Rand’s Trial Unveils Bloody Futures in The Wheel of Time’s Rhuidean Reveal

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Summary

  • The narrative deepens with intriguing internal conflicts and alliances in Season 3.
  • Rand faces a complex trial in Rhuidean, revealing powerful visions of his past and future.
  • Moiraine unveils her own destiny, foreseeing different paths in a world filled with blood and sacrifice.

In this latest season of “The Wheel of Time,” creators have made some adjustments to depart from the books, yet viewers find themselves captivated by the captivating visuals, engrossing storytelling, and thought-provoking narratives. The first three episodes of Season 3 delve into the internal struggles within the Aes Sedai, as Black Ajahs abandon the White Tower to carry out their nefarious schemes. Simultaneously, Perrin and his companions have returned to the Two Rivers to confront the White Cloaks. However, the most compelling storyline unfolds in the Aiel Waste, where Rand’al, Moiraine, and their party are making their way to Rhuidean for an upcoming trial.

In episode three, it becomes clear that Rand must face a trial in Rhuidean to establish his power and fulfill the prophecy. The journey won’t be simple since numerous others have attempted and failed before him. In episode four, titled “The Road to the Spear,” Rand prepares to demonstrate his abilities and conquer the challenge. Along the way, he will encounter truths about himself that demand confrontation. Will he triumph over all obstacles to prove his worth, or will unforeseen events derail his plans? Join us as we delve into episode four of The Wheel of Time Season 3 on Prime Video.

Rand’al and the group reach Rhuidean, and Aviendha forced to give up weapons

In the scorching heat under the Aiel sun, Rand al’Thor honed his skills with Lan Mandragoran, his blade gliding gracefully through the air. Perspiration trickled down his brow, yet his thoughts wandered elsewhere. He reminisced about the man who had raised him and yearned for a sense of belonging, not as the Dragon Reborn, but simply as an individual. Meanwhile, Moiraine and Egwene conferred with the Wise Ones in a gloomy tent, seeking guidance. Moiraine enquired about their prophecy concerning the Aiel Waste. One of the Wise Ones replied, disclosing something surprising—they hadn’t anticipated Egwene’s arrival. They had doubted Rand’s coming too, but there he stood. If both survived Rhuidean, some members of the Aiel would also endure. This perilous journey meant salvation for all; without it, they would have met their doom. As they spoke, Rand and Lan approached their tents when Aviendha advised Rand to avoid wielding swords around the clan. Similarly, she cautioned Lan, but he merely grinned and extracted his sword from its disguise, challenging her to a duel. During the skirmish, Aviendha recognized that she wasn’t the world’s most formidable fighter as Lan outmatched her in many instances. However, the battle ceased when the Wise Ones intervened. Yet, Aviendha expressed reluctance about becoming a Wise One. Instead, she aspired to be a warrior for the clan. Regrettably, she was compelled to relinquish her spears and comply with their instructions.

On their journey towards the hidden city of Rhuidean, the burden of what was to come weighed heavily on Rand al’Thor, Moiraine, and their companions. They knew that all clan chiefs must enter this city for a trial, but only a few ever emerged victorious. Those who did had dragon tattoos etched onto their arms as a permanent reminder. The atmosphere grew heavy with apprehension as they approached the concealed metropolis, and soon, they came face-to-face with the Shaido Clan. A dialogue ensued between the two factions of Aiel, during which Savannah, a leader of the Shaido, disclosed that her son was within Rhuidean undergoing his trial. As the conversation progressed, Rand unexpectedly asked for permission to enter the city. The Wise Ones granted his request but stipulated that only he could set foot inside. However, when Moiraine inquired about joining him, they surprisingly agreed. One of the Wise Ones informed her that she would discover three rings within the city. If she stepped through any of them, she would catch glimpses of her future – some truths she needed to know and others she might regret learning. For Rand, his trial would prove even more challenging as he would walk between glass columns, re-living the past through the eyes of his ancestors, unearthing secrets buried within his lineage. Each step forward would take him further back in time, revealing truths that shaped his destiny. With Rhuidean now visible, there was no going back; their paths to their fates had already begun.

Rand’al, Moiraine confront their past and future in the misty city of Rhuidean

In the mist-enshrouded metropolis of Rhuidean, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) and Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) ventured, enveloped by an ominous hush. The remnants of a distant past dominated their surroundings, cloaked in enigma. As they delved deeper into the city, they encountered a colossal tree—the Tree of Life, reputed to be over 3,000 years old. Moiraine regarded it with a wistful gaze, reminiscing about a similar tree from her childhood, centuries past. Rand, perplexed, had never seen such a tree in Cairhien. At this point, Moiraine disclosed a grim truth—one of her uncles had felled the sacred tree to create a throne that could never be replicated again. This pride-driven act sparked a war. The Aiel, outraged by his treachery, retaliated by torching cities in pursuit of justice. They eventually captured and executed him on the slopes of Dragonmount. As Rand listened, an unsettling epiphany dawned upon him. This tale was not merely history—it was deeply personal. It bound him to Moiraine and the Aiel in ways he had never fathomed before. His past, his fate, and his bond with the people of the Waste became more evident than ever.

On Rand al’Thor’s travel, a fierce, intense wind swept across the desolate terrain, buffeting him with unyielding might, making each step a struggle. The gusts were so potent that he nearly collapsed, his hand bracing against the frigid earth for support. In an instant, contact with the soil transformed his surroundings. No longer in Rhuidean, he found himself amidst a battlefield, enveloped by turmoil. His visage had aged, bearing signs of hardship, and a beard adorned his chin, while he wielded spears in each hand. With no pause, he engaged his adversaries, his actions swift and lethal. The ground turned crimson with spilled blood as he felled his opponents. Then, a familiar voice rang out. One of his comrades approached, winded, and reported they had found “her.” Rushing to her side, he knelt and murmured affectionately, addressing her as “love.” However, she was already lifeless, her body lying on the blood-stained ground. Worse still, she was with child, and no trace of the infant remained. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Rand let out a cry that reverberated through the mountains. As swiftly as it had commenced, the vision dissolved, leaving him in the present, gasping for breath. The encounter left him trembling, the burden of the past looming heavier than ever before, and his hands were stained with blood.

As he battles against the relentless gusts, another vision unfolds before him. In this vision, Rand is depicted as a clan leader summoned to Rhuidean by one of the Aes Sedai. The Aes Sedai had summoned multiple clan leaders, instructing them to pass through the glass columns to learn their true identities. They are referred to as “oath breakers” by the Aes Sedai, a title that will be further explained in subsequent visions. In these upcoming visions, Rand is shown killing some bandits to protect his sister, and this act resulted in him being expelled from the Aiel, branding him an oath-breaker.

Moiraine sees her future, and it’s filled with blood

Instead, Moiraine employs her magical abilities to extract a radiant white orb from the Tree of Life and proceeds onward. Along the way, she encounters the three rings mentioned to her earlier. Interestingly, Aviendha was also there, stepping through one of the rings and sharing a similar destiny with Moiraine. However, once Moiraine passes through the ring, she begins floating in midair and witnesses various aspects of her future. In one scenario, Moiraine transforms into the Mother of the Aes Sedai and ends up slaying Rand in the grand hall. In another, she frees Lan from his obligations and makes Rand her Malkieri Warder. Furthermore, one of her visions reveals that she is now dedicating her life to the Dragon Reborn. Essentially, Moiraine glimpses several possibilities for her future.

In the closing moments of the episode, I find myself alive after overcoming the trial, only to encounter Mierin, also known as Lanfear, in one of my vivid dreams. We conversed about something so profound that it allowed us to witness events unfolding on the other side. Yet, as soon as I exited this sphere, it shattered and fissures started appearing in the heavens above. This dream jolted me back to reality, and suddenly, the dragon markings materialized on my arms.

I then met Aviendha and shared with her that I now comprehend why she had been against my wielding a sword. She urged me to depart, but I persisted, explaining that Moiraine was still grappling with various versions of her future. One of these visions depicted a grim scenario where Moiraine was encircled by people she knew, such as Egwene, Elayne, Perrin, Nynaeve, and Lanfear. They were all clad in black, and in a swift motion, Lanfear slit Moiraine’s throat.

The visions then shifted to showcase Lanfear murdering Moiraine in various ways. The images vanished, and eventually, we emerged from the city of Rhuidean.

The Spear’s Path stands out as one of the most exceptional episodes in fantasy TV series. Each aspect – the visuals, direction, acting, and storytelling – is outstanding, without a single fault to be found. Rosamund Pike’s performance and emotional portrayal are particularly noteworthy. The scenes showing Rand and Moiraine glimpsing their alternate lives have been skillfully filmed. Furthermore, the cinematography and background music enhance the overall viewing enjoyment.

The fourth episode of The Wheel of Time Season 3 is available for streaming now on Prime Video.

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2025-03-20 16:11