Season 3, Episode 5, titled Tel’aran’rhiod, directed by Marta Cunningham and written by Ajoke Ibironke, continues to follow the protagonists on their individual paths, each undergoing trials, challenges, and personal growth as they inch closer to becoming the leaders and warriors needed for the final confrontation with the Shadow. As Rand completes his test in Rhuidean to become the Car’a’carn of the Aiel, his friends continue to face their own journeys—each important but requiring more time before they can fully realize their long-term goals.
The central theme of this episode is dreams. Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams, serves as a liminal space where individuals confront their past, envision their futures, and reflect on their innermost desires. As Egwene trains to navigate and protect herself in this realm, she witnesses peaceful visions of a life untouched by war and politics—visions shared by many of her friends. They dream of freedom from the roles assigned to them by the Pattern and the will of the Creator. Still, they remain committed to their fates, recognizing that true peace can only come through victory over the Shadow. Yet the episode doesn’t shy away from the cost: they will emerge from the war changed, bearing the scars—both physical and emotional—of battle against the Forsaken, Darkfriends, and Shadowspawn.
The Study on Tel’aran’rhiod
The Taardad Aiel bring Moiraine’s (Rosamund Pike) company to their settlement, Cold Rocks Hold. There, the Taardad and Moiraine’s party remain until the other Aiel clan chiefs gather at Alcair Dal to proclaim their allegiance to Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) as their Car’a’carn. The Taardad in Cold Rocks Hold are welcoming of Rand, and all express their joy at finally seeing the man prophesied to lead them. However, Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) remains reluctant, despite growing fond of Rand in her role as one of his Wise Ones.
The Wise Ones Bair (Nukâka Coster-Waldau) and Melaine (Salóme Gunnarsdóttir) begin teaching Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) about Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams. Bair explains that while anyone can touch Tel’aran’rhiod, only a few can truly enter it. Having the One Power is not a requirement—Melaine can dreamwalk despite not channeling the One Power like Bair. However, entering the dream world is dangerous, as death in Tel’aran’rhiod can result in death in the waking world.
Within Tel’aran’rhiod, Egwene learns how to control her thoughts to shape her appearance, change her clothing, summon objects, and travel freely to others’ dreams. Her training intensifies when the Wise Ones realize that one of the Shadowsouled (the Aiel term for the Forsaken), Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe), is attacking her. To protect herself, Egwene must firmly believe that Lanfear is not part of her dream or convince herself that she is in another dream entirely—only then can she teleport away from danger. Over time, Egwene improves to the point where she can enter her friends’ dreams and witness how all of them long for peaceful, simple lives, free from the heavy responsibilities placed upon them as future leaders and champions of the Light. However, during one of her visits, she sees Rand’s dream and catches her boyfriend passionately kissing Lanfear.
Elaida Defies Siuan
At the White Tower in Tar Valon, Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo) confronts the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), and openly accuses her of being a weak leader. Elaida claims that Siuan has diminished the White Tower’s global standing, transforming it from a shining beacon of guidance—once respected by monarchs across the world—into a vulnerable institution easily manipulated and exploited. This is made worse by Siuan’s decision to violate Aes Sedai law by caging the Dragon Reborn once his identity was revealed. Worse still, her failure to protect the Crown Princess of Andor from the Forsaken in Season 2 has led Andor, and by extension Queen Morgase, to lose faith in the Aes Sedai entirely.
Elaida’s criticisms—though they cross the line when she insults Siuan as a “filthy commoner”—are not without merit. Siuan’s indecisiveness and failure to construct a clear plan to combat the Black Ajah and the Forsaken are deeply troubling. Her lack of strategic vision becomes even more apparent when Moiraine, aided by Egwene’s mastery of Tel’aran’rhiod, enters Siuan’s dream to criticize her lover’s attempt to control Rand in Cairhien. Moiraine urges Siuan to stop obstructing Rand’s growth and instead support him in preparing to lead both the Aes Sedai and the broader Forces of the Light across the Westlands against the Shadow. The two women eventually reconcile, with Siuan agreeing to Moiraine’s request and promising to ensure the Aes Sedai will stand behind the Dragon Reborn when the time comes. However, two threats linger: the influence of the Black Ajah within the Tower, and Elaida’s rising ambition to “restore” the Aes Sedai to their former power and prestige.
In response, Siuan devises a test to ensure Elaida is not a Darkfriend. She manipulates the powerful Red Ajah sister into hunting down two captured members of the Black Ajah: Joiya Byir (Joelle) and Amico Nagoyin (Zenobia Kloppers). Elaida passes this brutal trial by ruthlessly executing Amico and using the One Power to torture Joiya into quickly revealing the identities of the remaining hidden Black Ajah—promising a painless death in return. But before Joiya can speak, a Gray Man infiltrates the prison cell, kills her, and stabs Elaida multiple times. Siuan and Keeper Leane Sharif (Jennifer Cheon Garcia) intervene just in time to neutralize the assassin and save Elaida from fatal injuries.
Despite being saved, Elaida looks upon Siuan with disdain, furious that she was baited into a trap that nearly cost her life. Her hatred deepens, strengthening her desire to overthrow Siuan. Ironically, Siuan’s refusal to let her rival die—though politically convenient—highlights her inability to act with ruthless efficiency, a flaw some might argue makes her unfit for the Amyrlin Seat. Even so, Siuan privately expresses frustration that Elaida wasn’t a member of the Black Ajah, as it would have given her a legitimate reason to execute her in accordance with Tower law rather than resorting to morally questionable methods. Still, the identity of the final Black Ajah sister becomes increasingly apparent for viewers paying close attention. The most likely suspect is Alviarin Freidhen (Clare-Hope Ashitey), a Sitter of the White Ajah. Why Alviarin? First, she is the only other Aes Sedai with significant screen time. Second, Elaida’s earlier attempt to recruit her for her White Tower coup would’ve allowed the Black Ajah to seize power from within. Third, Alviarin consistently positions herself as a loyal “ally” and “friend” to Siuan, remaining close to the Amyrlin Seat—a classic tactic among political schemers who keep not only their friends close, but their enemies closer.
Tanchico City
Elayne (Ceara Coveney), Nynaeve (Zoë Robins), and Mat (Dónal Finn) are granted safe passage to Tanchico aboard a ship operated by the Sea Folk, known as the Atha’an Miere. During the voyage, Elayne and Nynaeve learn the truth: the Atha’an Miere possess a group of powerful female channelers known as Windfinders, who serve aboard every Sea Folk ship. Nearly all Windfinders can channel, and rank just below the Sailmistress and Cargomaster in authority. Windfinders who can channel are especially adept with Air and Water, using a Talent called Weaving the Winds to create thick, powerful flows that aid their ships’ travel. However, due to the unique nature of their culture, most Windfinders possess little to no talent with Fire or Earth—often even less than most female channelers outside their society.
The Aes Sedai are unaware of the true strength of the Windfinders. If they knew, they would likely use their political influence and authority to force these women into joining the White Tower. To prevent this, the Atha’an Miere confine Elayne and Nynaeve to the ship until they reach Tanchico—ensuring the sisters cannot expose the secret. Nonetheless, after witnessing the Windfinders’ power firsthand, Elayne and Nynaeve make a promise not to reveal what they’ve learned to the White Tower. The Sailmistress of the ship, Coine din Jubai Wild Winds (Dany Verissimo-Petit), accepts their word, knowing that Aes Sedai are forbidden from lying. However, technically, Elayne and Nynaeve are not yet bound by the Three Oaths, meaning they are still capable of lying if they choose.
During the journey, Mat introduces the sisters to Min Farshaw (Kae Alexander), another passenger aboard the ship who has been following the trio. Nynaeve recognizes her as the seer from Fal Dara in Season 1. The group asks why Min has chosen to follow them, and she explains that she wishes to help and can serve as a guide in Tanchico, a city she once visited. The trio accepts Min’s offer, and the group becomes a quartet. Upon arriving in Tanchico, the group immediately senses danger. The city’s brutal nature is made clear by the sight of numerous bodies hanging in the port—grim warnings to any who arrive.
Perrin Rescues Mat’s Sisters
In the Two Rivers, a rescue party is assembled to save Mat’s family. The group consists of Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), Faile (Isabella Bucceri), Bain (Ragga Ragnars), Chiad (Maja Simonsen), Alanna (Priyanka Bose), and Maksim (Taylor Napier). They succeed in rescuing Mat’s sisters, Bode Cauthon (Litiana Biutanaseva) and Eldrin Cauthon (Lilibet Biutanaseva), but tragically arrive too late to save their mother, Natti Cauthon (Juliet Howland), who has already been burned at the stake by the Children of the Light. The fanatical order is led by Dain Bornhald (Jay Duffy) and Eamon Valda (Abdul Salis), both of whom are as ruthless as they are cunning in their fanaticism.
Dain had mistakenly believed that Natti was a channeler, when in truth it was her daughter Bode who possessed the ability to channel the One Power. Though the Children of the Light claim to serve the Light and fight against the Shadow, they are extremists who believe all female channelers are dangerous and must be eliminated, regardless of guilt or innocence. Their fear stems from the belief that those who wield the One Power could once again break the world, as the Dragon and male channelers did during the War of Power. The rescue group avenges Natti’s death by defeating Dain’s forces and killing most of the Whitecloaks stationed there. However, the ultimate fate of Dain and Valda remains uncertain for now.
Rating: 9/10
