Speculation on episode 1 of season 3

[Asmasur]

There is a lot of information about Episode 1 from the promos. We know that all of the main characters are in Tar Valon at the start of the season.

Major events in Episode 1:

1. The Black Ajah's escape (confirmed by Rafe).
2. Moiraine and Siuan reconnecting (unconfirmed but certain).
3. Egwene’s Accepted Test (confirmed by metadata).

These are the events that need to happen in Tar Valon and may be the key reason for starting the season there.

Other likely events in Episode 1:

1. Bubble of Evil (It happens in Tar Valon, but could be in Episode 2).
2. Lanfear visiting Rand (speculation).

The season starts with Siuan confronting Liandrin as a Darkfriend in the presence of Nynaeve. I think, prior to this, all three girls, along with Moiraine, had convinced Siuan that Liandrin is a Darkfriend. This could be why she allowed Rand to stay in Tar Valon, despite what happened in S2E7. Moiraine will almost certainly join the Black Ajah fight, given that we see her five minutes into the fifteen-minute-long confrontation scene. She could reach Siuan by the end of this scene, and their interaction will be the first scene after that long cold open. In their conversation, they could set up the need to get out and go to the Aiel Waste, ponder on the Black Ajah and forsaken, and address the need to promote Egwene.

 

Does anyone have different ideas?

[Kaleb]

I think that's all likely, and I also think there is going to be some Aes Sedai followup with Mat regarding the Horn of Valere and possibly a second dagger healing like in the books. Not sure how Rand and Perrin (and Aviendha) are going to be roped in and then let loose by the Tower for the rest of the season. Excited to see though!

[Mailman]

With the ending of season 2 being the Dragon over Falme reveal if Rand is in Tar Valon how in the world would he ever be allowed to leave with the rest of the group going to the waste. 

 

The only way I can see is if he is freed by the Black Ajah in a full battle but if that is the case how is he reunited with Moiraine and company and taken to the waste?

[bringbackthomsmoustache]

18 hours ago, Asmasur said:

In their conversation, they could set up the need to get out and go to the Aiel Waste,

I sincerely hope not.  In the books going to Rhuidean was Rand's first sensible reasoned decision to advance his cause as the dragon reborn - taking away his agency in this would further weaken his development.

[Asmasur]

 

15 hours ago, Mailman said:

how in the world would he ever be allowed to leave

The only Aes Sedai that knows that he is in Tar Valon could just be limited to Moiraine’s immediate circle. He doesn’t seem like a prisoner in Tar Valon.

 

[Mailman]

6 hours ago, Asmasur said:

 

The only Aes Sedai that knows that he is in Tar Valon could just be limited to Moiraine’s immediate circle. He doesn’t seem like a prisoner in Tar Valon.

 

He was seen by large numbers of people. He was at the epicentre of a huge display of the power announcing the rebirth of the Dragon. He has met with the Amyrlin so has been seen by others travelling with her. He is known to be a companion of Moiraine.

 

Are you telling me that since him being revealed in Falme as the Dragon Reborn and him then travelling all the way to Tar Valon that he is free to roam uncontested about the streets of the very heart of Aes Sedai power. So much for the extensive spy networks of the Aes Sedai.

[king of nowhere]

where did you got all those information? i browse this forum to keep up with the news, and i've only seen the 1 minute teaser

[Elder_Haman]

On 2/7/2025 at 4:46 PM, Mailman said:

With the ending of season 2 being the Dragon over Falme reveal if Rand is in Tar Valon how in the world would he ever be allowed to leave with the rest of the group going to the waste. 

 

The only way I can see is if he is freed by the Black Ajah in a full battle but if that is the case how is he reunited with Moiraine and company and taken to the waste?

Likely because the Black attacks when Liandrin is revealed as a traitor and he is able to escape in the resulting chaos. 

[Mailman]

9 hours ago, Elder_Haman said:

Likely because the Black attacks when Liandrin is revealed as a traitor and he is able to escape in the resulting chaos. 

If that's the case then Rand has now escaped Aes Sedai twice with the assistance of Black Ajah/forsaken at this point I would strongly suspect him of being a dark friend.

[Asmasur]

On 2/9/2025 at 4:29 AM, Mailman said:

Are you telling me that since him being revealed in Falme as the Dragon Reborn 

He was at the top of the tower for a few moments. His face probably wasn’t that clear to the folks below. It’s also quite likely that the remaining Aes Sedai with Siuan did not see him. They didn’t need to be with him as Leanne alone could shield him and then they were distracted by Lanfear.

 

And if the other Aes Sedai knew about him staying at Tar Valon wouldn’t they just capture him and keep him shielded in the Tower. The fact that he is just casually hanging out at an inn does suggest that his presence in Tar Valon isn’t known to the relevant Aes Sedai. 

[Elder_Haman]

7 hours ago, Mailman said:

If that's the case then Rand has now escaped Aes Sedai twice with the assistance of Black Ajah/forsaken at this point I would strongly suspect him of being a dark friend.

Indeed. As many in Randland are taught to believe. 

[DigificWriter]

7 hours ago, Asmasur said:

The fact that he is just casually hanging out at an inn does suggest that his presence in Tar Valon isn’t known to the relevant Aes Sedai. 

 

It could also suggest that, despite the events in Caerihen, Siuan's trust in Moiraine has been mended and they're once again working in concert.

[DreadLord31]

Season 2 ended with all the characters in Falme. Why are people convinced that the Inn they are seen at in the trailer/teaser is in TV?
 

Would make 

more sense to start out in Falme - discover the broken forsaken symbols - Lan’s line: “They won’t just come for Rand, they’ll come for all of us.” To be there. 

Avi’s line, “My people have waited for the Car’na’carn. To think it might be you? (Disdain)”. To be there. 
Elayne’s line, “Make them believe in you and they’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.” To be there. 
Rand’s line, “Were going to go the last place they would ever suspect.” To be there. 

Rand then decides to go with Avi & Matt & Perrin to the 3 fold land. The women go back to the Tower. Then the black Ajah stuff and Elayne test. 
 

That would make sense. 
 

If they put all the characters in TV at an inn to start S3 just cause …they’ll have lost me immediately as terrible writers who didn’t read or understand the books! Even with what they’ve established in TvWheelWorld several of the characters aren’t going to TV if they can help it (Rand, Matt, Aiel). 
Moiraine wouldn’t bring Rand back (Suian shielded him and wants to hold him prisoner). Why would they go back? 
 

 

[DigificWriter]

4 minutes ago, DreadLord31 said:

Season 2 ended with all the characters in Falme. Why are people convinced that the Inn they are seen at in the trailer/teaser is in TV?

 

Architecture.

[DreadLord31]

5 hours ago, DigificWriter said:

 

Architecture.

They could be reusing sets. 

[Wassup]

7 hours ago, DreadLord31 said:

Season 2 ended with all the characters in Falme. Why are people convinced that the Inn they are seen at in the trailer/teaser is in TV?
 

Would make 

more sense to start out in Falme - discover the broken forsaken symbols - Lan’s line: “They won’t just come for Rand, they’ll come for all of us.” To be there. 

Avi’s line, “My people have waited for the Car’na’carn. To think it might be you? (Disdain)”. To be there. 
Elayne’s line, “Make them believe in you and they’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.” To be there. 
Rand’s line, “Were going to go the last place they would ever suspect.” To be there. 

Rand then decides to go with Avi & Matt & Perrin to the 3 fold land. The women go back to the Tower. Then the black Ajah stuff and Elayne test. 
 

That would make sense. 
 

If they put all the characters in TV at an inn to start S3 just cause …they’ll have lost me immediately as terrible writers who didn’t read or understand the books! Even with what they’ve established in TvWheelWorld several of the characters aren’t going to TV if they can help it (Rand, Matt, Aiel). 
Moiraine wouldn’t bring Rand back (Suian shielded him and wants to hold him prisoner). Why would they go back? 
 

 

 

I agree with most of what you posted here.  I just thought of two words that make me cringe a little:

 

Time Jump

 

They did it between S1 and S2.  It wouldn't be a surprise to do it again.  I don't want to see it, but there is precedence.  

[Skipp]

1 hour ago, Wassup said:

 

I agree with most of what you posted here.  I just thought of two words that make me cringe a little:

 

Time Jump

 

They did it between S1 and S2.  It wouldn't be a surprise to do it again.  I don't want to see it, but there is precedence.  

 

Why does a potential time jump make you cringe?  The early books had several lengthy time jumps between them.  1-2 months between tEotW and tGH.  Something like the entirety of Winter between tGH and tDR.  Certainly as the books progress the time jumps become less of a thing but they are present early.

[Elder_Haman]

4 hours ago, DreadLord31 said:

They could be reusing sets. 

They could be. But I highly doubt it. The scenes are pretty recognizable as Tar Valon which would be a big fail from a set design perspective if they’re meant to be something else. 

[Wassup]

45 minutes ago, Skipp said:

 

Why does a potential time jump make you cringe?  The early books had several lengthy time jumps between them.  1-2 months between tEotW and tGH.  Something like the entirety of Winter between tGH and tDR.  Certainly as the books progress the time jumps become less of a thing but they are present early.

 

For me, time jumps in the books were easier to accept.  There was space in the pages to explain what had happened in the interval between books.  For visual medium, it is a little more jarring, I think, for the average viewer.  There is limited episodic time to cover what is in the books, plus the additional story arcs the producers want to add.  Taking time to explain the time jumps in a manner that non-book readers can follow is an added burden to the story telling that needs to take place.  

 

So, I am not opposed to it.  It just makes me worry for the viewership of the show.  I would love for this to run the eight seasons and increase in quality similar to other shows such as Star Trek TNG.  The first couple of seasons were ok but then the show really took off.

 

I almost expect it because of it existing in some of the books and the time jump between S1 and S2.

[DreadLord31]

2 hours ago, Wassup said:

Time Jump

 

They did it between S1 and S2.  It wouldn't be a surprise to do it again.  I don't want to see it, but there is precedence.  

I don’t mind if they time jump; you just can’t move characters to one place for convenience that makes no sense for them to go. In the world they’ve built they’ll have to come up with something we can believe of why Rand, Avi, Matt, and Moiraine would ever risk going to TV when pretty much everything in S1 and S2 so far says they wouldn’t do that. It’s sloppy and poor writing to just move them to TV in a time jump because … hey we need everybody to start in TV? 
 

But there is precedence, as you say… I imagine it went like this for the S2 Finale. 
 

 Writer 1: “We need everyone in Falme for the season finale? But Matt just took an unexplained amount of time to travel from TV to Cairhein so he could meet up with Rand because Ishy/Min have seen Matt kill Rand by stabbing.” 

Writer 2: “It’s not a problem. Lanfear can knock Matt out and bring him there.”

Writer 1: “Ok. How? And why? Lanfear has had … 0 interactions with Matt.” 
Writer 2: “I don’t know. Ishy told her to do it. We don’t have to explain it.” 
Writer 1: “But doesn’t Ishy say they’re not ready for the plan and need more time & he wants to turn Rand and not kill him? And what about Min?” 
Writer 2: “Oh we don’t need Min.”

Writer 1: “Ok? What about Lan and Moiraine and Rand?”

Writer 2: “Lanfear through the Waygate.”Writer 1: “Wouldnt Lanfear kill Moiraine?”
Writer 2: “Rand asks her not to. You’re overthinking it. These aren’t obsessive fans who care about world mechanics and distances and character motivations and development!” 🤔🤣🤷‍♂️

[Asmasur]

It’s obvious that all of them are in Tar Valon at the beginning of the season. The Mat clip and the trailer feature several moments showing all the main characters in Tar Valon.

 

In the books, the girls did go back to the Tower to continue their training and inform the Amyrlin of the events in Falme. I can’t think of any reason they wouldn’t do that in the show, except to stay and protect Rand now that he’s been proclaimed the Dragon Reborn. However, that can be accomplished by Rand going with them.

Of the remaining characters, Mat and Perrin would want to stay with Rand, as would the maidens and Loial. Obviously, Moiraine and Lan also stay with Rand. So the question is: how did Moiraine convince Rand to go to Tar Valon? There are several reasons why he can’t stay in Falme because of the public proclamation. The Forsaken are out there, Rand doesn’t have an army, he doesn’t have Callandor, and he is nowhere near the channeler he is in the books. If a channeler decides to attack them, their only defense right now is Moiraine. So, if he stays in Falme as the Dragon Reborn, he will be captured by the Aes Sedai, and that’s assuming the Forsaken don’t get him first. He can’t just relax as the ruler of Falme, like he did in Tear in the books. At this point in the show, he has to hide from the Aes Sedai and the Forsaken.

 

How will he hide from the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon? From the sneak peek, it seems that Moiraine and Siuan have reconciled. All of the Aes Sedai who know Rand is the Dragon Reborn are part of Moiraine and Siuan’s circle. So, it could be like season 1, where he blends with the crowd in Tar Valon and isn’t really relevant to the other Aes Sedai.

 

[Wassup]

I wonder if we will get the sneak peek as the opening and then do a time jump back to Falme and show how they went from then to the opening?  I have a hard time thinking of some reason for the Aiel to go to TV.

[Kaleb]

53 minutes ago, Wassup said:

I wonder if we will get the sneak peek as the opening and then do a time jump back to Falme and show how they went from then to the opening?  I have a hard time thinking of some reason for the Aiel to go to TV.

I expect we'll get it through conversations, like Liandrin's accusations against Siuan in the sneak peek were a way to get the audience up to speed quickly.

[DigificWriter]

We really don't actually need to know how/why the Two Rivers 5 and Co. went back to Tar Valon because it's not important to the story.

[Samt]

In my opinion time jumps are fine, but they need to follow the autopilot principle.  It's okay if times passes and events happen between segments of a story so long as the events that happen off screen follow logically from the setup and characters that were already present.  

 

If the characters in a story decide to go on vacation to the Bahamas, we can skip to a scene of them on the beach without seeing the process of packing bags, buying tickets, eating meals in the airport, and finding the bathroom between flights.  We can fill in the details with a little bit of common sense.  

 

 But if the next scene is the same characters getting thrown in jail for skiing illegally in the Swiss Alps, I'm going to feel like I missed something.  That violates autopilot.   Why did they go to the Alps instead of the Bahamas?  Why did they go skiing illegally?  How did they get caught?  Those are all interesting parts of the story that should have been explained.  The story needs to be piloted through those events and cannot navigate them on autopilot.