Summary
The point of the massive change to Perrin’s backstory inThe Wheel of Timehas been a major subject of confusion, but could be easily explained by an upcoming storyline in season 3. Arguably one of the show’s most controversial additions to the source material was Laila, a character introduced as Perrin’s wife. InRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooks, Perrin Aybara joined the story as an unmarried blacksmith from the Two Rivers, whereasthe TV series turned him into a widower tragically responsible for his own wife’s death.
How drastically different this was from the novels, and how it opened the door for a whole new trajectory for his character, was predictably met with backlash. As for why the series made this adjustment in the first place, the exact reasoning behind it was not immediately clear. The obvious assumption to make was that the series simply wanted to tell a whole new story for Perrin to make his journey unique to the other characters. But chances are, its motivations are much more complex, and will make a lot more sense afterThe Wheel of Timeseason 3.
Wheel Of Time Season 2 Ending Explained (In Detail)
The climactic battle at Falme in The Wheel of Time season 2 finale recreated several book moments, while also laying the groundwork for season 3.
Perrin’s Season 3 Story Proves The Fallout From Laila’s Death Isn’t Over
It Looks Like Season 1’s Big Change Was For The Benefit Of Season 3’s Story
Though what happened to Laila hasn’t been a significant plot point as of late, what lies ahead for Perrin demonstrates that the show still has more story to tell when it comes to Perrin’s accidental killing of Laila.The Wheel of Time’sthird season is adapting book 4,The Shadow Rising, a novel that sees Perrin return to the Two Rivers and do battle with Dain Bornhald’s Whitecloaks and the Trollocs. Being there in the village naturally results in regular interactions with members of the community, such as Tam al’Thor, Abel Cauthon, Daise Congar, and more.
Of course, this on its own doesn’t confirm Perrin’s season 3 story, but other details leave little doubt about the direction he’ll be taking. After all, Two Rivers is aconfirmed location forWheel of Timeseason 3. Plus, Perrin killed Geofram Bornhald and earned the ire of his son, Dain -putting Perrin at odds with Dain, a key member of the Whitecloaks, is an important building block to Perrin’s arc inThe Shadow Rising. This development gives the show the setup it needs for the Whitecloaks to draw Perrin back to the Two Rivers in season 3.
Being there where it happened, talking to people who knew her is sure to make the guilt he feels over Laila’s death a recurring source of inner turmoil for Perrin for the entirety of his return to the Two Rivers.
It should go without saying thatspending a season in the Two Rivers will bring up unwelcome memories of what happened to LailainWheel of Timeseason 3. Being there where it happened and talking to people who knew her is sure to make the guilt he feels over Laila’s death a recurring source of inner turmoil for Perrin for the entirety of his return to the Two Rivers.
Laila’s Death Can Resolve A Major Flaw In Perrin’s Two Rivers Plan
Perrin Will Have A Better Motivation If He Surrenders To The Whitecloaks
Laila’s fate adds an interesting component to Perrin’s arc that wasn’t in the books. This complicated the show’s adaptation of Perrin’s personal journey inThe Eye of the World, but can actually complement his story inThe Shadow Rising. In the book,Perrin devised a plan to free the Two Riversfrom the control of the Whitecloaks by offering himself to them, knowing that they wanted him dead. Perrin was accepting of this, knowing that he did kill some Whitecloaks. However, the sense of responsibility Perrin felt for his actions didn’t seem earned.
The first two seasons ofThe Wheel of Timeare available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
It’s a similar situation in the show. Perrin has indeed slain some Whitecloaks (including Geofram), but these killings were provoked by them. However, it’s likely thatthe show won’t need to rely on his history with the Whitecloaks to drive his decision-making in season 3. Rather, it can use the guilt he feels over what happened to Laila. Because Perrin did something that he could genuinely feel is deserving of punishment, it would be more understandable for Perrin to surrender himself to the Whitecloaks.
Laila’s Death Sets Up A Bigger Two Rivers Conflict For Perrin In Season 3
The Truth About Laila Could Divide The Two Rivers
Although there’s no indication that any current Two Rivers residents are aware of the truth about Laila, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before it comes out. An investigation by the Whitecloaks, for instance, could yield this discovery. The series taking this path seems feasible, especially when looking at how it would deepen the conflict that unfolds in the Two Rivers when Perrin returns. Knowing the truth would greatly increase the challenge of getting the Two Rivers folk - including people he likely counts as friends - to trust him.
InThe Shadow Rising, there was some degree of division among the townsfolk, with the Congar and Coplin families stirring up trouble and spurring disagreements over the town’s best course of action.The Wheel of Timecan easily play into this side of the story if people in the Two Rivers find out - or even have suspicion - about Perrin causing Laila’s death.The discord it could sow could result in a dramatic, multi-episode storyline where Perrin has to confront his past and gradually unite the Two Rivers community.
Perrin’s Guilt Over Laila Can Make His Romance With Faile Even Better
Laila’s Death Will Also Impact Any Romance Perrin Has With Faile
Another implication ofthe change to Perrin’s storyin season 1 is what it means for Faile Bashere. In the books, Faile is Perrin’s primary love interest and the woman he marries inThe Shadow Rising. In the wider context of the series, it didn’t actually take long for Perrin and Faile to become husband and wife, considering that they met for the first time in book 3,The Dragon Reborn. That said, within the story of books 3 and 4, it did take a while for Perrin to warm up to Faile, and that could translate well to the series on account of his tragic past with Laila.
Not unlike how the killing of Laila can influence his decisions about the Whitecloaks and his relationships with the Two Rivers folk, it can also shape his romance with Faile, a character heavily expected to debut on the small screen soon. It’s easy to see it creating an enormous obstacle for the two to overcome, with Perrin potentially feeling that he doesn’t deserve a new romantic relationship with Faile. His journey inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 could see Perrin slowly heal from the trauma he endured in the series premiere.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
