Why did Siuan Sanche die in The Wheel of Time season 3? Possible reasons explored in a book vs. show breakdown

Siuan Sanche's death in The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale is a significant divergence from Robert Jordan's book series and has stirred up waves across the fandom.

The Prime Video series sees the former Amyrlin Seat being put to death after being deposed by Elaida. However, in the source material, Siuan survives her dethronement and remains a key figure in the narrative.

This major deviation has fans talking about the show's adaptation decisions, particularly what this departure means for the future storylines. Siuan's death is arguably "the most noteworthy" moment of the Season 3 finale, and it speaks volumes in terms of its significance in the show and to the audiences who are privy to the content in the novels.

Siuan Sanche's death in The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale

In the Prime Video series, Siuan Sanche is killed in the season 3 finale, He Who Comes With the Dawn. The story culminates in this moment by depicting Siuan's growing isolation and vulnerability in the White Tower throughout the season.

Elaida, desperate for the Amyrlin Seat, orchestrates a formal coup by exiling Siuan's allies, leaving her only with her loyal followers.

Elaida then holds a vote, removes Siuan's ability to tap the One Power (a procedure called Stilling), and charges her with treason and being a Darkfriend. Siuan is tried publicly and, despite her adamant defense, is sentenced to death and beheaded before the rest of the Aes Sedai. This is a dramatic and definitive conclusion to the character, one far removed from her fate in the books.

Siuan Sanche's fate in Robert Jordan's novels

In Robert Jordan's books, particularly in The Shadow Rising, Siuan Sanche is overthrown as Amyrlin Seat by Elaida and her faction. However, rather than being put to death, Siuan is Stilled and jailed. With Min Farshaw and Logain's assistance, she flees from the White Tower and becomes instrumental in the Aes Sedai rebellion against Elaida.

Siuan's personal journey after her downfall is a major subplot of the books, involving an interplay of politics, alliances, as well as her attempts to lead the rebel Aes Sedai.

Her survival and continued influence become crucial to events unfolding in the book series, which makes her death so early on in the show a significant departure from the source material.

Possible reasons behind the change and its effect

The killing of Siuan Sanche in The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale seems to be driven by the need to simplify the complex story of The Wheel of Time for television. According to Screen Rant, Siuan’s rebellion storyline in the books introduces a new arc with its cast of supporting characters, which could complicate the show’s already intricate plot.

By removing Siuan, the show avoids adding another major subplot and narrows its focus on the main characters and their journeys. This also provides the show the ability to potentially merge or redistribute her narrative weight to the others.

Characters such as Min Farshaw, Verin Mathwin, or even Morgase Trakand might absorb elements from Siuan's storyline, which might in turn be useful in plugging gaps in the story.

Although this modification has disappointed its book lovers, it shows the showrunners' attempts to condense the vast series for a new medium and viewership.

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Siuan Sanche's death in The Wheel of Time Season 3 finale is one of the big changes from the novels, where she survives after being removed as Amyrlin Seat and continues to manipulate the events that lead up to the rebellion against Elaida. However, in the show, Siuan is killed by Elaida following a White Tower coup, cutting her story short.

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