This will be our full spoiler review and episode breakdown for The Wheel of Time, Season 3, episode 8. When we say “full spoilers,” we’re including the entire book series, as we will be discussing changes from the books and potential ramifications for the future. If you don’t want plot points from the books that may show up in future episodes and seasons of The Wheel of Time spoiled for you, please read our spoiler-free review of the season instead.
Introduction
It’s the finale for Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, and yet it still feels like there’s so much that needs to be wrapped up in this last episode. Can the strongest season so far continue with a strong finish? Read on for our thoughts.
Summary of Episode 308 – He Who Comes With the Dawn (written by Justine Juel Gillmer)
The White Tower
Ten years ago in Tar Valon, Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo) steps out of a twisted redstone doorway in the Thirteenth Depository of the White Tower. She looks at a bracelet on her right wrist and smiles. Alviarin (Clare-Hope Ashitey) chides Elaida for doing something so dangerous and asks what the Aelfinn promised her, because their gifts always come with a price. Elaida says they’ve promised her the Amyrlin Seat and hopes that she still has Alviarin’s vote, as it is the logical choice.
In the Hall of the Tower, a vote is being held to determine whether Siuan (Sophie Okonedo) or Elaida is raised as Amyrlin Seat. Only four sisters initially stand for Siuan, but when the Keeper (Rebecca Root) asks who stands for Elaida, Alviarin stands and votes for Siuan. This prompts eight other Sitters, including Kerene Nagashi (Clare Perkins), to stand for Siuan, giving her enough votes to become Amyrlin.
In present-day Tar Valon, Leane (Jennifer Cheon Garcia) confronts Siuan about her insistence that the White Tower must formally support Rand al’Thor, as she does not understand how Siuan knows this. She urges Siuan to put the matter to a vote, and make the rest of the Tower believe in this, as otherwise she is giving Elaida another weapon against her.
Elsewhere, Elaida, Galina (Clare Dunne), and Alviarin are furious about Siuan writing letters to world leaders, declaring the Tower’s support for the Dragon Reborn, even though it’s not technically illegal. Elaida asks Alviarin for her support, as the logical choice will benefit them both this time.
Later, Verin (Meera Syal) and Leane tell Siuan that eight Red sisters – the number needed to gentle a man – just left the Tower suddenly. Siuan orders them to take a group of trusted Sisters and stop them, and to bring Elaida to her. Verin’s group catches up with Galina and the other Reds, but they realize it was just a ruse to get Verin and Siuan’s other allies out of the Tower.
Leane and Siuan enter the Hall to discover that an hour ago, eleven Sitters met and voted unanimously to depose Siuan. She is accused of being a Darkfriend and conspiring with the Shadow to hide the Dragon Reborn’s existence from the Tower, crimes for which she’ll be stilled. Leane tries to defend Siuan, but she’s shielded and forced to watch helplessly as Siuan is stilled.
After a beating, Siuan is dragged back into the Hall of the Tower. Alviarin, now Keeper of the Chronicles, announces the new Amyrlin Seat: Elaida. Elaida demands the truth, which Siuan gives them: Siuan loves Moiraine and would die to protect her. She finally admits how she witnessed Gitara’s vision of Rand’s birth and was tasked along with Moiraine to find the Dragon and prepare the world to follow. She gives an impassioned speech to the women before her, reminding them they cannot hide in the Tower and pretend they have control, and it is their duty to stand for the Light. Her final statement is to defy Elaida. Alviarin then informs Siuan she has been sentenced to death. Aliviarin executes Siuan as Elaida sits silently watching.
Tanchico
In the Lounalt estate, Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) asks Jeaine (Olivia Popica) and Chesmal (Mi Hae Lee) if they’ve seen Ispan (Olumide Olorunfemi), who has disappeared. Jeaine says they assumed that Liandrin killed her like she did with Nyomi (Rachel Denning). Moghedien (Laia Costa), in her servant disguise, presents the bracelet she stole from Nynaeve (Zoë Robins). The Black Ajah all leave for the Panarch’s Palace in order to find the collar.
Nynaeve and Mat (Dónal Finn), staking out the estate entrance, spot the three women leaving. Nynaeve follows Liandrin and Mat gets the others. Liandrin kills the guards in the palace and tells the other Black Ajah to search for the collar as seen in the drawing of the shackled man.
Mat, Min (Kae Alexander), Elayne (Ceara Coveney), and Thom (Alexandre Willaume) meet Nynave outside the Panarch’s Palace. Nynaeve suspects that only a Forsaken could have taken the bracelet from them without them remembering, and tells the others that whoever finds the collar or bracelet should leave the palace immediately. They split up and begin their search, encountering numerous corpses of guards and palace staff the Black Ajah have killed.
Thom stays with Elayne and reveals that he knew Elayne as a child. Elayne asks when Thom left Caemlyn, and mentions that Thom must have left right before Lord Gaebril (Nuno Lopes) arrived. Thom is confused, as he doesn’t recognize the name, insisting that he would know if Gaebril was a consort as he had kept tabs on the Andoran court even after leaving. Jeaine surprise attacks them with a balefire ter’angreal. As they flee, Thom says he promised Morgase he would keep Elayne safe, and urges Elayne to go back to Caemlyn, because Lord Gaebril doesn’t exist and her mother is in danger. Elayne runs, and Thom distracts Jeaine. Jeaine uses the balefire ter’angreal but misses. Elayne knocks her out from behind and uses the ter’angreal to kill Jeaine.
Mat and Min search a storeroom full of strange treasure, artifacts, and taxidermy. A red twisted doorframe catches Mat’s eye. Before Min can warn him, he steps through it and disappears from view. Chesmal enters and Min quickly hides. On the other side of the arch, Mat appears in a separate realm riddled with human bones and a lone fox-like creature (Robert Strange) on a pedestal. The creature, an Eelfinn, asks Mat what he needs. Mat says he needs to stop being pushed around by the One Power, to which the Eelfinn immediately agrees. The creature then offers to take away the memories in Mat’s head that aren’t his. For his last need, Mat asks for a way out, but because he didn’t set a price, the Eelfinn sets its own price. Mat is forced out of the Eelfinn’s realm, reappearing on the other side of the archway, hanging from a rope just like in Min’s vision. Chesmal watches in fascination as Mat chokes, and Min takes advantage of her distraction to knock her out and cut Mat down. Min manages to revive Mat, who no longer has the memories of battle and screams, but also now can’t remember how they got there. He also has a strange foxhead medallion around his neck.
Nynaeve searches for the collar in a bedroom, and hides when Liandrin comes in. Liandrin searches through some chests, but can’t find a match to the collar in the drawing. Frustrated, she tosses a chest to the ground and leaves. As fate would have it, Nynaeve recognizes one of the fallen collars as an a’dam, as it looks different when someone isn’t wearing it. She waits outside the palace instead of leaving and Liandrin finds her. Nynaeve tries to find a shred of good or humanity inside Liandrin, but Liandrin rebuffs her attempts, saying she’s going to become this age’s new Forsaken. She follows up her claim by restraining Nynaeve, taking the collar, and throwing her into the harbor to drown. Chained at the bottom of the harbor, fighting to hold her breath, Nynaeve remembers Elnore, her daughter in her Accepted test. She finally stops fighting, and suddenly finds herself filled with the One Power, which she uses to blast the water away and walk out of the harbor to solid ground. Safe, Nynaeve laughs with barely contained joy and relief, although Liandrin is unfortunately gone.
Liandrin returns to her estate where Moghedien is waiting. Moghedien takes one of the bracelets, and Liandrin tries to convince the Forsaken to ally with her. In the last scene, we see Moghedien look up surprised.
Aiel Waste
Rand (Josha Stradowski) harvests Alsera’s (Julie Van Leeuwen) squash, attempting to meet his toh to her. Egwene (Madeleine Madden) tells Rand that the Wise Ones are waiting.
Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) confronts Sammael (Cameron Jack), who has been captured and shielded after his failed attack on Rand, threatens him and informs him that he needs to teach Rand about channeling.
Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) meets Rand in his dream and reveals she sent Sammael so that he can teach Rand. However, Rand confronts her about her torture of Egwene, and says he’s realized her true, cruel nature. When he says in no uncertain terms that he’s leaving her, Lanfear begins channeling in a rage, but Egwene appears and kicks Lanfear out of the dream. Rand and Egwene wake, surrounded by the Wise Ones (Nukâka Coster-Waldau and Salóme Gunnarsdóttir), Aviendha (Ayoola Smart), Moiraine, and Lan (Daniel Henney). They prepare for Lanfear to attack, but no attack comes. Moiraine realizes there must be something else Lanfear wants and declares that they’re leaving for Alcair Dal. Meanwhile,
Lanfear, disguised as a Maiden of the Spear, approaches Melindhra (Synnøve Macody Lund) and calls on her to repay a debt she owes.
Moghedien finds Sammael, who begs her to untie his shield and says he will ally with her. However, Moghedien says that what she really wants is to kill another one of the Chosen, and starts to channel pulling blood and more from Sammael as the scene changes.
The Taardad are on the move to Alcair Dal. Rhuarc (Björn Landberg) doesn’t know how the other chiefs will react. Rand says that if they don’t believe the dragons on his arms, he’ll just tell them what he saw in the columns, but Rhuarc warns against revealing that the Aiel are oathbreakers, as it is forbidden to speak of what was seen in Rhuidean. He believes his people cannot handle the truth. Aviendha and Egwene share a moment, discussing the future. Moiraine is growing increasingly nervous, suspecting that today might be the day Lanfear kills her.
Four other clans are already at Alcair Dal, including the Shaido. Lanfear, still dressed as a Maiden, appears to Couladin (Set Sjöstrand) and Sevanna (Natasha Culzac) in their tent and informs them that Rand must never become Car’a’carn. She begins channeling around Couladin’s forearms.
Lan is meditating when Melindhra approaches him, spear drawn. She tells him that she swore the Dark Oaths in the hopes that Malkier would be rebuilt, but now that Lanfear has told her to kill Lan, she refuses as she knows he is the only possibility of rebuilding Malkier. As she warns him of Lanfear’s presence, she has broken her oaths, the price of which is to die without possibility of rebirth.
Moiraine tells Rand that he was right to come to the Aiel Waste and apologizes that she didn’t realize sooner. She admits to partnering with Lanfear for the attack in Tar Valon and also suspecting Lanfear was torturing Egwene. Rand, in turn, realizes that ever since leaving the Two Rivers, the only person who has truly been by his side is Moiraine because she truly wants him to succeed. She is the only one who wants what he does. Rand thanks Moiraine because he is only there because of her, and she warns him that she won’t be here forever. He asks her to stay at his side, but she says she cannot, as he must win the Aiel’s support without Aes Sedai interference. She will defend him from Lanfear or die trying.
Lanfear and Rahvin find Sammael’s corpse, gruesomely strung up as if in a spider’s web. The two form an alliance to kill the Dragon Reborn.
Rhuarc escorts Rand to the edge of Alcair Dal where Couladin declares himself the Car’a’carn, revealing his twin dragon tattoos. Rand walks up and displays his own tattoos, reminding the Aiel of the prophecies and of how he fulfills them. Couladin claims that the tattoos are an Aes Sedai trick. Rand demands Couladin prove he went to Rhuidean by revealing what he saw, but Couladin evades the question. Despite Rhuarc’s plea, Rand reveals the truth to all the Aiel watching: they once followed the Way of the Leaf, and they’re all oathbreakers. Chaos erupts and the Aiel turn on each other.
Elsewhere in the desert, Moiraine uses the Sakarnen to channel what appears to be a shield over Alcair Dal. Lanfear attacks her, choking her until she collapses. Lan arrives with his Power-wrought Malkieri blade, and Moiraine uses the moment of distraction to grab the Sakarnen and channel against Lanfear. Aes Sedai and warder fight together against the Forsaken, but wielding the True Power, Lanfear is more than a match for the pair and ends up running Moiraine through with Lan’s sword.
At Siuan’s death, Moiraine feels her Oath to Siuan break, and cries out in grief. Lanfear taunts her, but Moiraine channels her rage and grief into a massive attack, managing to gravely wound the Forsaken with Lan’s Power-wrought sword. Lanfear escapes through a gateway.
Rand channels a massive storm, and it begins to rain on the gathered Aiel. Rhuarc declares for Rand as the car’a’carn, and other Aiel begin to kneel. Around the world, separate character groups witness the sky darken: Elaida moving into the Amyrlin’s quarters, Moghedien in Tanchico, Faile with Bain and Chiad scouting the Whitecloak army, and Mat, Min, Nynaeve and Elayne on a Sea Folk ship.
Egwene begs Rand to stop channeling, but Rand only looks at her, and does not release saidin.
Review of Episode 308 – He Who Comes With the Dawn
Likes: This episode was absolutely jam packed, catching us up on the rest of the character groups after episode 307 that was devoted entirely to the Two Rivers. It had a lot of ground to cover, and for the most part, we felt it was paced and edited very well. The editing near the end was especially moving, with Siuan’s final defiance of Elaida cutting between Moiraine and Lanfear and Rand’s declaration to the Aiel.
At long last, we enter the realm of the Eelfinn. Although it wasn’t a long scene, it was appropriately unsettling. An extra special shout-out to the production design and sound design teams for this one. We also couldn’t help cheering at our first look at the foxhead medallion, and perhaps even more exciting, we got a brief glimpse at Mat’s iconic ashandarei stuck to the top of the doorframe.
Although the chronology is a bit shuffled around from the books, Nynaeve’s breaking her block still contained numerous references to its book counterpart, as they both involve her nearly drowning, and was a visually stunning sequence. The choice to include Nynaeve’s memory of her lost daughter was especially emotional. Given how thoroughly Nynaeve has been blocked in the show, we think letting it go on any further would start feeling like contrived adversity, so we’re glad to see her overcome that obstacle. And although many fans will be disappointed in her lack of a showdown with Moghedien this season, it will be even more dramatic to witness their eventual confrontation with Nynaeve at her full ability.
We loved the time spent in Tanchico. Nynaeve is an expert at chopsticks and Mat wishes for a fork, Elayne and Thom share a sweet moment before he reveals the truth about Gaebril, and we finally get to see balefire. (Despite Jordan’s insistence that balefire does not destroy the soul, the show seems to use similar imagery for Melindhra, the grey men, and death-by-balefire, which we thought was a nice visual touch.)
The Shadow was indeed rising this episode, with all major villains getting one or more scenes that reminded us why they are villains. Liandrin has been especially humanized in the show, so her cold cruelty towards Nynaeve felt like a fitting moment for her character, who has now given up every last scrap of humanity for a chance at power. Lanfear also had her return to form as the most dangerous of the Forsaken, as Rand’s breaking their relationship off has immediately proved to have devastating consequences, and reminds us why it wasn’t the worst idea for Moiraine and Rand to keep her within reach as long as possible. And Moghedien continues to be chaos incarnate, serving up her most gruesome kill yet. She is a wild card that we can’t wait to see more of.
Rand and Moiraine have had many touching moments this season, so their brief conversation before the showdown at Alcair Dal was a perfect way to tie up their plot. Even though open communication is almost blasphemous in The Wheel of Time, the writers did a beautiful job showing the development of their relationship this season. It was also very satisfying to see Rand come into his own at Alcair Dal. He is appropriately equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying, and it was high time he got a powerful solo channeling moment in a season finale. Egwene’s refusal to bow was also a nice touch and a sign of the future antagonism between her and Rand.
Finally, this was also an episode with some fantastic monologues: Rand’s declaration at Alcair Dal, Moiraine’s ending voiceover of The Karaethon Cycle, and last but not least, Siuan’s defiance of Elaida. “We are the power – the Light shines through us. That is the truth.” It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful moment for Siuan, who despite being stilled and beaten, defies tyranny and stands up for truth until the very end, serving us a perfect encapsulation of one of the core themes of this series. It also beautifully foreshadows Rand’s eventual epiphany at Dragonmount.
Ok, this is actually the last one, but did anyone else notice a figure appearing, and disappearing, on the horizon?
Dislikes: Yes, once again, a character survives an abdominal impalement that should have been lethal. But on a more serious note, we’re not quite sure how to feel about Moiraine’s confrontation with Lanfear. While we love both Rosamund Pike and Natasha O’Keeffe, we are worried about them overstaying their welcome, as Moiraine’s death is one of the most pivotal moments in the entire series, especially for Rand’s character arc. That being said, this season almost entirely consists of The Shadow Rising, at the end of which Moiraine is most certainly alive and well, so perhaps they were waving the death flags a little too hard. Additionally, having her and Siuan die simultaneously might be too much tragedy for one episode, especially considering how many fans are invested in their relationship. This is showdown number two for Lanfear and Moiraine. Wonder what happens when they meet a third time…
While we may have some theories regarding the choice made to alter Siuan’s book plot, we do not like how hurt many fans are see her loss.
The ending with Rand felt abrupt, and the season lacked the “stinger” that both previous seasons have had (the arrival of the Seanchan and Moghedien’s introduction). In general, this finale left many story threads hanging, but without a fourth season greenlit at this time, we’re left with anxiety over whether or not we’ll get to see what happens next.
Book to Screen Changes and Comparisons
Moiraine: Moiraine does not leave us until book 5, though she also doesn’t have this many encounters with Lanfear in the books either. We really enjoy the changes to her relationship with Rand, accelerating their path towards trust. She also says the phrase “You were right” to Rand, which had our jaws on the floor. Communication? In my Wheel of Time?
Siuan: In the books, Siuan is not killed during the coup, and in fact survives all the way until the end until she dies during the Last Battle. Some may say that her death here will motivate Moiraine even more, since if the Dark One wins she won’t be able to meet Siuan in the next life. We understand the heartbreak many fans will be feeling over this death and anticipate that her loss will reverberate throughout many different plots in the future. We hope it is given the weight it deserves.
Mat/Eelfinn: Though Mat met the Aelfinn first in the books, it’s the Eelfin that give him some of his most iconic traits. There is still a doorway in the Tower, which – based on Elaida’s experience – appears to lead to the Aelfinn realm, but it’s hard to say ff or how Mat will pass through it. It’s interesting that instead of having holes in his memory filled as in the books, the memories from the Horn were removed, as were some others…resulting in holes in his memory. This is similar to how Mat’s memories were before he met the Eelfin in the books.
Nynaeve: In the show, Nynaeve breaks her block earlier and in a different way, although the general premise of nearly drowning is the same as in the books. Her block in the show seems to stem from the fear of her own power and not being able to save the people she loves. She also does not duel with Moghedien, though we see the set up for a future season.
The Shadow: Melindhra is still a Darkfriend though her end is different than in the books. She tries to redeem herself, which shows the consequences of breaking the oaths to the Dark One. Asmodean also has not made an appearance, unless he is the hidden Forsaken Rafe teased, and has not even gotten a name drop. Although Sammael doesn’t make it past the midpoint of the books, either, he’s even more short-lived (pun intended) in the show. Lanfear and Rahvin have teamed up, meaning Rahvin is betraying Moghedien. Wonder what that means for his life expectancy. Liandrin has also officially pitched becoming a new Forsaken. Whether or not she will succeed in that goal remains to be seen, as this could simply be a way to introduce the idea of a newly raised Forsaken that will pave the way for the oft-namedropped Mazrim Taim.
Perhaps the most interesting change is that Liandrin and Moghedien have the Domination Bands which never happens in the books, although Semirhage does get her hands on a copy much later on which she uses to collar Rand. This could be the show’s adaptation of that plot point, although having that moment come this early in the story would be a significant change to Rand’s story progression.
Final Thoughts
From beginning to end, Season 3 was quite a thrilling ride. The shakiness of previous season finales left us worried if this season would stick the landing, and we’re happy to say that it did. Episode 8 was a strong conclusion to the best season of The Wheel of Time yet. In many ways, this season mirrors The Shadow Rising: it opens the world and creates even more questions and plots for our characters to handle.
This season made us cheer for our character’s triumphs and weep for their losses. We lost some beloved characters along the way, but know they will continue to impact the story as we move forward. If the Dark One wins there is no rebirth for any of our characters; what better motivation is there for the Light to persevere?
If the show is not going to get a full 8 seasons, the finale feels like the step towards our series low point rather than closer to a midpoint. Rand is edging towards madness and his relationship with the Aiel hangs in the balance, the White Tower is led by a woman who wants to cage the Dragon Reborn, Perrin is a captive of the Whitecloaks, the Shadow has the Domination Bands, and Moiraine’s fate is left uncertain. How can the Light recover? A storm is surely coming. Let us hope that Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios see the gem they have in The Wheel of Time and renew the show for more seasons so we can see the final tapestry this turning of the wheel is weaving.
Ratings
(Due to the bar being raised so high this season, we found it difficult to rate episodes with only half or full ratings to choose from. As a result, we have decided to add quarter ratings this season. Ratings are best compared to other episodes of the same season, versus across seasons.)
Episode 8 – He Who Comes With the Dawn (Overall: 4.35/5)
Lane: 4.25/5, Sara: 4.5/5, Eri: 4.5/5, Omar: 4.5/5, Cait: 4/5
Lover of fantasy and other geeky goodness.
I'm a longtime SFF fan but Wheel of Time will always be my first love. I want to call myself Green Ajah, but--let's be real--I'm probably a Brown. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, writing, and getting lost in the wilderness.
I love books of all kinds and especially Wheel of Time (I even have a tattoo!) I also love video games and building community online. Blue/Brown ajah (don’t make me choose) and Spoiler Gaidin for the show-only crowd. Find me @feelinmyshelf.bsky.social
Loved the Review. Great job.
Hoping for show to continue for at least 8 seasons just like you said and more people to watch it.
Now I’m worried that everyone hate Elaida.
Will see what happens…