diff --git a/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte b/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
index 401827b..02e2eb3 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
@@ -220,7 +220,10 @@
     })();
     let targetFacing = camF;
     let aimed = false;
-    if (dist > 0.05 && !hurled) { targetFacing = Math.atan2(dy, dx); aimed = true; }
+    // A stride turns the eyes along it — but only a REAL stride: on the
+    // reel's first run the camera sits at its uninitialized origin, and
+    // that phantom distance must not pick the opening shot's direction.
+    if (camReady && dist > 0.05 && !hurled) { targetFacing = Math.atan2(dy, dx); aimed = true; }
     else if (aim) {
       targetFacing = Math.atan2(aim.y + 0.5 - ty, aim.x + 0.5 - tx);
       aimed = true;
@@ -236,9 +239,10 @@
         aimed = true;
       }
     }
-    if (!camReady && !aimed) {
-      // The reel opens on a wizard standing still: face the longest
-      // corridor rather than whatever wall the default heading found.
+    if (!aimed && castRay(v, tx, ty, targetFacing).dist < 0.8) {
+      // Nothing aims the eyes and they'd idle nose-to-brick (the opening
+      // cut, or a beat after pacing into a dead end): face the deepest
+      // corridor from where the wizard stands instead.
       let deepest = -1;
       for (const a of [0, Math.PI / 2, Math.PI, -Math.PI / 2]) {
         const h = castRay(v, tx, ty, a);