Episode 4 of Season 3 of "The Wheel of Time" unfolds amidst the vast, barren expanse of the Aeil Wastes, where Lan, with meticulous precision and seasoned expertise, initiates Rand into the art of swordsmanship. Their movements are a symphony of coordination and strength, as Moiraine and Egwene watch from afar, their countenances a complex tapestry of curiosity and anticipation.
However, back at their encampment, Rand's burgeoning skill is swiftly eclipsed by Aviendha, who dispatches him to the ground with effortless ease. But when Lan steps into the fray, the dynamics alter dramatically. Their sparring match intensifies, each strike exchanged with relentless determination, until Melindhra steps in, forestalling a definitive conclusion. She reminds Aviendha of her duties as a Wise One, cautioning her against embracing the mantle of a Maiden of the Spear, leaving Aviendha with little room for rebellion.
Meanwhile, Rand's thoughts are fixed on Rhuidean, a destination that fills Moiraine with foreboding. She warns him that his arrogant demeanor could spell his undoing, but Rand dismisses her concerns, reinforcing his mistrust towards the Aes Sedai and declining to confide in her further.
As dawn breaks, the group arrives at the enigmatic city of Rhuidean. With the blessing of Melaine and Melindhra, Rand ventures inside to face a trial that requires him to navigate the city unarmed and confront the trials of the past. Each step he takes transports him further back in time, and to his surprise, his companion on this journey is Moiraine, rather than Egwene.
The city is shrouded in a dense fog, casting an eerie, ethereal glow over its mysteries. As Rand delves deeper, he finds himself transformed into Janduin, Rand's father, engaged in a monumental battle against Laman's forces. Janduin's wife lies slain, and his infant son, the future Rand, is nowhere to be found. This revelation underscores Rand's pivotal role in the prophecy, marking him as "of the blood but not raised by the blood," and anointing him as the Dragon Reborn. Like Rand, Janduin endured the trials, unbowed by his past and refusing to be branded an oathbreaker.
The origins of this moniker stem from Lewin, a Da’shain Aiel who lived during the turbulent era of the Breaking. When his sister was kidnapped, Lewin sought to rescue her, but in the process, they killed the kidnappers—an act that contravened Aiel teachings.
Despite the fact that all his actions were in self-defense, Lewin is exiled due to his deviation from the Way of the Leaf, hence earning the moniker of the oathbreaker. Next, the spotlight turns to Moiraine, who has been underserved by the screen time in this episode, presenting us with a succession of haunting visions depicting Rand's death at various points in time.
Returning to Rand's narrative, we witness a pivotal vision that verifies the existence of the Sakarnen, the feminine counterpart to the Callandor, reserved solely for women. Amidst these revelations, the episode briefly succumbs to some rather unconvincing CGI, particularly involving horses, before delving deeper into Rand's ancestry and revealing Selene's crucial role, stretching back to the Breaking of the World.
Upon regaining consciousness, Rand awakens to find Aviendha by his side, having likewise endured the trials. Notably absent is Moiraine, who remains immersed in a multitude of visions, predominantly portraying her own untimely end at the hands of Selene or other Aes Sedai. Interwoven among these grim foretellings, however, are visions of Rand and Moiraine sharing an intimate connection.
As the sun crests the horizon, we behold Rand departing Rhuidean with Moiraine cradled in his arms, both having triumphantly completed their trials.
