Season 3, Episode 2, titled A Question of Crimson, directed by Ciaran Donnelly and written by Katherine B. McKenna, explores the themes of division and inner conflict among the forces of the Light, mirroring the struggles of the Forsaken and their Darkfriends within the Shadow. This is exemplified through the various factions, including Queen Morgase of Andor, her Red Ajah advisor Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan, the Aes Sedai under Siuan Sanche, the Children of the Light, the Seanchan, and the Aiel.
The central theme of this episode is division. Though the Aes Sedai, the Queendom of Andor, the Children of the Light, the Seanchan, and the Aiel are all dedicated to fighting the Shadow and its Forsaken leaders, their internal conflicts and ideological differences cause them to clash, much like the Forsaken and Darkfriends did during the Age of Legends—and continue to do in the present day. However, despite these divisions, hope remains for unity under the banner of Rand al’Thor. For this to happen, though, the radicals influencing these factions must be removed or replaced.
The Queen of Andor in Tar Valon
In response to a letter from Crown Princess Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney), Queen Morgase Trakand of Andor (Olivia Williams) arrives in Tar Valon, accompanied by her Red Ajah advisor Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo), her Prince Consort Lord Gaebril (Nuno Lopes), her sons Prince Galad Trakand (Callum Kerr) and Gawyn Trakand (Luke Fetherston), and a retinue of royal officials, heralds, and Andoran soldiers.
Unbeknownst to them, Lord Gaebril is actually the Forsaken Rahvin, who has infiltrated Andor’s royal court. Through compulsion, he has convinced everyone he meets that he is a prominent Andoran noble who married Morgase a decade ago—despite the fact that he was only freed from his prison a month prior. Rahvin turned to the Shadow in his thirst for power. While he was a skilled general and a competent governor, his lack of attention to detail undermined his effectiveness during the War of Power. Nevertheless, he remains cunning, meticulous, and adept at manipulation, preferring diplomacy and subtle coercion over brute force.
Morgase arrives in Tar Valon furious over the events of Season 2, when her daughter Elayne was kidnapped. The Aes Sedai had promised to protect and train Elayne, but they failed her. Worse still, Morgase remains unaware of the true reason behind Elayne’s kidnapping or the threat posed by the Black Ajah. The Aes Sedai have chosen to conceal the Black Ajah’s treachery, fearing that revealing the truth would expose the White Tower’s internal fractures and embolden their enemies. However, the Darkfriends, having already learned of the Black Ajah’s attack and escape from Tar Valon, can now exploit this knowledge—something Rahvin, in his guise as Lord Gaebril, fully intends to do.
Mother (Queen) and Daughter (Princess)
After confronting the Amyrlin Seat, Queen Morgase attempts to force Elayne to return to Caemlyn, the capital of Andor, to ensure her safety. Elayne had intended for her letter to bring Morgase to Tar Valon in order to strengthen the alliance between Andor and the White Tower, a necessary step toward uniting the forces of the Light before the Last Battle. However, Lord Gaebril’s and Elaida’s influence has likely exacerbated Morgase’s hostility toward the Aes Sedai.
This influence becomes even more apparent when Morgase orders Elaida to remain in Tar Valon, allowing her to gradually undermine and usurp Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo) in order to bring the White Tower under Andor’s control. Despite this, Elayne stands firm, proving her determination to become the first Aes Sedai Queen of Andor, a move she believes will make her home stronger against any future threats. Recognizing her daughter’s conviction, Morgase ultimately relents, allowing Elayne to continue her training in Tar Valon. She even decides to leave Galad and Gawyn in the White Tower to train with the Warders.
Rand’s Training
Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), along with Lan (Daniel Henney) and Rand (Josha Stradowski), travels to the Aiel Waste with guidance from Aviendha (Ayoola Smart). During the journey, Lan trains Rand in swordsmanship, strengthening the young man’s trust in the Warder—whom he respects far more than Moiraine due to her secrecy and strictness.
Along the way, they learn about the Aiel’s version of the Dragon Reborn prophecy from Aviendha:
“The Car’a’carn (Dragon Reborn) shall spill out the blood of those who call themselves Aiel as water on sand, and break them as dried twigs. Yet the remnant of a remnant of the Car’a’carn shall save, and they shall live. Our Car’a’carn is creation and destruction wrapped in one. Balanced.”
At night, while Rand sleeps, he finds himself speaking with Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) in the World of Dreams. At the same time, Lanfear, driven by petty jealousy, torments Egwene (Madeleine Madden) in her dreams. However, this torment inadvertently causes Egwene to enter the dream of Bair (Nukâka Coster-Waldau), a Taardad Aiel Wise One and Dreamwalker. As a result, the Taardad Clan tracks and captures Moiraine’s group—though without hostility.
The Two Rivers
Perrin Aybara and his companions—Loial (Hammed Animashaun), Bain (Ragga Ragnars), and Chiad (Maja Simonsen)—return to the Two Rivers, where Perrin reunites with Marin al’Vere (Rina Mahoney), Egwene’s mother. Marin warns them that the village is now under occupation and “protection” by the Children of the Light, led by Dain Bornhald (Jay Duffy).
The Whitecloaks claim they are guarding the Two Rivers from an army of Trollocs and Darkfriends, but in truth, Dain Bornhald has come to kill Perrin, seeking revenge for his father’s death during the Battle of Falme in the Season 2 finale.
Recognizing the danger, Marin helps Perrin and his group hide in an attic, where they are unexpectedly met by Alanna Mosvani (Priyanka Bose) of the Green Ajah and her Warder, Maksim (Taylor Napier). Alanna sees Perrin’s return to the Two Rivers as more than coincidence—she believes it to be divine fate, woven by the Creator and the Wheel itself.
Rating: 9/10
