The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8 recap: What happens to Siuan and Rand?

The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8 introduces significant realignments in the power dynamics in the story's primary environments. The episode, "He Who Comes With the Dawn," opens by flashing back to ten years before and slowly builds to an enormous confrontation between figures such as Siuan, Elaida, Moiraine, and Rand.

By the conclusion, leadership in the Tower shifts, new alliances are forged, and several storylines start to converge. The chapter resolves several issues left unresolved. It depicts Elaida's transition against Siuan with a plotted scheme. It also traces Rand as he strives to consolidate the clans, and Moiraine still plots from behind to shape events.

Mat's thread evolves into an eerie new chapter, and individuals like Nynaeve and Liandrin square off in confrontational battles. The season concludes with drastic fates for many of the central characters and sets up more questions for what may be next.

Power shifts in the White Tower

The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8 opens on a flashback to Tar Valon, a decade earlier. Elaida goes to visit Alviarin in the White Tower. While there, Elaida tells her that the Aelfinn promised her the Amyrlin Seat. She thinks the promise has no cost. Alviarin does not deny or affirm.

In the current time, Siuan remains Amyrlin but is losing ground in terms of the Aes Sedai supporting her. She is pressed by Leane to be more open and allow the sisters to vote on what will happen to Rand. Siuan has done this and issued letters already, though.

Elaida seizes this opportunity to act. In the episode, eight Red Sisters depart the Tower, and Siuan commands other sisters to bring them and Elaida back. But the departure is a diversion. While Siuan's followers are in the field, Elaida holds a vote. With her competition absent, she has the votes she needs to seize the Amyrlin Seat.

When Siuan comes back, she is out of position. She is also charged as a Darkfriend and sentenced to be Stilled. Later on, Siuan comes back to face Elaida. She wants to know Moiraine's whereabouts. She also admits loving Moiraine. This touching scene is wrapped up with Siuan being decapitated.

Rand steps forward as the Car'a'carn

Rand's narrative in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8 is about his complex relationship with Lanfear and his position among the clans. Egwene attempts to speak to him, but tension still exists between them. The episode features Rand standing up to Lanfear in a dream. He tells her that she is a monster and turns down her advances.

Egwene appears in the dream as well and assists in pushing Lanfear back. At the same time, Moiraine has Sammael in captivity. She intends to make him assist Rand but threatens him that if he does not comply, he will be buried in the cave and never remembered. Upon her departure, there appears another Forsaken, Moghedien. She assassinates Sammael through the One Power.

Moiraine decides it is time to travel. She informs the others that they must travel at once to Alcair Dal. The intention is to gather the clans to support Rand. Lanfear attempts to prevent this. She goes to Melindhra and seeks assistance. She then contacts Lan and cautions him regarding the threat Rand represents.

She tells him that going against her oaths as a Darkfriend will ruin her soul, but she wishes to act properly. Rand discovers that Moiraine intended to stop him if he reverted to the Dark all along. She informs him that she will not intervene as he makes the next move.

Rand proclaims himself the Car'a'carn to the clans. Couladin is there as well and attempts to challenge him. As they converse, Selene (Lanfear) battles Moiraine. Lan enters the fray. Lanfear stabs Moiraine, but Moiraine removes the sword and slashes Lanfear's throat.

Rand subsequently employs his magic to display his power. Rand informs the clans that they are all Oathbreakers. Rain starts falling. The clans seem to accept his rule.

Mat, Min, and the Bizarre World of the Eelfinn

Mat's journey becomes surreal in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8. Liandrin encounters Moghedien and is given a bracelet by her. They subsequently depart for the Panarch's Palace. Mat, Min, and their gang trail after them in hopes of discovering the collar that might govern Rand. Upon arrival, they start to search.

It is a trap. Mat proceeds through an archway and into another world. There, he encounters a being known as the Eelfinn. The Eelfinn inquires as to what Mat requires. Mat requests that it remove memories that do not belong to him. The Eelfinn complies and indicates that there will be a cost.

Back in the real world, Chesmal has bound Mat over the archway. Min creeps up and strikes Chesmal unconscious. She releases Mat. Mat awakens but remembers nothing. The scene proves that he now suffers from amnesia.

Liandrin, Nynaeve, and the Search for the Collar

Nynaeve observes Liandrin as she keeps searching for the collar. Liandrin hurls something to the floor in anger. It happens to be the thing she is searching for. Nynaeve picks it up. Nynaeve confronts Liandrin and addresses her in regard to the past. She attempts to make her change.

Liandrin does not react to this and instead attacks her. She chains up Nynaeve and throws her into a body of water. Nynaeve unleashes the One Power to escape and resurface, tearing the water asunder as she comes up.

The ending of The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 8: Where does everyone stand?

Thom and Elayne are hiding in the final scenes. Thom advises Elayne to go back home. Her mother and throne are at risk, he cautions. Back with Rand, he continues to channel power using his magic. Egwene begs him to desist. The scene ends with Rand continuing to channel power.