Not The Beginning

We're Back! Season 2 Recap

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

After a long break, Not the Beginning is back! We're recapping season two of the Amazon Prime show ahead of season three's release.

S6E3: Nothing Really Happens

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Lord of Chaos 6-8. The Forsaken do some infighting, we're reintroduced to dream-spying, and Nyneave hears a story about Theodrin's experience with twins.

S6E2: Fun Uncle

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Lord of Chaos Ch 1-5. Rand and Taim get into a size-measuring contest, A disembodied voice wants to do a murder, Armies make the best punchlines for jokes, and Mat tells an ophan that he smells.

S6E1: Just The Beginning

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

Prologue of Lord of Chaos. Shaidar Haran is confusing to several forsaken, some body-swapping is occurring, the Shaido are up to no good, and we get more viewpoints than we know what to do with.

Bonus Episode: Ever After Always

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 02:00:00 -0400

We're back after a longer than anticipated break, and talking about a romance novel - Chloe Liese's Ever After Always.

S5E11: Explosive Finish

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 24 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 53-End. Lan basically openly weeps, Rand gets a lesson in gender equality, Nyneave gets her head out of a dark place and Rahvin tries to get a new pet dog, but instead revives three whole people.

S5e10: Moiraine with a Chair

Will & Dallas Smith — Thu, 11 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 50-52. Rand plays the Game of Houses, then gets some upsetting news. Mat has a nasty breakup. Moiraine auditions for the WWE.

S5E9: Valan Luca's Boring Circus

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 45-49. Nyneave is annoying about packing, money, and being on her least favorite method of transportation. Mat gets put in charge unwillingly. Rand shows off his new skill at the Game of Houses.

S5E8: Battle Planning

Will & Dallas Smith — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 40-44. Mat can't help but get involved, Rand overworks himself, and we're still with Valan Luca for some reason.

S5E7: Bow and Arrows

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 34-39. Nyneave and Birgitte have a bad dream, then wake up to a bad reality, Birgette may have been Robin Hood in a past life, and some flaming insane borderlanders make an appearance.

S5E6: Igloo Fun Time

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 27-33. Gareth Bryne joins the rebel Aes Sedai because he needs his laundry done, Kadere does some dismembering, and Rand is forced to warm Aviendha with his body.

S5E5: Short King

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires Of Heaven 20-26. Mat doesn't have a Napoleon complex at all, Rand almost gets hit in the head by Aviendha, and Siuan finally arrives in Salidar.

S5E4: Not Cool, Egwene

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 15-19. Egwene needs to get her head on straight, Nyneave has a bad time in the dream world, and Morgase finds some clarity.

S5E3: Please Don't Try to Sleep With Thom

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 8-14. Nyneave needs to take a chill pill, Elayne needs to not flirt with Thom, and Siuan finds the least helpful fountain of youth.

S5E2: Scratchy Voices

Will & Dallas Smith — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven 3-7. Aviendha "hates" Rand, Mat gets lucky in multiple ways, evil dogs attack, and Moiriane changes tactics.

S5E1: Gareth Bryne is a Chill Guy

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0400

The Fires of Heaven Prologue-2. Elaida has some issues to work out, Rahvin is just awful, Siuan should be a lawyer, and Rand is stared down.

Bonus Episode: Always Only You

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Will reads yet another romance novel: Always Only You, by Chloe Liese. This time, it's a sports romance with way too many nipple references.

S4E11: We're Not Reading Bridgerton

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 54-58. All plots are resolved - Nynaeve gets punchy, Perrin sure does love his wife, and Rand continues to channel the spirit of Muad'dib.

S4E10: Loial Deserves a Tuxedo

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 49-53. Rand has a fun dream with some watchers, and does his best Paul Atreides impression. Bayle Domon has an admirer. Nyneave does some sleepy snooping. Loial is true Best Man material.

S4E9: Padan Fain Isn't A Serial Killer?

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 45-48. Nothing happens in the Waste, Perrin enjoys the life of a project manager, and Siuan isn't thrilled with recent events.

S4E8: A Little Bi, As A Treat

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 39-44. Elayne says goodbye to the Windfinder, everyone's favorite boat captain returns, and Perrin gets to watch others have all the fun.

S4E7: Seanchan Tongue-Twister

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 34-38. Rand and Mat get harassed by a variety of Aiel. Aviendha gets an annoying new student. The Seanchan are up to something in Tanchico.

S4E6: Justice For Tomas!

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 28-33. Perin has it real rough. Loial is the ultimate friend, and justice is fulfilled for a certain warder.

S4E5: Back to the Future

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 23-27. Mat has a bad time with some foxes. Rand goes on a wild trip. Perrin and Faile continue to have a fight (but this time there are shadowspawn).

S4E4: Spear Daddy

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising 18-22. Rand plays the game and goes on a trip. Elayne and Nyneave get some traveling companions. Perrin gets a head start. Rhuarc's vibe is identified.

S4E3: Genie in a Ter'Angreal

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising Ch 11-17. Loial gets what he deserves, Dallas' dreams are fulfilled, and noted car enthusiast Will Smith definitely understands the difference between Mitsubishi and Mercedes.

S4E2: What in the Disney Princess

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising Ch 4-10. Elayne is in love with Rand, the maidens are great wingwomen, and more Laneave please.

S4E1: Weird Flex, But OK

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Shadow Rising Ch 1-3. It was not the prologue, but it was a prologue. And also too many points of view to count. With murderous reflections and playing cards as a bonus.

Bonus Episode: Only When It's Us

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Will reads a romance novel - Only When It's Us, by Chloe Liese - and has strong feelings about banter, pranks, and anatomical differences.

S3E10: An Explosive Finale

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn 51-56. Mat has a moment of explosive imagination, Egwene goes on a rampage, Perrin goes falconing, and Ba'alzamon is finally gone for good.

S3E9: Wisdom-Off

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 24 May 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn Ch 47-50. Everyone ends up in Tear (aboard even more boats), Nyneave gets quizzed, and Perrin finally gets to do some blacksmithing.

S3E8: Grumpy/Sunshine

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 10 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn Ch 41-46. Perrin gets caught in the middle of a stare-off and chased down by some not-so-good dogs. Mat does the one thing he was told not to do, and discovers a plot.

S3E7: Is Rand Ok?

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn 36-40. Perrin and Egwene have weird dreams. Rand does some murdering of people who are definitely maybe darkfriends. Mat and Thom get an explosive reward.

S3E6: I'm On a Boat

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 02:45:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn 30-35. Mat gets lucky, meets an old friend, and gets on a boat. Perrin meets some new friends, and gets on a boat.

S3E5: As Pretty As A Girl

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn 24 -29. Mat gets better, then waves his stick at Galad. Egwene has some messed-up dreams and has feelings about Lanfear. Else Grinwell is a lie.

S3E4: Grandma Academia

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn ch 18-23. Mat gets healed, Egwene gets traumatized, and Verin's got vibes. Also #JusticeForTomas.

S3E3: All Aboard the Gawyn Dinghy

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn Chapters 11-17. The girls get berated, Siuan gives Egwene and Nyneave a secret mission they immediately tell Elayne about, Gawyn starts rowing, and Elaida remains a piece of work.

S3E2: Three Weddings and a Ta'veren

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 02:00:00 -0400

TDR 5-10. Perrin wolfs out on a Fade and doesn't understand women, Moiraine is weirdly good at fishing, Rand causes some weddings, and Egwene loses it at some Whitecloaks.

S3E1: Frozen Mountain Lakes

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The Dragon Reborn Prologue-Ch 4. Jaichim Carridin has made some bad life choices, Rand has boarded the stuggle bus, and Perrin almost falls into Lan's eyes.

Bonus Episode: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Will & Dallas Smith — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Will reads a romance novel - The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. Pirates, flying houses, and Queen Victoria. What could possibly go wrong?

TV1E6: The Eye of the World

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Will and Dallas discuss the season one finale of Amazon's The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World. Spoiler warning - this episode has spoilers from The Dragon Reborn in it. Spoilers start at 13:15 and end at 16:49.

S2E10: Mat Gets Horn-y

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 46-50. Ingtar was sketchy the whole time. Mat does some tooting. Round two of Magic Sky Swordfight.

TV1E5: The Dark Along The Ways

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Will and Dallas discuss the seventh episode of Amazon's The Wheel of Time: The Dark Along The Ways

TV1E4: The Flame of Tar Valon

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Will and Dallas discuss episode 6 of Amazon's The Wheel of Time: The Flame of Tar Valon

S2E9: Liandrin Really Is the Worst

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 40-45. Liandrin betrays the girls. Nyneave and Elayne sneak around Falme while Egwene has a Bad Time. Rand makes Sword Dad proud.

TV1E3: Blood Calls Blood

Will & Dallas Smith — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Will and Dallas discuss episode 5 of Amazon's The Wheel of Time - Blood Calls Blood.

TV1E2: Episode 4 - The Dragon Reborn

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Show Episode 4. Will and Dallas discuss the fourth episode of Amazon's The Wheel of Time: The Dragon Reborn.

S2E8: Stedding Tofu?

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 35-39. Aiel, banter, warnings, and flower crowns - all in an Ogier stedding. Rand learns why time travel is never a good idea. Liandrin remains the worst.

TV1E1: Episodes 1-3

Will & Dallas Smith — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 02:00:00 -0400

Show Episodes 1-3. Will and Dallas discuss the first three episodes of Amazon's The Wheel of Time: Leavetaking, Shadow's Waiting, and A Place of Safety.

S2E7: Loial is Shaped Like a Friend

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 30-34. The boys are reunited and go to a fancy party, then they all leave for the forest. Meanwhile, Fain is creepy, and Thom goes on a mission.

S2E6: No Body, No Crime

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 24-26. Egwene goes to lady Hogwarts, Dallas' prophecy was revealed as true, Perrin meets an Aiel. Bornhald and Domon are also around for some reason.

S2E5: Rand Got Horn-y

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt 19-23. Rand just needs to get laid, Magic Mom and Sword Dad have a fight, and Nynaeve goes through an odeal.

S2E4: What if...Rand Had Game?

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt Chapters 13-18. Rand, Loial, and Hurin get stuck in another world where Rand has game. Perrin cosplays as a Sniffer to replace Hurin. Nynaeve hulks out at the Amyrlin Seat.

S2E3: Padan Fain is Stinky

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The Great Hunt Chapters 9-12. Padan Fain smells so bad they can track him by scent alone. Rand is second in command for some reason. The Aes Sedai annoy Nyneave into channeling.

S2e2: Prophecies Suck Less When Verin Explains Them

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

There's a jailbreak in Fal Dara, Verin explains a dark prophecy, Lan continues to be Sword Dad (and also devastating Dallas).

S2E1: Liandrin is the Worst

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Prologue and Chapters 1-5 of The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan. Lan is a sword dad, Loial deserves better, Moiraine has plans for Rand, and Padan Fain is still crazy.

Bonus: Red, White & Royal Blue

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Inbetween The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, Dallas has Will read Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue (a romance novel!).

S1E10: The Blight Sucks, But Lan Doesn't

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 47-53 of The Eye Of the World by Robert Jordan. The Blight is creepy, the Forsaken are creepy, Lan kills Dallas, and the gang gets some loot.

S1E9: Lan is like an onion

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 41-26 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. The party travels the Ways, Rand gets no mercy from Perrin and Mat, and Lan reveals a few more layers.

S1E8: Reunited (And it feels so good)

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 36-40 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Rand meets Loial and does a super great job laying low. Nyneave shows off her horse-stealing skills. Most of the group has been reunited at last.

S1E7: Mat Needs a Hug

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 32-35 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Rand and Mat find trouble at Four Kings, Lightning is weird, and Mat just really needs a hug.

S1E6: We're Not a Game of Thrones Podcast, We Swear

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 30 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 28-31 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Perrin gets wolfy, Rand has a not-so-secret admirer, and we maybe talk too much about Game of Thrones.

S1E5: Emotional Support Wolves

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 16 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 22-27 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Thom has to be the adult for resident risk-takers Rand and Mat. Perrin gets some not-so-cuddly new friends. This episode features more than one ship.

S1E4: Everyone Gets a Turn With the Idiot Stick

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 02 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 17-21 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Nearly everyone gets hit with the idiot stick. Except Mat, who is the fabled Idiot Stick Reborn, destined to destroy and remake common sense.

S1E3: This is now a Perrin Aybara appreciation podcast

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 12-16 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. The Emond's Fielders cross a river, do some cross-country riding, and explore the "big" city. Also Perrin's thighs are talked about a lot.

S1E2: In This House, We Respect Alsbet Luhan

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Chapters 6-11 of The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Alsbet Luhan kills a trolloc with a frying pan. Don't get on her bad side.

S1E1: A Beginning

Will & Dallas Smith — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Will and Dallas start in on Book One of The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan! Prologue and Chapters 1-5. Will attempts to explain the prologue without spoiling anything.

Not the Beginning Trailer

Will & Dallas Smith — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Join Will and Dallas as they read through Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time - a first-time reader and a chronic re-reader discuss the series.