Warning: SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 6.The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 6 has just given audiences their best look yet at one of the scariest uses of the One Power. Late in the episode, the Forsaken Moghedien uses Compulsion on an unsuspecting Nynaeve and Elayne, bending their considerably strong wills to suit her own. The act resulted in Nynaeve and Elayne giving up their collected pieces of the male a’dam that the Black Ajah–and now the Forsaken–plan to use to control Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn.

But the episode isn’t that dire throughout. After last episode’s journey with the Sea Folk, Nynaeve, Elayne, Mat, and Min found themselves in Tanchico, exploring a new culture and letting different sides of their personalities shine. It was a big opportunity for Nynaeve and Zoë Robins, the actor behind the character, to enjoy themselves in the rich world that Robert Jordan created. Before her deeply unsettling encounter with Moghedien, Nyneave enjoyed some of the happiest moments she’s had on the show thus far.

ScreenRant interviewed Zoë Robins about Nynaeve's journey and the ups and downs of her time in Tanchico after the events of The Wheel of Time season 3 episode 5. Robins discussed getting to bring out a different side of Nynaeve and shared her experience bringing the power of Compulsion to life through her performance. Plus, Robins reflected on Nynaeve's growing bond with Elayne throughout the season.

Zoë Robins On Nynaeve's Bond With Elayne In The Wheel Of Time Season 3

The Two Have “Trauma Bonded, In A Way”

The Wheel of Time season 3 has brought Nynaeve and Elayne (played by Ceara Coveney) much closer together despite the fact that, in Zoë Robins’ words, “they are almost polar opposites.” “They have, I guess, trauma bonded, in a way,” the actor continued, “from everything that they’ve experienced together, and I think we see that there’s actually this real care and dependence on one another.”

“They really value each other and they trust each other,” which, Robins pointed out,“is a massive thing for Nynaeve. That does not come easily for her.” That growing trust was important to get right, but thankfully, “Ceara is amazing,” Robins said, “It’s a dream to work with her,”

Nynaeve's Shifting Attitude Toward The White Tower Explained

“We See Her Develop A Lot More Respect”

Of course, Nynaeve's relationship with Elayne had the opportunity to grow because the two Accepted have been tasked by none other than the White Tower’s Amyrlin Seat to root out the secretive, and incredibly dangerous, Black Ajah. While the Aes Sedai’s manipulative tactics and desire for control have alienated Nynaeve in the past, Robins believes that this huge ask actually helped her character’s relationship with the Tower: “I feel like her relationship with the Tower is ever-changing,” Robins said.

“Nynaeve, through and through, is someone who’s kind of against authority and hierarchical structures,” the actor reflected, “even though she was once an authority figure herself, being the Wisdom of the Two Rivers. She’s a [completely] contradictory person, but that’s why we love her.” So, paradoxically, “we see her develop a lot more respect for The White Tower and the Aes Sedai [in season three].”

It’s less about the Black Ajah, though, Robins said, specifying that Nynaeve's newfound respect was “particularly [for] the Yellow Ajah and how they heal and help others. I think that’s basically what Nyneave is about. That’s her driving force–to help and look after people, particularly the people that she loves.”

One Of Robins’ Season 3 Challenges Was… Happiness?

“It Was Kind Of Difficult … To Play Joy With Nynaeve”

This season of The Wheel of Time expands Nynaeve's social circle beyond Elayne, too, bringing her into with the Sea Folk and spending more time with Mat and Min. Robins spoke about what it was like finding Nyneave with new characters in new locations–espeically the rowdy Tanchico pub seen in episode 6: “[These moments] bring out new versions of these characters that we haven’t really seen before.”

“It was really nice,” Robins said, before itting that “It was kind of difficult, on the one hand, to play joy with Nynaeve, and to have her somewhat having fun and smiling and laughing, because that’s not something that we’ve really experienced on the show. I had to really figure out what that looks like and feels like on her.”

But Nynaeve has earned a little levity: “It was nice for Nynaeve to get those moments of lightness, because what she’s gone through, and what a lot of the Two Rivers gang has gone through, has been a lot of darkness and trauma. So, it was nice [that] they got to enjoy each other’s company and have a beer or two … [Nynaeve] deserves it, I think.”

Robins Breaks Down The Episode’s Biggest Nynaeve Moment

“My Favorite Scene To Film [In] The Entire Series”

The most gripping moment of The Wheel of Time’s latest episode was one scene between Nynaeve, Elayne, and Moghedien in which the Forsaken manipulated the Accepted’s minds using the One Power. “That was definitely my favorite scene to film [in] the entire series,” Robins said. Despite the heaviness and tension in the moment, “We had a lot of fun.” As for how the actors came up with the look of both weaving and falling under the spell of Compulsion, “it was a collaboration, honestly.”

But it was ultimately Spanish actor Laia Costa who led the way: “Laia Costa, who plays Moghedien, just absolutely went for it, and she’s amazing,” Robins said. It sounded as though Costa even weaved a little bit of Compulsion in real life when Robins itted, “I also had no choice but to absolutely lean into everything that she was giving as well.” “It’s supposed to be creepy and disturbing and confusing,” Robins continued, “and I think Laia brought all of that. It was a lot of fun. I hope The Wheel of Time book fans in particular really enjoy it.”

One of the most interesting lines Moghedien pulled out of Nynaeve had to do with her thoughts about her block from the One Power. When asked about that, Robins said, “[The One Power] is just something that she’s not asked for. I think she was pretty happy in her life in the Two Rivers, being the Wisdom and having everything going to play. I’m sure she had a life mapped out for her, and she’s so far from that now.”

The moment spoke to Nynaeve's larger arc, according to Robins: “Part of Nynaeve's journey is that she’s been running from all that she is, and the gifts that she has. I don’t know if she’s ready to accept all that she is [at that point in the series]. But we’ll see.”

Check out our other The Wheel of Time season 3 interviews, with more to come!

• Madeline Madden (Episode 5 breakdown)
• Rafe Judkins (Episode 4 breakdown)
• Thomas Napper (Episodes 3 & 4 breakdown)
• Ayoola Smart, Daniel Henney, Ceara Coveney & Sophie Okonedo
• Josha Stradowski & Rosamund Pike
• Rafe Judkins & Natasha O'Keeffe
• Marcus Rutherford & Dónal Finn

New episodes of The Wheel of Time drop Thursdays on Prime Video.