Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 7
A major decision from the source material was reversed inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3’s penultimate episode, seemingly setting up one of the last books as the basis of Perrin’s next story. Devoting an entire episode to the Battle of Emond’s Field fromThe Shadow Rising, “Goldeneyes” looks to be the final chapter in Perrin’s season 3 arc. Not unlikeThe Shadow Rising, Perrin’s adventure in the third season wrapped up with the Two Rivers folk achieving a victory over Padan Fain’s Trolloc army.
Much of the buildup closely resembled the efforts Perrin, Alanna, Faile, and a few otherWheel of Timecharactersmade to prepare for the Trollocs, including Perrin’s offer of an alliance to Dain Bornhald and the Trollocs. However, some of these characters - such as Dain and Faile - made choices not shared by their book counterparts. In doing so, they paved the way for Perrin to go on what appears to be an unexpected journey. If the ending of “Goldeneyes” is any indication,Towers of Midnightwill be one of the plotlines explored in season 4 - if it happens.
The Two Rivers Folk Wouldn’t Let The Whitecloaks Take Perrin In The Book
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In both versions of the story, Perrin offered to surrender in exchange for the Whitecloaks' help against the Trollocs. InThe Shadow Rising,Dain agreed to join forces with the Two Rivers folk, but when the time came for them to act, they chose to do nothing, allowing the battle to play out. This was essentially the opposite of what Dain did inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 7; he promptly refused, but changed his mind at the eleventh hour and brought the Whitecloaks into the Two Rivers to join the fight.
The Whitecloaks opting out of the final battle didn’t doom the Two Rivers inThe Shadow Rising, as Faile - who had been previously told to leave by Perrin - recruited Deven Ride in her absence. Serving as last-minute reinforcements, they helped repel the Trolloc army and secured Perrin’s victory at the Battle of Emond’s Field without any need for Whitecloak support. Despite going back on their end of the arrangement, the Whitecloaks tried to arrest Perrin regardless. Unsurprisingly, they were turned away by the Two Rivers folk.
OnThe Wheel of Time’smap, Deven Ride is one of Two Rivers' neighboring villages.
The Wheel of Time’s"Goldeneyes", on the other hand, never saw Faile leave and bring back the people of Deven Ride. In this case, the assistance of the Whitecloaks was indeed necessary. And since Dain’s men did provide much-needed help, Perrin went with them willingly and convinced the Two Rivers folk to accept his decision. In doing so, season 3 facilitated a huge reveal ofThe Shadow Rising’sending, considering that it now puts Perrin in the custody of the Whitecloaks in season 4.
The Wheel Of Time Hints Perrin’s Season 4 Arc Will Follow The Towers Of Midnight
It Looks Perrin’s Story Is Skipping Several Books Ahead
While it’s true that Perrin wasn’t captured by the Whitecloaks, it’s worth noting that he did find himself in such a situation eventually - but not until book 13 in the series,Towers of Midnight.InTowers of Midnight,Perrin’s group came up against two threats, Dain Bornhald’s Whitecloak army and Graendal, one of the13 Forsaken inThe Wheel of Timebooks. Graendal was ordered by the reborn Ishamael to deal with Perrin. Meanwhile, the Whitecloaks wanted Perrin to pay for what they perceived as crimes against their members.
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Perrin subjected himself to a trial conducted by the Whitecloaks, but ultimately had to put his differences with them aside as a result of Graendal’s plotting.Towers of Midnight’sPerrin story culminated in the Wolfbrother reaching an understanding with Dain Bornhald and the Whitecloaks, one that would enable them to be unlikely allies in the Last Battle.
Perrin Isn’t In Book 5 At All
The Wheel of Timeleaping so far ahead in Perrin’s arc would be surprising, but there are shared aspects ofThe Shadow RisingandTowers of Midnightthat would make this transition feel organic. Both Perrin stories hinge on one key event - the death of Geofram Bornhald. With that in mind, it does make some degree of sense forThe Wheel of Timeto resolve it immediately after its adaptation ofThe Shadow Rising, rather than prolong it for several seasons after it’s already been forgotten by many viewers.
The circumstances presented inThe Shadow Rising’sending certainly do allow for this. Had the Whitecloaks captured him then, Perrin could have stood trial for the killing of Geofram much sooner. Perrin’s exchange with Dain indicated that this will happen just as it did inTowers of Midnight, as Perrin expressed a willingness to face Whitecloak “justice” for what happened inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2’s ending.
picking one of Perrin’s future arcs could be the best way of ensuring that he has something to do in a potentialFires of Heavenadaptation.
What’s more, there isn’t a clear alternative for Perrin’s next adventure. Perrin was notably absent inThe Shadow Rising’ssequel,The Fires of Heaven. With theForsaken known as Rahvin, Rand’s opponent inThe Fires of Heaven, being poised to serve as a major antagonist later on, it’s possible that the show is moving on to that book next. If so, picking one of Perrin’s future arcs could be the best way of ensuring that he has something to do in a potentialFires of Heavenadaptation.
The Wheel of Time Has Most Of The Building Blocks It Needs For Perrin’s Towers Of Midnight Story
One Of Grandal’s Pawns Has Already Been Introduced
Working a mostly self-contained story likeTowers of Midnightinto the show’s fourth season isn’t implausible, but there are complications that come with it. Perrin’s trial and Graendal’s emergence can technically happen now, but the story hasn’t progressed to a point where all building blocks are in place. One example of this isQueen Morgase Trakand; she served as the judge, but was only in this position because she had lost the Lion Throne, whereas the TV show version of Morgase still holds power in Andor.
There’s also the matter of Galad Damodred, Morgase’s step-son and a high-ranking Whitecloak. He’s one ofTowers of Midnight’smain characters, with Galad playing a pivotal role in Perrin’s interactions with the Whitecloaks. The problem here is that the show hasn’t made any effort to set up Galad’s association with the Children of the Light. That meansThe Wheel of Timeseason 4 would either have to speed that up significantly or risk another massive change by not aligning Galad with the Whitecloaks.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
