Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8
The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale paves the way for Rahvin to become the next major antagonist for the Dragon Reborn. As a result of Moghedien’s surprise decision to kill Sammael, Prime Video’s adaptation ofRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooksis now left with only six Forsaken. That’s significantly less than what the source material allowed for withits large lineup of 13 Forsaken, but that still gives the series plenty of options when it comes to main villain material.
Of the remaining six, three have already appeared in the flesh: Lanfear, Rahvin, and Moghedien. Though they’ve not made direct appearances, Graendal and Semirhage are known to be out there as well. A character like Demandred or Mesaana could be the mystery Forsaken the show has yet to identify. Any of these characters could theoretically pose a threat to Rand in the fourth season, but if the show’s hints and what happens in the novels are any indication, Rahvin will be the focus of his next challenge.
Rand’s Story In The Fires Of Heaven Explained
Rand Battles Rahvin In The Sequel To The Book Season 3 Just Adapted
Season 3 was primarily an adaptation of the fourth Wheel of Time book,The Shadow Rising, which dealt with Rand’s adventures in the Aiel Waste. It ended with Rand uniting most of the Aiel clans, with the book’s sequel -The Fires of Heaven- picking up where it left off. It addressed the aftermath of Rand proclaiming himself the Car’a’carn and “destroying” the Aiel, with one of these consequences being Couladin and the Shaido crossing the Dragonwall. Rand had to chase them to Cairhein, where Couladin was finally defeated. There, he learned of a new threat - Rahvin.
Rahvin, having used Compulsion to gain power and influence in Andor, successfully engineered a scheme in which he was able to sow discord, oust Morgase, and take the Lion Throne for himself.
Prior to Rand’s involvement,Rahvin’s story inThe Wheel of Timehad already been gradually unfolding. During his brief stay in Caemlyn, Mat had learned in book 3,The Dragon Reborn, that “Lord Gaebril” was behind a plot to assassinate Elayne Trakand. Rahvin, having used Compulsion to gain power and influence in Andor, successfully engineered a scheme in which he was able to oust Morgase and take the Lion Throne for himself. After learning about this in Cairhein, Rand took off after him, setting up a massive showdown in Caemlyn as book 5’s grand finale.
Rahvin’s Masterplan From The Books is Already In Development
Rahvin Is Currently Plotting To Seize The Lion Throne
Evidently, the TV version of Rahvin has a similar scheme in mind. In addition to introducing him first under his “Lord Gaebril” persona,The Wheel of Timeseason 3 confirmed that Rahvin is using Compulsion on the people around him. As Thom Merrilin pointed out, he fooled Elayne into thinking that he had been a part of her life for years. Clearly, his remarkable skill in Compulsion is the key to how he became the queen’s consort, just as it was in the books. Lanfear discussed his use of Compulsion and his efforts to achieve power in Andor’s court during the third episode’s Forsaken meeting.
Season 3 didn’t go far in advancing the Rahvin plotline, as he was missing from most of the season. However, this is actually in pace with the books, as it too slow-walked Rahvin’s rise, even sidelining that story altogether inThe Shadow Rising. It became relevant again inThe Fires of Heaven, which matches the setup offered byThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale. After hearing Elayne talk about “Lord Gaebril,” he figured out that the man must be a Forsaken, and warned her that this putsQueen Morgase Trakandin danger. What happens to Morgase inThe Fires of Heavenproves Thom right.
Even individual pieces of Rahvin’s plan line up with the story that played out in Jordan’s book. During his conversation with Elayne, Rahvin mentioned thatGareth Bryne had been dismissed from his positionas Captain-General. In the books,getting rid of Gareth Bryne was one of the steps Rahvin took to eliminate important influences on Morgase’s decision-makingthat would interfere with his grand scheme.
Gareth Bryne was a supporting figure in the story and an ally to the main characters in The Wheel of Time books. Thanks to season 3’s reference to him, he’s confirmed to exist somewhere in the canon of the show.
By revealing the truth about Rahvin to Elayne inThe Wheel of Time, the series has laid the groundwork for at least one of its main storylines to take place in Caemlyn. Aside from the flashback sequence at the beginning of the season, the show hasn’t utilized Caemlyn as a setting for any of its character arcs, but that’s sure to change now that Elayne has a reason to go there. As a major location onThe Wheel of Time’smapand the focal point for several book stories, Caemlyn is in a good position to receive some overdue attention in season 4.
The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Hinted At Rahvin’s Plan For Rand
Rahvin May Try To Stop Rand From Getting Callandor
Elayne isn’t the only character who looks to be on a collision course with Rahvin.The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale indicated that Rand may even be the first to come to blows with him. In the scene where Lanfear and Rahvin checked in on Sammael in Tel’aran’rhiod, she suggested to Rahvin that he could try to ambush Rand at the Stone of Tear. The Dragon Reborn prophecy dictates he’ll go there to get his hands on Callandor, so it seems only logical that a Forsaken would lay a trap for him there.
The book version of Rahvin had no role in Rand’s acquisition of Callandor, but two Forsaken - Be’lal and Ishamael - did stand in the way. Since Ishamael is dead and Be’lal is likely too minor of a villain to beWheel of Time’smystery Forsaken, there’s a good chance a different character will serve as Rand’s opponent at the Stone of Tear.
Rahvin, who has already expressed a willingness to team up with Lanfear to take down the Dragon Reborn, is now the top candidate to fill that role inThe Wheel of Time. If that happens, Rahvin could get Rand’s attention, and thus set up the latter chasing him to Caemlyn for a book-accurate take on their final fight inThe Fires of Heaven’sending.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
