The Wheel of Time continues to show that understanding the future requires looking at the past. Episode 2 of Season 3, titled “A Question of Crimson,” proves this in its opening moments. Written by Kate McKenna and directed by Ciaran Donnelly, this episode starts with a look at where the characters are now.
Some are traveling to the Waste, others are heading home to the Two Rivers, and some remain in Tar Valon. However, the real story begins 20 years earlier in Caemlyn, the capital of Andor.
Queen Morgase Trakand (Olivia Williams) is young and pregnant as she prepares to take the throne after a long succession war. By her side is Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo), a member of the Red Ajah and her trusted advisor. Her two sons greet her before she takes her place on the throne, making it clear that she is pregnant with Elayne (Ceara Coveney) at this moment.
Morgase has defeated her rivals and now demands loyalty from the noble Houses. She forgives their past mistakes but refuses to risk her unborn daughter’s future.
To secure Elayne’s claim to the throne, she ensures that no other heirs can challenge her. The scene turns brutal as potential threats are eliminated. It is unclear whether this plan was Morgase’s decision or if Elaida influenced her actions.
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Elayne’s Family Arrives in Tar Valon
In the present day, Queen Morgase arrives in Tar Valon. Elayne pretends not to know why her mother has come, but the audience knows she sent the letter in the previous episode. Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo) delays Morgase’s entrance for a moment before welcoming her into the Hall.
Along with the queen are her sons, Galad (Callum Kerr) and Gawyn (Luke Fetherston), and her consort, Lord Gaebril (Nuno Lopes). Leane (Jennifer Cheon Garcia), the Keeper of the Hall, hesitates when introducing Gaebril, showing her discomfort. Siuan is overly friendly toward Gaebril but remains cold toward Elaida.
Morgase wastes no time and demands to see Elayne. She seems to have figured out that something happened with Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) and the Seanchan. Siuan tries to calm Morgase’s anger by promising to take her to Elayne personally.
Before that happens, Elayne finds her brothers first. She greets Gawyn and Galad in their quarters. Galad believes Elayne’s capture could have been avoided if she had been less protected in Andor. Elayne dismisses his comment and focuses on their training. Now that they are in Tar Valon, they can begin training to become Warders.
Though Morgase has not officially become an Aes Sedai, she wears the serpent ring as an honorary title. This proves that the Trakand family has strong ties to the White Tower.
Morgase finally meets with Elayne, but their conversation does not go well. Elayne refuses to explain the rising tensions in the Tower, making Morgase suspicious.
The queen announces that Elayne will receive her honorary serpent ring and return to Caemlyn the next day. Elayne refuses. She wants to stay and complete her Aes Sedai training, but Morgase reminds her that her duty is to the throne.
Morgase Seeks Answers While Elayne Stands Her Ground
Morgase meets with Elaida to discuss what happened in the Tower. Elaida has little information since Siuan has ordered the sisters to remain silent. However, she admits that signs suggest Elayne was kidnapped by a Darkfriend inside the Tower.
Meanwhile, Min (Kae Alexander) reveals her visions of dead Aes Sedai and their Warders, proving that the fight in the first episode was only the beginning of the violence. Siuan faces growing problems within the Tower, and the situation is becoming more dangerous.
Siuan makes a bold decision by ordering Nynaeve (Zoë Robins) and Elayne to track down the Black Ajah who escaped Tar Valon. She believes that since Liandrin and her allies do not expect them, they have an advantage. Despite Nynaeve’s block, both women are strong enough to match Liandrin in power. To prepare for this mission, Elayne must go through the Arches to become an Accepted.
Elayne struggles with the decision. She must choose between following Siuan’s orders or obeying her mother. However, when she briefly wears Morgase’s crown, she seems to realize what she must do. She shares a drink and a conversation with Gaebril before meeting her mother again.
This time, she firmly states her intentions. She does not want a sheltered life in the palace. She aims to become the first Aes Sedai queen to rule the Lion Throne, but she must earn it. Morgase embraces her daughter, but the next morning, she tells Siuan that Galad, Gawyn, and Elaida will remain in Tar Valon for Warder training.
Mat and Perrin Face Their Own Challenges
Mat (Dónal Finn) seems frustrated that White Tower novices are paying attention to Elayne’s brothers rather than him. His mood worsens when Min fetches him and the Horn of Valere for a meeting with Siuan.
Siuan worries that someone will kill Mat to take the Horn’s power. Without much persuasion, Mat gives up the Horn, feeling unworthy compared to the real heroes around him. Siuan reassures him, saying, “Those we call heroes only did what they had to do.”
Meanwhile, Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), Loial (Hammed Animashaun), Bain (Ragga Ragnars), and Chiad (Maja Simonsen) use a Waygate to travel closer to the Two Rivers. Perrin notices signs that others have traveled through the gate recently, but they find no trace of them.
As they arrive at the village, the air feels clean and fresh. However, the people are not welcoming. Whitecloak patrols ride through the town, creating tension. Egwene’s mother, Marin al’Vere (Rina Mahoney), greets Perrin warmly but warns him that he is in danger. She hides him in the attic of the Winespring Inn with others who have recently arrived.
Among them are Alanna (Priyanka Bose) and her Warder, Maksim (Taylor Napier), who look exhausted. Trollocs have attacked the village, first stealing sheep, and then taking children. The Whitecloaks have offered protection but demand a ransom for Perrin, accusing him of murdering Captain Bornhald in Falme.
Chiad warns that this arrangement will not end well. Marin plans to give Perrin’s group horses so they can escape, but Perrin refuses. He decides that the best solution is to surrender to the Whitecloaks.
Rand and His Group Travel to the Aiel Waste
Rand (Josha Stradowski), Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), and Lan (Daniel Henney) travel toward the Aiel Waste, led by Aviendha (Ayoola Smart). Their journey is going well, but Aviendha warns that they will not reach the Spine of the World before nightfall. The non-Aiel travelers are slowing them down.
As Moiraine gathers firewood, Egwene watches Rand and Lan practice sword fighting. Rand seems distracted, and Lan notices. Moiraine sees bruises on Egwene’s throat.
Egwene insists they are not from Rand, which is technically true since she received them in the previous episode’s battle. Moiraine warns that the more Rand channels the One Power, the closer he comes to madness.
That night, Egwene has nightmares about Renna (Xelia Mendes-Jones), while Rand dreams of Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe). Lanfear urges Rand to trust her, warning that his enemies will find him if he keeps her in the dark. At the same time, she tortures Egwene in her dreams. Egwene awakens in a strange desert, where an Aiel woman tells her, “You do not belong here.”
As they continue their journey, the group is surrounded by Aiel warriors. A tall warrior inspects Rand and turns to the same woman from Egwene’s dream. She recites a prophecy about the Dragon Reborn, stating that he will unite and destroy the Aiel.
The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 2 – Summary
Episode 2, “A Question of Crimson,” explores political tensions, family conflicts, and the growing dangers in the world. The episode opens with a flashback to Caemlyn, where Queen Morgase secures her unborn daughter Elayne’s claim to the throne, guided by Elaida’s influence.
In the present, Morgase arrives at the White Tower, demanding answers about Elayne’s kidnapping. Elayne, however, refuses to return home, determined to become both an Aes Sedai and Queen of Andor.
Meanwhile, Siuan Sanche orders Elayne and Nynaeve to track down the Black Ajah. To prepare, Elayne must go through the Arches to become Accepted. Morgase eventually accepts Elayne’s decision but leaves her sons, Galad and Gawyn, in Tar Valon for Warder training.
Elsewhere, Mat reluctantly hands over the Horn of Valere to Siuan, feeling unworthy of its power. Perrin returns to the Two Rivers, where he learns that Trollocs and Whitecloaks threaten the village. Despite warnings, he chooses to surrender rather than flee.
Rand, Egwene, Moiraine, and Lan continue their journey to the Aiel Waste, led by Aviendha. Egwene experiences terrifying dreams, while Rand receives warnings from both Lanfear and Moiraine about his growing power. The episode ends with the group surrounded by Aiel warriors, who recognize Rand’s connection to a prophecy about the Dragon Reborn.
This episode deepens the political intrigue, tests character loyalties, and sets the stage for future conflicts. The Wheel of Time Season 3 is now streaming on Prime Video.
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