Warning: SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3.The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale has been released on Prime Video, and with it have come some of the most consequential character moments yet. Rand al’Thor has declared himself theCar’a’carn,dividing the Aiel people in two, with others following the duplicitous Couladin. Rand even severed ties with Lanfear, who did her best to murder Moiraine and Lan in a thrilling finale fight scene.
But Rand isn’t the onlyThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 characterto make waves–metaphorically and literally–in the finale. Nynaeve finally broke through her channeling block thanks to a push from Liandrin, and Mat encountered the mysterious Eelfinn, only to need a rescue from Min shortly after. Also, in one of the show’s most shocking departures from Robert Jordan’s book series yet, Siuan Sanche was killed at the hands of Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan.
ScreenRantinterviewed showrunner Rafe Judkins and stars Shohreh Aghdashloo (Elaida), Kae Alexander (Min), Zoë Robins (Nynaeve), and Kate Fleetwood (Liandrin) aboutThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 throughout the run of the show, sneaking in questions about the game-changing finale along the way. Robins and Fleetwood discussed the emotional state of their characters before and after their final confrontation, while Aghdashloo reflected on whether or not Elaida made the right choice and Alexander and Judkins talked Min and Mat’s big moments. The only thing we didn’t get an answer on was ifThe Wheel of Timeseason 4will happen.
As For Why Siuan Was Killed, “That Is A Good Question For The Producers”
Image via Prime Video
Siuan Sanche’s story doesn’t end on the floor of the White Tower in Robert Jordan’s book series, but Elaida actor Shohreh Aghdashloo didn’t know that.“That is a good question for the producers,”she said about why the decision was made, before revealing that she generally avoids looking at the source material when taking on a project.“I don’t read the books beforehand, because I don’t want to know what happens next. In real life, if [you] tell me I’m going to get killed in six months, all of my behavior would be affected by this bad news.”
“It’s the same with acting,”Aghdashloo said.“When you put the shoes on, the dress, the hairstyle, [and] everything, you turn into the character. And, you try to make the character your own. Therefore, I don’t know what happens to her next.”
“I remember with The Expanse at Comic-Con,”Aghdashloo continued,“People would come to me, and after season five they would look at me like, ‘We know what’s going to happen to you.’ I’m like, ‘Please, for God’s sake, don’t tell me. Do not tell me what happens next.’”
On a character level, however, Aghdashloo staunchly defended Elaida’s choice:“Elaida believes in doing whatever she can do to win. Therefore, I don’t blame her if she wants everyone to be killed at the White Tower. She was betrayed once, and she’s not going to allow them to betray her again."
“I’m a bit familiar with her character and her inner thoughts, [and] I would say she wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who would come in her way.”
The Mysterious Creatures Were Secretly Set Up In Season 1
For manyThe Wheel of Timebook fans, the debut of the Eelfinn (played by Robert Strange–check out his upcomingScreenRantinterview about the experience) was a major highlight of the season 3 finale. All season (and show) long, readers have wondered if the mysterious beings would make it to the screen or be cut as casualties of an 8-episode season.“We had conversations about cutting them,”showrunner Rafe Judkins admitted,“But we always felt like they needed to be in this series for Mat’s arc.”
“I don’t know if anyone knows this,”Judkins continued,“but we had actually tried to set up the foxhead medallion in season one with Valda–that was the reason he wasn’t affected by female channelers. We made a foxhead medallion and it was on his costume, [and] no one ever noticed it. I don’t know if there’s even a frame where you really see it emerge on screen, but that actor wore that foxhead medallion to set up this moment where Mat gets one at the end of season three. So, we’ve always intended to do it.”
And for viewers looking for Mat’s signature weapon from the books, theashandarei, all you’ll need to do is pause at the right moment.“The VFX team took great care with it,”Judkins said,“so I hope that people do pause it. They spent a lot of time making sure it looks right.”
Mat’s escape from the Eelfinn came with a cost, as he was returned from their dimension hanging from a noose. It was exactly as Min Farshaw predicted, though what the character didn’t know was that she’d have the power to save Mat from the outcome she dreaded. That empowerment“kind of changes her,”said Kae Alexander.“She probably surprises herself,”she actor shared, not only with her ability to protect Mat, but with her ability to care.
“I think she surprises herself [with] how much she can get close to someone [and] how much she can commit to being with someone or sacrificing,”Alexander continued.“I think from this journey she’s discovered that she can care for someone and she doesn’t have to spend all her life protecting herself. It’s very beautiful.”
“I Was Really Emotional Doing It”
One of the most unique things toThe Wheel of Timeseries is the borderline mentor/mentee relationship Nynaeve and Liandrin have shared, despite Liandrin being a member of the Black Ajah and an aspiring Forsaken (or, as she could say, Chosen).“It’s awful. It was awful to play,”said Kate Fleetwood of bringing Liandrin’s decision to the screen.“I felt really emotional doing it, but Ciaran [Donnelly], our brilliant director, was like, ‘Just take all the emotion out.’ I took it all out, and it was awful. It was like putting a plastic bag over a kitten or something.”
“She had to overcome the humanity in order to really reach for the dark. I didn’t enjoy that. But maybe that’s the point.”
Nynaeve, on the other hand, is not one to overcome her humanity.“Unfortunately for Nynaeve, I do think there’s still a lot of affection there for Liandrin,”said Zoë Robins about the scene and its aftermath.“The way that they bonded with one another and saw each other–I don’t think that’s necessarily gone away.”
However emotional, the moment did lead to a huge breakthrough for Nynaeve.“I was so happy for Nynaeve,”said Robins,“and, physically, that was amazing. I got to do underwater diving training and learn how to hold my breath–it was a whole thing. But I think it’s such a relief for fans, and it’s such a nice moment for her where we get to see her in control, finally.”
