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The Wheel of Time comes with a rich history, from the book series to its on-screen adaptation. But with its intricate character sketches, grand storylines, and shocking plot revelations come some questionable decisions that have fans scratching their heads. Developed for television by Rafe Judkins, the show recreates the magic of Robert Jordan's book series while adding its own plot twists and character arcs.
In the grand saga of good versus evil and the moral ambiguity in between, the characters prove that they are nothing if not human, whether it is erring on the side of caution or making outright bad decisions that have significant consequences. From the decisions of the main character, Rand al'Thor, to an antagonist like Sammael, here are some questionable The Wheel of Time moments.
Disclaimer: All opinions in this article belong only to the writer. Spoilers ahead.
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Rand isolating himself, and other questionable decisions by The Wheel of Time characters
1) Rand isolates himself in season 2
After Rand al'Thor is revealed to be the Dragon Reborn, out of the four young warriors chosen from Emond's Field, he goes through several turbulent moments. In the season 1 finale of The Wheel of Time, his battle against the Dark One in the Eye of the World leaves him fearful of his future as a man who can channel the One Power. He vanishes, spreads a rumor about his death, and decides to lay low.
But this decision to isolate himself in The Wheel of Time almost costs Rand his life. He falls for an innkeeper named Selene, trusting her wholeheartedly. If Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) had not come to save him after Alanna's prophecy claimed that the Foresaken Lanfear had returned, Selene, who turned out to be Lanfear herself, would have killed him.
Rand's powers make it almost necessary for him to be surrounded by good, compassionate, and powerful allies, so that he does not stray down the wrong path. Isolating himself was a very questionable decision, though fans may understand his inner turmoil.
2) Mat takes the dagger from Shadar Logoth
Mat Cauthon is one of the potential Dragons in season 1 of The Wheel of Time. This makes him prone to danger, which he does not realize, and he goes after things he is specifically warned against, like taking the ruby-hilted dagger from the cursed city of Shadar Logoth.
The dagger is haunted by a malevolent energy, so the longer Mat has it, the worse he gets. He grows hostile and evil with his friends, who think he may be the Dragon struggling with the dangerous effects of the One Power. It could have had adverse consequences on his life and his relationship with his allies if his ties with it had not been severed.
3) Sammael's strategy backfires
Sammael has been portrayed as a terrifying Foresaken with a violent streak. He is after Rand in all three seasons of The Wheel of Time, aiming to destroy his powers. For someone with immense strength and tactical prowess, Sammael's final strategy against Rand backfires.
When Sammael attacks, Rand is at Aiel Waste, learning more about the desert warriors and their ways. So he is outnumbered by powerful entities who protect Rand and have him imprisoned. This is a questionable decision on the show because of the lack of timing, improper execution, and Sammael's eventual death.
4) Loial sacrifices himself
One of the biggest changes from book to screen is the death of Loial, the gentle ogier with immense knowledge about the Ways. In season 3 of The Wheel of Time, Trollocs raid Emond's Field by travelling through the Ways, causing a tense battle between them and the villagers.
With more and more Trolloc forces coming, Loial realizes that the only way to stop them would be to destroy their pathway to Emond's Field by severing their ties with the Ways. But knowing how many Trollocs were on the way, it was a questionable decision to take barely any backup and enter the Ways on his own.
He is heavily outnumbered, but manages to destroy the pathway, falling to his death in the void.
5) Siuan Sanche loses control over the White Tower
Another character whose on-screen trajectory is vastly different compared to the books is Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), responsible for keeping the Dragon Reborn safe and ready to go down the right path. Her decisions are key to keeping the White Tower together.
But Siuan allows Elaida to manipulate the entire White Tower, does not use her power to keep things in order, and inadvertently turns the Ajah against her. She believes in giving Rand (the Dragon Reborn) the freedom to assume his power entirely, but that indicates that he could become destructive.
Elaida uses this to her advantage in The Wheel of Time, convincing the others that Siuan is a Darkfriend who wants to push Rand into the dark side and destroy them all. This gets her stripped of her title, powers, and ultimately, her life.
6) Liandrin's true character establishment
In The Wheel of Time season 2, Liandrin reveals herself as one among the many Black Ajah (powerful women serving the Dark One) infiltrating the White Tower. She tells Nynave about the Seanchan capturing Perrin, knowing she would try to rescue him along with Egwene and Elayne. When the three attempt to leave the tower, she ambushes them, revealing her true colors.
Her revelation was her downfall, as Verin investigates the girls' disappearance and finds the existence of several other Black Ajah in the White Tower. While Liandrin's backstory in season 3--her past abuse, struggles with her ailing son--adds more dimension to her questionable decisions, her idea to reveal herself that early on cost the bad guys the ability to infiltrate the White Tower further.
7) Egwene not finishing off Eamon Valda when she had the chance
In season 1 of The Wheel of Time, Perrin and Egwene are captured by Valda, the Lord Captain Commander of the Whitecloaks, or the "Children of the Light". He suspects that Egwene is an Aes Sedai and begins to torture Perrin so that she uses her magical powers to save him.
Perrin summons the wolves after she uses her magic, and the duo escapes the Whitecloaks' clutches. Before they leave, Egwene plunges a knife into Valda's shoulder. Valda was genuinely terrified of Perrin's wolf-life transformation, making him vulnerable in the moment. It was the perfect opportunity for Egwene to kill him.
Not doing so led to some serious consequences, as fans saw in season 3 of The Wheel of Time, where he kills Mat's mother before dying at the hands of Mat's sisters.
Watch all episodes of The Wheel of Time on Prime Video.
