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Some take aways from Rafe in this interview below
#WoTShowSpoilers #WoTBookSpoilers https://twitter.com/empiremagazine/status/1491383652822835201
#WoTShowSpoilers #WoTBookSpoilers https://twitter.com/empiremagazine/status/1491383652822835201
1) Rafe explained he was given a 250 page doc by Amazon from book readers about what they felt could be improved, and one of the main issues was Mats underdevelopment, so they gave him a backstory to deepen his struggle with being a hero
2) Perrin's backstory was needed to introduce his later struggles to new viewers, and while Covid caused major rewrites, the scene in ep 8 with Fain was diverted to Perrin in a way that perfectly sets up his journey in S2
3) Donal is doing wonderfully, he brings a levity and humor to his work that Rafe has fallen in love with, and is doing a perfect job at bringing Mat to life, he brings a magic quality to every scene
(have to go to work now
will continue later)
(have to go to work now
will continue later)
Continuing takeaways from Rafe from the Empire podcast below
#wotshowspoilers #WotBookSpoilers https://twitter.com/empiremagazine/status/1491383652822835201?t=gp3RGzZW6Az0pLFGZkjFRg&s=19
#wotshowspoilers #WotBookSpoilers https://twitter.com/empiremagazine/status/1491383652822835201?t=gp3RGzZW6Az0pLFGZkjFRg&s=19
4) Rafe says while he can't comment on what the scripts were originally, all of the rewrite changes they had to make in eps 7 and 8 were written to stay true to the personal journeys of each character moving forward
5) Rafe hints the Perin Fain scene was meant for Mat but can't comment about the original script
6) Season 2 is definately a combination of Books 2 and 3, some characters will be on B2 journeys, some on B3 journeys (Mat for the latter for sure)
6) Season 2 is definately a combination of Books 2 and 3, some characters will be on B2 journeys, some on B3 journeys (Mat for the latter for sure)
7) Rafe specifically calls out that some of Mat's B3 chapters are deeply enjoyable (
quarterstaff scene?) and that Donal captures that perfectly in a "bizarrely similar" way that is incredible to see
quarterstaff scene?) and that Donal captures that perfectly in a "bizarrely similar" way that is incredible to see
8) Rafe says that Rand behaves too childishly in B2 sometimes, and that his emotional journey in S2 will directly reflect his aging up for the show without compromising the truth of his experiences in the book
9) Rafe explains the decision to delay the fever dream as a way to draw new viewers in, but also to give time to explore and explain what it means to be the Dragon in terms of subverting the chosen one trope and the importance of reincarnation
10) Rafe says that keeping Rand as more of a background character in S1 fits his character as someone who doesnt want to stand out and is reluctant to take the mantle of being the Dragon. He doesn't want any part of it, and has been set up for S2 to wrangle with the conflict
11) Rafe says folks misread the Egwene/Nyn scene, and they will be keeping the "death cannot be healed" metaphysics in the show, and apologises to the fans for it not being clearer 
12) He says the original script had Egwene using the healing skills Nynaeve taught her by during Wisdom training to heal her as a circular theme, and she was not meant to use channeling to heal her
13) The choice to make burning out physical was made to create a clear set up for viewers of the risk of channeling, and that the girls will struggle deeply with this event throughout the entire series
14) On the percieved power creep, Rafe comments that the ending of tEoTW has a battle scene that feels impossible to top, but the books do it time and again, and the show will too, and that they are going to need a massive VFX budget for the Last Battle 
15) On the Moiraine shield/stilling situation, he can't reveal anything because of its importance to future seasons. Also, Mo will get to explore her true strengths (willpower and intelligence) over her channeling abilities
16) Rafe wanted to introduce the WT in S1 before even pitching the show as the AS are a core element of the story and one of the things that makes WoT unique in fantasy
17) On Moiraine and Siuan's relationship, Rafe says as a queer person, it was obvious to him they had a relationship, and that its critical to showing them as individuals
18) He cant confirm where the hut was (TAR vs dream shard), but they have matching ter'angreal and Sarah was critical in developing this part. Concerning the wording of the oath, Mo will definately be exploring how much freedom it gives her in the future
19) The marriage vow take is 100% accurate, that was entirely intentional
20) The AoL characters and their motivations will have critical impact on our characters, and the wording of the conversation between LTT and Latra was 100% intentional and will be explored later
21) On the Seanchan, they are going for maximum punch-in-the-gut impact, and the costumes are astounding in season 2 (no comment on the gags)
22) Avi has definately been cast, and Rafe kind of confirms the desert leak means we will see the Waste in S2, and that we ARE GETTING MORE AIEL IN S3 THAN PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING!!!
23) No Season 2 confirmation date, but Rafe said its not mid 2022, and there will definately be a gap between LoTR and Season 2's release 
, but there will be very cool content for us released before season 2
Ok, thats it folks, end of interview and back to work
, but there will be very cool content for us released before season 2 Ok, thats it folks, end of interview and back to work
