The Wheel of Time season 3 will adapt the fourth novel in Robert Jordan’s book series of the same name, which could allow it to include 10 fan-favorite moments from the books. Jordan’s book series includes a whopping 14 volumes, which makes it difficult for the show to include everything from the books. Still, The Wheel of Time season 3 will look to include as many stories and characters from the books as possible.
The Wheel of Time season 2’s ending left the story at the conclusion of Jordan’s second novel, setting up some of the series’ most exhilarating storylines. The Wheel of Time‘s cast is expected to be split up in season 3 as the characters begin their individual arcs, which could give the show an extra bit of flexibility. With that in mind, there are 10 storylines that are the most important for The Wheel of Time season 3 to include.
The Wheel of Time season 3’s book changes will likely be significant, but one thing from Jordan’s novels that fans can look forward to seeing in season 3 is Elayne’s family. Elayne is a member of House Trakand, which is the Royal House of Andor during The Wheel of Time. Elayne’s mother, Queen Morgase, plays an important role in the story, as do her brother Gawyn and her half-brother Galad, so it’s critical that The Wheel of Time season 3 takes the time to properly set them up.
Luckily, all signs point to the introduction of House Trakand in The Wheel of Time season 3. Both Morgase and Gawyn are mentioned in a conversation between Verin and Sheriam at the White Tower during The Wheel of Time season 2, indicating that both characters will be involved in the show soon. Further, the show has hinted that Mat might be traveling to the Andoran capital of Caemlyn during season 3, further suggesting that Queen Morgase will appear soon.
One hugely important moment from The Wheel of Time books that may or may not happen in season 3 is Rand claiming Callandor from the Stone of Tear. Callandor is a sa’angreal shaped like a crystal sword, and it’s a vital part of the Prophecies of the Dragon. Rand being able to pull Callandor out of its resting place in the Stone of Tear is the most undeniable piece of evidence that he is the Dragon Reborn, and the sa’angreal itself ends up being instrumental in the fight against the Dark One.
With that in mind, The Wheel of Time is bound to introduce Callandor at some point, but it’s difficult to say if that point will arrive during season 3. Rand looks set to travel into the Aiel Waste in season 3, which could allow him to stop in Tear on his way to the desert and retrieve Callandor. However, his arc will already be jammed with other storylines, so there might not be time to properly introduce Callandor. Consequently, The Wheel of Time could end up pushing Callandor back a season, so there’s time to explain its importance.
The Wheel of Time season 3 also has a chance to introduce the most destructive and dangerous weave of the One Power known in the series: balefire. Balefire is at the top of the list of powers that The Wheel of Time season 3 needs to introduce, and the show can choose to introduce it through either Rand or Moiraine. In the books, balefire is seen for the first time when Moiraine uses it to fend off a pack of darkhounds in The Dragon Reborn.
That moment could easily be recreated in The Wheel of Time season 3, even if the pretense of chasing after Rand isn’t part of the scene. Alternatively, balefire could be introduced through one of Rand or Moiraine’s fights with the Forsaken. For example, Moiraine kills Be’lal with balefire in the Stone of Tear during The Dragon Reborn, which is another moment that could easily occur in The Wheel of Time season 3.
One key moment that looks all but certain to occur in The Wheel of Time season 3 is Perrin reuniting with Hopper in the Wolf Dream, otherwise known as Tel’aran’rhiod. Hopper is tragically killed during the Battle of Falme in The Wheel of Time season 2, but luckily for Hopper fans, his spirit is now in the Wolf Dream, which will allow Perrin to see his friend again when he enters the Dream.
In the books, Hopper becomes somewhat of a guide to Perrin in the Wolf Dream, teaching him to control the World of Dreams with his mind. It’s possible that The Wheel of Time show will use Elyas to teach Perrin about the Wolf Dream instead of Hopper because it might translate to the screen better, but Hopper will definitely reappear and play some sort of role in Perrin’s arc.
The Wheel of Time season 2’s finale importantly foreshadowed the impending romantic relationship between Rand and Elayne, setting it up to begin in earnest during season 3. However, it’s hard to know exactly how far the show will get with their relationship before they are separated. Rand is expected to spend most of The Wheel of Time season 3 with the Aiel, while Elayne is expected to contend with the Black Ajah in Tarabon several thousand miles to the west.
This leaves a limited window for the show to build Rand and Elayne’s romance in, so it needs to be careful to lay a strong foundation that won’t be forgotten as soon as they depart for their separate arcs. The Wheel of Time has a lot to cover in season 3, so it’s unreasonable to expect Rand and Elayne’s romance to be anywhere near the center of the story, but it needs to get enough coverage that it feels right when they get together later on.
Although Thom Merrilin has not been seen in The Wheel of Time since he stayed behind to save Rand and Mat from a Myrddraal, he is destined to return to the story. In the books, Rand thinks Thom died saving them until he stumbles across the old gleeman in the city of Cairhien. Whether this is where Thom will reappear in the show as well remains to be seen, but he is expected to return during The Wheel of Time season 3.
It would be nice to see Thom’s return happen similarly to the books, but it might be more likely that his return occurs in Caemlyn or Tear, both of which are expected to play a larger role in season 3 than Cairhien. Further, with Rand set to travel into the Waste, it seems more likely that Mat will be the one to find Thom. With that in mind, Caemlyn looks like the most likely place for Thom’s reappearance to occur, especially considering he once had a romance with Queen Morgase.
One part of Rand’s arc that needs to happen in The Wheel of Time season 3 is his journey to the abandoned Aiel city of Rhuidean. Rhuidean is an ancient, ruined city that resides in the heart of the Aiel Waste, and it holds a set of Ter’angreal that the Aiel use as a test for prospective clan chiefs or wise ones, much like the Accepted test at the White Tower. When a prospective clan chief survives the trial of Rhuidean, they return with a golden dragon tattoo on their left forearm.
Rand, on the other hand, returns from Rhuidean with tattoos on both forearms, proving to most of the wise ones that he is the Dragon Reborn, or as the Aiel call him, the Car’a’carn. This is the moment that convinces most of the Aiel’s leadership that they must follow Rand, so it’s crucial for The Wheel of Time season 3 to include it. This scene also has the potential for spectacle and some vital worldbuilding, so it should definitely be part of the upcoming season.
One of the best moments in Mat’s entire Wheel of Time story is when he duels Gawyn Trakand and Galad Damodred at the same time using nothing but his quarterstaff. Despite Gawyn and Galad’s talent and use of real steel, Mat handily defeats them, winning himself enough gambling money to charter a ship out of Tar Valon. Unfortunately, this scene should have happened in the show by now, so it’s possible that it’s been cut.
However, it’s looking increasingly likely that Mat will travel to Caemlyn during The Wheel of Time season 3, which could allow this scene to happen. Gawyn and Galad are both raised in Caemlyn, and though neither of them is there at this point in the book series, they haven’t been introduced to the show yet, which means they could easily make their debuts by dueling Mat in the Andoran capital.
With The Wheel of Time season 3 expected to take Rand and company into the Aiel Waste, it’s vital that the show uses this time to fully introduce the history and customs of the Aiel. The Aiel are also known as the People of the Dragon, which is indicative of the role they play as Rand’s most loyal and ferocious warriors. Further, the Aiel’s history reveals much about the Age of Legends, which is the most important period of history in the series.
In order to get the most out of the Aiel, The Wheel of Time will need to go into detail on the Aiel’s background and explain how they came to be known as the People of the Dragon. The Aiel’s story also carries its own importance on a thematic level, making it even more important for The Wheel of Time show to flesh out their history. The Aiel also have some peculiar customs that can expand the show’s world and make the viewing experience more immersive.