Summary
For better accuracy to the books in the long run, Egwene’s story is need of a significant change in direction inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3. Like her book counterpart, Egwene’s journey inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 saw her go from a novice at the White Tower to a slave of the Seanchan. Based on the howRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebookscorrespond with the respective seasons of Prime Video’s show, the most obvious route for Egwene’s next story is her time with the Wise Ones in the Aiel Waste.
The Wheel of Timeseason 3is confirmed to follow the events of the fourth book in the series,The Shadow Rising. For Egwene,The Shadow Risingrepresents the period where Egwene learns about her unique Talent: Dreaming. Since Dreaming is considered a lost Talent by theAes Sedai inThe Wheel of Time, the Aiel were naturally the only people who could show Egwene how to harness the ability. Because of this, it’s easy to assume that the TV version of Egwene will be accompanying Rand when he inevitably sets off for the Aiel Waste. But while this is crucial to her arc, it would actually be beneficial for her long-term story if she goes somewhere else instead.
Why Egwene Needs To Be In The White Tower For The Wheel Of Time Season 3
Egwene Should Return To The White Tower After Leaving Falme
As important as it may seem for Egwene to be in the Aiel Waste during the upcoming season, it’s even more imperative that she spends some time in Tar Valon.The Wheel of Timeseason 2 notably didn’t get very far in regards to Egwene’s training, as she was still struggling immensely when she, Nynaeve, and Elayne were sold to the Seanchan. This wasn’t an issue for the books though, asshe was swiftly returned to the White Tower for the subsequent entry in the series,The Dragon Reborn. But with the showseemingly skippingThe Dragon Reborn, the show can’t easily adapt this storyline and her arc inThe Shadow Risingtogether.
Glossing past what happened inThe Dragon Rebornmay be feasible with some characters, but perhaps not Egwene, especially in light of what she ultimately becomes in the source material. As Min Farshaw’s Viewing already confirmed in season 1,Egwene is fated to become the Amyrlin Seat. In the books,Egwene had a remarkable rise at Tar Valon, going from a novice to an Accepted, to a full-fledged member of the Aes Sedai, to the Amyrlin Seat. It’ll be challenging for the show to properly honor this tumultuous journey if it keeps her away from the White Tower for two seasons straight.
Aes Sedai politics are an integral part of Egwene’s story, which is exactly whyThe Wheel of Timeneeds to prioritize that connection when pushing her arc forward. IfWheel of Timekeeps her away from the White Tower until season 4 or later, it’ll hardly feel appropriate for her to succeed Elaida (the expected replacement for Siuan Sanche) Egwene was already considered inexperienced when she became the Amylin Seat in the books; if she doesn’t get to at least the Accepted level in the near future, making this an earned moment for the character will be considerably more difficult for the show.
Sending Egwene To The White Tower Doesn’t Mean Wheel of Time Has To Give Up Her Dreaming Story
A Way Exists For Wheel Of Time To Tell Her Book 3 & 4 Stories At Once
The dilemma facingWheel of Timeahead of season 3 isn’t exactly an ultimatum, as it’s possible that the show can fit the biggest parts of bothThe Dragon RebornandThe Shadow Risinginto one season. The Aiel Waste and Tar Valon being on different sides ofThe Wheel of Timemap makes that challenging, of course, but the nature of the Dreaming puts that possibility on the table. Because of howTel’aran’rhiod a.k.a. The World of Dreamsworks, Egwene could theoretically interact with the Wise Ones without ever stepping foot in the Aiel Waste.
As the show demonstrated in season 2, Tel’aran’rhiod exists as an opportunity for characters in completely different locations to communicate with one another. Because distance isn’t an issue for Dreamers, Egwene could meet the Wise Ones either purposely or accidentally when she enters Tel’aran’rhiod. If that happens, she can learn about Dreaming at night, and continue her training at the White Tower in the daytime. Taking this course may be the best way to ensure that nothing significant is left behind or ignored when telling Egwene’s story.
Wheel Of Time Already Has The Perfect Story For Egwene If She Returns To The White Tower
Egwene Can Witness The White Tower Coup
Confining Egwene to the White Tower and isolating her from her allies doesn’t mean her story will be all about training and averse of excitement. In fact,she could act as a fitting focal point for one ofThe Shadow Rising’sbiggest plot developments.In the book,Elaida led an Aes Sedai coupat the White Tower and had Siuan deposed. Both Siuan and Min are vital to this particular story, but neither counts as one ofThe Wheel of Time’sprotagonists. For that reason, the series may opt to make one of its main characters the centerpiece of this arc. If Egwene is there already, there would be no better candidate for this role than her.
After all, Egwene is destined to become the Amyrlin Seat. With that being the case, it would make sense for the show to useWheel Of Timeseason 3 to begin its setup for her highly anticipated ascension at the White Tower. This can be done by establishing relationships between Egwene and other power players in Tar Valon, having her climb higher in the ranks, and gain a better grasp of White Tower politics. Most importantly,it can ingrain her in the conflict over who controls the White Tower, a battle she’ll one day become the face of inThe Wheel of Time.
Being In The White Tower Would Also Be Good News For Egwene’s Wheel Of Time Love Story
Egwene’s Main Love Interest Should Be At The White Tower In Season 3
An added advantage of placing Egwene inThe Wheel of Timeis the ease in which it can acquaint her with her main love interest from the books. In the source material, Egwene moves on from her feelings for Rand and develops a romantic relationship with Elayne Trakand’s brother, Gawyn. She met him for the first time at the White Tower inThe Great Hunt, but the show never took this course. That can easily be rectified if she goes back to the White Tower in season 3, especially sinceGawyn is a key figure in the Aes Sedai coup.In the books, he winds up on Elaida’s side.
WereThe Wheel of Timeto send Egwene to the Aiel Waste, there wouldn’t be much narrative justification for her to meet Gawyn in season 3. As a member of Andor’s royal family, it’s hard to imagine him having a good reason for being on that adventure, particularly when he has no existing connection to any character traveling in the Aiel’s lands. However,Gawyn and Egwene can still interact and form a dynamic with each other if both are in the White Tower.
