Amazon Prime Video’sThe Wheel of Timeis doing an interesting job of showing Rand al’Thor’s (Josha Stradowski) relationship with Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe), which is explained more by the books. Amazon’s show is based on the epic series begun by Robert Jordan and co-completed with Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s passing. The books inform the show heavily, but it is not anywhere near totally faithful. While this has led to fan complaints in the past,Wheel of Timeseason 3’s endingmade it clear that the season had really started to pick up the slack, including when it came to Lanfear.
Lanfear has quickly become one of the most intriguing ofThe Wheel of Time’s characters, going from a mysterious love interest to a villain, and finally, a complex figure. Lanfear lacks depth in season 2 and appears to be just another visually pleasant distraction alongside Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Min (Kae Alexander), and Elayne (Ceara Coveney), in terms of Rand’s romantic future. But season 3 somehow brought in more of the book series' lore on the character, despite going well off-track in terms of the timeline and setting of the story. Lanfear’s arc benefited from these shifts.
Everything The Books Revealed About The Dragon’s History With Lanfear
Lews Therin Has A Fascinating Past With Lanfear
Rand al’Thor is the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon (Alexander Karim), Lanfear’s old lover, which is detailed throughoutThe Wheel of Timebooks. Although the show hasn’t covered it yet, Lews TherinTelamon ended up rejecting Lanfear for someone else. Lanfear’s darker personality traits were enough to drive Lews away from her and toward Ilenya. Lews married Ilenya, which infuriated Lanfear, naturally, given her possessive and controlling nature. The show may dive into this more inThe Wheel of Timeseason 4, seeing as Rand has now also pushed Lanfear away.
Rand Perfectly Nailed Lews Therin’s Opinion Of Lanfear
The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Did Lanfear Well
Rand’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with Lanfear bordered on genuine, but Rand appeared to have gotten her number by the end of season 3, finally aligning with Lews' conclusive opinion of her in the books.Rand sympathizes with Lanfear for the right reasons in season 3, but rejects her based on his newfound understandingof her motivations. ByThe Wheel of Timeseason 2’s ending, Lanfear does not seem to have much intelligence, despite being a Forsaken. But in season 3, she is revealed as loving, ambitious, and wise, in her own way. And yet, she is Machiavellian in her pursuit of power.
Rand recognizes that Lanfear is all about power when he understands how she has been targeting and manipulating Egwene behind his back. AlthoughLanfear freed the Dark One for good reasons, her lack of honesty with Rand is a strong indicator of her selfish approach. Lanfear’s lies finally convince Rand that she does not really have his best interests at heart. Lanfear clings to an old idea of Lews, rather than loving Rand for who he is, and this includes manipulating him into appreciating her. Lanfear wants to rule with Lews inThe Wheel of Time, not look after Rand.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
