In Review: The Wheel of Time (S3 – Eps 1,2 & 3) To Race the Shadow, A Question of Crimson & Seeds of Shadow

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time got underway on Amazon Prime and as always they dropped three episodes for fans to binge starting with To Race the Shadow, A Question of Crimson and Seeds of Shadow. Before we review the three episodes I thought it would be a good idea to give you all a brief recap of the story so far.

The Story So Far

Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai, believes that one of five young villagers is the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied figure who will either save the world or destroy it. She takes them on a dangerous journey, pursued by dark forces loyal to the Shadow. Along the way, they face monstrous Trollocs, the Dark One’s manipulative touch, and their own growing fears about their destinies.

As they are pulled in different directions, some begin training in the White Tower, where they learn to harness the One Power under the strict rule of the Aes Sedai. Others seek answers elsewhere, encountering warriors, rebels, and forbidden knowledge that challenges everything they thought they knew. The powerful Seanchan empire arrives from across the sea, enslaving magic users and threatening to reshape the world.

Meanwhile, the Forsaken—ancient servants of the Dark One—return, each with their own deadly ambitions. Moiraine, stripped of her ability to channel, struggles to uncover the true scope of the Shadow’s plan. Rand, now fully aware of his identity as the Dragon Reborn, can no longer hide. He faces the Forsaken Ishamael in a climactic battle in the city of Falme, wielding the One Power in full force. His victory sends shockwaves through the world, marking his return for all to see and setting the stage for an even greater conflict to come.

With the Dark One’s influence growing, powerful enemies gathering, and the world edging closer to war, the battle between light and shadow is only just beginning.

The Story

“To Race the Shadow” kicks off with an intense magical battle as Liandrin Guirale stands trial for being a Darkfriend. What begins as a formal proceeding quickly escalates into an all-out clash between Siuan Sanche and her fellow Aes Sedai against Liandrin, Black Ajah’s, and other Darkfriends. In the end, the battle ends in a stalemate, with Liandrin and her allies managing to escape the White Tower—taking valuable artifacts with them.

Meanwhile, Moiraine and Rand formulate a plan, leading to the group splitting up. Rand and Moiraine set out for a place where neither the Forsaken nor the Darkfriends will think to look for them, with Egwene choosing to accompany them. Perrin, however, decides to return home, while Mat stays near the White Tower, hoping the Aes Sedai can heal him.

In “A Question of Crimson,” the White Tower receives an unexpected and dangerous visitor—Morgase Trakand, Queen of Andor. She arrives to check on her daughter, Aes Sedai initiate Elayne Trakand, and demands that she return home. But Elayne has no intention of leaving. Elsewhere, Perrin’s homecoming turns grim as he finds his village overrun by Whitecloaks, who see him as a threat and want him dead.

Meanwhile, Moiraine, Rand, and Egwene reach their destination, only to receive an unsettling welcome. The leader of the group greeting them is someone Egwene has seen before—haunting her visions ever since she stepped through the arches.

“Seeds of Shadow” follows Nynaeve and Elayne as they embark on a dangerous mission to track down Liandrin and her faction, who are searching for an artifact capable of controlling the Dragon Reborn.

Meanwhile, Perrin rallies his village to fend off a Trolloc attack while also working to rescue Mat’s family from the Whitecloaks, who are using them as bait to draw him in.

Elsewhere, Rand, Moiraine, and Egwene continue their journey, facing new challenges and hard-learned lessons.

At the same time, Selene meets with several of the Forsaken to plot her next move in the hunt for Rand.

Acting

Zoë Robins and Ceara Coveney have some great moments as Nynaeve and Elayne work to uncover Liandrin’s whereabouts. The interrogation scenes with the Black Ajah members who aided Liandrin are particularly fantastic.

Sophie Okonedo is brilliant as Siuan Sanche in both the first and second episodes. Her scenes with Olivia Williams in the second episode are taut, raising intriguing questions about her character’s backstory and the history of this world.

Overall

These episodes provide a strong start to what promises to be another solid season of fantasy television. I’m finding Liandrin’s storyline particularly intriguing, especially now that she’s clearly going her own way. I also appreciated the shocking betrayals that unfolded in the opening episode.