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What’s at Stake in Season 3 of The Wheel of Time

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Today marks the release of Season 3 for “The Wheel of Time,” the captivating fantasy series adapted from Robert Jordan’s novels. As our heroes brace themselves for fresh challenges in this new season, let’s rewind and catch up on where each main character found themselves at the end of Season 2, and what awaits them as the story unfolds in Season 3.

Rand al’Thor

Following his revelation that the woman he loves in Cairhien is none other than Lanfear, a Forsaken and one of the most dangerous immortal channelers pledged to the Dark One, Rand engages in a precarious game of hide-and-seek with her, relying on her former affection for his previous life as the Dragon to deter her from killing him. Subsequently, Rand is apprehended by Siuan Sanche, the Amrylin Seat and the Aes Sedai’s leader, but manages to escape with assistance from Lanfear and Moiraine. He then heads to the occupied city of Falme, only to find it under Seanchan control.

In a confrontation between the Seanchan and the Whitecloaks, Rand teams up with Mat Cauthon against Ishamael. Unfortunately, during their attempt to attack Ishamael, Mat inadvertently wounds Rand with an evil dagger from Shadar Logoth. Elayne Trakand partially heals his wound, but is unable to fully restore him. Despite his injuries, Rand vanquishes Ishamael permanently (fingers crossed), and is proclaimed the Dragon Reborn by everyone in the city.

Moiraine Damodred

In the aftermath of Ishamael seemingly sealing her access to the One Power for good at the end of Season 1, Moiraine combats the deep despair this engenders by keeping her primary objective in mind: safeguarding the Dragon Reborn. Initially, she works from a distance, amassing data and smoothing his journey through Cairhien. Then, she teams up with him, liberating Rand from Lanfear’s grasp and eventually joining forces with Lanfear to free him and escort him to Falme. However, this alliance comes at the cost of betraying her dear friends, Siuan Sanche and her Warder, Lan (Daniel Henney). Moiraine distances herself from Lan and transfers his bond to the Green sister Alanna Mosvani (Priyanka Bose). Yet, before they reach Falme, Lan reconciles with her, and guides Rand in dismantling the protective barrier Ishamael had set up around Moiraine, thereby reinstating her capacity to harness the One Power. In the ensuing battle at Falme, Moiraine vanquishes the Seanchan damane (enslaved women who can channel) guarding Rand and summons a colossal fire-breathing dragon, thereby publicly proclaiming Rand as the Dragon Reborn.

Egwene al’Vere

In this season, Egwene (Madeleine Madden) experiences a tough stretch, as she’s been held captive by the Seanchan invaders who compelled her to serve as their collared damane, under the supervision of Renna (Xelia Mendes-Jones). Renna subjects Egwene to cruel torture in an attempt to break her spirit and make her a compliant slave, but she significantly underestimates Egwene’s resilience. Despite the mental manipulation she endures, Egwene manages to regain control and free herself from the a’dam collar, subsequently placing one on Renna. This shocking move proves that sul’dam also possess the ability to channel, causing Renna immense horror before her demise. Upon reuniting with Rand, Egwene stands by him during his Seanchan protection, holding her ground until Moiraine is able to free Rand and allow him to confront Ishamael directly.

Nynaeve al’Meara

Following a harrowing ordeal during their test for Acceptance, Egwene, along with Elayne, find themselves deceived by Liandrin, a Red sister, who is uncovered as Black Ajah and a Darkfriend. This treacherous act results in them being taken to the Seanchan noble Suroth, another Darkfriend. Despite her betrayal, Liandrin still harbors feelings for Nynaeve and disdain for the Seanchan’s practice of enslaving women who can channel. As a result, she sets free and revives the girls before departing, enabling Nynaeve and Elayne to flee. Unfortunately, Egwene is captured in the process, and the duo then embark on a mission to rescue her within the city of Falme. They eventually discover how to utilize the a’dam collar and seize a sul’dam, Seta. However, Nynaeve’s inability to channel limits her effectiveness during the ensuing battle, causing her to act impulsively and cross boundaries she previously wouldn’t have crossed.

Perrin Aybara

Throughout much of the season, Marcus Rutherford’s character, Perrin, is mentored by Elyas Machera, a fellow individual with golden eyes and an affinity for wolves. Perrin initially resists embracing his powers, but forms a bond with a specific wolf, Hopper. As events unfold, he liberates a captive Aiel, named Aviendha, who is part of the Far Dareis Mai (Spear Maidens). She reveals that she and her companions are searching for the Car’a’Carn (Chief of Chiefs), but chooses to accompany Perrin instead to repay a life debt. This group, consisting of Perrin, Hopper, Aviendha, two more Spear Maidens, Bain and Chiad, eventually reach Falme, where they encounter Loial the Ogier and the remaining Shienaran soldiers who had been enslaved by the Seanchan earlier in the season. These soldiers have retrieved the Horn of Valere from the Seanchan. In the midst of a confrontation with the Seanchan, they cross paths with Mat, who releases the Horn using a dagger from Shadar Logoth and delivers it to Rand. Perrin narrowly escapes death at the hands of the Whitecloak Valda, but is saved by Hopper, who sacrifices his life in the process. The leader of the Whitecloaks, Geofram Bornhald, is then slain by an enraged Perrin. This act of violence is observed by Dain Bornhald, Geofram’s son. In a subsequent instance, Perrin assists Egwene in shielding Rand from Ishamael.

Mat Cauthon

Following his release from the White Tower’s prison, Mat flees with fellow captive Min Farshaw (Kae Alexander), unknowing that Min is being manipulated by Liandrin and Ishamael to orchestrate Mat’s reunion with Rand. True to their plan, Mat briefly meets Rand in Cairhien, but Min later reveals her prophetic visions of the future, where Mat is fated to stab Rand with the Shadar Logoth knife. Repulsed by this revelation, Mat distances himself from Rand and departs for Falme without him. However, Lanfear abducts Mat and transports him to Falme regardless, where Ishamael administers a potion he claims will help Mat reconnect with his past lives. Skeptical but complying, Mat drinks the concoction and is bombarded by recurring visions of himself committing heinous acts. Ishamael suggests that the only means to break free from this cycle of agony is to embrace the Dark, and incites Padan Fain (Johan Myers) to tempt Mat with the Shadar Logoth dagger in an attempt to fulfill Min’s vision. Instead, Mat secures the dagger to a staff to avoid contact, and manages to escape. With seemingly no hope remaining, Mat sounds the Horn of Valere, summoning the Heroes of the Horn, which in turn reminds him that he was a hero throughout his past lives. He battles his way to the tower and Rand, and, in shock, throws his spear at Ishamael but strikes Rand by mistake.

After being released from prison in the White Tower, Mat escapes with Min Farshaw (Kae Alexander), who is secretly controlled by Liandrin and Ishamael to bring Mat into contact with Rand. When Mat meets Rand briefly in Cairhien, Min discloses her visions of the future, where Mat is prophesied to wound Rand with a knife from Shadar Logoth. Repulsed by this prediction, Mat separates himself from Rand and departs for Falme without him. However, Lanfear kidnaps Mat and takes him to Falme against his will, where Ishamael administers a potion claiming it would help Mat reconnect with his past lives. Though suspicious but compliant, Mat consumes the drink and is overwhelmed by recurring visions of himself committing evil acts. Ishamael advises that the only method to break free from this cycle of suffering is to join the Dark, and entices Padan Fain (Johan Myers) with the Shadar Logoth knife in an attempt to fulfill Min’s prophecy. Rather than handling the dagger directly, Mat binds it to a staff and makes his escape. With all hope seemingly lost, Mat sounds the Horn of Valere, summoning the Heroes of the Horn, which reminds him that he was a hero in his previous lives. He fights through obstacles to reach the tower and Rand, and unintentionally throws his spear at Ishamael but hits Rand instead.

The Bad Guys

By the end of the season, it seems that Ishamael has met his demise at Rand’s hands, with Lanfear’s treachery playing a part when she aided Rand rather than him. However, Ishamael has the final chuckle, as Lanfear learns that before he breathed his last, Ishamael liberated the remaining Forsaken from their prisons, among them Moghedien (Laia Costa). Moghedien then makes a threat against both Lanfear and all five key figures – Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Nynaeve, before vanishing.

So that’s where we are. Now where are we going?

What’s at stake in Season 3?

In Episode 1 of Season 3, titled “To Race the Shadow”, we’re introduced to the significant challenges that Rand and his group will encounter throughout the season. It seems that this season’s central idea revolves around leadership. The Two Rivers people are no longer greenhorns, but they still need to gain more experience before they can handle the growing responsibilities that come their way. They must learn what it takes to be leaders, and even established figures like Moiraine and Siuan have to adapt to the notion that their positions might change someday.

Due to the shocking unmasking of the Black Ajah (Aes Sedai loyal to the Dark), The White Tower, which was once a fortress of light and a reliable bulwark against darkness, now finds itself in a vulnerable position, shaken by the treachery of numerous members. As Siuan Sanche and other Aes Sedai navigate this crisis, they must strive to keep the institution stable while simultaneously rooting out corruption lurking within its ranks.

Moiraine, having struck a questionable agreement with Lanfear and finding her authority over Rand gradually slipping away, is bound to face more challenges as she pushes the limits of what she’s prepared to do to accomplish her objective. Having spent decades searching for the Dragon Reborn and aiding him in revealing himself, the question now arises: can she relinquish control and accept a secondary position under him?

As the Dragon Reborn, I now find myself in a precarious position, with both allies and adversaries from the Light and Dark realms eagerly awaiting my next move, hoping to either guide or hinder me on my destined path. Though I’ve managed to partially tame the power of channeling, there is still much I must learn and master. Each use of this power carries with it a growing risk of succumbing to the madness it brings. With a heavy heart and a resolute spirit, I decide to take control of my fate at the end of this chapter, choosing not to follow the prophecy and head towards Tear, but instead venturing into the Aiel Waste, an uncertain path that may hold the key to my future.

Egwene, who has grown stronger and more vulnerable due to her time as a damane, is hinted to grapple with the dilemma of helping Rand while simultaneously safeguarding others from him. Her Accepted test, depicting Egwene facing a deranged Rand as the Amyrlin Seat, could potentially be prophetic, but it serves as a suggestion that Rand and Egwene’s paths may diverge at some point.

Perrin is returning to Two Rivers, but he might discover that coming back isn’t at all like he imagined. The concerns about his Wolfbrother traits, especially his capacity for aggression, are likely to face a serious challenge in his hometown.

Nynaeve’s choice to stay in Tar Valon and learn how to overcome her obstacle with channeling demonstrates her increasing maturity, hinting at a realization that her previous wards are becoming independent. By focusing on herself, she is essentially releasing them, an act worthy of admiration. However, this decision keeps her within the White Tower, where potential agents of the Dark could be lurking undetected. Consequently, she might need to adapt to the complex politics she once dismissed.

In the heart of Tar Valon, I find myself lingering, holding on to a glimmer of hope that Nynaeve can alleviate the burden of memories that aren’t mine. The truth is, I’m grappling with the reality that I was a hero… or rather, many heroes in my past lives. Yet, in this life, I seem to lack the heroic spirit so abundant in my previous incarnations.

It’s not just the memories that haunt me, but also the ghost of my past addictions – to gambling, to drink, to the dagger, even to the Horn. These could become formidable hurdles I must overcome in the journey ahead.

Surrounded by foes, our heroes initially decided to stand united. However, circumstances have led them to separate, eventually scattering them across the globe. The passage of time alone can predict when they might reunite once more.

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2025-03-14 00:06

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