What Might Be – The episode opens with Nynaeve al’Meara’s (Zoe Robins) trail at the arches. Sheriam Bayanar (Rima Te Wiata) and Liandrin Guirale (Kate Fleetwood) explain how the trial works. Nynaeve is offered the chance to decline the test with the risk of permanent banishment from the Tower. Agreeing to do the test, Nynaeve gets undressed. Liandrin urges her to make sure she is doing it for herself. Sheriam warns that the way back appears once. Entering the arches, Nynaeve (Bronte Smith) is in a field where Beerien al’Meara (Jonathan Hawkins) joins her. Seeing the crimsonthorn root, he rushes to wash her hands in the creek where they are ambushed. When it appears Nynaeve’s death is near, Elnore al’Meara (Melissa James) intervenes by taking her to safety. A group of archers pursues them to a cabin. Nynaeve is hiding in the cellar while Elnore and Beerien is killed. A shimmering exit appears and she reluctantly passes through.
Second Trial – Nynaeve wakes in a hospital to learn from Tam al’Thor (Michael McElhatton) that Two Rivers has been ravaged with a horrible fever. Noticing the Wisdoms using crimsonthorn root, she confronts Natti Cauthon (Juliet Howland). After accusing her of abandoning them, Natti says the root is their only option because the Aes Sedai are ignoring their pleas. She tells Nynaeve Two Rivers is no longer home. Nynaeve tries to heal Tam but fails. He thanks her for looking after Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski). The exit reappears and she goes through as Tam begs her to stay.
Third Trial – Nynaeve envisions herself as a Red Ajah. Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney) calls her a remarkable woman. Upon exiting, she is unharmed with no memory of what happened. Liandrian confirms that the blood isn’t hers. Sheriam welcomes her to the White Tower before presenting her with an Aes Sedai ring. A distraught Nynaeve refuses to become an Aes Sedai because it would mean abandoning her family. As she storms away to pack, Liandrian warns that she won’t ever be allowed back. Egwene Al’Vere’s (Madeleine Madden) attempts to convince her to stay. Nynaeve admits to coming to the tower for Egwene but she no longer needs her. Outside the Tower, Nynaeve encounters Lan who claims to have come as soon as Alanna Mosvani (Priyanka Bose) told him about her trials. He informs her of his broken bone with Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike). Nynaeve invites him to go to Two Rivers with her. As they kiss, the shimmering exit reappears but she doesn’t pass through.
Atuan’s Mill – High Lady Suroth (Karima McAdams) lectures her captives, Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) and the Shienarans, at the village center. Second-in-command, Alwhin (Jessica Boone) is present. Lady Suroth vows to recover the land they took from her before ordering them to kneel. When defiant Uno Nomesta (Guy Roberts) refuses, she makes an example of him.
Sanitarium – When Rand visits Logain Ablar (Alvaro Morte), he is recognized. Logain explains how men with channeling powers have an aura. Rand questions how to control the aura. Logain offers to help with the promise of a Ghealdan Red on his next visit.
In the square, Rand is in the town square with Selene (Natasha O’Keeffe) when he overhears someone saying the queen is offering a fortune to anyone who returns to Cairhien with the Horn of Valere. He learns the difficulty of securing a bottle of Ghealdan Red.
The Tower – Egwene and Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney) visit Nynaeve’s room. Sheriam tells them that Nynaeve never returned from the arches. Egwene suggests going to look for her. Elayne explains how the arches work. Sheriam warns that Nynaeve won’t be coming back.
Liandrian tells Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris) that he is free to go. He accuses her of playing games with him. Denying the allegation, she blames herself for Nynaeve’s death. Before leaving, she says Egwene is at the Tower but he is probably too much of a coward to visit her.
Queen’s Party – While posing as royalty, Rand learns from Lady Anvaere Damodred (Lindsay Duncan) that the queen’s reward for the Horn of Valere is a ruse to purge Foregate. Selene plays down Rand’s concern for Foregate. She reminds him that they live in the most political city in the world. Rand asks what she wants from their relationship. When she declines to answer, Rand flees to the Sanitarium. Logain warns that it is impossible to control the power inside of him.
The Tower – Mat sees Egwene weeping but decides to return to his cell. Removing the bookcase to expose the tunnel, he invites Min Farshaw (Ka Alexander) to join him. She accuses him of trying to seduce her before joining him. After revealing the open door, Min passes through. Mat reluctantly trails her.
Caravan – Perrin wakes up to find himself shackled. The Dark One (Fares Fares) informs him that Lady Suroth in Falme has offered him a new life with the Seanchan but warns it won’t be pleasant. The Dark One urges him to tap into his thirst for blood. Reluctantly using his sight, Perrin realizes who is talking to him. The Dark One vows to be watching before leaving. Elyas Machera (Gary Beadle) arrives to free him.
The Tower – Min is readying two horses when Mat arrives with provisions. Leaving to retrieve something, Min encounters Liandrian who admits to staging the ruse. Liandrian assures her that Moiraine won’t have anything to hang over them.
Forgate – Selene threatens to kill Rand if he tries to abandon her again. During intimacy, she urges him to reveal his channeling powers. Later, he wakes up alone to find his powers are still active. He accidentally sets his home on fire.
The Tower – Egwene attempts to open the arches only to fail when Elayne approaches. Elayne offers to wait for Nynaeve near the arches.
In The Arches –Nynaeve and Elnore (Asia-Sky Fenty) appear to be living with Perrin, Mat, and Lan. They are having dinner with a group of trollocs arrive. Nynaeve rushes Elnore to the cellar before leaving to join the battle. After her friends are killed, she kills the last trolloc. She breaks down in tears. Elmore says, “What is that” when the shimmering arch exit appears. Holding Elnore, she passes through to find herself alone and battered. Egwene is there to comfort her when she breaks down again. The episode ends.
Wheel Of Time Review
Not a bad way at all to build the anticipation for the fourth episode. The story seems to be progressing along rather nicely and the fact that so many characters are hitting major peaks in their story only adds to the suspense. Although the acting may not be superb and the lighting quality is terrible at times, the story is incredibly intriguing. I cannot compare it to the books, but I must say I am pleasantly surprised at my peaked interest in this series. I would give the episode a 5.8.
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