Episode 5 of "The Wheel Of Time" unfolds with the somber aftermath of the previous episode's carnage, where one of the Aes Sedai lies dead, her life extinguished in the fray. Nyn joins Lan, Moiraine, and the rest of their company as they solemnly inter her remains, her final resting place marked by a grave positioned in a semi-circle—a silent testament to the enduring rotation of the Wheel.
A month has passed since the tragedy, and the scene shifts to Logain, still confined within the prison walls. The Aes Sedai embark on a journey to the illustrious White City, Tar Valon, whose grandeur is eclipsed only by the majestic White Tower towering overhead.
In a moment of solitude, Moiraine confides in Nyn about her place—or rather, the lack of it—in this vast world. Nyn, whose true potential was glimpsed in the preceding episode, is only now beginning to grasp the magnitude of her strength—or the heights she might attain. Moiraine cautions her against straying into the labyrinthine politics of the tower, promising instead to usher her friends into the city's embrace.
Hardly has Moiraine's vow left her lips when Mat, in a state of disarray, arrives in Tar Valon with Rand in tow. They traverse the bustling thoroughfares, a kaleidoscope of humanity where half a million souls from every corner of the world converge. Finding refuge for the night, Mat, burdened by the haunting memory of Thom and the fade, confesses his self-blame in a moment of vulnerability.
Venturing into the town, Rand encounters Loial, an Ogier—a creature akin to an ogre in this realm—whose inquisitive nature leads him to inquire about Rand's purpose in Tar Valon. Their conversation is abruptly halted by the arrival of a grand parade celebrating the Aes Sedai. The focus of the spectacle is Logain, the "false prophet," confined within a cage that is pelted with vegetables by the masses. Yet, Logain remains unperturbed until he catches sight of Mat perched on a balcony, at which point his demeanor shifts to hysterical laughter, his jewel-encrusted eyes gleaming with a sinister delight at the sight of a potential dragon reborn. Does he possess knowledge that remains hidden from our gaze?
Elsewhere, Perrin finds himself in conversation with Aram, delving into the unique path of the Seekers. The irony here is stark: although they profess to abstain from violence, their dogs are fierce beasts, unleashing destruction upon whatever they encounter in the wild. However, their caravan's journey comes to an abrupt halt at the hands of the Children of the Light, led by the cunningly deceitful Eamon Valda. Sensing impending peril, Aram leads Perrin and Egwene away in the opposite direction, through the dense woods, yet their escape is cut short by the relentless pursuit of the Children of the Light.
Later in the episode, we reconnect with these individuals as Egwene, now bathed and clad in pristine white, is compelled to witness Perrin's brutal torture at their hands. It transpires that they are undergoing a trial orchestrated by the Light, with Valda casting himself in the roles of judge, jury, and executioner. He is utterly convinced that Perrin is a Warder and Egwene an Aes Sedai, demanding that she wield the One Power.
Meanwhile, in the White City, the narrative slows to a gentle lull. Stepin struggles to find solace in sleep, his heart still heavy with grief over his profound loss. Nyn reunites with Rand and Mat, but the atmosphere is tense, particularly as Mat descends further into a dark abyss of despair.
Sliding into despair is Perrin, who bears the guilt of believing he slain his wife and considers himself worthy of death. Sensing this despair, Eamon Valda, wielding a knife, steps forward to fulfill what he perceives as Perrin's final wish. As Valda initiates the grim ritual, slicing open Perrin's back, Egwene, driven to intervene, musters her powers. Yet, to her surprise, Perrin too taps into his latent abilities, shattering the bonds that once constrained him. Caught unprepared, Valda is outmaneuvered by Perrin, who appears to command the beast outside, sending them into a frenzy to secure their escape.
Meanwhile, within the city confines, Moiraine engages in discourse with Alanna Mosvani. Word has it that the Amyrlin, returning from Caemlyn, has summoned them both to the Hall to deliberate upon Logain's destiny. Alanna confides in Moiraine, acknowledging her as the sole individual possessing the strength to contest the Amyrlin's will. She urges Moiraine to rise to the occasion, to meet this challenge head-on. If not, she cautions, Moiraine must tread with utmost vigilance.
The world around them teems with transformation, and as our characters brace themselves for the unfolding future, the Wheel of Time relentlessly continues its eternal spin.
