The Wheel of Time Season 1 (Complete) | TV Series

Moiraine seeks the Dragon Reborn among five youths, unleashing a quest against the Dark One.

Review

The Wheel of Time Season 1 is an ambitious, sprawling adaptation of Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy saga, condensing the first book (The Eye of the World) into eight episodes with mixed success. Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine, an Aes Sedai sorceress, who arrives in the Two Rivers to whisk away five young villagers—Rand (Josha Stradowski), Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), Mat (Barney Harris), and Nynaeve (Zoë Robins)—believing one is the prophesied Dragon Reborn, destined to save or doom the world. Pike’s regal gravitas anchors the show, while the ensemble grows into their roles, with Robins’ fiery Nynaeve stealing early scenes.

The production dazzles with lush landscapes and intricate magic (the One Power’s weaving is a highlight), but the pacing stumbles—rushing key moments like Rand’s reveal while lingering on less vital detours. World-building shines, from Trolloc hordes to the White Tower’s mystique, though budget constraints occasionally show in uneven effects. Fans may mourn cut subplots (e.g., Min’s late intro), and newcomers might find the lore dump overwhelming, yet the season ends with a tantalizing setup for more. It’s a flawed but promising start to a grand tale.