Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 7
From the looks of things, Perrin Aybara will have his hands full when he returns in a potential fourth season of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books.
With help from the Whitecloaks and Loial's decision to make the ultimate sacrifice, Perrin and his allies managed to achieve victory over the Trollocs. However, Padan Fain's defeat wasn't a total win, in that it came at a significant cost. In exchange for gaining the assistance of Dain Bornhald and the Whitecloaks, Perrin had agreed to surrender himself to them. He followed through on his end of the bargain at the end of the episode, signaling that his next arc will once again prominently feature the Whitecloaks. That may be the case, but another villainous figure may be the real threat.
Graendal Is Confirmed To Exist In The Wheel Of Time's Show
Graendal Is A Major Villain In Perrin's Wheel Of Time Story
The Wheel of Time season 3 has confirmed that unlike the books, there will only be eight Forsaken in the TV show, resulting in five being cut from the narrative. The series has gradually of its reduced Forsaken lineup, with Graendal being namedropped in season 2 during an exchange between Lanfear and Ishamael in one of their dreams. She was brought up again by Rahvin when the Forsaken convened for a meeting in The Wheel of Time season 3's third episode.
Graendal's inclusion presents the show with an additional opportunity to let the other ta'veren contribute to the fight with the Dark One's generals. The Wheel of Time season 3 is doing this already with Moghedien's role in Elayne and Nynaeve's story, and may continue this with Graendal, a character ultimately tasked with killing Perrin in the source material.
The Wheel Of Time's Massive Two Rivers Battle Completely Flips 4 Huge Book Moments
The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 7's massive Two Rivers battle reversed four pivotal moments from the source material, The Shadow Rising.
As all-powerful channelers of the One Power, the 13 Forsaken in The Wheel of Time feel like natural opponents for Rand al'Thor, Nynaeve al'Meara, and Moiraine Damodred. But that hasn't stopped characters without the ability to channel - such as Perrin Aybara - from becoming an obstacle to a Forsaken. Graendal, a Forsaken known for her seductive persona and ridiculously high power level, famously menaced Perrin in Towers of Midnight, and remained in play for several books, even as many of her cohorts perished as the saga progressed.
The Wheel Of Time Has Set Up Towers Of Midnight As Perrin's Next Story
Graendal Is The Main Villain Of The Book That Perrin's Season 4 Story Will Likely Adapt
Not only does Graendal's off-screen presence in the series pave the way for Perrin to get his Towers of Midnight arc, but the stage is now set for it to happen immediately. Considering that its the thirteenth book in the series, the show taking that direction would be surprising, but the framework for it to happen is already in place, as Towers of Midnight involves Perrin being at the mercy of the Whitecloaks. Towers of Midnight put Perrin on trial for his supposed crimes against the Whitecloaks, including the alleged murder of Geofram Bornhald.
In Graendal's efforts to target Perrin, she inadvertently united the Wolfbrother with his Whitecloak enemies.
With Perrin agreeing to face Whitecloak "justice" over his decision to kill Geofram in The Wheel of Time season 2's ending, it would appear that Perrin is on track to go through the same process. Rather than wait several seasons to resolve the Perrin-Dain conflict, it looks like the show is gearing up to address this right away. That carries implications for the show's interpretation of Graendal as well, on of her being the true villain of that arc. In Graendal's efforts to target Perrin, she inadvertently united the Wolfbrother with his Whitecloak enemies.
With Graendal being the main antagonist of Perrin's arc in Towers of Midnight, she's automatically the strongest candidate for the villain role in his season 4 story. Similar to what happened in the book, she can be what forces Perrin and Dain to resolve their differences. It's already known from the Forsaken meeting that she's in touch with Rahvin, as he mentioned his intentions to brief both her and Semirhage. Since Ishamael seems to be dead permanently in the TV series, it's possible that it will be Rahvin - and not Ishamael - who points Graendal in Perrin's direction.
Graendal's Towers Of Midnight Plan May Have Already Started
Child Byar Had A Cameo Appearance In The Wheel of Time Season 3, Episode 6
An additional clue to Graendal's potential role in season 4 lies in a surprise character cameo from The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6. In the episode, Eamon Valda made a brief comment to a Whitecloak guard, addressing him as "Child Byar." In the books, Jaret Byar was one of the Whitecloaks' most sadistic and a secondary antagonist to Perrin Aybara. What's more, he was an important factor in Towers of Midnight and presumably, Graendal's plans. Byar was heavily implied to be Graendal's spy within the Children of the Light and one of many pawns in her scheming.
Byar frequently stirred up conflict, playing perfectly into Graendal's hands, so well that there was a sense that it might have been by design.
Her "last tool" to defeat Perrin was described as an "idiot Whitecloak," which matches what's known about Child Byar. Byar frequently stirred up conflict, playing perfectly into Graendal's hands, so well that there was a sense that it might have been by design. Byar's actions against Perrin served Graendal's cause, and with him now on hand in The Wheel of Time, she could have a way to strike at Perrin in the hopes of ensuring that he doesn't come to the Dragon Reborn's aid at the Last Battle.
Perrin is already at the Whitecloaks' mercy, of course, but the proceedings - and possible efforts to rescue him - could jeopardize her masterplan. If that happens, Graendal could take other measures to defeat Perrin, which could set up an epic battle at the end of The Wheel of Time's fourth season.
The Wheel of Time
- Release Date
- November 18, 2021
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Rafe Judkins
Cast
Moiraine Damodred
al'Lan Mandragoran
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Main Genre
- Fantasy
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