The Wheel of Time Highlights: Episodes 8 "What Was Meant to Be" 

Rand dont-get-into-every-cute-lady-you-meet challenge. Difficulty: impossible.

As a non book reader, this definitely the best episode so far

The finale was chef’s kiss. I was sooo glad to see Moghedien.

Non-bookreader here.....and that's how a season finale should look like!!! 🥂

Loved to see Mat's redemption. Being a hero of the horn really works. Is he saying "time to roll the dice " in the old tongue?

Nynaeve is apparently a terrible non-magical healer, she didn't even break the arrow off, she pushed it through with the fletching on it! That's a great way to ensure you get an infection. Some Wisdom she is lol.

I still want to believe that when Matt blows the horn, and the heroes arrive he is not just the horn blower but the one and only horn blower. In all his past lives when the heroes are needed it is he that blows the horn.

Ishamael is by far the deepest, most interesting character in the show.. branding Ishamael as an evil ve good is an oversimplification of his character.. he is a militant philosopher and mystic who believes that the wheel time is a choice and not inevitable path for humanity.. his final saying "I see nothing" echoes his mystical views.. he will be missed.. it looks that the other forsakens lack the elegance and depth of Ishamael... RIP

I love how they portray Lanfear as this ambivalent, ambiguous figure, just like the Greek three-formed Moon Goddess Hecate. The actress definitely nailed it. She can change expressions in a second, from a powerful channel to a sensitive and vulnerable woman, as you can see from the conversations between her and Rand in the Ways. The way she pushed Marianne and Lan out of the Ways is so sexy and enchanting.... a big blow of kisses, hahaha! Soooo Lanfear!!!!

Hopper’s death was like losing a child…it was THAT gut wrenching to me…🥺😭❤️ PS: ❤ your reaction! I REALLY ❤ this series!!!

Matt and hopper definitely my favorite moments

Heart breaking the end of Hopper... I apriciate the bond with animals and it touched me deeply

Wow Amber. What a way to wake up! You really made me tear up with your descriptions and love for the Horn scene and "moiraine on the beach" scene. Not to mention the hard work you have put into making this video to be released so soon after the episode ended. Your love and dedication to this series is amazing ,and it always comes through in your opinions, knowledge and insight. This is episode was a whirlwind, so much happened. Mat and the horn, my favorite scene by far. Even with retconning the dagger to be deadly at a touch, showing mat with the ashandari, the horn, speaking old tongue...I mean chills. Perrin getting his goldeneyes and an axe,, egwene's redemption, the fulfilling of profecy from the books with Rand and even Moghedian...omg...Moghedian..Chills! Things I didn't like on first watch, having to see nynaeve and Elayne sit through two scenes of sitting on the street, the mechanics behind how egwene was able to cause pain to Rena without a bracelet on herself or even put the collar on her. If the collar wasn't viewed by egwene to be a weapon, well I'm not exactly sure and I guess I could be just thinking too much into it. I wish Rand had been able to show a little more of his capabilities with the power. But overall it was so good. So much better than season 1. Thank you again for this. I can't wait to hear more from you.

Thnk you. My moment was Moiraine and Lan. That was such a payoff of a story line that was complained about in the beginning of the season. I loved that. I also love the How Mat has small roles from the start in oder to have a Big ending plot. It balanced it very well through the season. Everything has been gr8 and it shows that the story writer's are setting the foundation very Well for ths show. Slow but it's getting ther on the right track.

I literally cried during the episode I was overwhelmed with emotions. I really love this episode even tho I think 10 episodes would be better for pacing but altogether it’s great TV 🤩👌🏾

As a non-book reader, my mind is blowing of happiness due to the episode a just watched, it was AWESOME ! Can’t even say my best part, but surely best episode. + can’t imagine a better episode in season 3, but I’ll surely wait for 🙏🏻 hope they renew it

I cried like a Baby when the heroes appeared! Birgitteeeeee! Uf just amazing. They did it! They got me! Moghedien at the end? She did have to slay that hard!

Btw Lanfear calling out Ishy for his waffling was such a beautiful bit of dialogue, perhaps my favourite exchange this season

Watched it twice back to back. The next season is gonna be wild and GO MAT!!

The main characters are pretty ruthless in this episode. Rand murdering Turok's guards, Nyneave torturing the suldam, and Egwene murdering Renna. I hope this is something we will see them reflect on next season.

i straight up yelled can't remember the last time a show made me yell with sheer joy

Non book reader: I enjoyed this episode a lot! This along with episode 6 were my favs. I hardly remember episode 1 and 2 and stopped midway and had to binge watch season 1 again to remember the stories at all. I especially liked mat blowing the horn scene and calling the heroes of the past and the end with all of them together. This episode was for the two river folks and I liked how it’s come full circle again. I’m excited for mats and egwene’s journey next season. Mat for all of season 2 was just background or a piece on the Board to be moved around and similar for egwene. But I hope they come on their own and become bigger players. I like spoilers so I read up on the whole end of the books for fun. I think and hope they do make Egwene story different and more substantial than the books. I read she’s not a fan fav for book readers but I think show might just have her and elayne be the love interest for rand. Book readers won’t like it but as a non book reader I don’t mind. And I hope her ending is NOT like the books I’m also excited to see mats journey and his luck changing. Book rand almost seems too powerful and I think show has slowed down his power before they ramp it up. Nynievr and elaynes dynamic this season was also one of my fav this season but I was bored of nynieve and lans interaction last season. Morraines story will take a back seat moving forward as I understand from the books or will the show change it as Rosamund pike is such a big actor? Don’t know. Ishamael was one of my fav too this season. Or maybe it was the actors way of portraying him but it was very convincing! Will they bring back the same actor? Doesn’t seem like it if they follow the books and seems like they have to change. Anyways looking forward to next season.

what if Egwene was also one of the heroes and she had also recover her memories/strength? This could explain that unexpected rise of power and "you can fight a Choosen"

I am a book reader and I love the show. I have to say that out of all of the other reviews of the show I have watched on youtube, yours have been my favorite. You are insightful and have a clear understanding of the content of the books and you are graceful when it comes to the adaption of the material for the show. Thank you

When Mat yelled It’s time to toss the dice, I wept. And of course Hopper too. In fact I’ve seen this episode 4 times and cry every time. 😢

Watching WoT doesn't feel quite complete with your videos. Thanks again for producing such quality content! As a non-book reader, I quite enjoyed the finale, but I did feel a few plot lines weren't fleshed out enough for them to earn the emotional weight the show was probably aiming for.

Haven’t read this book, but had an intuition that all the five would stand together at one side (LIGHT), that even Matt who was easily taken over by the DARK would join hands with his friends. The scene after Matt blowing up the horn and all the Heroes of the Horn appearing was Epic. There is some connection (spark especially in Rand’s eyes) between Rand and Elyne as they see each other for the first time (I mean it’s not like it’s first 😜)

Im only just starting to read the first book but i have to say matt’s scene with the horn was my favourite! I think i shed a tear for him Ngl 😂😢. It felt so rewarding to finally have matt do something to help his friends and matt character having a purpose feels very earned since the character has had such a rough go.

Awesome recap! As a book-reader, you captured so many of the emotions I too felt finally seeing so many magical moments on screen (Matt and the Horn of Valere, Hopper’s death, Rand meeting Elayne (Ilyena?), and *Moghedien*) Thank you for all your awesome Wheel of Time content! 🙏 Can’t wait for Season 3!

I'm a show only watcher and I loved the season finale! After what I found to be a lackluster season 1 I'm glad I gave S2 a shot! The difference in quality is night and day. I love how many scenes are filmed on physical locations too! Falme looks amazing! My personal fave scenes of this episode were seeing Mat finally shine! From his escaping to crafting the spear to blowing the horn. That moment when the heroes of ages emerge gave me chills! I also love Egwenes storyline this season, from her self doubt to becoming strong enough to free herself, she didn't need anymore to save her, although I feel she's going to be changed going forwards! I love Lan and Moraine reconnecting, it was so sweet how much he respects her and her finally being honest about how much she admires him. Mom and Dad are back 😂 I do think Nyneave was a missed opportunity, they didn't know what to do with her, it felt like after the yellow Ajah gave her advice her mental block was going to open up but she just regresses back. Finally Lanfear, I support women's wrongs as much as their rights 😂 She's such a likeable baddie, you can tell she's not purely evil and has some self motivation that's different to the dark ones goals. I've also enjoyed watching your episode reviews each week, your channel is my favourite among WoT RU-vidrs!!! I hope to see more amazing episodes going forwards! I wouldn't mind seeing some lore explanations or summaries for show watchers for future episode ideas 😁

You have done an AMAZING job of explaining everything without ruining anything. I am thoroughly impressed. I have read the book 6 time each, and there's no way I could explain it like that

I think the polearm Mat fashions is a nice nod to the real thing but I think he'll still get the real one. I mean, what he made is a nice macgyver thing but isn't something one would expect to carry into battle and have hold up under the stress of that.

Non book reader - I definitely agree that Moiraine's channeling on the beach was a very beautiful and powerful scene, especially since she was unable to channel for the majority of the season!

Thank you I have been looking for a good wheel companion, and have finally found it. Well spoken with good insight.

yeah i don't think Mat's improvised spear is meant to be a replacement for his Ashandarei so much as a precursor, something we can see him train with and be(come) proficient in so when he does get his signature weapon he can begin wielding it skillfully on screen right away (frankly undermined a bit by tying his ability to his past lives and the horn but maybe it can still be made to work) edit: also Moghedien was the highlight for me, whoever this actress is, i'm so looking forward to seeing her perform as her character in season 3, she was compelling, cute, terrifying, and threatening all in one, an adorable psycho, and i'm here for it

As other commenters have said, I think they really stuck the landing. As a book reader, i have to hope they catch the essence of the books, and sit back and just enjoy the show. Season 2 did that for me. Much better than the first. 😊

As a non book reader who just started reading The eye of the world. I loved Season 2 more than season 1, episode 6 and 8 are my favourite so far. Though I feel some character arcs like Matt was rushed or needed more explanation. I recognize the show is doing an adaption and will not be able to do detailed explanation of character arcs especially like the Heroes of the horn more clearly and in detail in the future too because of budget and what not, also I didn't get what was the tea scene and visions was with Ishmael and Matt in the last episode. Also, I am exited to see all the other Forsaken characters on screen in the next season. Hopper death scene was sad. Also I don't understand Perrin's Wolf brother powers. I am exited to see the Aiel storyline because I recognize Rand's real Mother was an Aiel & I want to know more about his family, him being the Dragon Reborn and all and how they are related to the Damodred & Moiraine.

Amazinggggg episode. My favorite so far! Can’t wait for season 3

I find your videos the best about Wheel of Time, balancing the information from the book with the tv show! As a non book reader, I love to see the parallels! Also, thank you for the spoiler warnings, I always stop before that!

non book reader. love your discussion. they are very well done and organized. i was heart sick for the wolf also. loyal to Perrin to the end. too bad he didn't get to finish his chore. i felt there were a lot of characters loose ends. hopefully they will make up these points in next season.

I wish so much that i could watch these!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE BOOKS!!!

They disrespect Perin so much in the show. From killing his wife, to killing a white cloak. We know why he did it, but the way they show it. It's straight up murder. They also refused to let Rand be the hero of the story. Egwene should not have been able to free herself the way she did. Moreraine destroys a bunch of ships, and creates the dragon Banner. Just how powerful is she supposed to be? I think the actress playing Lanfear finally got a chance to shine. She was great, looking forward to seeing more. The quality of the show has really improved, there were some good episodes, but this one was rushed.

So very glad everyone associated with this show loves the source material. Great summary.

I enjoyed the first season, but this season they hit it out of the park - loved it!

I thought I was ready for Hopper to die too. I thought "He's coming back, this is necessary" the way I did with Egwene's torture. But like you, I ugly cried too. I was able to fight the tears off until Hopper was jumping to the sky and then I lost it. I don't know if it is because I am a fool for the love of my dogs, but it slayed me. I think I love canines more than I love people.

I think they're going to be cutting the aelfinn and eelfinn altogether. Also with show Lanfear....I think she's going to be a complete wild card. Also what makes it very interesting is that she "light save rand" or something like that. Something tells me she's going to be more of a gray character in the show.

I thought they really suck the landing.... And I'll always have the books.... I don't need this to be that. I realize it couldn't be nearly as deep and complex, because that's just not possible in this format. This is such a good cast.....That was really fun!

Hopper is an unsung GOAT. As learned in the books, Matt is the returned King of Manetheren, the fox's say something like "Memories are an arrow through time"

You are so right. That WAS the moment I waited for. Mat and the horn. Listening to non book readers talk about Mat since S1E1…..in our hearts, we smiled, feared, and hoped. Even the casting problems made Mat underestimated even more. . . Rafe knew he HAD to give us that. And BTW Uno is Gaidal Cain, right? Two swords…

For me the biggest surprise was the reveal that Moiraine is a Black Ajah now. She is clearly not bound by Three Oaths - Never to use the One Power as a weapon except against Darkfriends or Shadowspawn or in the last extreme defense of her life, the life of her Warder, or another Aes Sedai

I loved this episode!!!! What an amazing finale

As a non book reader this has been an amazing season. Matt and Rand are my favorite of the five and Lanfear has become someone I'm rooting for, I know that may sound weird but I like strong complex female characters. I didn't think Ishmael would have died this soon, but the release of the other Forsaken creates built-in villains for future seasons. Looking forward to future seasons.

It was such a beautiful episode ❤

Your script is as beautiful as the show itself. Keep it up.🎉🎉🎉

Your narration of your video was fantastic!!

Hi, as book reader I enjoyed this season, and much better finale than season 1, showing just how much a problem COVID was. As a reader I fully expected changes, having seen a number of adaptations of books I've read to film or TV. I am really only expecting to hit story beats and to capture the essence of each character, giving the amount of material they have to get through. With changes I am not expecting an immediate payoff (TBF payoffs in the books could be multiple books later as well), but I do find it fun to speculate where they are going with some of them without deviating from the 'rules' Robert Jordan established. For example, do you think the Whitecloaks got their hands of some smoke generating Ter'angreal (used for parties in the age of Legends:)? Also, do you think Matt might lose his memories when the heroes of the horn left, leading him to seek to regain them, maybe getting that plotline back?

I don't think this is the final form of the ashandarei. That weapon, the medallion, the future-wife-prophecy, the battle memories, the "half the light of the world" prophecy and fulfillment, are way too integral to his character to be replaced by a part of a bedframe and a toot on the horn. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the progress in his arc here, but I feel like it's more like strong foreshadowing of things to come. He's clearly still connected to the dagger so maybe he will get fully "healed" soon and THEN have the holes in his memories losing both Mat memories AND past-life memories, making his demand to have those holes filled even stronger. 🤔 Also seeing what Egwene does to Renna without Nynaeve there to stop her... wow 😮 16:25 your slowed down Mat clip made me freaking cry AGAIN and I've watched this half a dozen times now 😭And I really don't think it would've landed this way if they hadn't taken Mat and his backstory (i.e. family life) down the road it went in the show.

A great season! And I've really enjoyed your highligts and discussions about the episodes. Keep up the good work! I've read the books, but it's been quite a few years ago, and I have a poor memory when it comes to books/movies. So it's good to get some comparison with the books, since I don't remember the details much of the time. I missed Min from the end, most of the other main characters were there. But as I said, I don't remember all the details from the books.

Haven't read the books but I just love how they amped up everything this season. I was on the fence a bit with s1 but this one has me in deep, the finale was just phenomenal. The last scene gave me chills. I'm excited to see the other Forsaken given how impressive Ishamael and Lanfear were throughout. Natasha O'Keeffe has been so perfect in the role. I'm also glad the ta'veren are taking more of a center stage but my one big gripe was how Nynaeve was underutilized towards the very end.

Great ending imo. Can't wait for next season

i do love the explainations that arent explicitly given - lanfear not giving away the gateway weave, dust on the hands

The epsiode really worked like clockwork, such a good moment

Nice overview! I’ve enjoyed these. I do think Mat’s improvised spear here is foreshadowing, not the final version. I can’t see him hanging out with the dagger for long. And I wonder if his memories will remain or partially fade, leaving gaps he wants to fill. My bet is we get one archway with both snakes and foxes instead of two. But who knows!

RtTV, what a pleasure your excellent video highlights are to me!

I don't think the show will let Mat keep a spear made with the ruby hilted dagger, it made for some great moments... but it is also a bit OP, and he still has to get the fox head medallion.

You asked for a non-readers view. So, here is mine. I watched this series because I had heard its author lauded as the American Tolkien. Can't judge the author's writing skill as I haven't read the books, but I could get an idea of the story. Frankly, I didn't like the first season much but I found some of the characters to be engaging enough to want to see what happened to them in Season 2. Season 2 for me was a different story. Matt's reappearance was satisfying to me. My favorite moments: Egwene's releasing herself and overcoming her sul'dam; the renewal of Moiraine and Lan's connection; and, that incredibly creepy Forsaken peron - Moghedien. Moghedien made me wonder what the other Forsaken like? I still don't know whether I will read the books, but I am looking forward to Season 3.

I "ugly-cried" over Hopper too!

I love this review and commentary! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

OMG I MISSED MOIRAINES WEAVING! IT WAS SO PRETTY

Mogi is not only joker level nuts, she also has more power, cunning, and courage. Confronting and trapping Lanfear? Wow. That’s upleveing for Mogi. In an UNRELATED comment, it’s interesting that we now must wait for Nynaeve the way we waited for Mat.

As a non book reader, I have to admit that I was quite lost this season. Apart from simply allowing the story to unfold and enjoying each episode on its own, much of the story in terms of connecting the themes, characters, and understanding intentions this season was confusing.

Did Moghy pull Lanfear into the dream world? It might explain how she was able to outclass her, since she is supposed to be the strongest Forsaken in the world of dream.

It was both cool and a little worrying the dagger was incorporated into the ashandarei. It removes so much of the future arcs of Padan Fain, which likely means most of his future plot will vanish. But as we're likely not going to have 12 seasons and we've only gone through 2 books, there's likely huge sections of the overall plot that will vanish, which isn't all bad; I for one thought in the books the whole divide of the Tower took up way too much time over multiple books and it was a relief when Egwene finally triumphed.

The “banner” from the books would have been pretty anticlimactic.

If Rand is the Dragon reincarnated, who are his four friends? The two women seem to be more powerful than other Aes Sedai. One guy can talk to wolves and the other guy is a Hero of the Horn?

Fantastic! Thank you for this. I loved this episode. What a finale!! I could’ve used some additional details like how about letting us see how they stole the horn instead of telling us and the lead up and lack of emotion involving Ingktars death was disappointing. As a non book reader this was amazing but we(my wife and I) are learning as so go so please forgive some stupid comments and misspelling. Can someone explain why Nyneave couldn’t touch the one power from the mid point on? Had to do with the arrow and death of the Suldame????

I think the dragon was truly Epic

I know that it's his catch phrase, but I still wish he'd said "The grave is no bar to my call."

🤣 That Stupid Fire Dragon, aw man Fire RAFE

I can relate to cherishing the experience of reading the books, I have read them many times. But having so many talented people come together and give depth and complexity to the wheel of time story and its characters is simply a wonderful addition to the WOT world. There is no denying that all female characters are many many times more interesting, complex and believable compared with the imagination of them by (brilliant) RJ. One man cannot think as diverse as a crew of people that really love bringing the world to life. All villains are so much more relatable and less Hollywood villains than in the books. I am listening to the book right now again in parallel with the TV show. I really must say, books and show both stand on their own, but the show is at least as good as the books, but in a different way. If you only try to compare it to how close to the books it is you are completely missing the point of this tv-show. Enjoy it for what it is. Its an AMAZING storytelling!

As a non-book-reader, I think the show is starting get really good and I really hope it picks up more viewers.

I wept for Hopper too .

I really enjoy your highlight episodes, so please don't take the "well actuallys" in this comment as mean-spirited. I don't think that is the new ashanderei, it's foreshadowing how that more famous object is used later, you do not waste the best production design crew in the business on a knife wrapped to a stick for arguably the most iconic weapon in the books (yes, more than Callandor). We're getting the Finns, guys, they're in the story for more than answering questions and giving gifts, and every character associated with them is in the story, Mat hanging, etc. etc. Hair cutting is a shaming thing that yes, tends to be aimed at women more often than men in history, but it is more an assault on cultural identity than anything else. For example, in the Last Samurai they make a point showing how much it sucked for a samurai to have his topknot removed. Topknot removal was absolutely a shaming act in feudal Japan, if you've ever seen the movie Hara-Kiri (I recommend the original, although the remake isn't terrible, the original is Criterion) you see how high the stakes are for such an act. On the subject of cultural misunderstandings and Hara-Kiri... the opening of one's own belly on orders as a punishment is Hara-Kiri, or "belly cut". Seppuku is the ritualized version of this. It's not Seppuku unless there is a kaishokunin present, generally a professional swordmaster, but often a close, personal friend of the soon to be seppuku'd, whose job is to strike off the head of the dying samurai as an act of mercy. Keep up the great work! Are you excited that our community is growing? Edit: Oh yeah, Moghedien was an absolute home-run.

Great episode and epic ending overall a solid series with great action sequences and special effects and character development especially eqgwain. My only gripe is the series didn’t have a enough action.

Can't wait to see what Preston thinks! :D

Episode 08 felt rushy and sometimes cheap (aside during the use of the One power) to me. I do not mind the changes as few of them actually makes more sense than in the book. Amazon really needs to allow the creators to produce 10 to 12 episodes, it is really tough to do it in 8 episodes without decreasing the quality of the pacing/story. It's tough to buy that Ishamael would struggle to fight Egwene considering how he shove Moiraine instantly. Even if Egwene is supposed to be superior to Moiraine in potential, seeing Ishamael simply throwing fire balls and needles while we know he has so many possibilities to end it leaves a bitter taste, it made the elite villains a bit underwhelming and incoherent given their previous prowess. Or even doing nothing against Rand when he is going to land a strike. Why?!

I've always felt that the books were full of glaring Deus Ex Machina and I was hoping the show to _fix_ book errors, not lean into them and even add more (Egwene channeling with a collar on). Ishy has been established to tie off shields on people, but somehow needs damane on ships somewhere to shield someone they can't even see... I don't know how many issues that creates...

When they stand there at the end, they know they have ALL killed or tortured someone. Recently. That includes Elayne if she killed a soldier when they escaped the Seanchan.

The Nynaeve and Elayne plot line is rendered pointless when Egwene releases herself. This is a foolish change from the books. This is not the first time when plot lines do not deliver in the TV series or unnecessarily deviates from the source material.

Moirain broke the 3 oaths attacking the Seanchan

Beginner questions here: why didn't moraine simply open the waygate again after she was blown out? Is ishamael really dead or just in porsition to be reborn again? Why did he die from a sword while lanfere was able to come back to life?

This season did rand bad,they didnt show his strength at all

The episode seems to have really split reader opinion, personally i loved it despite the changes to lore and need to suspend disbelief.

Personally I'm hoping that isn't the Ashandarei, but just a bit of teasing / foreshadowing

The Third Oath did not make the translation to TV, did it?

Egwene is the smartest of all of them. I didn’t like her when I was reading the first books. But she grew and grew on me and now I admire her most of all. I think they are doing a fabulous job speeding this up for show only viewers.

Egwene is not to be trifled with

Does it even matter how powerful Nyneave is if she can't channel when it matters????

I personally dont think this will be matts signature weapon from the books tbh. It would be way too much of a risk for it to stay his signature weapon, if everytime he wields it. All would need to be done was to force him to touch the dagger and he'd be back to the way he was when wielding the dagger initially

I'll take like #666 every day of the damned week. Thanks. That dragon though... wow, just wow.