WoT on Prime episode 5 SPOILERS

[Thalia]

Most of the deviations from the book don’t bother me, but I would certainly find it harder to enjoy if I had someone reminding me of all the ways they’ve changed things as I was watching. Some of the changes I’ve liked, some not so much, and some I don’t really have an opinion either way. Lots of things have changed though, that’s a fact, and I do sympathise with people who are finding that a disappointment. Personally I am enjoying the show; the heart of it feels right to me even if details have changed. I also really like the heavy layering of symbolism and foreshadowing lol. That’s a big plus for me. We’re still headed to the same place imo, it’s just how we’re getting there that’s shaping up a little differently. But there's nothing wrong in disliking that elements of the journey have changed, either.

Not getting the royals yet is the only thing that disappoints me about skipping Caemlyn. I understand their reasons for using Tar Valon and featuring it so heavily in the first season, it’s probably the most important location there is in terms of lore and worldbuilding, especially for non-readers. But aside from the epic view of the gate in the episode teaser, the parts of the city we saw were more underwhelming than I expected, so I can really imagine the budget wouldn’t have stretched to building the set to another major city. I’d rather see Caemlyn when it can be done better justice, and I think the important characters there will get a better introduction by being shifted into season 2 as well. 

8 episodes is SO few for a story this large, and I wish Amazon had okayed the extra episodes the showrunner asked for. But I guess amazon weren't willing to invest more until they saw a return, which is understandable, and its not like they didn't pile a lot of money and resources in already. WoT is just so vast. Budget aside, I think lack of time is the main culprit for things like delayed character intros. Thom deserved a proper introduction (which he simply wouldn't have got in ep 1) and even then his presence felt short to me, I wanted more time with him. I think the same will apply to Min, there's nowhere in the travelling episodes they could have squished her or Baerlon in to do justice.

I agree with you that the scripts must be put together with the full series in mind rather than tackling the books in a linear fashion. Some of that will be streamlining, but I also think it means we will be bouncing around in the series’ timeline a lot as some things are condensed or moved around, sometimes to make narrative sense, and sometimes (less happily) for financial reasons. So although we’re seeing locations we never got to in book 1, I don’t think it means other things have been skipped entirely as a result, if that makes sense. There are even things that “should” have been in an earlier episode that we haven’t seen yet (and I was certainly disappointed we didn't see), but I believe we will before the season finale  

Despite us being in Tar Valon way too early, I don’t think Nynaeve and Egwene will be staying in the Tower or that we’re anywhere near book 3 plots, I think everyone will still go to Fal Dara, and that the later Tower/novice scenes will happen next season (hopefully including Mat trouncing the Trakands!). If they do truncate things that far then I agree the pace is waaay too fast and I will also be very disappointed. My guess though is that we get a taste of Tower politicking in the next ep (and probably some more details on the prophecy); then for the final 2, Moiraine spirits everyone away before E and N can be enrolled, and we get the Ways stuff, Fal Dara (including Min), and the Eye.

I was undecided on Loial. I think the actor is perfect, but the costume/prosthetics will probably have to grow on me. He looks better in situ than he did in the leaks.

Also, I don't blame you for not wanting to fall down the rabbit hole
/ramble