Book comparisons... well. We have our work cut out for us today, there are SO many changes. Starting with the basics, the journey from Fal Dara to the Eye is shown, but it is much, much shorter and only undertaken by Moiraine, Rand, and later Lan. The Eye itself keeps only its name, as it is not presented as a the ultimate refuge, but as the Dark One's prison. (Talk about changing things...) The fight against 2 of the Forsaken is omitted, and we instead are presented with a battle of wills between Rand and the "Dark One", with the small sa'angreal taking over the role of the actual Eye as the pool of Power for Rand to draw on. This part borrows more from the final confrontation between Rand and Moridin in the last book than it does their meeting in the first book, and we are also denied Rand's actions being presented to the world, as he does not appear over the army fighting in Tarwin's Gap to save it. There are some nods to the books though, as his fictional daughter by Egwene has the same name as she has in the books (when it is Egwene presented with a vision of this future during her testing in the Tower) and there is also the first mention of cuendillar, though it is not immediately recognized as one of the seals on the Dark One's prison. Finally, this plot ends with Rand going off solo, a bit reminiscent of his actions at the start of book 3, and Moiraine being what appears to be permanently shielded (not stilled, as we see Ishamael put the same weave on her as is put on Logain in episode 4). This is a huge departure from the books, but likely will serve to give Moiraine a story arc for season 2, as in book 2 she is largely absent from the proceedings. It is an odd choice, but will go onto the "judge when we get an idea of where they go with it" pile.
The battle at Tarwin's Gap, located much closer to Fal Dara now, starts off mostly identical to the books, with Lord Agelmar rallying his forces for what he believes to be a futile attempt to stop the Trolloc horde. The story then departs from the books, with it being Amalisa and her group of channelers who save the city with the Power instead of Rand, with Agelmar and his troops apparently dying instead of being saved. Neither Agelmar nor Amalisa have large roles in the books, but their deaths here are certainly a departure from the lore. Other departures are visible during the Power battle scene, with Nynaeve seemingly having no problems linking with Amalisa and later apparently being healed from the brink of death by Egwene. Both instances imply a skill that these characters do not learn until much later into the series.
Finally, we have the reveal of the Horn of Valere. With the changes made to the Eye, we do not find it there but instead in storage at Fal Dara, and much like in the books, Fain comes to steal it from its vault. In another departure, possibly to cover Barney Harris's departure, Loial is stabbed with the dagger, likely to serve as a catalyst for Perrin wanting to go and track down Fain and the dagger in season 2.
The episode ends with a teaser for season 2 and the reveal of the Seanchan invasion fleet, with a pair of damane being instructed to create a tidal wave by a pair of sul'dam. Possibly in some sort of ceremony, given that it feels a bit much for ruining the day of a little girl picking seashells. The Seanchan invasion happens off-page in the books, but timing and location are accurate. A lot of fans are speculating Falme will be dropped and we are going straight to Tear in season 2, but the location card - the first of the series - seems to dispell that idea.
