The recent teaser trailer for season 3 of The Wheel of Time offers an exciting glimpse into the forthcoming narrative, set to premiere in March 2025. This sneak peek is ripe with suspenseful moments and visually captivating scenes, indicating a thrilling start to the new season. Although the trailer raises numerous questions, it is evident that a significant focus will be on Rand’s journey through the Aiel Waste, where he grapples with his destiny.
One confirmed element about Season 3 is its grounding in The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in Robert Jordan’s acclaimed series. However, the adaptation has introduced various modifications that have resulted in discrepancies concerning the timeline and certain events, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences. From what the trailer reveals, it is clear that Prime Video’s adaptation will weave several iconic storylines from the original material into the upcoming season.
12 Rand’s Arrival at Rhuidean
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 24
The trailer prominently features Rand leading a group of Aiel, accompanied by a woman likely to be Moiraine, as they gaze upon the mysterious, cloud-covered ruins of Rhuidean. In the events of The Shadow Rising, Rand enters the city with only Mat by his side, a rare privilege reserved for aspiring Aiel leadership. Notably, this trailer moment may depict Rand merely witnessing the city for the first time, rather than entering.
11 Conflict With the Shaido
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 57
The Shaido, a notorious Aiel clan, consistently oppose Rand’s rise to power, even attempting to thwart his entrance into Rhuidean. Once Rand is recognized as the Car’a’carn, the Aiel’s prophesied leader, the Shaido’s rejection pushes them to flee the Three-Fold Land. They subsequently fall under the manipulation of Sammael, one of the 13 Forsaken, as he exploits their fury to incite chaos throughout the Westlands.
10 Moiraine Duels Lanfear
The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 52
Following the upheaval in the Aiel Waste, Rand and his companions stop in Cairhien before heading to Caemlyn. Here, armed with insights from her visions in Rhuidean, Moiraine intervenes to protect Rand from Lanfear’s attack, preventing her from using Compulsion on him. The two are pulled into the realm of the Finn when Moiraine forces Lanfear through a twisted redstone doorway, seemingly sealing their fates.
Though Rand and the others believe Moiraine has perished, she only becomes a prisoner of the Finn. Lanfear, on the other hand, is later freed by Moridin, the reincarnation of Ishamael, highlighting the intricate power dynamics at play. If the Finn do not appear in the series, Moiraine’s conflict with Lanfear could lead to dire implications in the upcoming season.
9 Liandrin’s Subjugation by Moghedien
The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 18
The season 3 premiere at CCXP showcases an engaging scene where Liandrin and her Black Ajah sisters make a dramatic exit from the White Tower as their betrayal is revealed. In contrast to the book narrative—which placed this conflict during the events of The Great Hunt—the series takes a unique approach.
A fleeting shot in the trailer reveals Moghedien’s fierce glare directed at Liandrin, echoing a moment when Liandrin and her cohorts, hiding in a Darkfriend’s mansion, fall under Moghedien’s control. Moghedien asserts her dominance by degrading Liandrin, forcing the ambitious Aes Sedai to acknowledge her subservience.
8 Rand’s Trip Through the Glass Columns
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 25
Within Rhuidean, Rand undergoes a profound experience while traversing the glass columns—an essential ter’angreal that the Aiel utilize for testing their leaders. These towering pillars reveal the Aiel’s storied past, depicting their historical allegiance to the Aes Sedai during the Age of Legends, and their oath of non-violence.
Survivors of this daunting test emerge marked with a golden dragon tattoo. Rand, upon enduring the trial, receives one on each arm—the sign of his status as Car’a’carn. Hints of this pivotal moment are alluded to in the trailer with Rand’s bewildered expression and the blue light ambience reflecting the mystery surrounding this ancient rite.
7 Aviendha Becomes a Wise One
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 23
While the trailer does not definitively confirm it, the woman in traditional Aiel combat attire may indeed be Aviendha, given her distinct garb and silhouette, consistent with her portrayal in Season 2.
6 Moiraine Sees Many Futures
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 35
Simultaneously, Moiraine enters Rhuidean, utilizing a divergent ter’angreal composed of three interlinked rings that grant her glimpses of future possibilities. These prophetic visions solidify her resolve to aid Rand, regardless of the peril her own life may entail.
Although she maintains an enigmatic demeanor throughout the books, it is evident that Moiraine perceives Rand’s survival as crucial. Many of her visions denote that achieving this may indeed involve her ultimate sacrifice. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the Prime Video adaptation will allow her a lasting presence after her confrontation with Lanfear, as her character significantly influences the storyline.
5 Perrin Defends the Two Rivers
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 56
After Mat decides to accompany Rand into the Aiel Waste, Perrin returns to the Two Rivers to investigate reports of Whitecloak harassment. There, he encounters not only the Whitecloaks but also a formidable Trolloc army preparing to invade.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Perrin tactfully rallies both the Children of the Light and local villagers, leading them bravely into battle against the Trolloc forces. This moment, foreshadowed at the end of Season 2 where Perrin’s conflicts with Dain Bornhald began to take shape, promises to be a pivotal point for Perrin’s character arc.
4 Egwene’s Ascension to Accepted
The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 22
Following her significant role in the Battle of Falme, Egwene returns to the White Tower, where she is informed by Siuan Sanche of her elevation to Accepted, alongside Elayne and Nynaeve, tasked with rooting out the Black Ajah.
As the show seems poised to bypass critical events like those in the Stone of Tear from The Dragon Reborn, it will be fascinating to see the circumstances surrounding Egwene’s promotion to Accepted—especially considering her parallel journey to the Aiel Waste.
3 Elayne Becomes Queen of Andor
Knife of Dreams, Chapter 35
Although Knife of Dreams is the eleventh book in the series, making it improbable for the events surrounding Elayne’s rise to the Lion Throne to unfold in season 3, hints from the trailer showing her crowning, alongside casting rumors for Queen Morgase and Elayne’s half-brother Galad, suggest that this plotline is imminent.
Interestingly, the casting rumors describe Galad as “Galad Trakand” , a deviation from the books where he belongs to House Damodred. Furthermore, there has been no mention of casting for Elayne’s brother, Gawyn Trakand, suggesting potential narrative changes or combinations that could reshape character arcs significantly.
2 Lan Trains Rand As A Swordmaster
The Great Hunt, Chapter 1
In previous books, particularly The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, Lan imparts critical sword-fighting skills to Rand, a vital component of his character development. The Amazon series faced time constraints, resulting in this essential training being omitted. However, glimpses of Lan and Rand practicing sword forms suggest this integral aspect will finally be addressed in the show.
1 Mat’s Fateful Visit to Avendesora
The Shadow Rising, Chapter 24
While Mat accompanies Rand to Rhuidean, he takes a divergent path, finding a redstone doorway that leads him into the Eelfinn realm. He makes three critical requests to them: to erase gaps in his memory, liberate him from Aes Sedai influence, and return him to Rhuidean, actions which the Eelfinn grant but at a sinister cost.
Mat awakens near death, suspended by his neck from Avendesora, but is saved by Rand’s timely arrival. He becomes the bearer of a unique medallion—rendering him impervious to the One Power—and an ashandarei, which enables him to traverse the Finn’s realm. The adaptation will need to tackle how these events play out, considering the series has already altered past narratives involving Mat’s memory.
It will be intriguing to see if the Amazon show includes the Eelfinn, as their influence is critical to both Mat and Moiraine’s overarching narratives.
Sources: WOTSeries
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