I don’t usually throw myself into fandoms. Most of the time I’ll watch a show, maybe post a review, and move on with my life. There is so much to do and experience, and a single story won’t hold my attention for long.

Since I’m writing this, you may guess that it’s different for Wheel of Time.

Ever since the first episode, all I’ve wanted was to burrow myself into this world. I sought out fandom spaces; I joined new social media platforms to find them. I’ve watched my favourite episodes for dozens of times. I’ve watched and rewatched behind the scenes footage and interviews. I’ve recommended this show to everyone I know who is even slightly inclined to watch fantasy. And everyone I’ve recommended it to has loved it.

There is so much special about this show. Part of it is the vastness of this world; it’s rare for a fantasy show to capture the feeling of a vast epic fantasy world, but they’ve somehow done it.

Part of it is the writing – when you know the books, you see how much of the series’ heart and soul the show writers have managed to capture. That makes me excited for the changes they make, as they have so far always led to a meaningful and fitting direction.

And it’s rare in today’s streaming landscape for a show to leave the actors, too, so much room to develop their characters. There are moments of silence where they may use their craft to express what a thousand words could not. There are characterization decisions influenced by the actors they chose, which fit seamlessly into the whole. It gives depth and emotion to the show that mere scripts can not convey.

Part of it is how much the creators and crew and cast all love it – that love oozes from every second of screentime, every magnificent prop, every beautiful and meaningful costume.

And it is so easy to love this show back. I love every single character, every actor they’ve cast, every acting decision they’ve made.

I want to see Perrin struggle and come to terms with what living in such a violent world means to him, without losing hope for something better in the future.

I want to watch Mat stumble from one disaster to another; some of them triumphant; some tragic; others comedic. I want to see him hold his heart and his humour through it all.

I want to see Nynaeve grow as strong in her power as she is in her convictions. I want her to find herself again, after losing the place she thought she’d always have in the two rivers.

I want to see Elayne grow into a strong queen and a magnificent inventor, and see the journeys her brothers take, fueled by her loss.

I want to see Egwene come into her power and take her true place as Rand’s foil. I want to see the place the Salidar rebels build, see how they honor Siuan’s loss, and watch Egwene grow to fill the empty space she has left behind.

I want to see the forsaken. I want to see if Ishamael is dead for truth, or just taking a well deserved nap. I want to see Graendal and Semirhage as the show imagines them. I want to see what Lanfear is up to. I want to see which of the other forsaken the show adapts in addition to them.

And more than anything – I want to see Rand and Lews Therin. Rand has barely begun his journey. Ahead of him lies madness and suffering, but also love and triumph. This is his prologue – how he comes to truly accept and embrace his role as the dragon reborn. We haven’t yet SEEN him BE the dragon reborn AT ALL. The trials he faces that will make everyone love him as I do.

The story has barely begun; we’ve only just begun to taste the true meat of the series. Where Rand is the Dragon, struggling to save the world even as his sanity runs out like grains of sand between his hands. Where Egwene struggles to unite the Aes Sedai for the last battle. Where Mat learns to use his memories to become a great general, and Nynaeve her power to heal the unhealable.

I can’t bear the thought of never seeing how the show would adapt it.

Neither can I bear the thought that all the people who have poured so much time, heart and energy to the show will never get the credit they deserve. That Wheel of Time won’t have the chance to rise into prominence as it deserves, as I know it would. The first books are the weakest, most everyone agrees; they’re where Robert Jordan was still finding the world and the characters. The books from now on are where the world truly comes to stand on it’s own. And I know if the showrunners were given the chance, they could do it justice. Could improve on the first seasons, as the books improve on the first books.

Know that what you have seen from the characters so far is only their birth. Imagine how satisfying it would be, to reach the end of their arcs.

I dearly hope the show will get a chance to continue and show everyone what I know it can be. Whether with Amazon or some other way.

– A devoted fan