The series is finding its pace, and episode 5 is another solid installment that I enjoyed watching. But it's starting to feel a bit messy. It feels like the writers and director are losing their way a little in the complex world of WoT, and are having trouble deciding what to focus on, what is important, and what needs to be condensed or skipped. This is especially apparent in the scenes where this series departs from the novels.
For instance, the scene with Valda, Perrin and Egwene. The whole thing seemed hurried and uninspired, except when it comes to the tired old tropes used to establish Valda's character. This event is a pivotal moment for all involved, and it deserves a bit more care and attention. A few other events in this episode are similarly glossed over, with sloppy writing leaving things unexplained or just plain unlikely to ever have happened the way they did.
In contrast, we're treated to a drawn out funeral scene that seems rather pointless. It does little to move the story along, and the viewer will have zero emotional investment with what amounts to a minor character, in a series that has barely begun. This scene could easily have been left out entirely, to allow some time to be spent on the more important events.
It's not all bad though. A great example of effective exposition is the stand-off between the Tinkers and the Whitecloaks. This scene only lasts a few seconds but does a good job establishing character and motivation. The Way of the Leaf versus the ruthless Children of the Light. This is how you "show, don't tell".
On the whole, this is an enjoyable fantasy epic. But its creators need to keep up a hard balancing act: the script needs to be strong enough to stand on its own for those new to WoT, while remaining faithful enough to the books to please the fans. This episode makes me wonder if the writers are equal to the task.