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The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins has guided the Prime Video adaptation through numerous memorable sequences inspired by the works of Robert Jordan. However, the fourth episode of Season 3, titled “The Road to the Spear,” represents a significant milestone in his creative journey.
In this episode, Rand (Josha Stradowski) and Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) venture into the enigmatic city of Rhuidean. Inside, Rand embarks on a time-bending journey, experiencing ancestral memories, while Moiraine confronts the dire consequences of countless potential futures. Judkins recently shared insights with Gold Derby about the production of what has become a fan-favorite episode.
Gold Derby: Rand’s exploration of the Glass Pillars in Rhuidean comprises some of the most cherished segments of the entire Wheel of Time narrative. Adapting these moments for the screen must have presented challenges. What guided you during this adaptation process?
Rafe Judkins: My primary goal was to evoke the emotion I felt when reading those chapters for the first time, which illustrated an expansive and intricate world through unique characters. There’s a risk in the television format that these characters might feel disjointed, leading viewers to question the purpose of the series’ episodic nature. Thus, I aimed to create an emotionally engaging experience that mirrors the book’s impact. It’s encouraging to see that many fans felt a connection reminiscent of what they experienced in the novels, while those new to the story also found a sense of depth and expansion in both the world and Rand’s character. Given that each season allows for only eight hours, it was essential to ensure that viewers come away understanding Rand more deeply than ever.
Was it always your intention for Josha Stradowski to portray all of Rand’s ancestors?
Initially, the script featured Rand taking on all the roles, as it was crucial for connecting the audience to these characters and linking Rand’s experiences with theirs. The books emphasize the importance of Rand perceiving the world through his ancestors’ perspectives, and visually translating this through a single actor adds a unique emotional resonance. Achieving the balance where viewers could feel this connection while not focusing excessively on the repeated performance of the same actor was a challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor. With the collaborative efforts of Josha, our director Thomas Napper, and Davina Lamont‘s prosthetic designs, we worked diligently to strike that delicate balance.
The scale of this episode was massive. Did the ambitious nature of Moiraine’s potential futures cause you to reconsider the script’s feasibility?
Not for me; it was more about convincing everyone else! The initial reactions were filled with skepticism—many felt we couldn’t pull it off. Nevertheless, I firmly believed in the vision we had and was determined to be resourceful. Despite budget constraints, we creatively utilized our resources, sometimes filming quickly with minimal setups. There were moments when we were literally racing with cameras and crew to capture scenes, recognizing that maintaining a grand production pace every day simply wasn’t feasible. Many of the sequences unfolded just a few feet away from the primary filming, showcasing our ability to hone in on the moment without losing sight of the broader picture.
Additionally, the episode explores the development of Aiel culture across vast stretches of time. How did you manage the complexities of this historical evolution with your team?
It involved extensive planning—numerous spreadsheets and charts! That particular episode required my presence in every meeting to ensure a cohesive understanding among the teams. Effectively telling the story of Aiel history through visual cues, such as wardrobe changes across ages, was critical. We aimed to depict their evolution from their peak inside the White Tower during the Age of Legends to their later transformations as they became the Tuatha’an. I hope that while audiences may not consciously register these subtleties, they will nonetheless absorb the narrative of the Aiel through their attire, hair, makeup, and set design.
The series adeptly balances grand, fantastical elements with intimate character moments. How did you achieve this equilibrium within this particular episode?
One of the greatest challenges lay in managing our limited time. The source material is rich and expansive, filled with intricate character relationships and plotlines. It’s paramount for me to ensure both the grand and intimate aspects are represented. I advocate fiercely for scenes showcasing character interactions—like Elayne, Nynaeve, Min, and Mat sharing moments of levity—just as I do for the action-packed segments. Both contribute significantly to the essence of The Wheel of Time and enrich the storytelling quality of the show. Achieving this balance is a continual focus within the writer’s room, so it feels like a well-paced experience rather than a frantic succession of events. If viewers fail to connect with the characters, the story’s vast scope loses its impact.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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