Wheel of Time KILLED [Spoiler]?! Fans are FURIOUS!

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the final episode of The Wheel of Time season 3.

Summary

Major deaths deviate from book arcs and split fan opinions.
Back-to-back deaths resemble Game of Thrones’ shock tactics.
Showrunner hints at deaths due to practicalities and schedules.

In a thrilling conclusion this week, the third season of Amazon’s popular fantasy show “The Wheel of Time” reached its climax in the action-filled ninth episode titled “He Who Comes With the Dawn.” This episode marked the resolution of significant storylines, such as Rand’s transformation into the Car’a’Carn. The third season, an adaptation of the fourth book “The Shadow Rising,” has been the series’ most successful yet, garnering praise from both viewers and critics. Currently, it holds its highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes at 97%, surpassing episode four, “The Road to the Spear,” which now stands as the highest-rated episode on IMDb with a remarkable score of 9.4/10, surpassing the previous record held by the season two finale “What Was Meant to Be.

Despite the overwhelming acclaim and appreciation, the heartbreaking demise of beloved characters in this season has left me, along with many other dedicated fans of “The Wheel of Time,” stunned. The departures from Robert Jordan’s original storyline have sparked intense debates among #TwitterOfTime book and show enthusiasts on social media, with many expressing strong opinions about a specific, gruesome death. I can’t help but wonder why the showrunner decided to write these characters out at this point in the series. Given that it’s a fantasy show, could there be a chance they might return from the dead?

A Major Change From Both Characters’ Arcs In the Books

Among the significant disappointments among readers of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series is that the recent events significantly alter the destinies of two key characters, particularly Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), whose fate has been drastically changed. The creative team strayed considerably from both Siuan Sanche and Loial’s (Hammed Animashaun) story arcs in the grand narrative. This unexpected elimination of these characters so early on left fans stunned.

Siuan Sanche’s Death

In a coup, Siuan Sanche, the head of the White Tower (Amyrlin Seat), is overthrown by Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan. However, in the books, she doesn’t fade away but instead plays a crucial part in establishing the new Council of the Tower. She manages to convince the renegade Aes Sedai who departed from the White Tower to select and elect a fresh, younger Amyrlin Seat that can be steered by this collective, thereby modernizing their traditions.

In Salidar’s upcoming storyline featuring Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Siuan serves as a crucial figure, acting as her mentor and advisor while they jointly strive to challenge Elaida’s authority. Siuan provides guidance and resources for the Dreamwalker, sharing her extensive political wisdom and connections. Additionally, she collaborates with Nynaeve in educating herself on individuals who have been affected by the act of being stilled. This plot development leads to speculation about who will assume Siuan’s position in the Aes Sedai rebellion narrative, potentially including her trusted assistant, Leane Sharif (Jennifer Cheon).

Loial’s Death

In a more casual and understandable manner: The beloved character Loial, the kind-hearted Ogier, was instrumental in safeguarding the friends from the Two Rivers throughout their adventure, especially Perrin (Marcus Rutherford). Unfortunately, his death came earlier than his book version. Although his sacrifice in the series was very heroic, in the books, he continued to play a crucial part by rallying other Ogiers to join humanity in the Last Battle.

Similar to how Bilbo Baggins penned “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again,” Loial too records the occurrences marking the end of the Third Age in his writing. The series concludes with his touching elegy:

“He came like the wind, like the wind touched everything, and like the wind was gone.”

The Back-To-Back Deaths Feel Like Game of Thrones’ Shock Tactics

It’s undeniable that the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” an acclaimed adaptation based on George R.R. Martin’s unfinished fantasy series, left a profound cultural imprint. Over its eight seasons, it reshaped the fantasy genre by introducing adult themes, politically-driven narratives, and shocking plot twists that have become standard in contemporary fantasy shows. The author’s knack for killing off major characters, starting with Eddard Stark (played by Sean Bean), seems to be a recurring element in modern fantasy productions now.

Although surprising the audience helps maintain interest and build tension, it seems this tactic is becoming overused to provoke surprise. The sudden demise of Siuan and Loial, occurring in episodes 7 and 8, appears excessively harsh and seemingly unnecessary within the context of the current season. It gives the impression that the writers are relying on this device to intensify the climax of the series.

The demise of Siuan was not only gruesome but also harsh and inhumane. She was deprived of her power, publicly shamed before the court, and mercilessly slain on camera. It’s incredibly disheartening, especially given that the writers had hinted so subtly that Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) would be the one to perish this season (“in every future where I lived, Rand dies.”). The ruthlessness of her death is all the more disappointing considering that Siuan is a LGBTQ+ character. This decision has elicited similar criticism as Commander Lexa’s tragic demise in The 100.

Could Loial’s Death Be a Fake-Out or Misdirection?

Although audiences might believe Loial perished while sealing the Manetherin Waygate with his life, no corpse is shown. Instead, we watch him plummet into the dark chasm akin to Gandalf’s leap. Given the “if the body isn’t found” convention, fans remain hopeful that they may encounter the Ogier character once more within the series The Wheel of Time.

Similarly, there’s Siuan’s comment to Moiraine back in episode five, “Tel’aran’rhiod”:

“I will find you in the next life, again and again until I get it right.”

It’s possible that the character might make a comeback at some point in Moiraine’s future storyline, similar to how Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow was brought back from apparent death.

What is Showrunner Rafe Judkins’ Stance on the Deaths?

In an interview with TheWrap, showrunner and writer Rafe Judkins stated that character deaths in the series are always carefully planned out, suggesting a high level of thoughtfulness and consideration. He further explained that these decisions, including potential cast-related factors such as scheduling conflicts or actor availability, are thoroughly discussed within the writers’ room. This seems to imply that Sophie Okonedo’s busy schedule may have played a role in some character deaths on the show due to practical considerations.

As an ardent movie enthusiast, I find myself deeply attached to the characters crafted by Robert Jordan in his epic series. To such an extent that I’ve been tempted to gather them all together, leading them all towards The Last Battle – a fate shared by every character in the storyline. While this makes for a captivating literary experience, it poses quite a challenge when it comes to casting actors. After all, the magic of a book series lies in the reader’s imagination, whereas film adaptations require tangible characters brought to life by skilled actors.

The Wheel of Time Season 3 is available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video.

2025-04-19 23:07