#SiuanDeservesBetter
Sorry, got the hashtag wrong
25.04.2025 05:29
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#SiuanDeservesBetter
Sorry, got the hashtag wrong
We write as dedicated readers, engaged viewers, and advocates for inclusive storytelling within global fan communities. On 17 April 2025, Episode 3x08 saw Siuan Sanche - a Black, lesbian woman and one of the series' highest-ranking leaders - brutally beaten offscreen, publicly put on trial, and ultimately depicted as a decapitated corpse. In subsequent statements, showrunner Rafe Judkins characterized this decision as carefully considered, while asserting that it provided the necessary "emotional punch". That "punch" indeed landed, causing considerable distress among LGBTQIA+ and BIPoC viewers. We respectfully urge the production team to acknowledge the impact of this narrative decision and give careful consideration to the points outlined below. BRUTALITY: Siuan Sanche represented one of very few prominent Black lesbian leaders in mainstream fantasy television....The graphic portrayal of her beaten and decapitated body appears insensitive at best, deeply damaging at worst. Explicitly showing Siuan's corpse was unnecessary as the dissolution of the oath bond with her partner, Moiraine, already communicated her death. FRIDGING: Fridging refers to the literary/media practice of killing off a marginalized character to provide emotional stakes or motivation for the protagonist. In this context, Siuan's premature death, especially framing her scenes around her partner Moiraine is troubling. Such a portrayal risks reducing a complex character to a mere narrative tool used for shock value and emotional motivation for a (white) central character. This perpetuates harmful tropes regarding the disposability of marginalized characters. BURY YOUR GAYS: The BYG trope is multifaceted and can be defined the following way: "The unexpected death of queer characters before their stories are fully realized or their characters achieve depth and complexity to the same extenf a their heterosexual peers".
The showrunner's statements appear contradictory. In "Inside Episode 8", he stated that characters, referencing Siuan, were given "their big moment and then they exit". However, in the Instagram AMA on April 19, it was indicated that those responsible "have plans for who will take on her other main story". This inconsistency raises further concern regarding the thoughtfulness and intent behind the treatment of Siuan's narrative. Furthermore, when asked whether he was concerned about killing off one half of the show's flagship sapphic couple, Judkins responded "we knew going in we'd have to do that, so we could either not make them lesbians or see one or both die". Framing queer representation as a binary choice between tragic visibility or complete exclusion perpetuates one of queer television's oldest harmful tropes. RACIAL OPTICS: We recognize and sincerely appreciate the show's commitment to casting a wide range of BIPoC actors....However, Siuan' portrayal does not exist in isolation. Fan communities have consistently raised concerns regarding the treatment of Black and dark-skinned characters throughout the series....Whether intentional or not, these creative choices carry racial implications that can be problematic for viewers. Such matters require sincere acknowledgement and thoughtful consideration rather than dismissal or minimization by the production team. PROMOTION VS OUTCOME: For three seasons, promotional campaigns, press tours, teasers and official social media platforms heavily emphasized Siuan and Moiraine' relationship as a "central pillar of the show". This strategy fostered trust and emotional investment within queer communities, setting the expectation for thoughtful, committed representation. That trust was broken by Siuan's sudden and brutal death....Her death not only cut short her individual arc, it also erased the very relationship the show had presented in the marketing.
REDUCTIVE STORY FUNCTION: Siuan Sanche was more than the "washerwoman" the showrunner characterized her as. Following the coup, she played a crucial role in pivotal storylines....She was the first woman healed from being Stilled, played a key role in facilitating Egwene's ascension to the Amyrlin Seat, and provided steadfast mentorship during significant challenges. By contrast, the show's portrayal reduced her to Moiraine's ineffectual partner, someone who repeatedly "fails', as characters explicitly state. This diminishes her agency and distorts the depth and significance of her original narrative. Fan responses, including detailed analytical essays and personal mental-health disclosures, underscore widespread feelings of betrayal, fatigue with flawed representation, and experiencing re-traumatization. We urge the production team, and Judkins personally, to publicly acknowledge these criticsms, apologize for the harm caused, and commit to greater sensitivity and accountability. Fictional choices shape real-world perceptions and do not exist in a vacuum. We recognize the challenges inherent in adapting complex source material....we also acknowledge the series' meaningful efforts in increasing representation....nonetheless, responsible storytelling requires vigilance when traditional stereotypes intersect with issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Thank you for your thoughtful attention. We hope to see a public acknowledgement in future interviews, press statements, or in communication with the fandom. Our goal is not condemnation but mutual understanding and better storytelling for all. Respectfully, Fans of the Wheel Of Time.
Reference list for the letter, including links to Entertainment Weekly, WoTSeries, GLAAD, YouTube, Collider, among other sources and supplementary data.
#SiuanDeservedBetter
@leithskilling.bsky.social has an excellent interview with Sharon Gilham, #WotSkies check it out. www.the-wide-screen-with-leith-skilling.com/amazon-prime...
Yeeees!!! Cast interviews @talkaranrhiod.com 🧡
#TheWheelOfTime #wotskies
youtu.be/Iv7hvx146yU?...
Photo of me from below, looking down with a slight smile. My left arm is raised, showing off my armpit. I'm wearing a dark gray t-shirt. I have short dark brown hair and facial hair. The lighting is purplish-blue-gray.
This is so not what I'm used to posting and don't expect any more but I felt kinda cute here
I'm normally here to talk about The Rings of Power, but I really do also enjoy #TheWheelofTime. Maybe I'll do my own rewatch posting about it. #WOTSkies
Streets are saying WoT isn't getting covered because of lack of engagement with the IP, so y'all know what you need to do.
#WoTSkies
Reposted with #AltText
The Wheel Of Time season three should also be on this list, one of the best fantasy shows on television and it gets no coverage 🙄
I can't believe there's people finding out about THE ODYSSEY because of the new Nolan film and complaining about spoilers. Sir please it was written almost 3000 years ago what spoilers are you talking about.
IT'S NYNAEVE APPRECIATION DAY (I decided)
A photo of the actress Shohreh Aghdashloo with text reading: "Series news: Shohreh Aghdashloo is Elaida in The Wheel of Time Season 3. Amazon MGM Studios."
From the press release: Elaida is a ruthlessly powerful Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, as proficient in politicking as she is in channeling. She has a deep history with Moiraine (Pike) and Siuan (Sophie Okonedo), and scores to settle with both of them when she returns to the White Tower. Elaida is someone who believes in ends over means, and is willing to do anything to achieve what she envisions to be the greater good.
BREAKING: the show officially announces actor Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan.
Please excerpt from the official press release.
#TheWheelOfTime #WotSkies
An image from the set of The Wheel of Time, featuring dense, misty foliage representing the Blight. Rosamund Pike, in character as Moiraine, is visible in the background among the twisted, moss-covered trees. The text overlay recounts a story from showrunner Rafe Judkins, describing a moment in 2020 when Rosamund, while preparing for a scene, asked him about the character Elaida, saying, ‘Who do you picture when you think of this woman?’ The scene captures the eerie and atmospheric set built in Prague. The full text of his post reads: Back in 2020 when we were deep in the Blight, sitting on a wet log together, Rosamund said she had a question for me. She was giving a speech to Rand about a woman who had tortured her at the White Tower, beating her to make her more powerful. I explained it was Elaida. And she said 'who do you picture when you think of this woman?'
Rafe Judkins just posted this to Instagram! #TheWheelOfTime
NEW POST 📜: In this new installment of "what we know about season 3 of #TheWheelOfTime", @geekyeri.bsky.social breaks down what we believe to be the four main storylines👇
www.wotseries.com/2024/12/10/w...
So Brazilians said they saw two con exclusive scenes!
One with Rand and Lan training!
The other with a certain White Tower event 🥲
I NEED THEM NOW
#WoTSkies
HOLY FUCK THAT TRAILER
Where is it??? Where's the teaser!!! Show it to me!!!
This article from The Telegraph is an interesting read on Rosamund... Especially when they confirm a March release date for S3!
archive.is/2024.12.06-0...
#WoTSkies
It's my favorite show! I love it and the books
Rafe confirming we are getting the release date on Saturday!
WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK!
TRAILER GAI'DON RELOADED! #WoTSkies
A photo of Rand al'Thor, Josha Stradowski, carrying Moiraine Damodred, Rosamund Pike, through a desert landscape. Text at the top reads “The Wheel of Time is blazing a new path for fantasy on television. – Vulture”. At the bottom there is The Wheel of Time and Prime logo.
Season 3 🥹
#TheWheelOfTime
Not sure if anyone posted this yet but here’s the full Q&A with Charlie, Morfydd, and the showrunners.
#TheRingsOfPower
#TheRingsOfPowerS2
m.youtube.com/watch?v=--gH...
I'm deep into season six now btw for anybody who cares
Maddie and Chimney just moved into the Murder House
And Albert is no longer on my good side for the dick move he just pulled, inviting Chimney's dad without warning Chimney
Also, I think this is the Buck NDE episode so that's exciting
Excited for when you do! I hope you enjoy it!
Well. That was...intense.
Might be my new favorite episode of the series? The sheer significance of Bobby saving May and her calling him Dad afterwards; May and Claudette's arc; Eddie getting back in the game; Josh and Carson romantic subplot; even Albert got something to do!
Carson's cute, I'm shipping him and Josh
Nooooo Albert shaved the mustache 😔
May standing up for herself 👏
Eddie might not be acclimating to life as a social media manager but I am loving his dynamic and interactions with the call center crew
And right after I said that, I'm starting an episode titled May Day...that can't be a good sign