First off, they didn't stick strictly to the books. Rather, they crafted a story inspired by the Wheel of Time series, much like Peter Jackson did. They tell a truly captivating story based on Jordon's work. Consulting with Brandon Sanderson was a smart move on their part. I rated the first season a 7 out of 10. And I was concerned about the direction they might take the story, because what I deem and inaccurate understanding of the dual aspects (Male/Female) of the One Power, Saidin and Saidar. This made me worry that they might skew the story to fit a particular political agenda. Fortunately, that wasn't the case.
What they got right, and why I gave it a 9, is their effort to understand Jordan's characters and how they fit into his story. They also seemed keen on grasping the underlying themes and incorporating them into their storytelling. In a nutshell they realize this is the retelling of Robert Jordon's story not their story. Once they had a handle on their role in telling the story, they focused on a story based on Robert Jordan's work, avoiding personal biases or agendas. While some people have criticized the series for pushing a certain narrative, I didn't perceive it that way at all. I found the series, especially the last episode, to be outstanding. The finale gets a 10 out of 10 from me.
What they got right, and why I gave it a 9, is their effort to understand Jordan's characters and how they fit into his story. They also seemed keen on grasping the underlying themes and incorporating them into their storytelling. In a nutshell they realize this is the retelling of Robert Jordon's story not their story. Once they had a handle on their role in telling the story, they focused on a story based on Robert Jordan's work, avoiding personal biases or agendas. While some people have criticized the series for pushing a certain narrative, I didn't perceive it that way at all. I found the series, especially the last episode, to be outstanding. The finale gets a 10 out of 10 from me.