The Wheel of Time Recap: You Can’t Go Home Again

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The positive aspect is that the first three episodes of the third season of The Wheel of Time have been released simultaneously, thanks to an unusual streaming schedule. This means you likely didn’t need to wait much more than an hour and ten minutes between starting the premiere and reaching the intriguing opening scene of episode two. However, it’s unfortunate that you might have had to wait even that long. While the initial battle in the White Tower with the Black Ajah is crucial for this part of the series, it can be a bit jarring to spend 15 minutes watching characters whose names you only vaguely recall exchanging digital finger-fire. On the other hand, the introduction of a new evil queen character, portrayed by Olivia Williams, along with Shohreh Aghdashloo’s portrayal of a Red Ajah Aes Sedai advisor reminiscent of Robespierre, executing rivals even after they submit allegiance, is highly anticipated.

Director Katherine B. McKenna grasps the project’s requirements, to put it casually. Much like Williams portrays Queen Morgaise from House Tarkand, a character trained by the Aes Sedai, and Aghdashloo plays her trusted assistant Elaida, McKenna approaches this scene as much about high camp as high fantasy. It really shines, especially when you consider the contrast between the cheerfully malicious Morgaise and the daughter we’ve grown fond of, Elayne. In fact, the entire purpose of this sequence, which unfolds 40 years before the current timeline, is to establish Morgaise for the main plot: Although she maintains a secret friendship with Siuan that they can’t openly express due to political reasons, she visits the White Tower to bring Elayne back home.

As a queen, she surrounds herself with a large group. Elaida accompanies her, and since she was once a rival for the position of Amyrlin Seat against Siuan, her presence carries tension. She even brings along her two sons, Prince Galad (Callum Kerr) and Prince Gawyn (Luke Fetherston), whose swordplay exhibition in the White Tower’s courtyard leaves the audience completely captivated. The brothers hint to Elayne that their true intention for visiting is to take her with them when they leave.

As I, the humble film critic, find myself immersed in the captivating world of this cinematic masterpiece, it’s Lord Gaebril (brilliantly portrayed by Nuno Lopes) who steps forward to deliver the heavy truth to our enchanting queen. It’s intriguing to observe that Gaebril, seemingly an unanticipated presence among the court, appears more like a serendipitous lover rather than a shrewd political alliance forged with a powerful figure. This could explain why he and the earthbound Princess Elayne share such an ease and comfort with one another. The scriptwriters have certainly done a masterful job in crafting these nuanced characters that breathe life into this magical tale.

Gaebril informs Elayne that Queen Morgaise is facing challenges at home, not from other noble houses following her decision to dismiss a well-liked general, but rather from the people and military themselves, making the situation even more difficult. The concern for Morgaise escalates since she’s upset about discovering that Elayne had been taken captive by Liandrin, the leader of the Black Ajah. Given the precarious state of the royal family, they can’t afford to lose Elayne, who is the heir to the throne. Elayne listens attentively as this news unfolds.

In the heart of the White Tower, I find myself, standing tall against the tide. Despite the looming shadows, I choose to remain here, not just for myself, but for the greater good. My fellow Aes Sedai, Elayne and Nynaeve, are by my side, acting as my loyal hounds, sniffing out any lingering Black Ajah within our walls.

The bond we share is unique, forged in the fires of adversity. Liandrin, once among us, was kidnapped, sold into slavery, and ultimately allied with the Dragon Reborn. I trust these women implicitly, knowing their loyalty is unwavering.

The impending Last Battle looms on the horizon, a storm that threatens to engulf everything in its path, including my beloved Andor. With this conflict threatening to consume us all, I seize this opportunity to make a difference, to protect not just my home, but every corner of the world from the encroaching darkness.

However, it’s not just the wish to complete the task that drives Elayne. Instead, she believes that if she’s to rule the Kingdom of Andor’s Lion Throne, she must earn her position, much like her mother did, by proving herself rather than simply receiving it as a gift. Next, she plans to visit the Arches to undergo the final test and join the ranks of Accepted, following in the footsteps of Egwene and Nynaeve. Moved by all this sage advice, Queen Morgaise eventually yields with a smile, but also sends Elaida to the White Tower to keep an eye on things — perhaps while delivering some dialogue from one of Hollywood’s most talented voice actors.

As a cinephile who’s found himself in the midst of a royal visit, it’s safe to say that Mat Cauthon’s charisma is a bit cramped by these high-class affairs. Being a male guest at the all-female White Tower and the possessor of an enchanted horn, I’ve been quite popular among the novices – until the arrival of those dashing princes, that is. My social life seems to have hit a dry spell when they showed up, while theirs appears to be thriving like a waterfall.

However, as the Amyrlin Seat explains it to me as if I were a stubborn ten-year-old, the Horn of Valere can only be blown by me – that is, unless someone decides to end my life. At that point, it becomes up for grabs. Showing off such an artifact among a crowd of 19-year-olds seems downright foolish on a cosmic scale. Feeling rather chastened, I hand over the horn to her, though considering the White Tower’s recent history with magic-artifact security, I can’t help but wonder if she might not be the best person for the job.

Amidst it all, Min stands as the gang’s psychic friend with a fluctuating relationship – bartender, psychic, and sometimes an informant for Ishamael, the Forsaken, due to his promise to quiet the telepathic voices she hears constantly. She expresses remorse towards Mat for betraying him in season two, and is attempting to atone by discreetly working on Siuan’s behalf while masquerading as a White Tower servant. However, gathering information about the Aes Sedai and their plans instead. The future she foresees is grim: another lethal confrontation inside the tower looms, though she can’t reveal the specifics such as when, why, or who will be involved.

Simultaneously, two splinter groups that separated from the White Tower group journey towards their respective locations, traversing expansive landscapes reminiscent of Peter Jackson’s panoramic shots in “The Lord of the Rings.” Upon reaching his hometown, the Two Rivers, Perrin, accompanied by his Ogier friend Loial and Aiel spear-maidens Chiad and Bain, are swiftly hidden by Egwene’s mother, Marin (Rina Mahoney). She informs them that the town has been under attack by rogue groups of terrifying Trollocs, orc-like soldiers serving the Dark One. These Trollocs have recently fled due to an incoming force of the Children of the Light, also known as the Whitecloaks – a fervent religious group aiming to eradicate all magic users, including evil Forsaken, powerful Aes Sedai, and humble wolf-men like Perrin.

In truth, Perrin is the primary focus in this town. He’s been identified as the one responsible for the murder of their commander, Geofram Bornhald (portrayed by Stuart Graham), during the significant battle that concluded season two. He’s prepared to give himself up to prevent any more hardships for the townsfolk.

Apart from him and his group, it turns out that Alanna (character played by Priyanka Bose) – an ally of Moiraine among the Aes Sedai – and Maksim (Taylor Napier), the surviving member of Alanna’s Warder trio, are secretly residing in Mrs. al’Vere’s attic. They are recuperating from injuries they claim were inflicted by Trollocs. Strangely, traces from the nearby Waygate – think Warp Zones from Super Mario Bros, but more like ornate doors than sewer pipes – suggest that they might have traveled through an extradimensional portal without the assistance of an Ogier guide, a feat usually only performed by the dark friends. It’s puzzling because they’ve been absent for quite some time now. One wonders what they’ve been doing all this while.

In a distant location, another party advances, while Rand al’thor, the Dragon Reborn, along with Moiraine, Lan (his Warder), Egwene (his girlfriend and a powerful magician), and Aviendha (their Aiel guide) traverse rugged terrain towards the Aiel Waste. However, not only do they face Renna, a Seanchan torturer who haunts Moiraine’s dreams, and Lanfear, a manipulator of dreams causing Egwene’s nightmares to worsen, but another uninvited guest also intrudes upon Egwene’s mind. Bair (Nukâka Coster-Waldau), an Aiel seer, infiltrates her dreams, gaining knowledge of their plans and sabotaging them as they arrive at the Waste with the aid of Rhuarc (Björn Landberg) and a troop of Aiel warriors. They receive Rand warmly as the foretold individual destined to save them, but also to bring about their destruction in the process.

One common theme throughout the storyline is that these characters cannot return to their former homes without significant consequences. For instance, Elayne finds herself unable to safely return to her mother’s troubled kingdom due to the ongoing mission against the Black Ajah and their master. Similarly, Perrin faces trouble if he goes back to his hometown because of the radicals who have previously tormented him. Aviendha knows that bringing her messiah back to “the Three-fold Land” (as the Aiel call it) will ultimately mean its destruction. Elayne expresses this sentiment to her mother: “There’s no returning to a peaceful life… The stakes are too high, and we can no longer afford such luxuries.” This reminds me of the current challenges faced by political leaders like Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and administrators at Columbia University.

What sets this episode apart from its predecessor are the intricate details that make it stand out. For instance, costume designer Sharon Gilham seems to be enjoying herself immensely, as evidenced by Queen Morgaise’s Lewis Carroll-inspired attire and Moiraine’s Radagast-like hat. The stunning landscape shots of the vast countryside that our characters journey through help convey the grandeur of the epic fantasy genre. Performances by Williams and Aghdashloo elevate the overall quality of the show, with Williams proving particularly entertaining as her younger, somewhat ruthless self in the opening scene. Donal Finn, known for his unpredictable acting, delivers a charming performance as Mat, especially during his awkward encounter with Siuan. Elayne’s heartfelt conversation with her stepfather, Gaebril, feels authentic and endearing. When you accumulate these small triumphs, you can easily vanquish the evil of mediocrity.

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2025-03-13 20:55