To the cast and crew, thank you so much for the hard work and dedication that have gone in to these three seasons. You have vividly brought the life such a beautiful world that for so long lived only in the hearts and imaginations of those who loved the series. It has been amazing to experience this wonderful journey with such a diverse cast, stunning costumes, and epic soundtracks.
Like many others, I started WOT on a recommendation, in 6th grade after my mom and older sister told me I would like it. And not only did I love the series, I couldn’t get enough of it! I read every book in the series (up to 11 at that point) one after the other, one week for each book. This series defined my life from then on. When I think of fantasy, I think of WOT. When I create my own characters for role playing games, they each use a last name that can be traced back to WOT.
When I heard about the adaption of this series, I couldn’t believe I would finally get to see this beloved series take center stage. I could finally show friends this wonderful story, and even if things were different in the show, I know the show was able to inspire people to pick up the books and it resonated with many who watched it regardless. The differences in the show have made me feel like I got to experience this world again for the first time, see new weavings of the pattern that didn’t come to pass in the pages of the book. I even started to read Rosamund Pike’s wonderful audio versions of the books in preparation for the new seasons coming out so I could guess how certain scenes might be interpreted for the screen.
After this amazing season 3, I couldn’t wait for season 4 with Fires of Heaven and Lord of Chaos on the horizon. To hear that the show was canceled at this high was so devastating for the loss of potential in seeing these stories play out. It took me a while to realize the sinking pit in my stomach was the same feeling I had when I finished Knife of Dreams and there was no more and may never BE any more. Everyone knew this story deserved to be told, so much so that Brandon Sanderson finished it. That same energy is what burns in us now, to see this new turning of the wheel get to a satisfying end. It is that spirit, that fight, that passion in the fans that has brought this outpouring of love, support, and enthusiasm to the forefront.
So thank you, Wheel of Time, for bringing these characters to life, for introducing new people to the highs and lows of this story, and for inspiring so many people. If this is as far as we get to see the story, it was a wonderful ride. If fortune favors us, let the dragon ride again on the winds of time.