WoT on Prime episode 5 SPOILERS

[Mikhail]

Yeah, it's true. Aside from the tiny sprinklings of data, there isn't a lot to make Rand stand out. Not having him cleanse Bela (hell, they'd have to set that Bela was HIS horse- or that Egwene was riding it, if they wanted to add that- for it to make any sense) nor having him getting channeling sickness is a thing. Granted, we have TWO suspicions as to why mat is sick- the dagger and the power. But Rand doesn't have one of those. So having 2 guys get sick (And how do you differentiate them without a voice over about being loopy and in the clouds? How do you make that MARKEDLY different than Mat's suspicion fueled sickness that leaves him looking haggard.) We don't have time to show him recover and be back to himself either.

I get why they couldn't show the weeks of traveling, both story and money wise. So cutting the sickness makes sense.

Thing is, there is very little story for Rand. Very little characterization. He's a bit thin on the ground. As said, his motivation is going to WT to be with Egwene. We haven't gotten anything else from him. To be fair, as I think back, in the book it was about getting away to protect the village and his dad and then to be close to Egwene as he felt she was his responsibility. Maybe Tam's ravings as well, making him want to find himself and his place.

They cannot afford to wait until the penultimate episode to start showcasing Rand. Yes, next ep is Siuan and Moiraine. But their core is about the Dragon being reborn. Rand has to start coming into focus at least peripherally. Otherwise, it will seem a bait and switch and those are never fun.

And Rand needs a REASON to feel driven to follow Moiraine. In the books, it was because they were always 1 step ahead of the dark dogging their heels. We assume this is so, but haven't seen anything since the farm house. That need to run with Moiraine was also a driver. This isn't the case in TV. Instead, it would have to be running off from the AS or something and that doesn't....feel right.

BS said 6 was his favorite. I am hoping we see threads come to together. And please, Amazon, just give them 10 seasons already! damn it! We need more time. As much as I liked the warder stuff last week, if it comes at the expense of the 1st season story with the main characters, it was a bad move. Because while the set up is there for Moiraine and Lan later on, that is LATER ON. They don't have time to waste or squander and not service the main characters. I hope that everything balances out. It feels really uneven atm because we know what is supposed to happen or be revealed and it doesnt feel like we have enough time.

But I am hopeful I am wrong because I dont see the full picture.