While The Wheel of Time is a fantasy epic dealing with the fate of the world, it is also a story about characters. The adventure has a humble beginning, with a group of friends leaving their home in pursuit of a mysterious destiny. As the story continues, both the original Wheel of Time novels and the TV adaption continue to prioritize character relationships as they shift, strengthen, and, in some cases, fall apart. The upcoming third season of the show will continue this trend.
Game Rant spoke to several members of The Wheel of Time’s cast, including Rosamund Pike (Moiraine Damodred), Daniel Henney (al’Lan Mandragoran), Sophie Okonedo (Siuan Sanche), Ceara Coveney (Elayne Trakand), Ayoola Smart (Aviendha) and Donal Finn (Mat Cauthon). Most felt that their characters’ relationships were undergoing a significant shift in Season 3 of the Amazon Prime show as they pursued new goals and embarked on new adventures. Several, particularly Finn — whose character, Mat, is the comedic and good-natured center of the group — emphasized that their characters would prioritize maintaining and strengthening existing relationships in Season 3.
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Moiraine Is Often Apart From Her Closest Allies Lan and Siuan
As an Aes Sedai and her sworn Warder, The Wheel of Time‘s Moiraine and Lan’s bond is one of the closest in the show. However, the pair were separated for much of Season 2. Moiraine was without her powers, meaning the psychic bond the two shared was temporarily shattered. However, in Season 3, they do reunite, with Moiraine’s powers active once more.
Both Pike and Henney were thrilled to be working with one another again on the Amazon Prime series. “It’s great to be back together,” said Pike. “She knows [Lan’s] loyalty is so steadfast, and it’s a beautiful thing.” Henney agreed, stating that he had “relied on Rosamund” during filming of the first season and felt her absence in Season 2. “I did miss her quite a bit,” he admitted. “So it’s great to be back together and to be mission-focused again.”
Meanwhile, The Wheel of Time‘s Okonedo is tasked with portraying Moiraine and Siuan’s deep romantic love while the two are often apart. Moiraine frequently travels with Dragon Reborn Rand al’Thor and his companions, while Siuan remains at the White Tower as the Aes Sedai’s leader. However, Okonedo emphasized that their bond would remain strong in Season 3. “They are still the loves of each other’s lives,” said Okonedo. “It’s very intense between them, and sometimes very sad.”
Elayne and Aviendha Form New Bonds While Mat Prioritizes Old Ones
Aes Sedai trainee Elayne Trakand and Aiel warrior Aviendha were introduced in The Wheel of Time Season 2 and immediately formed a close bond. Coveney loved the relationship, feeling that “Elayne is surrounded by powerful women” who she uses as inspirations to strengthen herself. Smart emphasized that Elayne is one of the few people the guarded Aviendha feels able to open up to:
I think there’s something there – a kind of kinship and kindred spirit that they see in each other…Their lives, in one sense, are very different, but they both have these responsibilities and paths that have been laid before them, even if those paths are very different. And I think they recognize that in each other pretty early on.
While Moiraine, Lan, and Siuan’s dynamic shifts and Aviendha and Elayne potentially discover something new with each other, Donal Finn feels that Mat wants to make sure the bonds the characters have had since Episode 1 remain present and strong. Mat is a grounding influence in the shifting landscape of Season 3 — and, Finn feels, he’s exactly what the other characters need in such chaotic times. “Sometimes you do need someone who’s saying, hey, it’s six o’clock, let’s go for a pint,” said Finn of his character. While relationships will change dramatically throughout Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, the core friendships fans first fell in love with will still be very much present.
