Includes SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3 finale and spoilers from the book series.
Amazon Prime Video’sThe Wheel of Timehas set up a surprising change to a matter related to Rand al’Thor’s fate. The Breaking of the White Tower was one of the critical plotlines throughout season 3, andThe Wheel of Time’sseason 3 endingbrought it to a close with Elaida, an Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, seizing control of the order. Thedeath of Siuan Sanchewas a drastic book change in this narrative, butthere was another, more subtle statement made that pertains to Rand’s future.
Rand al’Thor may have been raised as a shepherd’s son from the Two Rivers, but he isthe Dragon Reborn. The moment he revealed that in season 2’s finale, the dynamics of every corner of the world changed. Forces will rise up to join him, while others will seek to use him or destroy him. Moiraine told Siuan Sanche that she would need to bring the Aes Sedai under Rand if she wished for the Light to win the Last Battle. Now, Siuan Sanche is dead, andElaida hopes to gentle Rand, stripping him of his power like we saw with Logain in season 1.
The Wheel Of Time Confirms It Only Takes Eight Women To Gentle A Man
The Number Is Thirteen In The Books
In the season 3 finale, Siuan Sanche realizes thatElaida has sent a force of eight Aes Sedai away from the White Tower. Of course, we learn later on that this was just a decoy for Verin and the other Siuan supporters to leave the Tower, but the number is still relevant. In the TV series, only eight Aes Sedai are required to gentle a male channeler, as opposed to the thirteen required inRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooks.
This change is consistent with another change inThe Wheel of TimeTV show. There appear to be only eight of the thirteen Forsaken planned to appear in the show. The number thirteen is significant throughout Jordan’s books; it’s the number of Black Ajah in the White Tower and the number of Aiel clans as well. The change to eight shifts some of the dynamics surrounding Rand, as he needs to be wary whenever there are that many women who can channel in his company.
Elaida’s Plan Sets Up A Major Part Of The Wheel of Time’s Sixth Book
Rand Will Have To Face Elaida’s Aes Sedai
InLord of Chaos, the sixth book ofThe Wheel of Timeseries,Elaida sends channelers after Rand in an effort to gentle him, creating a head-to-head conflict between the White Tower and Rand’s forces. Rand is captured and tortured by thirteen women, but there will only need to be eight in the show. Eight Aes Sedai would still be a powerful force, but it’s much less threatening than thirteen, which could shift the dynamics in this scene when Prime Video’sThe Wheel of Timereaches that point.
