Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8!After many episodes of building to his ascent,The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale delivers an ending to Rand’s quest to become recognized as the Aiel’sCar’a’carn. This is compounded by the ongoing storylines of his companions,with Moiraine and Egwene taking center stage as he begins to prove his power.It’s the payoff that’s been waiting to happen sinceThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 4, which remains the best of the season thanks to its focus on the Dragon Reborn and his prophesied quest.
However,The Wheel of Timeseason 3ends with a whimper in contrast to the more focused episodes in previous weeks. While Rand takes up the majority of the episode’s focus, the finale also progresses its other big storylines, none of which are as satisfying as prior episodes. While the episode provides some intriguing cliffhangers,it also causes some stories to stall halfway through.This, coupled with what feels like lukewarm developments contrasted with the season 2 finale, makes it the weakest episode of the season, even with a somewhat intriguing setup for the future.
The Group In Tanchico Makes Some Progress, But It Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
Season 3 Ends In The Middle Of Their Storyline
The story that is least connected to Rand in the finale is the group in Tanchico, who are still pursuing Liandrin, trying to keep her from getting the materials she needs to control the Dragon Reborn. Their mission this time around takes place in a singular building wherethey search for the collar the Black Ajah is seekingwhile fighting her and others loyal to her along the way. Some interesting events transpire, like Nynaeve using the strength of her daughter in the Arches to escape drowning, but many others feel like clumsy setup for the future.
This includes some awkward moments betweencharacters inThe Wheel of Timethat feel like they rush information to lay the groundwork for season 4.Elayne discovers from Thom that her mother’s consort, Lord Gaebril, is actually the Forsaken Rahvin,indicating she might break off from the group and return to Andor to stop whatever nefarious plans he has. Liandrin also asks Moghedien if she can help her become a Forsaken, an alliance that may further benefit the Dark One’s plans. While both story setups are interesting, they lack much care in the way they’re hastily showcased.
Rahvin last appeared in season 3, episode 3, making his involvement in the story feel out-of-place and sudden.
Mat manages to have the most interesting side story, as he ends up walking through a red gate into a room with a blue-and-orange creature. It helps him remove the memories of heroes of the Horn of Valere from his mind, though in return hangs him from the archway when sending him back, fulfilling Min’s vision. She rescues him,but only further reflects the oddness of the Tanchico group’s story this episode.Instead of fulfilling their mission, more storylines appeared, making it feel like something that should’ve happened in the middle of a season instead of at the end.
Elaida’s Plan In The White Tower Feels Flimsy & Rushed
Which Results In A Disappointing Ending For A Major Character
However, the episode did provide something conclusive through Elaida’s constant yet underdeveloped feud with Siuan. A flashback revealsshe lost the Amyrlin Seat 10 years prior, despite believing she’d had the votes to attain the throne. This, in turn, offers context to her plan in the present day: get the Aes Sedai loyal to Siuan out of the White Tower, then call a vote so she can take the throne. It’s something that is poorly thought out. It doesn’t make much sense for the Tower to vote on such an important decision without all its representatives present.
The decision to have the story play out like this dampens her and Siuan’s arc, ending it in a tragic, perplexing fashion that makes the White Tower feel more vulnerable because of how easily Elaida’s coup worked.
However, that’s exactly what happens, with Elaida also accusing Siuan of treason because of her sympathies for Rand and Moiraine.In a scene that’s both sad and baffling, the council votes for both Elaida to take the throne and for Siuan to be executed. While it sets up Elaida’s potentialThe Wheel of Timeseason 4story as an antagonist, it’s completely unbelievable that such an important vote could be cast without everyone present.
The decision to have the story play out like this dampens her and Siuan’s arc, ending it in a tragic, perplexing fashion that makes the White Tower feel more vulnerable because of how easily Elaida’s coup worked. Seeds were planted as to how she attained power, from the Black Ajah’s surprise attack in the premiere to Siuan’s misjudgment of her. However,the show didn’t allow them to grow enough to make this turn feel earned,wrinkling the execution despite the interesting storyline it lays the groundwork for.
Rand’s Story Is Interesting, But Also Feels Like A Retread
Interesting Cliffhanger Doesn’t Make Up For Poor Development
As usual, I found Rand’s storyline to be the strongest of the episode, with his declaration as theCar’a’carnopening the door for his progression as the Dragon Reborn. However, it also felt like a retread of theend ofThe Wheel of Timeseason 2, with the added bonus of someone else claiming to be the true prophetic figure. This, of course, doesn’t last, andnever really feels like much of a threat given the trials we’ve seen Rand experience since season 1. It also makes for an imposing,Dune-esque scene as he declares himself their prophetic figure.
Rand also talks about the Aiel’s forgotten history, doing so to earn their trust despite how polarizing it’s received at first.
In the meantime, after Rand instigates the ire of Lanfear by breaking things off with her, she arrives to attack during the ceremony. Fortunately, Moiraine fends her off in a scene that is intercut with Siuan’s death. Despite the darkness,the Aes Sedai is able to topplethe powerful Forsaken, slicing her throat open with a sword. She does, however, escape, indicating she’s not yet done with her fight.
The presentation of these sequences for Rand and Moiraine aren’t anything special, and are underwhelming in contrast to previous finales. However,the final scene of Egwene looking as Rand summons a storm of powershows how much he’s changed, teasing a possibly darker path for him in the story to come. It’s a perfect way to tease what’s next for the show’s protagonist while establishing a possibility he may dabble in the darker side of the One Power.
Despite this ending, the overall episode was rather disappointing. From lukewarm presentation when it came to big events, to some storylines ending in a mid-season finale fashion, I wasn’t very much engaged withThe Wheel of Timeseason 3’s final episode. It had good ideas but poor follow-through,making the season feel somewhat incomplete.Even so, it still provided strong groundwork for where the story will go next, even if that feels infinitely more interesting than the setup this episode offered.
All episodes ofThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 are now streaming on Prime Video.
The Wheel of Time Season 3 Finale
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
