We're over half way through the season as we discuss The Wheel of Time Episode 5 "Blood Calls Blood" this week in full spoiler filled detail.







The Wheel of Time Episode 5 "Dragon Reborn" Synopsis and Details



Based on the book series The Wheel of Time created by Robert Jordan



Showrunner: Rafe Lee Judkins



Episode Directed by: Salli Richardson-Whitfield



Episode Written by: Celine Song



Story Editors: Michael Clarkson and Paul Clarkson



Staff writer Celine Song



All roads lead to Tar Valon as our heroes begin to converge on the White Tower.



With a month passed since Logain’s forces attacked the Aes Sedai camp, he enters Tar Valon as their prisoner to face judgement by the Amalind Seat. Moiraine, Lan and the other Aes Sedai and their Warders mourn the loss of their fallen brethren. But Stepin has taken the death of his Aes Sedai, Kerene, hard and his grief knows no bounds.



While Lan attempts to comfort him, it all becomes too much for Stepin. As a glorious sunrise shimmers over Tar Valon the Warders and Aes Sedai must say goodbye to another of their ranks as Stepin releases himself of his grief and loss.



Rand and Mat, having escaped the Fade, also make it to Tar Valon where they treat themselves to comfy beds at a busy tavern. But Mat has become more and more withdrawn and tetchy, and Rand gets increasingly concerned that he has brought his friend to great danger in Tar Valon, the stronghold of Aes Sedai power, as he realises that his friend could truly be a male channeler or Saidin of the True Source, as warned by Thom. But as Mat is tormented all day and all night of visions from the farmstead, Rand meets Loail, a Ogier, in the tavern library. Looking to help Rand, Loail brings a familiar Wisdom to see Mat as the two are reunited with Nynaeve.



Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Tar Valon, Egwene and Perrin run into and are captured by a familiar face, the Questioner Child Valdor of the Whitecloaks. Believing Egwene and Perrin to be an Aes Sedai and her Warder, he coldly and clinically interrogates the two companions forcing an ultimatum on the two of them. Either Egwene confesses to channelling the One Power and will be killed, if not Perrin will be killed.



With Wolves howling nearby in the woods, Valdor tortures Perrin and his eyes become a brilliant golden yellow. With the White cloak distracted Egwene attempts to use her limited control of the One Power to no effect. But as Valdor ominously approaches Egwene to take her hands, wolves start to attack the White cloak encampment and Perrin finds the strength to break his bonds and stand up to Valdor. In the ensuing chaos Egwene and Perrin escape the...

Our full team are here to discuss The Wheel of Time Episode 4 "Dragon Reborn" in full spoiler filled detail. Our Wheel of Time episodes are released each Saturday at 5PM GMT. We hope you'll join us for our coverage of the show.







The Wheel of Time Episode 4 "Dragon Reborn" Synopsis and Details



Based on the book series The Wheel of Time created by Robert Jordan



Showrunner: Rafe Lee Judkins



Episode Directed by: Wayne Yip



Episode Written by: Dave Hill



Story Editors: Michael Clarkson and Paul Clarkson



Staff writer Celine Song



At a camp on the way to Tar Valon, the self-proclaimed Dragon reborn, Logain Albar, is under the control of the Aes Sedai. But his power is such that three Aes Sedai must work together taking turns to use the True Source to bind him. But on his rise to prominence Logain has grown his followers across the land with promises of making the world a better place.



The Aes Sedai debate what to do with Logain. While the Red Sedai believe they should punish Logain now, stripping him of his contact to the One Power, Moiraine struggles with uncertainty about the path forward with this newly proclaimed Dragon. While the Warders catch up with one another, Lan struggles to understand their new companion and Nynaeve just tries to keep her head down as she is surrounded by the Aes Sedai and their Warders.



Perrin and Egwene embark in a new direction on the plains of Caemlyn with the Tua’Athon and learn more about their ways, culture and history.



On the road East, pursued by a Fade, Rand, Mat and Thom seek shelter and rest from a family at a farmstead. Offered the barn for the night, Rand begins to worry about Mat’s behaviour. In the middle of the night Rand awakens to find Mat missing from his bed. Searching for him, Rand finds Mat in the farm house out of sorts with his dagger drawn and surrounded by the dead bodies of the farmer and his family. But they are not alone. The Fade is also there and seeks to claim his prey for his Master. As a blackness recedes from around Mat’s lips, Rand drags him from danger. While Thom fights the Fade, Rand and Mat escape to safety.



Just as the camp comes under attack from Logain’s followers to rescue him, and with the Aes Sedai tiring from the effort to bind him, Logain manages to use the True Source to break free of his prison.



He is confronted by Moirraine who still doubts that he is the Dragon and manages to delay him long enough for her sisters to restrict him again but not before Kerene, one of the Aes Sedai, is killed by his power.



Sensing this death the Warders and other Aes Sedai rush to assist them and contain Logain.

John and Chris are back together to discuss The Wheel of Time Episode 3 "A Place of Safety" in full spoiler filled detail. We'll be releasing new episodes of our Wheel of Time podcast each Saturday's at 5pm GMT.







The Wheel of Time Episode 3 "A Place of Safety" Synopsis and Details



Based on the book series The Wheel of Time created by Robert Jordan



Showrunner: Rafe Judkins



Episode Directed by: Wayne Yip



Episode Written by: Michael Clarkson and Paul Clarkson



Story Editors: Michael Clarkson and Paul Clarkson



Staff writer Celine Song



Split in different directions, the fragments of the group make their way across the world, all the while looking over their shoulders and all the while trying to anticipate each other’s movements - to return to the Two Rivers or push on East to Whitebridge and on to the White Tower.



Egwene and Perrin, are chased by wolves across the plains all the while trying to find time to rest and keep warm. At one one camp Perrin is tormented again in his dreams by the Dark One as he is returned to his Blacksmith and his dead wife. But the next morning Perrin and Egwene discover the wolves have led them to tracks that head East. Following them they soon catch up with a trail of caravans of the Tuatha’an - the travelling folk - who bring them into their circle for food, rest and safety.



Rand and Mat stumble across a mining town called Breen’s Spring, where they head to the local Inn with enough money for food and a tarp. Here they are introduced to a gleeman called Thomdril Merrilin, who gives the two friends some very useful and expensive life lessons. The helpful serving lady Dana gives them work in exchange for food and shelter. But Mat has become increasingly irritant and is reluctant to help Rand with the jobs. At the back of his mind is the glowing purple rock and thoughts of other plunder that he intends to make from the dead body of an Aiel strung up on the way into town.



With his jobs finished Rand soon discovers that the helpful Dana has not so helpful plans for himself and Mat. Dana’s dreams tell her the importance of the five companions to the Dark One. Having called on a fade, Mat interrupts Darkfriend Dana’s plans and they manage to escape with the help of Thomdril who kills the Dark friend before offering to take them East!



Elsewhere, Moiraine and Lan find help in an unexpected and unwanted quarter as NyNaeve uses her skills as a Wisdom to treat the wound on Moiraine’s shoulder. Lan treats her warily after she tries to run him through and he is also disconcerted that she could track the group from Twin Rivers.

With Trollocs on their heels, Chris and John team up for the first time to discuss The Wheel of Time Episode 2 "Shadow's Waiting" in full spoiler filled detail.







The Wheel of Time Episode 2 "Shadow's Waiting" Synopsis and Details



Based on the book series The Wheel of Time created by Robert Jordan



Showrunner: Rafe Judkins



Episode Directed by: Uta Briesewitz



Episode Written by: Amanda Kate Shuman



Story Editors: Michael Clarkson and Paul Clarkson



Staff writer Celine Song



Relentlessly pursued by Trollocs, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Egwene flee from the Two Rivers as they race to get to the White Tower at Tar Valon. At Taren Ferry the group manage a temporary reprieve from their hunters as they make it to safety, crossing the deep river of Taren.  Once across the river, Moiraine destroys the ferry to prevent the Trollocs crossing, but this leads to the death of the Ferryman. Moiraine’s apparent lack of concern for his death makes the four companions become increasingly unsure of their rescuers and differing opinions reveal cracks between the villagers.



That night as the group set camp to catch their breath, Moiraine wound and use of the True Source begin to take their toll; but she also begins to teach Egwene about the oath of the Aes Sedai and reveals Egwene’s ability to touch the True Power.  But other magic is at play that night as all four villagers experience the same disturbing  dream as they are visited by a dark figure with eyes like embers. Shaken and on edge, Rand challenges Moiraine and Lan asking them what their true intentions are for taking them to Tar Valon causing further disagreements in the group. 



But later that day, with Moiraine seriously weakened from her injury,  the group must run for their lives as the Fade and its Trollocs finally catch up with them. To escape Lan employs a desperate tactic as they take shelter in the abandoned city of Aridahl. Now known as Shadar Logoth, the Trollocs dare not enter.  



That night as the others sleep Mat is woken up by noises and investigates. Outside in the street he notices what appears to be the shadow of a man, following it he is led to a small room where he discovers an ornate dagger with a ruby at its hilt, which he takes. Meanwhile the travellers horses are spooked as the shadows begin to lengthen in the city, suddenly one of the horses is consumed and turned to ash by the shadow. As the darkness spreads it separates the group as they flee to escape the city and the encroaching shadow. Rand and Mat make it to safety as do Egwene and Perrin but the group is split.  Separately, Lan manages to carry Moiraine to safety, as her health fades,

We're kicking off a new series with The Wheel of Time Episode 1 "Leavetaking". John and Derek are discussing the first episode of the show based on the novels by Robert Jordan in spoiler filled detail, so make sure you've watched the episode on Amazon Prime before listening to the podcast.







The Wheel of Time Episode 1 "Leavetaking" Synopsis and Details



Based on the book series The Wheel of Time created by Robert Jordan



Showrunner: Rafe Judkins



Episode Written by: Rafe Judkins



Episode Directed by: Uta Briesewitz



The remote mountain village of Emond’s Field, nestled between the mighty Two Rivers, are preparing for a celebration. As the community gathers together Rand al’Thor and his father Tam head down from their sheep farm high up in the mountains and he meets with his friends Mat Cauthon, the lovable rogue whose disjointed family is struggling to make ends meet and Perrin Aybara, the village blacksmith whose marriage is strained.



Close by, Egwene al’Vere is initiated into the Women’s Circle as an apprentice for the town’s Wisdom, Nyneave al’Meara, to learn and hold the social protocols of the community.



At the Winespring inn, Rand, Mat and Perrin are joined by Egwene as they share beers and the festive mood begins to take hold, but the arrival of a strange noblewoman, Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai and her Warden, Lan Mandragoran, interrupt the festivities in more ways than one.



Moiraine and Lan are here to discover the holder of an ancient power, the Dragon Reborn, who once destroyed the world and is foretold to return. She believes he resides in Emond’s Field and is certain that it is one of the youths in her sight at that moment at the Winespring Inn - Rand, Mat or Perrin. However, they are not the only ones looking for the Dragon Reborn, other darker forces are on the prowl in the Twin Rivers to discover their master.



As the evening draws to a close at the inn Rand and his father head off home, where they are attacked by a Trollic. In the fight the Trollic is killed but Rand must get back to the village urgently as his father has been badly injured. But Emond’s Field has not escaped the Trollics and their leader, a Myrddraal.



While they were beaten back by Moiraine using energy from the True Source, the Village lies in ruins, Perrin’s wife has been killed and the town's Wisdom Nyneave has been taken, presumed dead.



In the aftermath, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Egwene realise that the only way to save themselves, their loved ones and the village is to leave Emond’s Field for the White Tower, to discover their destiny and place their trust in strangers.



The Wheel of Time Episode 1 Cast



* Moiraine Damodred played by Rosamund Pike* Lan Mondragoran played by Daniel Henney*...