Summary
The first episode ofThe Wheel of TimeSeason 3 makes it clear that the stakes are higher this time around. The internal conflict between Aes Sedai has taken a dark and brutal turn, with Liandrin and her supporters openly plotting against their sisters, using forbidden weaves and ruthless manipulation to escape the White Tower with some of the strongest objects in the world. On the other hand, Moiraine and the group were supposed to leave for Tear so that Rand’al could get hold of the Callandor. However, Rand’al had different plans and told Moiraine that they were now going to Aiel Waste to have an army to help him fight against the Shadow. Elsewhere, Perrin is returning to the Two Rivers for something he needs to do urgently.
The first episode of thePrime Videoseries laid a strong foundation and the second episode takes the story forward impeccably. Most importantly, viewers got a chance to travel back in time and see how Morgase Trakand became the Queen of Andor after the death of Queen Mordrellen. But most importantly, someone sinister has finally made their way to the White Tower and their presence would change everything.
Queen Morgase wants her daughter Elayne to leave the White Tower
The second episode, titledA Question of Crimson, begins with a flashback sequence where viewers see Morgase becoming the Queen of Andor. After sitting on the throne, she told her rivals it was time to forget everything and lead the nation to prosperity. All of her rivals swore allegiance to her and were reassured that their past mistakes had been forgiven. However, she couldn’t take any chances and got them killed then and there. Twenty years later, her daughter,Elayne Trakand, is now in the White Tower and training to be an Aes Sedai. But Morgase wanted to have her daughter back, so she made her way to the White Tower with her other two children, Prince Consort Lord Gabriel, and Elaida, an Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, who serves as an advisor to Morgase.
A few moments later, Morgase makes her way to the great hall and asks Siuan to take her to her daughter. Morgase finally meets Elayne and tells her that she would receive the honorary Great Serpent ring tomorrow. Conversely, they’ll leave the White Tower and return to Andor. Elayne tells her mother that she has barely spent time here and hasn’t completed her training. To which, Morgase says that Elayne’s first duty is to Andor, reminding her that the White Tower’s politics are secondary to the sacred responsibility she bears as the Daughter-Heir to protect and lead her people.
But that’s not the only thing that brings Morgase to the White Tower. Her advisor, Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo), is trying hard to influence all the other Red Ajahs and gather information about what happened at the White Tower.
Lanfear continues to haunt Rand’al as Egwene navigates nightmares
Meanwhile, Rand’al, Moiraine and others continue their journey to Aiel Waste. They take a small break in which Rand’all trains with al’Lan, while Moiraine and Egwene talk to each other. After seeing Rand being lost in his thoughts, al’Lan asks him if he wants to talk about something. But Rand refuses to talk about it and resumes training. On the other hand, Egwene tells Moiraine that she is not here to control Rand, but to protect him. Moiraine says she is doing the same, but Egwene would be the first one to see any negative effects in Rand’s behavior, and it was important for her to be safe as well. A few moments later, Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) joins the conversation and tells them that the prophecy of Dragon Reborn saving or destroying the world is too simple. Moreover, she believes people will have to face a lot of consequences.
As they continue their journey, Rand’al sees Lanfear in his dream, who starts to get intimate with him. However, Rand’al stops her because he loves Egwene. However, Lanfear tells Rand’al that there will be a day when she sees the real you and all the darkness raging beneath that smile. Meanwhile, Egwene dreams of being killed by the Daughter of the Night and then magically appearing in a desert, where she meets an old woman who tells her that she doesn’t belong here.
Perrin is now closer to the Two Rivers and finally reaches his hometown. However, everything changes for him when he sees that White Cloaks have started to reside in town. One of the residents of the town recognizes Perrin and tells him that it’s not safe for him and his friends - Loial (Hammed Animashaun), Bain (Ragga Ragnars), and Chiad (Maja Simonsen) - to stay in the town. She took them to an attic where they could spend the night and leave in the morning. However, as soon as they reach there, they see Alanna (Priyanka Bose) and Maksim (Taylor Napier) already present there.
Siuan believes something worse is coming
Back at the White Tower, Siuan learns about the battle that is about to come, which worries her and prompts her to call Elayne and Nynaeve in her chamber. She tells them to become her hounds and gather information about what Liandrin and her sisters are about to do. However, Elayne and Nynaeve don’t believe Siuan and think she is not telling them everything. While talking, Elayne tells Nynaeve that there is one more reason why Siuan gave her this task. She tells her that she is leaving for Andor tomorrow because her duty is to the Lion Throne, making Nynaeve frustrated.
Consequently, Mat is called by Siuan into her chamber for a quick meeting in which she tells him that he needs to give up the Horn because it could be very dangerous for him. Siuan tells Mat that he is like one of his uncles who lost his life while saving people from the raging fire, indirectly calling him a hero. But Mat counters that by saying that he is no hero and does what is expected from him. To which, Siuan says that heroes do what is expected from them before telling him to go out.
The episode ends with Rand’al and Moiraine talking about what could happen next. Rand says that he is dying of thirst, and although he could see water in front of him, which is sweet, yet very poisonous. He says this while channeling some of his powers, his right arm is surrounded by fire and black matter. During the conversation, Rand tells Moiraine he knows how bitter that water is, but all he wants to do is to taste it, and asks Moiraine if she understands his feelings. Moiraine denies feeling such emotions, but tells Rand that he needs to know the difference between sweet and bitter so that he knows which is which.
In the ending few moments of the episode, it is seen that some people are following Rand’al and the group. They finally surround the group and one old lady, the same one that Egwene saw in her dream, comes in front and speaks about the prophecy which states that the Dragon Reborn will take them back to their home and then destroy them.
Once again, The Wheel of Time Season 3 gives an intriguing and detailed look at the world stitched by Robert Jordan. This episode, particularly, spoke about the challenges everyone in the group is facing. Some are facing doubts about themselves, while others are walking towards a really dangerous situation. Another solid chapter in this magical saga.
