just came out. (Which is horribly disgusting and unwatchable)

[@Ignorenobugs]

Loved your discussion! Greene and the pixels on the right side are both making some great points:P

[@heathnantz9295]

I finished my first read through at the end of December, and found your channel while needing a recap during the slog. So glad that I finally got around to reading them. Can't even process the thought of a reread yet, just so much of a commitment. I concur with most of your list Merphy, but I don't have as much love for Nynaeve as it seems everyone else does.

[@ThomasPakh64]

What about my man Thom Merrilin? Or Hurin? Masema? Moridin? Birgitte? Gual?

[@rustlepalace-inn7229]

I liked the red Ajah so much in the last few books. I felt like they were written so much better and weren’t just “evil” Slytherin types but more well rounded with a different point of view.

[@Trisjack20]

Good point

[@jayscheer5529]

Anytime you two get togeather is a amazing video! Lot of fun hearing both your views on characters scenes and story.

[@totallyjerd1751]

Hey Daniel, you should check out Deltora Quest. I'd say the author, Emily Rodda's, main strengths is how she can craft terrifying monsters and magic so well into the ancient history and mystery of a world, and the various countries present. I thoroughly enjoyed her work and I think it is definitely a standout YA series :)

[@jaiadlakha212]

Finally I see someone else recommending the same book I've been trying to push for him to read

[@totallyjerd1751]

@@jaiadlakha212 yeah deltora quest is awesome!

[@katieamarsh]

You need a wot talk with Mike’s Book Reviews. He just read the series and I really enjoyed his reviews!

[@benjaminabraham8290]

100% agree. Watching his reviews has convinced me to reread the series

[@nosferatum791]

This comment needs more upvotes. I hope Daniel sees it.

[@matthewlewis9607]

They were both on an episode of the Dusty Wheel not too long ago!!

[@jeffreywebb2692]

If you’ve ever listened to the audio books and heard Robert Jordan talk about, he said that he always believed that the “chosen one” would not fall into line, and would most likely pull against that destiny. I’m paraphrasing, of course.

[@fieryphoenix2501]

I tried to read the first book and on a whim I decided to listen to the entire series of wheel of time. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading performances were the highlight of the series. They got me through the slog

[@aristothethrone9032]

Tam almost dies: look at how they slaughtered my boy! that hurt so much for me because in the beginning, Rand was willing to do anything to save his father. and for things to have twisted him so much inside. that he would almost kill his father.

[@michaelhowze8198]

It's what brought him back to though.

[@thenerdyarab7622]

As someone who read the slog real-time as the books came out it really didn’t feel the slog. In fact I never heard the term until many years later.

[@tommy_svk]

I don't if if Merphy will see this, but since the Amazon show is coming up soon, I feel like the best time to start a reread is just when the show comes out. That's what I'm planning to do anyway :)

[@jodiz5901]

This was the best video I've seen in a long time. Very enjoyable!! You two should do more together. And I would really love for you guys to do this again after Merphy has reread the series, because we long time WoT fans know how much our opinions about change, especially about individual characters.

[@Pentagathusosaurus]

Wow I was really surprised to hear people think Rand was a fake out death, ever since the "to live you must die" answer I expected to find some kind of resurrection trickery for him at the end. Towards the end I wasn't sure if to live actually just meant he had to die in order to be able to ensure the wheel kept turning and he would live again in another age, that tension was actually pretty strong for me there. Absolutely loved the ending anyway, but yes there were too many fake outs. It probably helped helps that I didn't give a shit about whether Faile was dead though

[@bumzly6947]

I have rarely encountered anyone else saying this online: The WoT death that hit me hardest was Bella, hands down

[@matthewletexier]

Really? I see this everywhere

[@josepholsenbutler]

I’m always glad when the characters don’t really die

[@tsunamifire3518]

29:50 I did that around the middle of the series and I can confirm that that was my reaction.

[@know-nothingmillennial3043]

Just finished the series myself. Honestly when Lan "died" and then immediately came back I thought for a second (and maintain that this would have been better) that he died for real and then when he came back it was actually because he had become a hero of the Horn. Not sure if the writing lined up for that (there was a lot going on and I'd have to go back) but I think a double fake out with him and that cap of him being a legend would have been PERFECT!

[@nategiacoma3031]

Side character I attached to the most is Hopper

[@AlysN]

Dang I feel like I finished the books, a month ago, just in time for all the book tubers to finish out their reviews I love it

[@Spthomas47]

Wonderful timing, sit!

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

The slog was real but much worse if you read the books as they were published and had to wait a couple years for the next book to move the story forward. If you read the story now that it's finished, it's easier to power through the slog knowing that there's an end. That's my experience anyway...

[@elis5820]

That thumbnail is a work of art

[@Kk-fj5tn]

The Egwene indifference breaks my heart...She is EVERYTHING!!!! The only genuine tears I shed in this series...

[@ChristmasLore]

I didn't cry for Egwene. It was more : "finally!" I did cry for Hopper, Siuan (Bryne) and Verin.

[@Chabooki]

Yeah I did not like egwene at all.

[@theradioactiveplayer3461]

Okay hear me out: if Egwene's death ever gets adapted into a film, the moment she counters Balefire needs a vocal crescendo. I'm thinking something in the vein of the operatic part of Moon Over The Castle.

[@JoffJk]

Spoiler Real question! Did you cry at the scene when Nynaeve speakes to Master Aldragoran "my husband rides from world's end to Tarwin's gap, towards Tarmon Gai'don. Will he ride alone?"

[@samanthaa.6055]

Badass

[@jamesgdalton]

That scene stands out to me out of the hundreds of fantasy novels I've read 🙏 so emotional!

[@jacksonmagas9698]

No, I cried the second time aviendha went to rhuidean and when egwene died

[@loren0531]

The thumbnail is easily a 10/10.

[@BowserTiny]

For main characters my favorites hands down were Perrin and Nynaeve. Perrin for his constant struggle finding balance between his strengths and humbleness. Nynaeve for her incredible growth and selflessness (along with being the most badass healer) Favorite side characters would be Tom Merlin and Loial. Tom for bringing levity and wit and Loial just because... well hes Loial! Its impossible not to like him! He was also someone Rand could depend on for his honesty and friendship. I loved this series and just finished book 14 so now im binging on all the content since i dont have to worry about spoilers anymore. Thank you Daniel for all your great work!