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The Wheel of Time Season 3 has been building up quite nicely and Episode 4 "The Road to the Spear" just took everything into a rocket and send it to the fkn moon, yes the story might have been completely changed compared to the book and this series might not be for the book fans but got to admit its very entertaining. After three episodes of setting up various story lines and characters, this episode narrows its focus on Rand and Moiraine as they enter the sacred city of Rhuidean. The first three episodes were more open to the rest of the characters but its like they put everything aside to jump into the meat and potatoes to then bring the rest of Rand's friends back just as support characters. This tighter focus works great for the storytelling rather than their repetitive approach on prev episodes, allowing the show to dive deep into the Aiel people while delivering some of the most visually stunning sequences of this fantasy TV series we have seen so far. I was completely blown away by how this episode managed to bring one of the most pivotal moments on the story because what happens on episode 4 changes everything, from Lanfear, Rand's father, the city in the clouds, a lot of why and potential the biggest question if Rand will become mad at the end, the 1000 wheel turn before someone becomes a wise one, damn there is a ton of info dump on this episode.
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7462410/
- Platform: Prime Video
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The episode mostly follows Rand and Moiraine as they enter Rhuidean, a mystical city sacred to the Aiel people, for Rand to be considered the Car'a'carn, the chief of chiefs, he must pass the trial within the city what is to be a monumental moment for his character that this season has been tip toeing without developing much. The trial of Rhuidean is portrayed with such attention to detail that I would love to know how much accurate it is to the book, considering how complex and the amount of context is provided on this particular sequence.
We see Rand and Lan training with swords, with Rand using a technique his adoptive father Tam taught him, picturing a flame and feeding all emotions into it until only "the flame and the void" remain. There is also a significant moment where Aviendha, after challenging both Rand and Lan about carrying swords, latter on explained why the Aiel consider dishonorable, is stripped of her title as Maiden of the Spear by the Wise Ones. Sending her into a journey to Rhuidean alongside Rand and Moiraine, as she must face her destiny to become a Wise One, building up a lot of tension since most of those who enter never come back, it is the case as they cant enter with weapons and all those weapons standing outside of the city represent those who never came back.
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Rand has sometimes struggled to establish himself as the lead character, often overshadowed by Moiraine, but this episode changes all that, as Rand passes through the glass pillars in Rhuidean, he's transported backward through time to experience the history of the Aiel through his ancestors eyes, through his parents eyes. This required Stradowski; who play Rand character, to essentially play multiple characters throughout the episode, from powerful Aiel warriors to timid servants of the Aes Sedai and he does so with remarkable skill, perfect shape shifter.
What's particularly impressive is how Stradowski makes each ancestor feel distinct and unique despite limited screen time for each, although I'm sure some would find it repetitive but its not Rand's ancestor who matter the most at certain points in time but who was with them and what happen at that time, I had no fkn idea Lanfear was an Aes Sedai. The performance of Rand's true father shows the rage and power of a warrior, while his performance as one of Rand's oldest ancestors captures the peaceful nature of a man who would never consider violence, the way of the leaf. The makeup and costume design enhance these transformations but it's Stradowski's ability to physically and emotionally deep dive these different characters that sells the transitions.
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The City of Rhuidean is impressive despite the fog, the fantasy aspects of how things started and showing the why some of the Chiefs never make it back opens a world of questions. The glass pillars that Rand travels through are structures that make you question how and why they manage to put on that effect on the traveler having them to physically experience everything they dream when walking through the pillars. The visions themselves are distinct from one another despite many taking place in similar locations, to each one of them the custom designs and details were quite important, its only the last one when they show up inside what look like a ship with Lanfear tha throw me off. Moiraine's visions of possible futures are also mind blowing, with strong colors and rotating camera movements that shows how she is being bombarded with these potential outcomes, the 1000 wheel turns.
The Road to the Spear" ending is particularly powerful with Rand emerging from Rhuidean at dawn, carrying a weakened Moiraine in his arms, with both characters have been fundamentally changed by what they have experienced and all that they have learn, the pillars where put in place for this same reason so they never forget as Aiel how their people really started, at a point not even chief knew why they were called Oathbreakers. Rand now understands his connection to the Aiel and has earned the dragon markings on both arms that identify him as the Car'a'carn, this makes me wonder if all previous Dragons evern went through this process before the Aes Sedai imprison them, makes me wonder if Rand still would go mad or instead will manage to control his powers as he gets more information of his past. Moiraine has peekaboo into the many possible paths her future might take, most ending in her death, a moment that perfectly captures the weight of destiny that hangs over these characters, how they were connected before they were even born and the sacrifices they may yet have to make.
Episode 4 is the best episode probably from the entire series, but makes me wonder if it was too rushed, this massive info dump is probably how they catch up to the books and getting out of that repetitive boring situation where everyone goes their own way to close to the end of season get back together. I think the more Rand learn about his family, ancestor, powers and in this case his true roots with the Aiel, will help him manage to control his powers. Lanfear been an Aei Sedai and the one who broke the world using the dark powers, that one I never saw coming and create a ton of possibilities of her working with Moraine and Rand but then the question is why did she fall in love for Rand??, got to give this episode a 8/10 and I'm not exaggerating at least from how entertaining this series is, even though if its not 10/10 strict to the books.
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