One of the most interesting things about The Wheel of Time is how it can be seen as both a fantasy and a story set after an advanced civilization. A great event, known as the Breaking of the World, changed everything and ended the Age of Legends.
During this time, many great inventions and knowledge were either lost or destroyed. The Prime Video series, based on Robert Jordan’s books, has shown glimpses of this past era before. The Season 1 finale introduced Lews Therin Telamon (Alexander Karim), the previous Dragon.
Since then, small details from that past era appear throughout the show. Some examples include the ruins of old skyscrapers covered in plants and ancient objects now considered magical artifacts.
The latest episode, titled The Road to the Spear, takes the story deeper into this forgotten past. Showrunner Rafe Judkins wrote the episode, while Thomas Napper directed it. In this episode, Rand (Josha Stradowski) arrives in the ancient city of Rhuidean, also called the “City in the Clouds.”
He must face his past to embrace his future as Car’a’carn. He is not the only one who must endure a difficult challenge. The episode reveals that another character also has an important trial ahead.
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Preparing for the Trial in Rhuidean
Rand, Moiraine, and their companions are now in the Aiel Waste. Rand continues his sword training with Lan (Daniel Henney). Lan notices that Rand is distracted. Rand explains that he is using a mental technique his father, Tam (Michael McElhatton), taught him.
He imagines a single flame and feeds all his emotions into it until only “the flame and the void” remain. Rand knows little about Tam, the man who raised him, and he does not fully feel like an Aiel despite his blood connection. Soon, he will learn the truth about his ancestry.
That night, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) sit with the Aiel Wise Ones, Bair (Nukâka Coster-Waldau) and Melaine (Salóme Gunnarsdóttir). They acknowledge that Rand’s arrival in the Waste was predicted, but Egwene’s presence was unexpected.
Bair states that Rand would have died if he had not come to the Waste. She also hints that some Aiel will only survive if he succeeds in Rhuidean. Melaine accidentally reveals that Moiraine must also enter Rhuidean, but Bair quickly stops her from saying more.
As Rand and Lan return to the camp, Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) suddenly challenges Rand. She is frustrated that he carries a sword, which is not part of Aiel tradition. Rand points out that she seems unsure whether she considers him Aiel or not. She also challenges Lan, who draws his sword in response.
Aviendha laughs at the idea that Lan wants to “dance” with her, but she eagerly accepts the fight. Their duel is intense, but both warriors seem to enjoy facing a strong opponent. Their fight ends when the Wise Ones interrupt.
Melaine tells Aviendha that she has “run with the spears for too long.” Aviendha was always meant to be a Wise One, but she ran away from this fate. Instead, she chose to stay a Maiden of the Spear while searching for the Dragon. Now that she is back, she must accept her true path.
She hands over her spears, and Bair breaks them, signaling the end of her time as a warrior. Aviendha then removes her cadin’sor and asks permission to enter Rhuidean to face the trial that will confirm her as a Wise One. She is not the only one about to experience a great test.
Later, Rand and Moiraine sit by the fire. Rand reveals that he plans to enter Rhuidean the next day. Many men have waited weeks before entering the city, but he refuses to wait. Moiraine worries that Rand is too confident, while Rand does not trust her motivations. In the morning, they leave for Rhuidean.
Rhuarc (Björn Landberg) tells Rand that every clan chief who survives the trial returns with a dragon mark on their left forearm. The Car’a’carn, however, will have two dragons—one on each arm. This will prove to the Aiel that he is the one they have been waiting for.
The group encounters the Shaido, another Aiel clan. Their Wise One, Sevanna (Natasha Culzac), orders that no blood be spilled. She explains that one of their warriors, Muradin (Fredrik Wagner), has already entered Rhuidean for his trial.
His brother, Couladin (Set Sjöstrand), angrily declares that if Muradin does not return, he will go next. When Rand requests permission to enter, Couladin is furious that an outsider dares to take the test.
Egwene also tries to enter, but the Wise Ones deny her. Moiraine, however, is granted permission. Rand is about to experience the memories of his ancestors, while Moiraine will witness many possible futures.
Rhuidean’s Secrets and Rand’s Trial
Rhuidean is surrounded by a thick fog, making it feel like a place outside of time. Moiraine notes that the fog seems to be made of the One Power itself. At the city’s center stands Avendesora, the Tree of Life, which is nearly 3,000 years old.
Moiraine recalls a story about how the Aiel once gave a sapling from the tree to Cairhien. However, King Laman cut it down to build a unique throne, breaking his promise. This led to the Aiel War, which ultimately resulted in Rand’s birth.
Rand enters the glass columns and immediately sees Muradin ahead of him. However, Muradin does not seem aware of Rand’s presence. Suddenly, Rand is no longer himself. He is experiencing the life of his father, Janduin, during the Aiel War. Each step takes him further into the past.
He relives the memories of many ancestors, including a young man named Lewin. Lewin and his friends break the Aiel’s peaceful code to save kidnapped family members. This act of violence marks the beginning of the Aiel’s transformation into warriors.
Meanwhile, Moiraine enters the rings of Rhuidean and sees many possible futures. In some, she rules as Amyrlin Seat. In others, she kills Rand or is killed by Lanfear. She also sees alternate versions of her relationships with Siuan and Lan. The visions reveal countless possibilities, some hopeful and some terrifying.
Rand continues moving through the glass columns. He sees the story of Jonai, an ancestor who once followed a strict code of peace. He was given the responsibility of protecting a powerful object called Sakarnen. However, he and his people were forced to abandon their peaceful ways, leading to the creation of the warrior Aiel.
Rand finally reaches the end of the trial. He collapses outside the columns, and the dragon marks appear on both of his forearms. He finds Aviendha unconscious in front of Avendesora. When she wakes, she is shocked to see the marks on his arms. Rand apologizes for not understanding Aiel culture before. Aviendha prepares to leave, but Rand insists on waiting for Moiraine.
Back at the Aiel camp, Lan and Egwene wait. Aviendha returned two days ago, but Rand and Moiraine are still missing. Egwene urges Lan to help, but he refuses. Finally, just as foretold, Rand returns with the dawn, carrying Moiraine in his arms. Both of them are speechless, forever changed by what they have seen.
The Significance of Rand’s Journey in Rhuidean
Rand’s journey through Rhuidean is one of the most crucial moments in The Wheel of Time. It not only confirms his identity as the Car’a’carn, the prophesied leader of the Aiel, but also reveals the hidden history of his people.
By witnessing the memories of his ancestors, Rand learns that the Aiel were once peaceful followers of the Way of the Leaf. Over generations, their way of life changed due to necessity and survival, eventually transforming them into the fierce warriors they are now.
This knowledge deeply affects Rand, making him question his own path. He realizes that the Aiel’s traditions are built on forgotten truths, and he carries the burden of revealing this to them. His two dragon tattoos symbolize his destiny—he is not just another clan chief but the leader who will unite all Aiel clans.
Moiraine’s trial is equally significant. By witnessing multiple possible futures, she understands the true danger Rand faces. Every choice he makes could lead to disaster or salvation. Her visions reinforce her role as his guide, even though she knows that guiding him could lead to her death.
Rhuidean serves as a turning point for both Rand and Moiraine. Their trials reshape their understanding of destiny, responsibility, and sacrifice. As Rand embraces his identity, the future of the Aiel and the entire world shifts. What happens next will determine whether Rand fulfills the prophecy or falls into the traps fate has set for him.
New episodes of The Wheel of Time Season 3 premiere Thursdays on Prime Video.
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