The Wheel of Time 3×05 Review: “Tel’aran’rhiod”

Rand and Moiraine grapple with their discoveries in Rhuidean while Egwene undergoes training to control her abilities in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 5 “Tel’aran’rhiod.”

While “The Road to the Spear” focused primarily on Rand (Josha Stradowski) and Moiraine’s (Rosamund Pike) journeys through Rhuidean, “Tel’aran’rhiod” resumes its focus on most of the cast and their converging plotlines.

With Rand officially confirmed as the Aiel’s savior, the group heads into town and interacts with the locals. Egwene (Madeleine Madden) seeks guidance regarding her newfound dream abilities. With the help of two Aiel women, she begins to learn how to move through dreams and discovers that Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) is the woman haunting her dreams. It’s great to see Egwene continue to evolve in her abilities, making herself an invaluable part of the inevitable final battle.

Back at the White Tower, Siuan (Sophie Okonedo) leads an attempt to uncover the identity of a potential associate of Liandrin’s who is believed to still be among them. With the help of her confidants, she sets up Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo) to determine if her suspicions about her are correct. Elaida passes the test but seems to have plans of her own. Though she might not be working with Liandrin, Siuan seems too quick to trust her after their antagonistic confrontation at the beginning of the episode.

In the Two Rivers, Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) hatches a plan to rescue Mat’s (Donal Finn) family and take down the Whitecloaks. Though they are unfortunately too late to save Mat’s mother, they bring his two sisters to safety before a bloody confrontation with the Whitecloaks. While they are planning their strategy, Warder Maksim (Taylor Napier) and Aes Sedai Alanna (Priyanka Bose) separate after a dispute over tactics and their grieving of their partner in one of the episode’s most emotional moments. Though Alanna initially turns off her connection, Maksim thankfully returns when Alanna is attacked by Whitecloaks.

As they search for Liandrin and her associates by ship, Mat and Elayne (Ceara Coveney) argue while Nynaeve (Zoe Robins) is seasick. Mat soon discovers that Min (Kae Alexander) is also aboard the ship and she’s had a new vision of him being hung with a rope around his neck. Though Mat is skeptical that Min’s vision will come true, there is likely some truth to the vision, and he should heed the warning. Above deck, the group learns more about the crew and that the captain can channel without having trained at the White Tower.

One of the episode’s highlights is a moment between Moiraine and Lan (Daniel Henney). Moiraine confesses what she saw in Rhuidean and Lan comforts her and reminds her that her prophesized death is not imminent. Moiraine and Lan’s bond has always been a strength of the series and seeing the care and trust the two have with each other continues to be enjoyable.

“Tel’aran’rhiod” ends with a fun sequence of Egwene traveling through the rest of the group’s dreams. She helps Moiraine and Siuan reunite, and the two share a sweet kiss as they discuss what has transpired and confess their love for each other. Egwene also sees happier moments for Perrin, Mat, and Elayne, with Elayne dreaming of Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) by her side on the ship. The continued commitment to queer representation in The Wheel of Time is awesome, particularly in turning book subtext into main text.

The good dreams soon turn into a nightmare as Egwene finds Lanfear kissing Rand and taunting her in his dream. It was only a matter of time before Egwene discovered Rand and Lanfear’s unconventional relationship, and it’s not likely to end well for the couple that is already starting to pull apart from each other.

Author: Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff is a graduate of Drexel University with a BS in Film/Video. She has a passion for entertainment and representation in entertainment. She currently resides outside of Washington, DC.

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