The Wheel of Time’s season three finale is packed with a lot of action and heartbreak. Elaida Sedai rises to power by doing the unthinkable and killing Suian Sanche to claim the Amyrlin Seat. And Liandrin’s quest to become a Forsaken leads to a dangerous alliance with Moghedien. But, before Liandrin gets to that point, she faces Nynaeve, a person with whom she has a complex relationship, and their encounter changes both of their lives forever.
As The Wheel of Time‘s season three finale begins, Nyaneve and Mat are still having a time in Tanchico and munching on noodles when they discover that Liandrin is sporting both of the bracelets needed to capture the Dragon Reborn. Mat goes to get Elayne and Min while Nyaeve tracks Liandrin, who heads to Panarch’s Place for the Domination Band, a ter’angreal for controlling men who can channel. It is the final piece of hardware she needs to control Rand al’Thor. The group comes together and realizes that one of them must obtain the collar and escape Tanchico immediately.
They enter the palace to discover a litter of dead bodies and split up, with Nynaeve on the tracks of Liandrin. Everyone else ends up in quite the predicament, from Mat’s weird travels through an archway to the Black Ajah on Elayne and Thom’s behinds. However, Nynaeve finds the collar and attempts to leave, but ends up facing Liandrin. Nynaeve tries to appeal to Liandrin by saying she’s aware of her tragic past; however, Liandrin simply says that adversity breeds strength. She says she doesn’t think that Liandrin isn’t so far down a dark path that she cannot return, to which Liandrin laughs and says she’s going in the direction she wishes to go.
Nynaeve Finally Unlocks Her Full Power and Channels on Command in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Finale
Liandrin uses her power to wrap Nynaeve up in chains, telling her that she will collar the Dragon Reborn and become the first Forsaken of a new age. She even says she will kill the strongest channeler in 1,000 years before tossing her into water and casually walking off. Unfortunately, that person is Nynaeve, even though she has little control over her power. But, when Nynaeve is at the bottom of the sea in chains and at death’s door in The Wheel of Time season three finale, she has a mental breakthrough and not only frees herself but parts the waters to walk out.
In many ways, Nynaeve and Liandrin are two sides of the same coin in The Wheel of Time. They have similar tragic backstories and hardened hearts that make trusting others incredibly difficult. The only difference is that Nynaeve is willing to step outside of her comfort zone if it means walking towards the light, while Liandrin will do what it takes to obtain power, even if that’s living in the dark. There’s also the argument that Liandrin did this on purpose, knowing that Nynaeve’s instincts would likely kick in and save her.
Kate Fleetwood Chimes in on Liandrin’s The Wheel of Time Journey
Actress Kate Fleetwood, who plays Liandrin, still thinks that the relationship between Nynaeve and Liandrin will continue to grow in interesting ways.
“[With] Nynaeve, there’s a connection like, ‘Ooh many there’s somebody I can reveal things to.’ and she does that,” Fleetwood tells Nerdist. “After a bit of a fight, she finally says what’s going on in her life. So she does trust Nynaeve a bit and that tension is so interesting to play with. Zoe [Robins] and I enjoyed playing that with each other. Whatever happens next between them certainly isn’t going to be easy.”
The Wheel of Time Season 3 Finale Ends with Liandrin Petitioning Moghedien to Join Forces and Collar the Dragon Reborn
Of course, Liandrin’s journey will continue as she tries to collar Rand and be a Forsaken. She wants to prove herself to Moghedien. What does she really want? Is it power, acceptance, or something else? We will have to see if The Wheel of Time returns for a fourth season.
“I think it’s power,” says Kate Fleetwood. “I think she’s been so powerless. It’s like any dictator or anybody who’s on the search for it. The richest men in the world want more. It’s never satiated, it’s never enough.”
We cannot wait until the next Liandrin and Nynaeve showdown in The Wheel of Time. It certainly won’t be the same now that The Wheel of Time season three’s finale has seen Nynaeve fully step into her power and Liandrin completely turn from the light.
Content shared from nerdist.com.