The Wheel of Time - Série 1

I had high hopes when I heard most of the filming took place in the Czech Republic. The excitement of a new fantasy series, combined with the challenge of adapting the longest fantasy book series, had me curious about how the creators would handle it. Unfortunately, the result turned out to be pretty average. I had to watch the first episode in three separate sittings — it felt like a low-budget production, with characters lacking charisma and dialogue that felt flat and emotionless, almost as if a robot had written them. Things did pick up towards the end of the first episode with an action scene that set a better tone for the rest of the series. The action scenes are well-done and provide some of the series' best moments, but they're not enough to make up for the other shortcomings. It took me until the sixth episode to even begin to connect with Rosamund Pike's character, and the rest of the cast didn't fare much better. The dialogue remained painfully stiff, making it hard to care about what was happening. While the action was the saving grace of several episodes, its absence in others caused those episodes to drag. On the plus side, the Czech locations are a highlight. Whether it's the iconic Pravčická brána (which had me wondering if they really had a horse standing on it) or Dolský mlýn (where I could only imagine the cast enjoying some evening barbecues), the scenery adds a unique touch. Familiar spots along the Berounka River also pop up, which is a treat for anyone who knows the area. But when I think about the fantasy world this series is trying to create, it feels flat, confusing, and rushed. But I’m still holding out hope to see how it develops. (01/18/2022)