This ^^^And I can’t see how this got the same score as Foundation - the first two episodes of that were so much better (and the series got better still)
Thanks Tom. Appreciate the reviews. Do you think that Foundation has to be deliberately slow burning by its nature? I did feel the slow burn, but the finale left me feeling it’s well setup for the next season.The easy answer is that the two shows have different strengths and different weaknesses in their opening episodes.
As the first season comes to a close, the Foundation review is now due an update but likely only to be bumped up by one point following a couple of stand-out episodes and some satisfaction in the pay off. What hasn't changed is it being a victim of interminable padding, borderline incompetent editing and style over substance. Pretty but very strained in its construction.
WoT is well-worn and trite in some of its elements but things happen in it. It's structured and paced to within an inch of its life, putting plot before almost everything else. Not hugely original, but with extremely solid construction.
Neither have many characters that are particularly worth rooting for but make up for it in other areas.
It's always appreciated when the commentariat are able to discuss the substance of reviews and not just a number without context.
The big Amazon fantasy series everyone is waiting for is The Lord Of The Rings prequel. Amazon have spent a ton of money and resources making it.Was on my radar but not in the spotlight but will give it a gander . Does feel like this is an Amazon starter of sorts in the genre for the main course that is the GoT prequel .
Different subgenres, sure. GoT being "anti-fantasy" I very sincerely disagree with. It's just grimdark historical as opposed to pulp or high fantasy.Honestly, the comparisons and mentions of Game of Thrones in respect of wheel of time really should stop. They are completely different fantasy stories. TBH GOT was pretty much anti-fantasy.
I was quite impressed with what Amazon have done with WoT - I thought the pilot was the best of the three. I have read all 14 books and they are huge - so trying to remember the first is a bit of a struggle. But I would be a little more generous with a 7/10 and will definitely keep watching all 8 episodes - george
Couldn’t even finish the first episode - felt like they were aiming for GoT … but without any compelling actors, plot or budget!
Rosamund Pike is definitely acting them all under the table. Her voice is amazing.
Well that's probably because it IS young adult fictionI’ve not read the books but I was also impressed. Definitely a step up from Netflix’s Shadow and Bone which bordered on young adult fiction.
Have you forgotten about Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys?To be fair, just about every western fantasy show will be influenced by GoT as it set the bar for fantasy series.