Warning: Spoilers for the Wheel of Time season 3, episode 7
The Wheel of Timeseason 3 delivered a memorable adaptation of Perrin’s story inThe Shadow Rising, but sadly left out four key players that could have made it even more compelling. Similar to what happened in the fourth book ofRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebook series, Perrin Aybara spent season 3 at home at the Two Rivers, where he had to contend with both the Trollocs and the Whitecloaks. True to the source material in multiple respects, Perrin’s arc culminated in the character uniting the people of the Two Rivers for the epic Battle of Emond’s Field inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 7.
Likewise, season 3’s Two Rivers plotline also drew heavily from the supporting cast that Perrin had with him inThe Shadow Rising. Faile was his love interest and ally, with Loial, Bain, Chiad, and Alanna Mosvani along for the ride as well. Additionally, the show featured Dain Bornhald, Mat Cauthon’s sisters, Aram, and Lord Luc Mantear (albeit in a severely reduced capacity). But even with all these relevant characters, the arc was still missing a handful that helped makeThe Shadow Risingsuch an incredible read.
Hopper
Perrin Received Assistance From Hopper In The Dream World
Hopper’s role inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 was essentially a cameo, in that he appeared only in Egwene’s storyline when she was taking a brief peek at Perrin’s dreams. Despite being dead prior to the start ofThe Shadow Rising’sstory, Hopper was actually vital to the book.While Egwene was learning to navigate Tel’aran’rhiodin the Aiel Waste, Perrin was busy having his own experience with the dream world in the Two Rivers. It’s established in the books that one of the powers of the Wolfbrothers allows them to enter Tel’aran’rhiod, which they call “the Wolf Dream.”
When a wolf dies, their spirit enters the Wolf Dream. This concept laid the groundwork for Perrin to meet the deceased Hopper, who acted as a guide to him. There, they could communicate more directly. With Hopper’s help, Perrin was able to develop a grasp on the inner-workings of the Wolf Dream and combat the efforts of the Slayer,the evil alter ego of Lord Luc inThe Wheel of Time. To my surprise, season 3 ignored the Slayer and Wolf Dream elements of this storyline altogether, putting Perrin’s reunion with Hopper off for at least another season.
Verin Mathwin
Alanna and Verin Traveled To The Two Rivers
The Wheel of Timehas seen Verin Mathwin fulfill a major role in season 3’s White Tower story arc, with her character being among those trying to root outan elusive Black Ajah spyamidst the conflict between Elaida and Siuan. It’s worth noting that her TV counterpart was actually attending to other matters at the time; both Alanna and Verin went to the Two Rivers in search of young female channelers, rather than Alanna being the only Aes Sedai to make the trip.
Gaul
Gaul Helped Perrin Defend The Two Rivers
Bain and Chiad weren’t the only Aiel that joined Perrin in his journey to the Two Rivers inThe Shadow Rising. Also on hand was Gaul, an Aiel warrior who became one of Perrin’s most reliable allies. He joined Perrin’s entourage inThe Dragon Rebornwhen the Wolfbrother freed him from a cage, and to fulfill his toh, contributed greatly to his efforts to defend the Two Rivers from the Whitecloaks and the Trollocs.
When Perrin did the same for Aviendha in season 2, there was a sense then that the series had written Gaul out of the story. Now that Gaul has missed out on its adaptation ofThe Shadow Rising, that scenario is looking increasingly likely.
Tam al’Thor
Rand’s Father Was Crucial To Perrin’s Victory Over The Trollocs
Shortly after Perrin’s return to the Two Rivers, it was said that both Tam and Abel helped Perrin’s family get out of the TV Rivers to avoid the Whitecloaks. However, that only provided a temporary explanation for their absence, as neither ever returned nor took part in the Battle of Emond’s Field. In many ways, this felt like a missed opportunity, especially since Tam is a Blademaster inThe Wheel of Timebooks.
As a Blademaster, Tam al’Thor is one of the most talented swordsmen inThe Wheel of Time’sworld. He received this distinction during his time serving in Illian’s military.
Rand and Lan’s conversation touching on Tam’s background earlier in season 3 created the impression the show would revisit his character, perhaps in scenes with Perrin, but that never came to pass.The Wheel of Timeseason 3 would have been a good time for this to come up, as Tam’s skills as a Blademaster surely would have presented themselves during themassive battle at the Two Rivershad he been there.
Abell Cauthon
Mat’s Father Was A Capable Ally To Perrin In The Book
The Wheel of Timeraised some huge questions about Abell’s place in its future interpretation ofThe Shadow Risingwhen it revealed in the series premiere that Abell Cauthon was a cruel and abusive father. That’s primarily because the Abell readers know from the books is a hero, someone who rises to the occasion and helps protect the Two Rivers from the Trollocs.
Sending Abell down this path made his heroic actions later on down the line hard to imagine.
Sending Abell down this path made his heroic actions later on down the line hard to imagine. Instead of trying to redeem him or have him take on a different role in the defense of the Two Rivers, the series simply sidelined him altogether. It’s unclear at this point if Abell Cauthon will ever return toThe Wheel of Timein any meaningful capacity.
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.
