potential controversial pot-stirring: Couladin

Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
378
Age
36
Location
Washington, DC
I was talking to my partner tonight about how the show really needs to cut down on the Shaido arc but definitely keep Couladin, because oh is he relevant in this particular day and age (cough cough).

Basically, I'm pretty sure Couladin's battle cry is "Make the Aiel Great Again!"

Here's Rand, telling the Aiel a difficult, hard truth about their history, their culture, their entire way of life. This truth makes them fundamentally wrestle with their identities, what they believe about ji'e'toh, their entire purpose and what their existence in the Waste has meant. It's a truth so hard to deal with some of the men who try to become chiefs go insane or kill themselves.

And then Couladin pops up, promising them glory! Promising to conquer the wetlands! Everything he's saying is confirming their biases, making them feel superior, and giving them a purpose that fits neatly into how they already understand themselves and their history. But it's all a lie.

... if they adapt this completely straight, I can already hear a certain group of people decrying "woke nonsense" and "SJW bulls****." My eyes are already rolling and I'm pretty sure that's a season or two away.
 

Ephrem Elpidius

Resident Citizen
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
1,780
Age
36
Location
Shropshire+USA
I think this is a common theme in a lot of elements throughout history, even in post-WWI Germany. I don't think there will be that loud of a voice on the critic front of it, also, I have yet to meet a Wheel of Time person who was close minded. Wheel of Time is in its essence a very diverse fantasy world and requires a certain level of nuance about understanding life to enjoy.

The Shaido arc and the Elaida arc were the main two I did not enjoy in the series though... so I know what you mean.

Honestly, I am frustrated that no one ever talked about the Green Man in this series, such a huge figure at end of book one... but even the Aes Sedai never discuss it... Moraine being luckiest person on the planet to see the Green Man twice just goes right over their head for some reason... I find that frustrating.
 

Arella Mathara

Aes Sedai
Head of the Brown Ajah
Social Media Manager
Joined
Aug 23, 2019
Messages
8,774
Location
Norway
Pronouns
  1. She - Her
If they did Couladin's arc like that it would be amazing. I would not be surprised if it went over people's heads though. People often don't see that what's happening in fiction is the same as what they're doing irl. This actually made me even more excited for the show, lol, so many possibilities!
 

Ephrem Elpidius

Resident Citizen
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
1,780
Age
36
Location
Shropshire+USA
If they did Couladin's arc like that it would be amazing. I would not be surprised if it went over people's heads though. People often don't see that what's happening in fiction is the same as what they're doing irl. This actually made me even more excited for the show, lol, so many possibilities!

yes I agree with this, even if they do that arc heavily, I think it may just go over peoples heads you are right! fantasy context, lot of magic and lot of elements at play... it changes perception.
 

Ibon Caseï

Aes Sedai
Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Messages
3,535
Age
38
Location
Norway, Trondheim
Pronouns
  1. They - Them
Discord
Yolander#8897
Ooo, interesting parallel!
 

Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

Anime Sensei
Aes Sedai
Mayor
Joined
Nov 21, 2012
Messages
35,435
Age
37
Location
Lost in the zemai
Pronouns
  1. She - Her
First of all...

:rofl

No, wait, that's it. :look: That is too good.
 
Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
7,143
Location
Louisville, KY
Pronouns
  1. She - Her
I'm not quite to that part on my re-read, but that parallel makes a TON of sense.

Also, interesting about what that makes the Shaido...
 

Ephrem Elpidius

Resident Citizen
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
1,780
Age
36
Location
Shropshire+USA
I'm not quite to that part on my re-read, but that parallel makes a TON of sense.

Also, interesting about what that makes the Shaido...

The Shaido imo represent fear winning over acceptance/knowledge. It seems to be a common human element, so in that regards, I don't dislike the Shaido, but on the same hand I understand they are weaker than the other clans due to their inability to use logic and instead focusing on their baser instincts.
 

Ananke Ruadh

Formerly known as Ananke Zaresh
Joined
Dec 16, 2021
Messages
1,260
Pronouns
  1. They - Them
The Shaido imo represent fear winning over acceptance/knowledge. It seems to be a common human element, so in that regards, I don't dislike the Shaido, but on the same hand I understand they are weaker than the other clans due to their inability to use logic and instead focusing on their baser instincts.

+1

I agree. Particularly when juxtaposed against other clans, especially the Taardad.
 

Keisha al'Benn

Aes Sedai
Moderator
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
11,490
Location
Utah, USA
I have nothing to add to this except from now on when I read about Couladin I'm going to imagine his hair being a funky fly-away mess! :rofl
 

Ilissa al'Nari

Scribe of the Glitterati
Aes Sedai
Joined
Dec 15, 2004
Messages
4,833
Age
44
Location
Norway
Pronouns
  1. She - Her
*snorts* thank you for this. I did a re-read that in part coincided with the last US presidential election, and thought much the same thing.
 
Top