Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3’s first three episodes and book 6, Lord of Chaos
A fight I expected to be reserved for The Wheel of Time’s fourth or fifth season looks poised to happen much sooner in the show’s timeline. Due to the sheer number of books, it’s only natural that Prime Video’s adaptation of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books will have to condense the narrative in certain places, resulting in some stories happening earlier than they did in the books. The story for The Wheel of Time season 3 underscores the necessity of this approach, as it’s clearly focusing on the events of the fourth book and therefore shoving much of the third installment aside completely.
The release of the first three episodes introduces multiple storylines from The Shadow Rising, including Perrin’s return to the Two Rivers, Nynaeve and Elayne’s visit to Tanchico, and Rand and Egwene’s time in the Aiel Waste. It looks like it’s also pulling from book 5, The Fires of Heaven, via the decision to bring in Rahvin of the 13 Forsaken in The Wheel of Time. Surprisingly, the series may be going beyond even that book, as a key event from Lord of Chaos appears to be on the horizon.
Wheel Of Time Introduced Galina Casbin Surprisingly Early
Galina Introduction Provides The Show With An Important Building Block For A Future Battle
The first three episodes greatly expanded The Wheel of Time’s cast by bringing in several important characters from the books, In the cases of most, such as Faile Bashere and Rhuarc, their debuts lined up closely with the source material, with one major exception to this being Galina Casbin. A scene where Elaida addresses the Red Ajah confirms that one of their members is named “Galina.” This is a noteworthy development, considering that Galina didn’t make her first appearance until book 6, Lord of Chaos. Galina serves as a key antagonist to Rand al’Thor in the book.
Galina becomes embroiled in a conflict with Rand when Elaida orders her and other Red Sisters to capture him. The attempt is a success, as it culminates in Rand being shielded and placed in a box for days. Of course, Rand’s predicament doesn’t last; he eventually escapes and goes on a rampage, attacking the Aes Sedai he blames for his imprisonment. Several Aes Sedai are caught in the crossfire, with three even getting stilled by his relentless onslaught with the One Power at the beginning of the fight.
a single channeler accomplishing this task – intentionally or not – is a truly shocking feat that perfectly represents Rand’s potential as the Dragon Reborn.
Being stilled is the worst outcome imaginable for an Aes Sedai, which speaks to the severity of what Rand does in this battle. It’s generally an act that multiple Aes Sedai perform as a punishment, so a single channeler accomplishing this task – intentionally or not – is a truly shocking feat that perfectly represents Rand’s potential as the Dragon Reborn.
Wheel Of Time Appears To Be Setting Up Galina’s Mission In Lord Of Chaos
Wheel Of Time Is Positioning Galina To Cross Paths With Rand
Reinforcing the idea that the show may be laying the foundation for Rand’s epic fight with the Aes Sedai in Lord of Chaos is the discussion that Elaida held with Galina and the Red Sisters. Per her own words, Elaida intends to have the Red Ajah apprehend Rand. As things stand in season 3, Rand is a long distance away from the White Tower, but a group of Aes Sedai tracking him down within the season is not implausible. The Aiel Waste may be a long way off from their location, but it’s important to note that Rand still has a trip to the Stone of Tear to make. Rand may not be headed there now, but given the show’s repeated mentions of it, it stands to reason that it will be covered soon.
Given that the show is evidently building up to Elaida’s takeover of the White Tower, it’s not hard to imagine the series working this pivotal moment from Lord of Chaos into season 3’s story, albeit in Tear instead of Cairhein. Doing so would help form a bridge between the currently unfolding White Tower arc and what’s happening with Rand in the Aiel Waste. It would also make sense; if Elaida takes the role of Amylrin Seat from Siuan Sanche as her book counterpart does, she technically would be in a position to facilitate Galina’s mission to subdue Rand.
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Interestingly, The Wheel of Time already teased a core piece of the lore that allows for Rand’s capture. During Liandrin’s trial in the season 3 premiere, it was noted that Siuan brought 13 Aes Sedai to Cairhein in The Wheel of Time season 2’s ending. This is a subtle reference to a rule in the books that asserts 13 female channelers are required to gentle a man. That concept will be vital to any adaptation of Rand’s encounter with Galina’s Red Sisters, as they use a trick to get 13 Aes Sedai into his vicinity.
Sending Galina After Rand Early Would Be A Good Move For The Show
Rand Fighting Galina’s Aes Sedai Group Could Become A Highlight Of Season 3
Incorporating this battle from Lord of Chaos into the show’s adaptation of The Shadow Rising would make for a major change to the timeline, but also one that could pay off wonderfully for the series. Since the series won’t be able to match the books in terms of length, it’s best that the show doesn’t wait too long to establish key character traits, as that would risk viewers having to wait years to see characters fully resemble their book counterparts. In Jordan’s novels, Rand is known for his deep hatred and distrust of the Aes Sedai, attitudes that are rooted primarily in Lord of Chaos.
the show will have an opportunity to showcase the full brunt of Rand’s wrath in a stunning display of his One Power capabilities.
The torture he endured at the hands of the Red Ajah and the memory of their deception lingered, and strongly influenced the way he behaved toward them in the many books that followed. Prime Video’s show has only begun to depict Rand’s misgivings toward the Aes Sedai, but his dislike has yet to reach the level of disdain that he holds for them in Jordan’s novels. The Wheel of Time can effectively bring Rand to this highly consequential moment in his character development if it places him in Galina’s box in season 3. When that happens, the show will have an opportunity to showcase the full brunt of Rand’s wrath in an intense display of his One Power capabilities.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
