The third episode of The Wheel of Time Season 3, titled “Seeds of Shadow,” brings many surprises, intense moments, and powerful revelations. Beverly Okhio wrote this episode, and Thomas Napper directed it. The story moves forward quickly, revealing the identities of some of the Forsaken. Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) brings them together in a dark and eerie meeting place.
It becomes clear that Lord Gaebril (Nuno Lopes), Queen Morgase’s (Olivia Williams) consort, is actually one of the Forsaken named Rahvin. He has a special ability that allows him to control others’ minds, explaining why even the powerful Aes Sedai believed his relationship with Morgase had lasted for more than ten years.
Another Forsaken, Sammael (Cameron Jack), also appears. Unlike the smooth and charming Rahvin, Sammael looks rough and battle-hardened. Not all Forsaken are at this meeting. Rahvin mentions that Graendal and Semirhage have sent their regards, but they are not present.
Lanfear makes it clear why she called this meeting. She warns them about Moghedien (Laia Costa) and the threat she represents. Rahvin does not immediately agree to an alliance against her, saying he will consider it. However, after Lanfear and Sammael leave through magical portals, Moghedien suddenly appears from the shadows.
She tells Rahvin, “Lanfear’s playing the same game she did last time, but not me. I don’t want to end up in someone’s cage for three thousand years. Not again.”
Rahvin gently touches her face, and they both laugh in a way that hints at a dangerous plan.
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Nynaeve and Elayne Interrogate the Black Ajah
After the return of the beautiful opening credits, the story shifts to the White Tower. Verin (Meera Syal) updates Nynaeve (Zoë Robins) and Elayne (Ceara Coveney) on the capture of two Black Ajah members. These women tried to shield Siuan (Sophie Okonedo) in the streets of Tar Valon. Their names are Joiya (Joelle) and Amico (Zenobia Kloppers).
Since they have been stilled, they can no longer use magic or sense the One Power. Even after being questioned four times, they refuse to share any information about the Black Ajah’s plans.
Elayne points out that she and Nynaeve have an advantage. As Accepted, they have not sworn the Three Oaths yet, so they can lie if needed. Nynaeve also suggests separating Joiya and Amico to prevent them from influencing each other’s answers.
Joiya remains cold and silent, while Amico appears scared and emotional—at least at first. Eventually, Amico reveals some details. She explains that the Black Ajah works in small groups called “hearts.” Each heart consists of three sisters, and each sister knows only one other Darkfriend in her group.
Elayne then tricks Amico by pretending that Joiya has already confessed everything. Amico realizes she has been deceived and stops pretending to be weak. She reveals that Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) has gone to Tear to secure Callandor, the sword Rand (Josha Stradowski) needs to defeat more Forsaken.
However, Joiya tells a different story. She says that Liandrin has gone to Saldaea to find Mazrim Taim, a man who, like Logain (Álvaro Morte), falsely claimed to be the Dragon Reborn.
Nynaeve and Elayne do not believe either of them. They decide to continue searching for answers and head into the city. They visit the room where Liandrin once kept her sickly son, Aludran. They do not know that Lanfear had already taken him away, but they do notice a strange chalk symbol under the empty bed.
Later, in the White Tower’s library, Elayne identifies the symbol as one-half of a pair. One symbol is placed where someone is born, and the other where they die. This suggests that Liandrin did not go to Tear or Saldaea, but instead to Tanchico.
As they try to figure out what to do next, Nynaeve spots a Gray Man standing in the doorway with a crossbow aimed at them. Elayne reacts quickly and knocks him away. However, they soon find the assassin dead in the hallway with a knife in his chest. When Verin arrives, she does not ask how the Gray Man was killed or who did it. This makes Nynaeve suspicious.
Elaida’s Political Moves and Min’s Dark Vision
Elsewhere in the White Tower, Elaida (Shohreh Aghdashloo) tries to gain influence. She requests a private meeting with Siuan but is stopped by Leane (Jennifer Cheon Garcia) and Verin. They remind her that only a Sitter can demand a meeting with the Amyrlin Seat.
Elaida does not give up easily. She tries to win over her fellow Red Ajah members, Galina (Clare Duane) and Tsutama (Diêm Camille), by offering them expensive gifts. However, they see through her plan. After Liandrin’s failure, they are hesitant to act.
Elaida insists that now is the right time to act. She believes that only the Red Ajah can properly control Rand—by capturing and imprisoning him. Tsutama dismisses her, but Elaida reminds her that Siuan once locked them out of the Hall. She questions when the Red Ajah lost its power.
Meanwhile, Min (Kae Alexander) experiences a disturbing vision of Mat (Dónal Finn) hanging from a red doorframe. She also seems to be falling under Elaida’s influence.
Mat’s Impressive Fight and a Journey to Tanchico
Before leaving for Tanchico, Nynaeve visits Mat and tells him about their plans. Mat, desperate to escape the voices in his head, decides to join them.
Their conversation catches the attention of Galad (Callum Kerr) and Gawyn (Luke Fetherston). Mat challenges them to a fight, betting that he can defeat them using only a quarterstaff against their swords. They accept the challenge.
Mat embraces his weapon and easily defeats the two brothers. His memories of past lives seem to be helping him. That night, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Mat board a boat bound for Tanchico. Unbeknownst to them, a hooded Min follows them.
Lan and Moiraine Seek Answers
Meanwhile, Rand, Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), Lan (Daniel Henney), and Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) travel through the Waste. They are protected by the Taardad Aiel, led by Rhuarc (Björn Landberg).
Egwene recognizes Bair (Nukâka Coster-Waldau) from her dream, but Bair corrects her. “No, girl. You were in my dream.”
At a water source, they discover the bodies of the Tinkers, or Tuatha’an. Rhuarc insists no Aiel would harm them. However, Aviendha spots a wound that suggests otherwise. Lan believes it was done with a spear, disguised to look like a sword.
As the group reaches the Aiel camp, Bair offers to teach Egwene how to defend herself in dreams. Meanwhile, Rand is once again haunted by Lanfear. She hints that she might betray the Shadow and speaks of a powerful magical object that could help defeat the Dark One.
In the final scenes, Liandrin and the Black Ajah arrive in Tanchico. She kills a man who once abused her and orders her sisters to erase all evidence of the crime. However, they are unaware that Moghedien is secretly watching them.
Summary of The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 3 – “Seeds of Shadow”
In The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 3, major secrets and alliances come to light as dark forces gather. Lanfear summons the Forsaken for a secret meeting, revealing that Lord Gaebril, Queen Morgase’s consort, is actually Rahvin, a Forsaken who can control minds.
Another Forsaken, Sammael, also appears, while Graendal and Semirhage remain absent. Lanfear warns of the threat posed by Moghedien, but after she leaves, Moghedien meets with Rahvin in secret, hinting at a hidden agenda.
At the White Tower, Nynaeve and Elayne interrogate captured Black Ajah members, Joiya and Amico. They discover that Liandrin has gone to Tanchico, not Tear or Saldaea as previously believed. The two Accepted later identify a mysterious chalk symbol in Liandrin’s former room, confirming their suspicion.
While investigating, they narrowly escape an attack from a Gray Man, an assassin who mysteriously ends up dead. Verin’s reaction raises Nynaeve’s suspicion.
Elaida, determined to gain power, seeks an audience with Siuan but is blocked by Leane and Verin. She later tries to rally her fellow Red Ajah members, Galina and Tsutama, urging them to take control of Rand before it is too late. Meanwhile, Min has a disturbing vision of Mat hanging from a red doorframe and appears to be falling under Elaida’s influence.
Mat, hoping to escape his dark thoughts, decides to join Nynaeve and Elayne on their journey to Tanchico. Before leaving, he impresses Galad and Gawyn in a fight using only a quarterstaff. That night, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Mat board a boat bound for Tanchico, unaware that Min is secretly following them.
Rand, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan, and Aviendha continue their journey through the Waste, guided by the Aiel. Egwene meets Bair, an Aiel Wise One, who offers to teach her how to defend herself in dreams.
The group discovers a massacre of the Tuatha’an, with signs suggesting it was done to frame the Aiel. Meanwhile, Lanfear continues to haunt Rand, hinting at a powerful artifact that could help him defeat the Dark One.
In the final moments, Liandrin and the Black Ajah arrive in Tanchico. She kills a man from her past, while her sisters erase the evidence—unaware that Moghedien is watching them from the shadows.
The episode delivers thrilling twists and deepens the intrigue as the Forsaken and Aes Sedai maneuver for control.
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