Summary

  • The Wheel of Time season 2 finale made exciting changes to the book stories, enhancing the connection between the main characters and delivering a satisfying finale.
  • The show altered key moments, such as Rand's side wound being caused by his friend Mat instead of Ishamael, and the Two Rivers Five defeating the Forsaken together.
  • The character-rich and satisfying finale of The Wheel of Time season 2 sures the source material, creating a unique and compelling viewing experience.

Warning: SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 2The Wheel of Time season 2 has come to a close, but not before successfully adapting some of the most iconic moments in Robert Jordan’s entire 14-book The Wheel of Time series. The season finale was essentially one huge three-way battle between Rand and his allies, the invading Seanchan, and the overzealous Whitecloaks. The scope and scale of the battle naturally necessitated an immense amount of work, especially in the realm of visual effects.

Working closely with people like The Wheel of Time VFX supervisor Andy Scrase, VFX shop Framestore played a key role in bringing the finale’s most important visuals to the screen. Although Framestore worked across the series, the bulk of their work is seen at the end, from the intricate weaves of the One Power, to the building of the city of Falme, to the giant flaming dragon that pronounces Rand al’Thor to the world as the Dragon Reborn. Screen Rant is excited to debut a VFX breakdown reel that showcases’ Framestore’s work on the series. Take a look below:

How The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Finale Changes The Books For Better TV

Mat blows the Horn of Valere In Wheel of Time

season 2 finale sets up new book stories that will be exciting to readers, but it’s how certain book stories were altered for that episode that is the true feat. While all of the finale’s biggest moments were translated from the books, the book moments often served Robert Jordan’s larger narrative over the connection between the series’ main characters. Rafe Judkins and the rest of the writers on the season managed to make each moment even more satisfying for the screen by making sure each core character is directly influencing another.

In the books, Rand’s side wound is caused by Ishamael; in the series, his friend Mat is to blame. Rand also defeats Ishamael alone in the books; here, the Two Rivers Five are finally reunited and together defeat the Forsaken. Egwene escapes captivity in Jordan’s series, but is saved by Nynaeve and Elayne; in the show, she overcomes her captor on her own. More examples exist, but ultimately while The Wheel of Time season 2 altered plenty, it built toward an incredibly character-rich and satisfying finale that, at least in this format, sures its source material.

The Wheel of Time season 2 is streaming on Prime Video.