Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 3 as well as The Fires of Heaven.
The Wheel of Time is not afraid to change characters’ fates from how their story ends in the book series by Robert Jordan, and Season 3 proves it, specifically in the case of Siuan (Sophie Okonedo) and Loial’s (Hammed Animashaun) tragic deaths. While there are many reasons the show has forged its own path, much of it has to do with the limited time the series has. The 14 sprawling book series cannot be adapted directly, and substantial cuts must be made. However, it is not just early deaths that drastically alter the story, as one character who should have at least appeared to die made it out of Season 3. Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) survived her battle against Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe), but it plays out much differently in the books.
During Moiraine’s trip to Rhuidean, she learned that for Rand (Josha Stradowski) to survive until the Last Battle, she would have to die, setting the expectation that she would do so soon. Then, in the Season 3 finale, when she faced off against Lanfear, Moiraine and the audience believed that the time was coming. Yet Moiraine wins the battle, forcing Lanfear to retreat. Their confrontation plays out differently in the book, where both still survive but are believed dead for a while, taking them out of the story until the others discover the truth. The Wheel of Time makes several changes that allow this alternate outcome to be possible, but the fallout of this decision is not immediately evident. With several upcoming plots taking place while Moiraine is believed dead, Season 4 and any subsequent installments of The Wheel of Time will have to find a way to write her in.
Moiraine’s Storyline in ‘The Wheel of Time’ Is Drastically Different from the Books
The Wheel of Time Season 3 adjusted things regarding Moiraine and Lanfear’s confrontation. For starters, it happens much sooner in the Prime Video adaptation. Season 3’s plot primarily focuses on the events of The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in the series. However, Moiraine and Lanfear’s big confrontation happens at the end of Book 5, The Fires of Heaven, meaning that the events surrounding it are different, yet the biggest change is the result.
In the Prime Video series, both characters walk away from the fight, though, admittedly, both are badly wounded. Meanwhile, the book shows Moiraine sacrificing herself but not her life, per se. Knowing she cannot beat Lanfear, Moiraine ensures they both fall through the doorway ter’angreal that leads to the Aelfinn and Eelfinn world. The doorway is destroyed after they fall through, effectively cutting Moiraine off from the world.
For some time, both characters are believed dead, and the fact that Lan’s (Daniel Henney) Warder bond with Moiraine dissolves supports that idea. Rand must carry on without Moiraine’s guidance, though he is grateful to be rid of Lanfear. However, Lanfear reappears under a new identity in The Path of Daggers, which is Book 8. Considering how quickly The Wheel of Time is moving through the story, this would not amount to a long absence in the show. But Moiraine is gone much longer, not returning until Book 13, Towers of Midnight, when Mat (Dónal Finn) and Thom (Alexandre Willaume) face the Finn to rescue her. Allowing Moiraine to survive and stay with Rand after her battle with Lanfear is a significant change that could have lasting ramifications for the series.
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‘The Wheel of Time’ Gives Moiraine More of a Chance
Even much earlier in Season 3, it was clear that this event would be different, given that the red doorway ter’angreal is not located in Rhuidean. When Mat meets the Eelfinn, he is in Tanchico, so Moiriane doesn’t exactly have the option to take Lanfear with her to a place where she couldn’t harm Rand. While the doorway is part of a large cache of artifacts that Moiraine hopes to bring to the White Tower, The Wheel of Time introduces one item that the ancient Aiel have been protecting, which evens the odds for Moiraine.
In The Fires of Heaven, when Moiraine decides to intervene with Lanfear on behalf of Rand, she is at a major disadvantage. Lanfear, as a Forsaken, is more powerful than her, so going into the ter’angreal is the only way for Moiraine to defeat her. However, in The Wheel of Time, Moiraine channels the One Power using Sakarnen. This sa’angreal is significantly changed for the Prime Video series, yet in this context, it provides Moiraine with considerably more power, making her more of a match for Lanfear. With all the power of Sakarnen at her fingertips, Moiraine doesn’t need to sacrifice herself to protect Rand, at least not yet, which provides the opportunity for The Wheel of Time to keep its top-billed actress around longer.
This Change to Moiraine’s Story Will Have a Lasting Impact on ‘The Wheel of Time’
While Moiraine returns in time to aid Rand during Tarmon Gai’don, she misses much of what is about to happen in The Wheel of Time. Given that the series seems to have chosen to skip Moiraine’s time being “dead,” it will have to work her into storylines that she is not meant to be a part of. Yet, it won’t be a problem immediately. Season 3 takes the audience through The Rising Shadow, and Season 4 has most of The Fires of Heaven before Moiraine’s absence comes into play. In this time, Moiraine helps Rand navigate the political landscape of the world, which should take her through much of Season 4. Plus, The Wheel of Time can backtrack slightly, since Season 3 clearly sets up Rand going to Tear and claiming Callandor, which occurs in Book 3, The Dragon Reborn, when Moiraine is very much around.
However, several necessary storylines will require The Wheel of Time to adjust for Moiraine’s involvement. Perhaps most noticeably, based on the Season 3 finale, the White Tower is undergoing major changes. Moiraine does not get involved in the White Tower storyline because she is missing for most of it, but as it stands, her view of the situation will have to be addressed. Considering Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo) killed the woman Moiraine loves to gain power, she won’t be a fan of the new Amyrlin, which could play into the book storyline regarding the Aes Sedai who similarly refuse Elaida’s authority. Having positioned herself as a guide for Rand, Moiraine will likely continue to advise him, but she will also question many of his upcoming potential choices, like training men who can channel. Though it is not yet clear how Moiraine’s continuing presence will change things in The Wheel of Time moving forward, she will not go unnoticed in the (hopefully) many seasons to come.
The Wheel of Time is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.
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