The Wheel of Time

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
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Where To Watch

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Critic Reviews

  1. Collider
    Reviewed by: Carly Lane
    Nov 16, 2021
    100
    The result is a show that satisfyingly deals more in intimate moments rather than overly relying on big action set pieces or CGI'd mythical creatures to conjure excitement. ... Like any good fantasy epic, The Wheel of Time is one that promises very impressive returns, provided audiences are willing to settle in for the long haul.
  2. Polygon
    Reviewed by: Preeti Chhibber
    Nov 19, 2021
    87
    After so many years of waiting, there’s certainly a lot for fans to chew on with this adaptation. The Wheel of Time is a very strong start to a much-awaited series and created by someone who has a clear understanding of how adaptations can soar when complementing their source material rather than just copying it.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Rebecca Long
    Dec 2, 2021
    85
    Wheel of Time succeeds in retaining the earnestness and hope that characterize the novels, and which Game of Thrones lacked. But it also offers viewers something new. ... Wheel of Time is more soft touches and sweeping landscapes.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Nov 16, 2021
    85
    Pike’s performance is layered and staid, grounding the show alongside other veteran TV actors, which helps the younger set of mostly unknown candidates for the Chosen One.
  6. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Nov 16, 2021
    80
    It instead serves up a vast tableaux of plucky heroes and heroines, homicidal wizards and curly-haired ogres. Game of Thrones buffs may very well be devastated by the lack of nudity/ incest/ Kit Harington looking sad. For everyone else this fantasy saga has the potential to cast a spell entirely of its own devising.
  7. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Jon Negroni
    Nov 16, 2021
    75
    The Wheel of Time has enough potential to ride past these initial frustrations thanks to a high budget and deep commitment from the actors to faithfully bring the magic of this story to life.
  8. Decider
    Reviewed by: Meghan O'Keefe
    Nov 16, 2021
    70
    While Martin’s gritty, skeptical, and brutal look at the genre appealed to an HBO audience, I’m not sure Jordan’s romantic, mystical, and hopeful version will be as ubiquitously embraced. The Wheel of Time can’t be the next Game of Thrones. It’s just not in the source material’s DNA. But Prime Video’s series has the chance to be the first true Wheel of Time, and that excites this all-too-earnest nerd to bits.
  9. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Nov 17, 2021
    63
    Faithful, intelligent adaptation, and an overstuffed one too.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 459 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 290 out of 459
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 459
  3. Negative: 148 out of 459
  1. LaSh4wn328
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    The nicest thing I can say about it is that it makes me want to re-read the books again to wash the bad taste out of my mouth. Just totallyThe nicest thing I can say about it is that it makes me want to re-read the books again to wash the bad taste out of my mouth. Just totally bland and un-imaginative. I'm gagging to think what Amazon's take on Tolkien is gonna be like (get ready for lots of Hollywood-diverse elves)… Full Review »
  2. meskus123
    Nov 19, 2021
    2
    This show would be fairly good if it was made by itself, but as a series made based on a Wheel of time books it is total mess. Simply saidThis show would be fairly good if it was made by itself, but as a series made based on a Wheel of time books it is total mess. Simply said this IS not Wheel of time. So much was changed from source material, even some basic ideas, characters and ground rules of Wheel of time universe, that it simply can not follow basic story of books. In the books even some minor details in world or characters have great impact later on. Even how characters, beasts or monsters look, talk or interact , minor things about their families or birth places figure heavily later on in story. Starting with breaking of a rule that only male can be Dragon reborn that undermines so much of basic source material mechanics and lore to totally destroy basic plot lines. Like the difference between male and female source of magic and reason for man going mad from using theirs. Trolocs are somewhat "wrong" too. Actors are actually good and filming is also ok, even more from time to time. For someone who didn't read Wheel of time, doesn't remember or mind its story and lore ( and they are overwhelming and complicated) to much its great . But as an adaptation of a legendary book series it's totally off. To much was changed from the start to allow for the story to follow story of the books in any meaningful way and stay logical or possible.… Full Review »
  3. Perseus69
    Nov 19, 2021
    3
    The Human Resources team is now in control of casting and scripting, with no respect to logic, source material or acting skills. Most showsThe Human Resources team is now in control of casting and scripting, with no respect to logic, source material or acting skills. Most shows are now just politics for the consumption of adults with the brain of a 5 years old, with stories artificially restrained by the suffocating cage of non-offensive material. Add to the mix a bad director, and the result is Wheel of Time.… Full Review »
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