The Wheel of Time Season-Finale Recap: Make It Rain

by

By the conclusion of season two of “The Wheel of Time“, every path converged towards a single destination. In a distant metropolis, our protagonists united to thwart an encroaching empire, slay the malevolent immortal sorcerer orchestrating their advance, and simultaneously confronting their individual struggles or acquiring fresh ones. Rand al’Thor was declared the Dragon Reborn, peace prevailed, and everything seemed to be in order.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit, season three’s conclusion didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It was like trying to herd cats – the action was spread too thin, the plotlines multiplied faster than dandelions after a spring rain, and characters were scattered across realms as if a powerful magic had been unleashed upon them. (Rest in peace, Loial, for your role in destroying the waygate that connected us to our home.) The finale seems to be stretching itself thin, trying to weave together the diverse threads of our beloved characters in a closing montage, but even that remains uncertain.

Despite being a satisfying fantasy tale, it’s been challenging since day one to make the characters and their unusual world relatable to the audience – essentially making them seem engaging, dynamic, and worthy of support, as part of stories that matter. By the end of this season, I believe they’ve managed to convince me of the appeal of the entire cast.

By now, I can distinguish Lanfear from Liandrin effortlessly without resorting to a reference guide, but it’s not just that. Through intricate character development, captivating abilities, memorable scenes, engaging dialogue, or convincing performances, regardless of the complex magical dialogues the actors have been tasked with, Wheel has sparked my curiosity about the fates of all five hundred of its characters (approximately).

In this chaos with numerous individuals spread across various locations handling mysterious objects, it seems wise to focus on the heart of the action first. Rand al’Thor convincingly presents himself as the prophesied Car’a’carn to the Aiel, assuring them he will destroy and save them in due course. Notably, the malicious Shaido clan propose a false candidate, their leader Sevanna (Natasha Culzac) and her annoying son Couladin (Set Sjöstrand), who dons fake tattoos thanks to their new accomplice Lanfear. Meanwhile, Rand has ended his affection for the Forsaken he once loved due to their mistreatment of Egwene, and she’s struggling to cope: She even attempts to kill Moiraine during Rand’s speech.

However, it’s clear that these heroes emerge victorious. Artificial tattoos are no contest for someone who possesses the ability to make it rain in a barren desert (a fact that leaves Egwene shuddering, as she finds it unsettling to witness Rand so boldly wield such forbidden One Power). The Aiel, who were once followers of the despised Peaceful Path of the Leaf, will now follow him.

In the meantime, Moiraine confronts Lanfear in a fierce duel, using the crystal ball Sakarnen as her magical tool. Lan, guided by Melindhra – a fellow countryman and former Darkfriend from his homeland – joins the fight after receiving a warning about Lanfear’s presence. Unfortunately, this act of sharing vital information exacts a heavy price: Melindhra sacrifices her immortal soul. With his enchanted sword in hand, Lan bravely engages Lanfear in battle alongside Moiraine, who manages to wound the Forsaken so severely that she is forced to retreat.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d rephrase that intriguing moment from the episode like this: “The most striking event unfolds with the dethroning of the Amyrlin Seat. Manipulating Verrin Sedai and other loyalists on a wild chase for her Red Ajah, Siuan Sanche’s adversary, Elaida, orchestrates an unexpected vote and deposes Siuan, assuming power as Amyrlin herself. Her initial move: silencing and executing Siuan for alleged conspiracies with Moiraine to find the Dragon Reborn without authorization (they were following a fellow sister’s clandestine prophecy, but still deemed guilty) and for being a Darkfriend (completely innocent). In her final words, Siuan proclaims, ‘The world is changing. We can’t hide behind these walls, pretending we still hold power. The only thing we truly control is our actions.’ Indeed, Siuan, your wisdom rings true. However, with Elaida ascending to power, a reactionary who embraces the color red and yearns for Aes Sedai greatness once more reigns.

In another location, within the bustling seaport of Tanchico, things become quite bizarre – very unusual indeed. As Mat explores the palace in search of magical items, he encounters a peculiar red door that opens onto an encounter with a strange figure resembling the Cat in the Hat, or so it seems. In reality, this is an Eelfinn named Robert Strange, a fox demon man who speaks enigmatically and grants Mat three wishes, though Mat barely perceives he’s even making them. The entity’s magic erases Mat’s false memories, provides him with protection from the Aes Sedai and the One Power (though it’s unclear how this protection would function), and returns him to his home dimension. This is what the creature asserts.

In reality, Mat suddenly appears suspended from the doorway, as Min’s prophetic visions had foretold, due to Mat failing to agree on a payment for the transaction, leaving the creature to claim his life. Fortunately, Min saves him not only from the noose but also from a sister of the Black Ajah. Upon awakening, Mat finds an unusual fox amulet around his neck and his memory is incomplete.

In another part of the palace, Alayne and Thom encounter yet another sister from the Black family, who possesses an enchanted artifact that emits something called “balefire.” Despite Thom urging them to flee due to his familial link with her, Alayne seizes the weapon and uses it against the Darkfriend. It appears as though she erases the final minute or so of her life, along with the Darkfriend, in a flash (similar to using ‘Recall’ in the game ‘Tears of the Kingdom,’ when she vanishes).

Elayne takes Thom’s counsel and journeys home with a caution: For years, the individual following her family has been known to Thom, yet he had never heard of “Lord Gaebril” until Elayne brought him up. Anyone capable of planting such numerous false memories, Thom suggests, must be one of the Forsaken. Consequently, it is now Elayne’s responsibility to alert her queenly mother that her consort is a beast. As for Gaebril himself, also known as Rahvin – one of the Forsaken – he has switched sides, teaming up with Lanfear instead of Moghedien. This change in allegiance occurs after they both discover the horrifying scene reminiscent of “Hellraiser” and “The Thing,” where Moghedien had deformed their fellow Forsaken, Sammael. (Indeed, it’s extremely disturbing yet fascinating.)

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but draw parallels between Moghadien’s latest addition and the intricate plots of films like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or “Last Crusade”. The mix-up here is reminiscent of their quests, as Liandrin and her group seem to be chasing the wrong item – the collar that could restrain the Dragon Reborn. However, in their pursuit, Liandrin herself ends up grabbing the real artifact straight from Nynaeve’s hands.

In a chilling twist, she leaves Nynaeve to her fate, wrapping her in magical chains and allowing her to drown. This cold-blooded act is presumably to bolster Liandrin’s chances of joining the ranks of the new Forsaken, as eliminating “the most powerful channeler in a thousand years” would undoubtedly increase her power and influence.

In another scenario, Nynaeve harnesses the affection she feels towards the child from an alternate world to rekindle her bond with the One Power. She miraculously parts the waters and exits, dripping wet yet content, without having advanced any nearer to Liandrin at this point. As for Liandrin, she forms an alliance with Moghedien, proposing herself as a possible asset among the new weakest Shadow Spawn, supplanting Moghedien as their top target. In the end, they both come to terms with their uncooperative nature – marking the beginning of a remarkable, malevolent companionship.

From my perspective, the climax of these past seasons certainly sets a clear path for what’s to come. It appears that Rand is destined to guide the Aiel towards an ancient fortress, where the enchanted sword Callandor lies, allowing him to wield it against the Forsaken and their master, the Dark One. However, his journey will be fraught with challenges as the Aes Sedai, now manipulated by the power-hungry Elaida and her fervent Red Ajah, are hot on his trail, intent on capturing him. Moiraine, grappling with the loss of Siuan, must find the strength to oppose this, understanding that the only hope for the Aes Sedai and the world at large is if the White Tower follows Rand’s lead.

Rand will also be chased by Liandrin, Moghedien, and the Black Ajah, who possess a magical collar capable of controlling him. The treacherous Aiel under Sevanna’s command may pose another threat. Perrin finds himself in the hands of the Children of Light, while I suspect Mat won’t be far behind in finding some fresh trouble for himself.

I’m comfortable with the ambiguity surrounding the series continuation, as the possibility of seasons four, five, and six (and potentially more) hinges on various factors. However, _The Wheel of Time_ stands out among large-scale fantasy TV shows for its peculiar, vibrant quality. It’s akin to producing a series like _Game of Thrones_, but using the narrative style found in the _Star Wars_ prequels – and I mean that as a positive comparison. This world is vast and bizarre in ways few others are, making it intriguing to journey alongside its numerous characters through this expansive landscape.

Read More

2025-04-17 17:54