I think the Shannara Chronicles dedicated too far from the books to really resonate with viewers.
WoT's changes should be simply considered either another turning of the Wheel or taking place in one of the minor worlds so that the changes are just one of the many variations of the pattern
I've heard that they may not be using fancloth for the Warders cloaks due to money issues.
I wonder if they've considered using Predator technology to achieve the effect.