I'm sorry but I'm feeling so frustrated and upset with what they've done with Siuan's character.
YES, it's an adaptation. AND YES, adaptations change things.
BUT the show has made changes to Siuan's character that are FUNDAMENTALLY opposed to her character in the books, and often the EXACT OPPOSITE decision that she made in the books.
- They gave Siuan's scene about a sword of air not being much use to Liandrin, and have her use blades of air to defend herself-- which causes her to immediately lose when face to face with Lanfear. She literally makes the mistake that she warns against in the books.
- In the books, she lets Rand go and trusts the pattern and is deposed and stilled for it. She undermines Tower norms and risks everything for it. In the show, she scoffs at Moiraine's trust in fate and tries to cage Rand because it's Tower law. Literally the opposite of her attitude and actions under almost exactly the same circumstances.
- She controls Moiraine with the oath. Setting aside the fact that they completely brushed aside the sacred way in which (non-BA) Aes Sedai view the oaths (and the fact that it took a hunt for the Black Ajah to do any sort of experimentation with it). It also is diametrically opposed to the way that Siuan and Moiraine trust each other to do their part in preparation for the Last Battle in the books.
AND in case of the last two points, do they remind you of anyone? Someone who was in direct opposition to Siuan and the choices she made? They literally made her Elaida. Elaida wanted to trap Rand and control him. Elaida wanted to have Sisters swear a personal oath to her. What is the point of this?
An adaptation can make changes, of course, but you have to weigh the changes you make in plot and characterization and choose carefully. Characterization is especially delicate. People can tolerate and enjoy the same characters being put in different situations (see AU fanfictions) but when you change who the character is at their core, people get rightfully frustrated that you put the name of their beloved character on a different person (see reactions to OOC).
