Even throughout just two episodes, Season 3 of The Wheel of Time has shown concern for developing characters and relationships over empty plot momentum. It is one reason this epic fantasy stays engaging. The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 3 continues to enrich the characters, particularly those on the side of the Dark, and to expand the world-building necessary to this genre.
In a story like this one, with such a large cast of characters, there will be conflicting goals at least in the short term. This applies to both the good guys and the bad guys. We know who is on which side (pretty much), but these people usually have different things to accomplish to advance their overall cause. Small pieces are adding up and leading to the prophesied Last Battle. For now, the various plot strands are slowly weaving into a larger picture, one in which each piece is as interesting as the whole.
“Seeds of Shadow” broadens the world of this story and allows many of the characters a significant moment, ensuring the audience’s continued investment in the narrative. An episode like The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 3 in the middle of the season could easily feel more like filler. But this one does not.
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“You know too much…and too little.”
Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) was the first Forsaken released by Ishamael (Fares Fares) in season 2, and though Rand’s (Josha Stradowski) victory over Ishamael was triumphant in the season 2 finale, the other Forsaken were released too. Lanfear is powerful but she fears the other Forsaken known as Moghedien (Laia Costa). At a meeting with two other Forsaken, it’s clear there is more “each one for themselves” than a united front among these servants of the Dark One. To that, I say: let them fight. It will only make Rand’s job easier. The Dragon Reborn already has a lot to deal with and any Forsaken in-fighting will work in his favor.
One of those other problems facing the Light is Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) and her band of Black Ajah, the Aes Sedai serving the Dark. The writers have always given this character complexity, and we see that again in this episode. Liandrin goes to the town of Tanchico and saves a child bride from marriage. Liandrin went through the same thing herself and she has arrived to exact her revenge by taking her “husband’s” ancestral home away from his great-grandson. (Aes Sedai age very slowly.) Of course, this past trauma is no excuse for Liandrin’s actions but it is an explanation. Like I said, complex. Meanwhile, Elaida (Shoreh Agdashloo) sounds too much like Liandrin for my comfort.
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“We should be looking at what they didn’t say.”
The good guys have things to do as well. Aes Sedai leader Siuan (Sophie Okenedo) asked Nynaeve (Zoe Robins) and Elayne (Ceara Coveney) to question two captured Black Ajah and find out if there are any more Darkfriends in the White Tower. This sequence is a treat because Nynaeve and Elayne didn’t start off on good terms during season 2 and now they prove to be a successful investigating team. In fact, the showrunners could create a whole spin-off around that idea and I’d watch it. (An Aes Sedai cop show? I doubt this material could go so far in that direction but it’s fun to think about.) The two Accepteds figure out where Liandrin is and set off for Tanchico.
Mat (Donal Finn) decides to go with them. The effects of blowing the Horn of Valere in the second season finale– speaking the Old Tongue, voices in his head– have persisted and the Aes Sedai have not been able to help Mat so far. So he needs a change. Especially after Elayne’s brothers, who have been staying at the White Tower to train as Warders, antagonize him. The story feels more grounded when more than one of the friends from the Two Rivers are together. Likewise, Rand and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) begin to learn from the Aiel as soon as they enter their land. The Wheel of Time uses Season 3, Episode 3 to develop many of the characters and their relationships, which makes “Seeds of Shadow” a strong episode.
MORE: See a bit of everything to come in The Wheel of Time season 3 by watching the trailer!
The Wheel of Time is streaming on Prime Video.
