Episode 6 of Season 3 of "The Wheel of Time" unfolds in Tanchico, a full 95 years prior, where a youthful Liandrin struggles in vain to soothe her crying infant, Aludran. Her anxiety is palpable, yet she summons her courage. Employing her magical prowess, she dispatches her captors with swift precision and makes a hasty escape. As she flees, a mysterious figure extends a helping hand – none other than Ishamael himself.
Switching to the present, Liandrin has matured into a formidable figure, with Selene, her tendrils sinister and slick, wrapping around her. Following Ishamael's demise, Selene assumes the mantle of leadership, giving Liandrin until dawn to carry out her bidding or face dire consequences.
Elsewhere, the Black Ajah persists in their relentless pursuit of the elusive collar, their quest intertwined with the paths of Nynaeve, Min, Mat, and Elayne, who roam the bustling markets in search of vital information. Each employs their unique tactics to gather intelligence, until Mat crosses paths with Thom, a man presumed dead yet very much alive. Though hesitant to involve himself, Thom's resolve weakens upon learning of Liandrin's involvement, urging Mat to steer clear.
However, when Mat discovers Elayne in a perilous predicament, he cannot resist stepping in, disarming her just in time as a blade hovered dangerously close to her throat. Donning the guise of a mentor-apprentice duo, Thom and Elayne engage in a melodious charade, their performance drawing thunderous applause from the onlooking crowd – far from the discretion they sought.
Meanwhile, at a nearby tavern, Nynaeve and Min opt to buy an elderly patron a drink, his ears filled with whispers about Liandrin that could hold the key to their quest. Simultaneously, Liandrin extracts information from Nyomi, uncovering the startling revelation that their quarry lies within the Panarch's palace. Yet, their conversation is interrupted by a spy, who hastily exits to relay the intelligence.
Elsewhere, Egwene persists in her struggle to wield control over her dreams, following the unpleasant encounter with Selene. Melaine and Bair steadfastly continue their mentorship, urging her to expel them from her subconscious realm with sheer determination. Yet, Selene intrudes once more, mocking her within the dreamscape. The enigmatic Selene continues her dream-hopping, this time arriving in Moiraine's dreamscape to announce an impending "surprise." Moiraine, opening her heart to Rand, unburdens herself about the prophecy and the visions etched in the Rings. As their discourse delves into the intricacies of power and the peril of Rand's impending madness, Rand confesses that even now, the One Power beckons to him, causing him momentarily to lose focus and setting the earth beneath him to quake.
In the Two Rivers, Perrin battles back from the brink of death after a stabbing. Meanwhile, Alanna lies in a perilous state, pierced by arrows, rendering her incapable of healing him at this critical juncture. This poses a dire challenge, as Whitecloak reinforcements are on their way, intent on forcing their hand upon the defenses to confront the inhabitants of the Two Rivers. During his recuperation, Perrin shares intimate moments with Faile, drawing closer as they exchange confidences. He unveils the parchment depicting Mat blowing the Horn, and the couple's lips meet in a tender kiss. However, the looming threat of the Whitecloaks preparing for an assault casts a shadow over their reunion.
In Tanchico, our protagonists converge, uncovering that Liandrin has taken refuge in the aged Lounalt manor, which she stained with blood a few weeks prior. A stroke of fortune awaits them here. Recall the trader Mat engaged in conversation with earlier in the episode? It transpires that his father owns a shop by the aged docks, possessing a bracelet that is a crucial piece in the larger puzzle surrounding the Shackled Man statue, flanked by two Aes Sedai.
The noose around Tanchico is undeniably tightening, as Moghedien persists in her relentless pursuit of information. Her sights are now set on Ispan, the spy lurking within the shadows of the bar, who has been keeping tabs on Liandrin and her aspirations to become a Forspoken.
Moghedien subsequently materializes in front of Elayne and Nynaeve, wielding her magic to render them as docile and compliant as lambs. Under her spell, they spill the beans on everything, from the Seanchan collar to the possession of the second bracelet. Despite Nynaeve's valiant attempts to resist, Moghedien's magic proves too potent. She smoothly slips away, erasing their memories of the encounter like a masterful eraser on a chalkboard. Once the magic fades and Moghedien is gone, Elayne and Nynaeve remain oblivious to what transpired, save for Nynaeve's painful gash marking her cheek.
Egwene confronts Rand about Selene's intrusion into his dreams, her voice laced with pain as she accuses him of being consumed by the Madness. Rand counters that Selene has never truly desired him. However, the revelation that Selene has also been invading Egwene's dreams and assaulting her leaves Rand stunned and insistent that he had no inkling of these actions.
Just as tensions escalate, Sammael strikes, prompting Rand to unleash his powers as the Dragon Reborn and slay him instantly. In the process, he demolishes the entire building. Yet, his formidable strength brings dire consequences, as he inadvertently kills Alsera, the innocent young girl from the garden earlier in the episode, who is now trapped under the rubble. Desperate to revive her, Rand attempts to wield his magic to bring her back from the brink of death.
Yet, his efforts are fruitless, and it is Moiraine who ultimately halts his desperate attempts.
