The Wheel of Time Season 3 Must Stop Overusing Death Fakeouts

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Includes SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3 finale and spoilers from the book series.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that Season 3 of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Wheel of Time” adaptation has been nothing short of fantastic. However, there’s one aspect that I’ve found slightly troubling and hope to see addressed in the future. The source material, Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” books, are nothing short of awe-inspiring epics that every fantasy reader craves. They deserve a TV adaptation that matches their grandeur and intellectual depth, and while Season 3 has taken significant strides towards this goal, it’s still not quite there yet. I find myself more engrossed in this show than I ever thought possible, but there are areas where it could improve.

In a thrilling manner, the finale of season 3 for The Wheel of Time series wrapped up the happenings of The Shadow Rising novel beautifully, meeting many expectations I had from the book. It’s no wonder that book four is cherished by fans, as it packs numerous crucial scenes set across various locations within the world of The Wheel of Time. The show managed to match that excellence, significantly enhancing its production quality and screenwriting. Most criticisms left at this point are minor quibbles about writing styles or adaptation decisions.

The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Used The Death Fakeout Cliché Too Many Times

This Happened Four Times To Main Characters In Two Episodes

In my opinion, the recurring trope of deceitful character deaths in the final episodes of season 3 of The Wheel of Time was a major letdown for me. Characters such as Alanna, Moiraine, and Mat all experienced seemingly life-threatening situations, with Alanna getting speared, Moiraine being stabbed, and Mat being hanged by a rope. Having so many main characters narrowly escape death in just two episodes felt excessive.

When similar near-death experiences are used too frequently, their impact becomes diminished, and I can only imagine that it would be even more frustrating for those who haven’t read the books.

Maintaining an element of surprise among viewers is crucial, particularly when transforming original content. Subtly altering events can add excitement, even for dedicated fans of “The Wheel of Time”. However, it’s more engaging to establish genuine tension rather than rely on repetitive twists in each plotline. I appreciate the close calls Nynaeve and Mat experienced, but the perilous situations involving the other characters felt unnecessary, especially since Alanna had recently been injured in battle just a few episodes back.

The Wheel Of Time Has Been Using Fakeout Deaths Since Season 1

This Isn’t A New Habit In The TV Series

In the world of “The Wheel of Time,” it’s not unusual for characters to appear dead only to return later. However, this recurring pattern is amplified in the television series, making it stand out more prominently. For instance, Loial seemed to perish at the end of season 1, but he was actually killed in a battle episode during season 3. Similarly, Nynaeve’s death was faked in season 1, episode 8, only for her to reappear later. While this trope is common in the books, its frequency in the series can be quite striking.

In an interview with EW after the season 1 finale, showrunner Rafe Judkins explained his reasoning behind making it appear that Loial had died: “I wanted viewers to stay alert since genuine deaths are on the horizon for characters who don’t perish in the novels.” While I understand the purpose of this initial tactic and he has indeed followed through with unexpected character deaths, it seems like the novelty of such events has been demonstrated. Continuing to use these moments to create suspense may not be essential at this point.

The Wheel Of Time’s Fakeouts Detract From The Actual Character Deaths

The Fakeouts Ruin Potentially Powerful Moments

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must say that the demise of key characters like Natti Cauthon, Loial, and Siuan Sanche in The Wheel of Time’s season 3 was quite a shift from the books, and these changes certainly have profound repercussions. For now, it’s too soon to judge whether these dramatic twists diminish the storyline or not, as we need to witness how these decisions unfold before we can fully assess their impact. However, I do find that when screenwriters tinker too much with death, those scenes can lose their emotional resonance and significance.

I found Siuan Sanche’s death quite distressing in “The Wheel of Time.” She was one of my most beloved characters from the books, and her demise took me by surprise. Yet, there was a point during her death scene where I felt it might be another trick. We even witnessed her being repeatedly skewered by Elaida, falling to the ground, only for the camera to move away, only to see her standing again shortly after. This recurring tactic of creating false endings needs to be abandoned in the series as it disrupts the emotional impact of such significant events.

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2025-04-21 07:17