#Rosmund Pike

[destinyc1020]

I understand the shock of baftas but they've always favoured british films or films made by british directors. They've also been guilty of uplifting and prioritizing white actors over BIPOC, so I came away less shocked. While JE didnt deserve a nom in my opinion I see why they highlighted him simply b/c they liked saltburn over may/december and poor things. The voter seemed to have favoured that film along with all of us strangers. This explains why mark ruffalo, melton, moore, portman, dafoe were snubbed. While rosmund pike, barry and elordi were picked. Awards arent an accurate indicator of who delivered the best performance, it more about politics, who has the votes ( voters judge performance based on their own preferences which could factor in a number of things) while bafta needs some changes b/c it heavily skews toward white brits, it isnt that surprising.

Still happy for colman, fantasia, tee yo, vivian oparah, davine joy randolph they were all excellent a deserve their praise. I dont want to focus too much on what they got wrong b/c it was alot ( hello where is lily gladstone) . Im here to celebrate the ones they got right and the ones that were unexepcted like vivian oparah and tee yo.

Thanks Anon. You know, speaking of TCP.... I'm a little saddened that it seems as though this film will get snubbed (yet AGAIN) this year at the Oscars. So far, nobody has really won any big heavy-hitting awards in the cast. And the film is almost treated like it wasn't a masterpiece. I expected it to at least get something from the Golden Globes... But NOPE! I don't expect much from the Oscars tbh. It will be snubbed ONCE again by the Academy smh. 😓

I just know good and well that had this been a story where all of the characters were white, the film would have long-since won some Academy Awards the first time around. Just my thought...

[maurypovichofficial2]

blond frigid ice cold bitch mommy Rosmund Pike looking like a black widow I’m living!!!!

This sentence is gold

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

A film critic who watched Saltburn today was asked (on Twitter) if any of the cast members will attend the premiere tonight and said as far as they know just the director (Emeral Fennell) and some of the producers. There goes our hope I suppose. 😭 Perhaps some of the cast are members of the SAG-AFTRA such as Rosmund Pike and Equity members will not be attending as well in solidarity?

There is no way a film critic would know that. They wouldn’t be privy to a list of attendees. When I review a gig, I’m not issued with a list of who’s gonna be turning up lol

[londonhigh-society]

below the cut are some woman fcs that i am surprised are not in the rp (but i would like them to be). also no one asked for this list, but here you go! i was going to also include males, but i got carried away...

abigail cowen adelaide kane alicia vikander ana de armas angela baby annabel scholey anya taylor joy arsema thomas aslihan malbora beren saat beste kokdemir bethany antonia blanca suarez bruna marquezine charithra chandran charlotte hope choi yewon claudia jessie courtney eaton danielle galligan deepika padukone ebonee noel ella purnell ellie bamber ellise chappell esther yu fan bingbing florence pugh francesca corney gillian anderson gugu mbatha-raw halle bailey hunter schafer imogen poots india amarteifio isabel may isabela merced jodie comer jodie turner-smith jung eunchae kathryn newton kristine froseth lashana lynch laura berlin laura harrier leyla feray li landi liv hill maddison jaizani madeleine madden maia mitchell matilda de angelis medalion rahimi meng ziyi mille alcock mille brady nicola coughlan nur fettahoglu oliva cooke phoebe tonkin polly walker poppy drayton rosmund pike ruby barker ruby cruz samara weaving saoirse ronan sophie skelton sophie turner tessa thompson yang mi zawe ashton zhu yilong

[wattwrites]

January 2024 in Movies and TV

A collection of mini-reviews about the movies and TV shows I've watched during the past month.

A lot of these are 2023 releases I didn't get round to when they released, So I'm playing catch up a little bit this month. Please note that I only watch things I'm personally interested in and please remember these are just my opinions. If you would like to read my reviews in full, Please go to my Letterboxd.

MOVIES:

09.01 - Hercules (1997, Ron Clements.) 3/5

Beautiful animation, some really under-rated visual sequences. Meg and Hades are the best characters, They have so much charm. Plot is a little stiff but the characters for sure make up for it.

10.01 - The Boy and the Heron (2023, Hayao Miyazaki.) 3.5/5

A powerful piece about grief and displacement, Our protagonist continues to venture through the world despite his loss. Breath taking animation and some superb voice acting, just really beautiful.

10.01 - Saltburn (2023, Emerald Fennell) 3/5

I didn't think this was as crazy or as good as it was made out to be, Casual movie watchers need to stop misunderstanding artsy films. There were a few moments that gripped me when I first watched it but seeing it all be picked apart on social media ruined this movie for me. I found Felix really likeable and I went into it knowing that Oliver was a piece of shit; Rosmund Pike and Alison Oliver gave some of my favourite performances.

12.01 - Poor Things (2023, Yorgos Lanthimos) 5/5

My favourite movie I saw in Janurary, A visual treat for anyone who likes traditional gothic horror, the visual effects and the set design was beautiful and I genuinely felt so emerged in the world. Kinky and gorey and does not hold back on a single punch, Bella is unashamedly herself and learning to find her way in the world and I've never experienced such a well rounded character arc before.

13.01 - Fantastic Mr.Fox (2009, Wes Anderson) 3.5/5

The first of several Wes Anderson movies I watched this month, I really like the flare in his movies. George Clooney plays the character so well and all the characters are so charming - I did think it got a bit overcomplicated in the middle but isn't that just Wes Anderson to a T. Beautiful animation and genuine well done slapstick comedy, a family treat.

14.01 - Wish (2023, Fawn Veerasunthorn) 2.5/5

Disappointing is the best way to describe Wish, It did have some merit but for what was supposed to be Disney's 100 Year movie it fell extremely short. Flat animation, boring characters and generic plot progression. Fine for kids who don't pay attention but there is very little of actual worth, I can't believe this came from Disney the same year as Across The Spiderverse.

15.01 - Arrietty (2010, Hirosama Yonebayashi) 3/5

Pretty music, great animation as usual but not quite to the scale of some other Ghibli productions. The voice acting really blew me away on this one, Mark Strong was a great choice for the stoic father but Olivia Coleman really went above and beyond in her performance. Neat, warm and cozy - The ending felt really simple but it was a good middle of the road Ghibli movie.

19.01 - The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, Wes Anderson) 4/5

Fun, silly and warm. The whole movie felt like it took place in a toy box. Loved seeing all the usual Anderson offenders, I've started playing guess who when I watch one of his movies. I would give anything to hang out with M. Gustave of the Grand Budapest Hotel. Ralph Finnes was a fantastic choice, He embodied the role so well.

20.01 - Princess Mononoke (1997, Hayo Miyazaki) - 3.5/5

Easily the most brutal Ghibli I've seen, Doesn't hold back on its message at all and it was a fantastic visual metaphor for Man vs Nature. Great animation for the time, solid secondary characters and good voice work.

24.01 - Ghostbusters (1984, Ivan Reitman) - 4/5

My first time properly watching this movie and I loved it, can't believe it took me so long to watch. Oozes with charm and tone, The goofy spooky vibes are on point and every character is very unique. Fun popcorn cinema, It's extremely silly but takes itself seriously when it needs to. I found myself wanting more of the four Ghostbusters just bouncing off each other, All these big personalities play off each other so well.

26.01 - All of Us Strangers (2023, Andrew Haig) - 3/5

I completely misunderstood this movie and didn't go into it knowing it was a sixth-sense / supernatural movie so my first viewing left me very confused. Its full of very heartwarming moments, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell play the parents very well and there is genuine connection between the characters. Confusing and a little disappointing but it does pack a punch with some of the emotional moments, There was a few times it genuinely chocked me up. 

27.01 - Watership Down (1978, Martin Rosen) - 5/5

I personally don't know how to put into words how much I love this movie, It was a favourite of mine during childhood and it still holds up. The music and the tone is so strong and never once does it lose its pacing, You can tell the animators and production team really cared about the story. The commentary on nature and war was cleverly done, Not in your face but very present and the voice work was fantastic for the time.

27.01 - Raiders of The Lost Arc (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - 3/5

Goofy and fun but packed with really well executed and well directed action. The monkey broke my heart, I was rooting for her and she was a snake! Indie is kind of a scumbag but Harrison Foord plays him so well I can't help but love him, He'd make me crush on him too tbh.

28.01 - The Holdovers (Alexandar Payne, 2023) - 4.5/10

For a movie with such hurt and wounded characters at this core, This movie continually upholds the message that life can go on. Three protags all grieve something; a different life, a family, a child and all come together in this beautifully human story. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph all play off each other so much, hats off to them all.

31.01 - Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023, Sam Fell) - 2.5/5

Big tonal change from the original tbh, I liked how gritty and dark and actually hopeless things felt. The uncanny valley vibes (for chickens) are kinda on it and the animation is pretty good but the over saturated colour pallet really doesn't do anything for these characters.

Television:

17.01 - Ted (2024, Seth MacFarlane) - 3.5/5

Packed with laughs and surprisingly human moments, the characters are all very fleshed out and I genuinely get the chaotic family vibes. Actual comedy and not just Family Guy-esque jokes, The whole season felt like a nicely wrapped gift. Not sure if I want more but I enjoyed it for what it was.

21.01 - Hazbin Hotel (2024, Vivienne Medrano) - 3/5

I was really conflicted going into watching this show as I don't have the best opinion of the creator but I was surprised. Good characters, fluid animation and some musical bangers. It hasn't quite blown me away yet but as of time of writing the finale hasn't aired yet.

[zombiejette]

Rosmund Pike could narc abuse me and I’d thank her for it

[2000sfm]

good  evening  tags  !!  i'll  be  around  the  main  for  the  remainder  of  the  night  until  sleep  takes  over  and  demands  attention.  i'd  love  to  see  more  older  faces  and  roles  taken,  including  rosmund  pike,  nathan  mitchell,  michelle  yeoh,  kiowa  gordon,  john  krasinski,  sandra  oh,  janelle  monet,  viola  davis,  chad  michael  murray,  michael  b.  jordan,  rachel  mcadams,  amanda  seyfried,  brenda  song,  raymond  ablack,  charlie  weber,  karla  souza,  mahershala  ali,  lucy  liu  &  pedro  pascal  !!  we  have  four  mun  spots  left,  so  grab  them  while  you  can  !!!

[fellasleepinbaltimore]

also everyone loves the song they did for manetheren I LOVE the story moiraine tells like idk I just love rosmund pike

[lusterlacked]

Name: Hallow Laazar

Gender: Nonbinary, fem presenting (They/She, freely interchangeable)

Orientation: Pansexual & Ambiamorous

Age: 44

Faceclaim: Rosmund Pike

Class: Eldritch Knight

Background: Outlander

Place of Birth: Icewind Dale, somewhere near the Maer Dualdon

Species: Human (double draconic bloodline. white & copper.)

PLAYLIST

Backstory:

When two dragons of different color families procreate they create offspring that appears wholly human. Hallow is born of one such coupling, that of a White and Copper dragon who did not know of each other's true forms.

Hallow was left amongst a small seasonal fishing village that was set up on Maer Dualdon during the cold season. She was taken care of by individuals of the village before eventually being adopted by someone.

Around age 12 the village was raided and attacked. Cultists of some fashion captured anyone with magical talent and took them away to a compound out in the wilds of Icewind Dale. Here those of magic were used as conduits to siphon ambient arcane energies until their arcane connection was completely and permanently severed or they died.

Not that they survived either way.

With Hallow's bloodline, she ultimately was able to withstand the constant arcane siphoning. She lived and was used for the next four years as a living conduit for this cult. Adventurers, as they are wont to do, eventually raided and killed off the cult. Their reasons and motive were never uncovered, not that Hallow stuck around long enough to figure it out as she disappeared as soon as she could, untrusting of the adventuring party's motives, and instead opted to travel the Dales on her own in an attempt to never have her magic taken from her again.

[aflawedfashion]

The Wheel of Time 1x02 | Shadow’s Waiting

[aggressivecompliment]

the only problem i had with I Care A Lot (2021) was in the last third when marla really should've called the police on roman, but because she wanted his money she just took matters into her own hands. like she could've gotten him out of the way completely (attempted murder, russian mafia, etc) and carry on as before but no

i do like the ending though, that she got more than was good for her (and a bullet) but yk

[darkestwolfx]

Colony - Re-Review #31

Note: due to CITV changing the time of their reruns (hooray - not), the Re-Review series will be moving from 6:30pm to 6:45pm for uploads.

Wow... it’s difficult to find screenshots for this episode online, that’s for sure!

“You’re a hard man to find, Captain Taylor. I wish you’d find less dangerous ways to spend your retirement.”

“Just trying to keep busy now that I’m back on Earth. Taking it easy’s never been my style.”

“Then this may interest you. Can retirement wait a little bit longer, Captain?”

The answer is yes, of course it’s a yes! It makes complete sense since Lee used to help Jeff with IR.

“The Helios is a transport ship, designed to reach Mars, and send landing pods to the life support systems on the surface. Dozens of families are on board, and would be the first to actually live on the planet.”

“Unless you count all the aliens!”

“Ignore him.”

Let’s remember Alan did see alien life only two episodes ago... I get the feeling he’s been going on about it in those scenes we don’t see. A lot. I want to say that John is talking to EOS in this scene (where has she gone again, writers? I will eternally ask this question), because there is no other imaginary figure in the room.

Anyone else getting ‘The Martian’ (2015) vibes?

I really loved having this man back! It’s been a while since we last saw him and I was so pleased that they had him return. 1. because he is a great character, but 2. because he is one of the last surviving links to Jeff, and so you can be sure hints are going to drop when he’s around. It’s nice that Alan gets to spend more time with him in this ep as well, considering it’s Alan who always has the gap in memories on his father which his brother’s don’t.

This seems like the perfect way to fill that gap to me.

“Plus you were second person in history to ever set foot on Mars.”

“Just behind the great Jeff Tray himself, those were the days.”

Look at that - I told you, didn’t I tell you? - and it only took three and half minutes! And that’s only the first reference, there’s bound to be more.

“Like you boys say - Thunderbirds are off! Wait, that’s not it. Thunderbirds have left the building! Thunderbirds are...”

“Go?”

“That’s the one.”

Mars. There’s a Mars launch mission. Now, we’ve seen a story a little like this before in ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ (1966 film) with the crew of the Zero-X (who okay, made it to Mars), but with a few problems on the way. Similar story here. Sort of.

I love how Scott was relegated to the backseat for the launch as well!

“Captain, there’s even a handy chart that lists all our names and vehicles. Just in case”

“Thanks Brian.”

“It’s Brains.”

Yeah.. no “just in case” about it. Let’s pull up the chart.

“Are we there yet?”

Um, did anyone else kinda feel like Scott sounded a little like someone else in that moment? I’ll even give you a hint.

“You and Dad were the first team to ever land there.”

“Nearly didn’t. Dust storm almost made us call off the descent, but we took the risk and went anyway. Jeff said ‘humanity never got anywhere taking it easy’. I’ve always remembered that. Gordon here should take it to heart every time he pilots Thunderbird Three.”

“Um... I’m Alan, Sir.”

Let’s pull the chart back up... At least he got a name correct, if not the right brother.

“Will do, Virgil!”

“It’s Scott, Sir! Nevermind.”

I spoke too soon. My apologies everyone.

“Captain Taylor, do you read me?”

“FAD, uh B. Whatever that means.”

You were there with Jeff when he set IR up! We were relying on you to know Lee! Right, we’re all doomed to never know the full truth.

“She may still be trying to fix the engines.”

Yeah, she probably could have done with Lee there sooner.

“Why are you reconnecting the power feed coils? That could take the systems offline.”

“Exactly! The proton storm didn’t damage your systems, it put them on hold. We need to manually re-jump each connection to get things running again.”

Captain Taylor really is the expert in fixing things, isn’t he? Can he come and fix my WI-FI? Seriously, I still need to choose who I’m swapping to after all this is over.

“Remind me to thank Brains for this.”

“Ok. Hey, Scott, remember to thank Brains.”

“Very funny, Thunderbird Three.”

Look at Alan thinking on the spot and doing his little commentaries.

“Impressive Thunderbird Three. Remind me to thank you later.”

“Ok, Scott-”

“Later, Thunderbird Three.”

“We got a big rocky problem ahead.”

Yeah you do, Scott...

“We just lost the landing pods.”

“I can’t keep this up Captain.”

Breathe, everyone. They all survive.

“Glad to have you back Pod Explorer. Remind me to thank you sometime.”

“Ok, Alan?”

“Later, Scott.”

I’m liking these little thrown-in bits of humour.

“It’s never too late to start again.”

Very true Captain Taylor.

“The chances of the Helius landing without breaking apart are very slim.”

“But it’s the only option we have.”

And so that translates to Scott as ‘let’s get on board the floating ship of possible death, even though Alan’s idea might get me killed’. Yeah... I wouldn’t have done that personally but hey, there we go.

That landing still makes me nervous, don’t know about annyone else.

“Alan! You’re back!”

“Sorry, Scott, couldn’t let you have all the fun.”

Meaning ‘couldn’t let you get yourself killed on my watch’.

“Scott? Captain Taylor? Does anyone read me?”

“Loud and clear, Alan.”

“Captain! You’re alive! And you got my name right!”

And because I’ve only just realised I forgot all about keeping count, here is the updated rescue score.

Rescue count: 38

Are we nearing anyone’s bet for the whole series yet? I still need to work out a suitable prize for the person who guesses the closest...

This was a moment I loved to the death - the amount of times I must have watched just this scene alone when this episode first came out... I’ve lost count. 

“This is the same site your dad and I landed on all these years ago. Actually, Scott, if it’s all the same to you I think I’ll stay a while. It’s never too late to start again. I can’t think of a better place than Mars to spend my Golden Years.”

“Should we get back to you in a month?”

“Better make it two.”

Yeah... we’ll get around to that at some point.

[interstelllars]

Ben Affleck in Gone Girl (2014) dir- David Fincher

[wackiekebab]

*Moiraine getting dressed in the opening scene of ep 1 of the Wheel of Time*

me:

[sweetcarolinejane]

You ever hated a character so much that no matter what else the actor/actress plays in, you still hate them?

Also, 

[horridporrid]

A couple of months ago I did an intense rewatch of WoT. I'd previously engaged with the show as pure pleasure. This time I wanted to turn on my analytical brain. This was before I officially joined Tumblr so I posted my thoughts on Reddit. And since Tumblr is doing a rewatch in anticipation of season two, I thought I'd share my far too involved analysis here, episode by episode. I do spoil the entire first season but I only mention book stuff in a very general way.

So anyway... thoughts on episode one! :)

Leavetaking: (55 min)

There must have been so much pressure to keep this episode under an hour. They even truncated the opening credits to squeeze in as much story-action as they could. What I would've given for an extra... gosh, even 10 minutes would've done wonders, I think.

Prologue:

This opening scene is... clunky. If you were feeling generous I guess you could call it retro? An out and out stating of our hero's quest as she prepares for her journey is a bit '90's (or even '80's?) action-genre tv-show, I suppose. It helps that it's Rosmund Pike doing the voice-over (and the gearing up), and the lighting and sound design is suitably moody.

Two points for: (1) Foreshadowing with the sa'angreal for Rand to kill Dark One and the knife to kill Rand if he decides not to kill the Dark One each getting their own closeup. (2) Moiraine is wearing pants!!!!! (Split skirts is kind of a WoT book meme but let's get the women some practical clothing if they're roughing it across the continent for years and years and years.)

Aaaand the next scene is better (actual action, well directed with the excellent soundtrack kicking up the tension) but I still suspect this was a last minute add because Liandrin has nary a little braid in her hair. (Rafe has commented on his wig-woes and I can easily see filming a last minute, executive-ordered, scene and saving time/budget by not fiddling too much with the wig.)

The horse women look fierce, though. And Kate Fleetwood's delivery of, "you make it filthy," was delicious. A minute in and I'm already loving her as the season's villain.

Ruined ancient, modern/futuristic city!!

Truncated credits arrive and this was our prologue. It's a bit hand-holdy, imo. I think using the "Young!Moiraine and the prophetic announcement that the Dragon has been reborn!" opening would've been better (more creative and exciting). And it would've been helpful for the end of this episode as well (more on that when we get there). But it is what it is and the next bit...

Two Rivers (day one):

...is freaking gorgeous! The beauty of the setting and the laughter and supportive community of the Women's Circle is our introduction to the Two Rivers and I love it.

I also love that the initiation into the Women's Circle has an element of danger. (Just an element, mind. None of the women looked worried and you know kids in a village situated near a raging river like that are taught early how to swim and how to handle getting swept into rapids.) It hints towards a warrior society (foreshadowing!) and the visual illustration of how women are trained to channel was kind of brilliant.

I also love the cultural importance given the braided hair of the Two Rivers women. It gives a depth to their society that I'm not sure the books quite gave them. (Or at least -- it quickly gave their culture a depth that the books had the advantage of time to get across to readers.)

And! The warmth Nynaeve is expressing towards Egwene is kind of beautiful.

Soft-boy Rand! I adore his fuzzy blue sweater and that our opening scene with him is all about him being a sappy little romantic. Also, he and Tam are so comfortable with each other. (Light foreshadowing of lurking danger with the wolves keeps the story tension going.)

Intro to Mat and Perrin and first impression is Mat may have a gambling problem (he is palpably desperate to keep gaming and that worries both Rand and Perrin). Also, Perrin is the responsible and checked in one, keeping up with current events, trying to keep his friends looped in.

Egwene arrives! She survived (Dad is massively relieved so... maybe a bit more of a danger element to the initiation than I'd first thought? warrior society intensifies) and now, Party!!

Rand's big, unaffected smile! Perrin's sweet smile! Such good boys. (Did not pick up on Perrin's crush at all at first. This is where a tiny bit more time might have helped the episode a bit.)

And Rand almost immediately realizes Something is Up with Egwene. And a bit further into the evening Perrin realizes Something is Up with Rand. (They all know each other so well. Great subtle storytelling here.)

LAN IN THE CLUB! And only when all has fallen into an expectant hush and the tension has built to screaming: Slow-mo Moiraine entrance. (All eyes on us.) God, I love them. They are so wonderfully extra.

Of course, this is Detective!Moiraine at work, scoping out the 20somethings, looking for dragons.

Something interesting, Egwene looks intrigued when Moiraine is assumed a noblewoman. She gets just as guarded as Rand and Perrin when Moiraine does her ring flash to reveal it's actually, Moiraine Sedai. (Mat, bless him, is the only one who appears the least inviting, giving Moiraine a small smile.)

And then our extra!couple leave and Nynaeve sends Perrin home to Laila with enough of a loaded comment to tell us, Something is Up with Perrin and Laila's marriage.

My first impression was a miscarriage because of the belly hug. As we now know -- it's not that at all. I think the belly grab is meant to provide an echo for that shot where Perrin is covering Laila's belly wound towards the end of the episode (complete with the meaningful pinky grab) but when you're not given a reason for marital issues, you do go looking. I wish this scene had been a couple minutes longer. A bit more dialogue to let us know Laila is worried that Perrin either settled for her or is second-guessing marrying her... Something to give us a real sense of what the issue was as I don't think that was meant to be an ongoing mystery. That he carried a bit of a torch for Egwene was maybe the mystery to gradually unfold but that Laila was uncertain of his love for her... I don't think it was meant to be a secret kept from the viewers. (Or at least, I don't see any benefit in keeping it a secret.) I think Perrin's the character who is most screwed by the tight runtime of this episode. I actually quite like this new backstory for him. But I don't think it's shared as well as it could've (and should've) been.

On the other hand... Mat comes out of the sex barn (heh) to find his drunk mom watching his philandering dad and we realize he's got issues other than gambling and a really warm, caregiving, heart. He cares for his mother and is wonderful with his sisters and his mom drunkenly voices his deepest, darkest fear (he's a prick, just like his dad). So all is not right in the Cauthon home but Mat is successfully shielding his sisters from it -- which is a massive job for someone so young.

In the land of warm, supportive families, the al'Veres and al'Thors behave like they're already family and they're very comfortable leaving the kids alone at which point...

Rand goes all in on tackling the problem: "You've been avoiding me." Points for bravery!

But then when Egwene is about to tell him what the issue is he interrupts her with a kiss and it's all in for sexy times (with eventual fade to black because, classy, and I'll try not to pout because...classy?). So Rand's bravery points get taken right back.

And I have to take this moment to say: I adore that the kids have all been matured from the first book. It's more in line with who they are through the bulk of the series, anyway. And I am SO. FUCKING. GLAD we don't have to live through whole Two Rivers purity culture shenanigans that made everyone seem either 10 years old and worried about cooties or card carrying members of the Harper Valley PTA and looking for any excuse to clutch some pearls.

Meanwhile, Lan and Moiraine chilling in a hot tub, not-having-sex, 'cause that's not who they are. And we see that they are a team of equals as Lan feels very comfortable prodding Moiraine to use her powers to get the hot tub to the right temp.

And we get the, "Who is the Dragon?" mystery officially off the ground with Egwene as our first contender what with the leading smash cut to her immediately following the question.

A word on the lighting: I kind of love how the firelight glows off Rand's naked chest and belly. Also how it shows off the stenciling on the ceiling beams. Good lighting job, is my point.

And this is where we get Egwene choosing her calling over her boo and the super-packed line: "It's a lonely life, being a Wisdom." Also, Rand's voice break on "no kids." This is a boy who wants nothing more than to be a father. (With Tam as his role model, I can see why.)

And with all that character-work done we're back to the plot with the Fade's arrival.

Two Rivers (day two):

Adore that the whistling musical motif is picked up by Padan Fain's actual whistle as he arrives in town. And I adore what they've done with Padan Fain as well. The slyness of in his voice when he interacts with Mat... Johan Myers is killing it.

So we're into the early morning of a new day and Tam continues to be the best dad ever by letting Egwene know Rand's taken off. Clearly getting that there's trouble still brewing but not holding it against Egwene or trying to interfere.

Whatever trouble was brewing between Perrin and Laila, her snuggle + pinky grab suggests it's over but... what the hell was the issue in the first place?!? (Is what the audience is left wondering and I think that was a mistake. Oh, for that extra 5 min to their first scene!)

Anyone else notice that Mat's coat kind of echos Fain's coat? A cheaper, more ill-fitting version but similarly shaped, right? Just me? (If you watch Lezbi Nerdi's YouTube channel, her discussion with Pez regarding the costuming also points this out. So... vindication!)

We learn that this is an annual thing between Mat and Fain ("What do you have for me this year?") and that suggests Mat's desperate gambling the night before probably doesn't speak to an actual gambling problem. And it's all over a couple of lamps for his sisters for BelTine. The best of big brothers doing a job he's too young for... and this has been going on for a while. The heart clenches.

Moiraine and Lan are doing their detective thing and also their conversation short-hand thing. Moiraine is on Dragon search duty. Lan (who's aware of the lurking Fade) is on monster duty.

Time for Rand and Egwene to officially breakup. It's sad and sweet. They both still obviously love and care for each other, just -- they have different dreams that cannot work together. Really maturely handled but still a painful event. (And I kind of adore that they both lean on each other for comfort.)

Gorgeous spot for a break up, though!

Detective!Moiraine checks in on Nynaeve and I love how Moiraine leans into Nynaeve's hostility (her little power play when Nynaeve tries to get out of the pool) to push Nynaeve into a background revealing monologue. That's our Moiraine!

Mat is very warm with his mom as he gives her a lamp to put in the river and she looks kind of devastated and I strongly suspect Mat had three little sisters and one died. The death of a child can push parents apart. I can see his mom self-medicating with alcohol and his dad self-soothing with sex and Mat (who'd also be grieving) being the one to pick up the pieces for his surviving sisters' sake. His parents do still love each other (they're leaning on each other as Mat helps his sisters put lamps in the water) but they're also a mess. And it leaves Mat being the adult in the family which is not fair to him, obviously.

We do not see Perrin or Laila put a lamp in the water (which should've told me my miscarriage theory was wrong) but they're leaning lovingly into each other and there's another pinky-grab. Whatever the issue is/was with their marriage it seems well towards solved.

Nynaeve puts her lamp into the water somewhat apart from everyone and fiercely wipes away her tears before heading back out. The loneliness of the Wisdom underscored. (We'll also see her watch, but not participate in, the village dancing later.)

Battle scene!! (~34 min in):

Honestly, incredibly well paced and shot. There is shaky-cam but it's used well to denote character confusion and it's used sparingly. Shaky for Egwene initially. Very smooth for Padan Faid's dip and the Fade's watching eye. With Laila and Perrin the camera's not so much shaky as it is off kilter (having the focus action being out of center with unsettling push ins and cuts, etc.). Ditto the camera work with Mat until he enters that one room where a bunch of people are sheltering (including his parents but not including his sisters) when the camera goes smooth (safety). It goes off kilter again when he makes his hero run through the battle, though it's more his swerving in and out of view (too-long sleeves flailing) as he serpentines through the battle.

This holds true for the battle up at Rand and Tam's. (Rand no longer in his soft-boy sweater.) Steady until the Trolloc bursts in, going a bit shaky initially, steadying right back up when Tam unsheathes his sword. There are quick cuts but a very steady camera until Tam is injured and then steady again when Rand kills the Trolloc.

We also get smooth camera work when Lan and Moiraine enter the battle. This is the first time we actually see the weaves of her channeling (and I personally think they're beautifully done) and I think you could argue that the first time she channels (the bath) it's Lan's POV so we don't see the weaves -- but this time it's Egwene and Nynaeve's POV so we do see the weaves. (Which fits with the lore that only women who can channel can see the weaves of channeling women.)

The arrival of Moiraine and Lan is an upturn of the battle and it's at this point that we see the Women's Circle kill a Trolloc with their farming tools (warrior society!) and this is when the Trolloc bursts into the forge and Perrin picks up an axe and Laila picks up a hammer and we see them fighting it together in a sort of amateur echo of Lan and Moiraine.

Then it's a downturn of the battle when Nynaeve gets grabbed by a Trolloc and carried away. A second Trolloc comes into the forge and Laila and Perrin are both fighting their own Trolloc in separate corners of the forge. Perrin goes into some sort of berserker mode (sound design here is really well done), finishes off his Trolloc with extreme prejudice, spins with his axe and accidentally hits Laila who is poised to do a finishing move on her own downed Trolloc.

She dies very horribly and Perrin tries to hold in her belly wound and she grabs his pinky finger (echo of their first embrace) and dies. Rutherford does an amazing job showing Perrin's horror and grief and I'm sorry this scene got tangled up in, "is Laila a Dark Friend," questions (there were very definitely two Trollocs in that room and she was very much bringing her hammer down on the Trolloc she'd been fighting; but I don't think the director anticipated that question so there's no clear overhead shot of the body layout) and "what was up with their marriage?" questions. I think if it'd been clearly laid out that Laila was worried that Perrin loved someone other than (or more than) her, this moment would've been better served. But... as I said, Rutherford killed it and I don't think any viewer doubted the guilt and grief Perrin carries from this moment onward.

Yes, this is a Fridging, but! I think it works here. For one, WoT has enough Fridging to fill a Costcos with in-book Perrin given his very own aisle. So it's not unprecedented and it very much works to make Perrin's interior struggle with violence something exterior that a viewing audience can understand. Also, it takes Fridging in an interesting direction. Usually the trope motivates the male character to violence (and this is how it's generally used in WoT, including with Perrin) but in this case it turns the male character off of violence. So, for me, this Fridging gets a pass.

Moiraine is hit by a Trolloc knife but manages to win the battle by throwing the inn at the assembled Trolloc army. (We get a really good look at the Trollocs here, a slow, closeup shot, and my hat goes off to the Practical Effects and CGI crew. They look incredibly good.) Moiraine collapses as the inn collapses with Lan charging up to cover her body and... battle end. We're ~45min in, so that was a solid ten minutes of battling and I wasn't bored once and felt like I learned something important about each character we focused on. Gold stars all around. :)

Two Rivers (day three):

We fade into Rand leading his horse (Bela if you're in the know) into town with his injured dad and realizing crap happened everywhere last night (the lighting gives "early morning" vibes). His face is streaked with blood and filth.

Reunions happen, beginning with Egwene and Rand. She's obviously thrilled to see Rand and he her, though his injured dad has priority. Then Mat arrives with his sisters. His parents are, again, leaning on each other, and his dad seems a bit ashamed (which, he should be). Mat notices Perrin coming out of the forge with Laila's body (Perrin has obviously taken the time to clean her up a little bit). His calling out to Perrin gets Rand's attention but Rand is focused on Tam. So it's Mat who silently supports Perrin as Perrin lays Laila down with the other bodies.

Egwene was fetching Moraine for Tam. And I love how visibly exhausted Moiraine is. Because we saw how hard she fought last night, we recognize how much she's pushing herself here. Which makes Rand's accosting her all the more jarring. And a very strong contrast to the soft-boy Rand we've seen previously. (His sweater is long gone.) And of course, by season end we understand why he's on edge at this moment. (Stradowski gives good reaction when Moiraine retorts, "They're here for you." He looks like he's about to be sick.)

And then we're into Moiraine's monologue about the blind Aes Sedai's prophecy or vision and... yeah, this bit is clunky and rushed, imo. Oh, how I wish the opening scene had been that vision itself as Rafe had planned! That would have left space for more natural sounding dialogue -- less stuffed to the brim with exposition -- for Moiraine to gather our crew together and get them to leave with her. Pike is able to deliver it fairly well but... yeah. Still kind of clunky.

I do love Lan's line, "How did they get here so fast?" The frustrated confusion in Henney's voice, like he's almost speaking to himself. That's the natural I was looking for.

Anyway, it's everyone on their horses and off they go. A couple of things I noticed:

Everyone is still as filthy as they were prior to getting onto the horses. All that's changed is Rand and Egwene have on (admittedly really nice) coats. So there wasn't even a pause to wipe the blood and dirt off their faces.

Everyone has someone to say goodbye to except for Perrin. D: The heart clenches. The warmest goodbye is between Tam and Rand. Tam gets a close up for his gentle, best-dad, smile.

TL;DR This episode, out of the whole first season, is the one where I most felt the interference of sticky executive fingers. The very beginning is an unfortunate level of clunky, and the very ending is almost as bad. Thank God for Rosmund Pike and Kate Fleetwood is all I can say. Fortunately, the middle parts range from good to amazing. I do wish Perrin's backstory had been fleshed out more. (I don't see any benefit gained from not full on spelling out that Laila was worried Perrin loved another woman more than her. And I think there was some cost to not spelling it out.) But otherwise, I enjoyed the character work and the world building.

A solid B episode that easily carries me into watching the next one.