The Wheel of Time continues to go from strength to strength, with its latest episode showcasing creative touches that bring the show’s inspirations to life in ways that matter. For those of you familiar with the books and Rand’s destiny as The Dragon Reborn, a moment from this episode is sure to have brought a knowing grin to your faces.
Although Alsera’s death in “Shadow of the Night” was a shocker, it does serve as a catalyst for a potentially pivotal moment in Rand’s journey to his destiny to face the Dark One in the Last Battle.
The Wheel of Time’s Subtle Weaving of the Pattern
In Robert Jordan’s original story, Rand is quite hesitant to allow Far Dareis Mai, a sect of female Aiel warriors, to fight for him owing to the fact that they are women – a sentiment tied to his upbringing outside of the Three Fold Land. He is quickly reprimanded for his ignorance, and many of them lose their lives on the frontlines of his war against the forces of darkness.
Each death weighs heavily on him, accelerating the madness that comes with his use of Saidin made worse by the fact that Lews Therin, the original Dragon, lives in his head rent-free. The strain of his many responsibilities as the Dragon Reborn and knowledge of the fate that awaits him at the end of his road only serve to hasten his symptoms – an important plot device that makes his character arc quite rewarding indeed.
While the show does away with Rand’s reluctance to let women fight in the armies he will eventually assemble, Alsera proved to be an excellent vehicle to begin showcasing Rand’s darker side – and perhaps hint at what is to come for the character.
Is Rand Finally on the Road to His Destiny?
While there have been many hints about Rand succumbing to the Dark One’s influence on the show, they’ve always been from the point of view of the people surrounding him. Egwene witnesses what could be when she goes through the arches on her way to becoming an Accepted of the Aes Sedai, as does Moiraine during her time in Rhuidean.
However, Rand’s reaction to Alsera’s death is all the more significant when his previous interactions with her on the show are considered. Credit must be given to Josha Stradowski, whose stoic portrayal of Rand crumbles at the sight of her lifeless corpse. Rand’s desperate attempts to bring her back to life, burning through insane amounts of the One Power even as he seems to realize the futility of his efforts, could be an indicator of dark times ahead for the Dragon Reborn.
It helps that he has seemed very much in control of his abilities up until this point, allowing the show to showcase a completely different side to the character in the latest episode. Where Rand goes from here is anyone’s guess, given the show’s penchant to make clever diversions from its source material. However, this current season of The Wheel of Time has us quite excited to get there.
For more Thumb Wars Films and TV coverage, check out our take on why The Wheel of Time should be the next big RPG or how James Gunn’s latest Superman trailer pays homage to an iconic presence in comic books.
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With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
