Episode 5 of season 2 of The Wheel of Time, streaming on Amazon Prime, is lively with events. It has betrayal, an old villain returning, a hero succumbing to a torturous fate, and an introduction of a new but important character. All of these within a breezy one-hour runtime. The Wheel of Time has started to pick up serious pace while it is nearing its season end. Here is a recap of all the events that happened in this episode.
The Wheel of Time (Season 2) Prime Video Episode 5 Recap:
Moiraine and Rand Run
In the last episode, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) appeared just in the nick of time and slit Selene’s (Natasha O’Keeffe) throat. Moiraine revealed to Rand (Josha Stradowski) that Selene was Lanfear, probably the most feared among the Forsaken (disciples of the Dark One). After slitting her throat, Moiraine tells Rand that this would barely slow Lanfear down. They need to hurry before she ‘wakes up’ and comes after them. They take horses from a nearby stable and make the journey towards the White Tower.
Lanfear quickly reaches the stable and, after a bit of killing, follows suit. However, we quickly see that Moiraine has bluffed when it comes to going to Tar Valon (Home of the White Tower). She wanted to make sure that Lanfear went in the wrong direction for a significant amount of time before she realized her mistake. This would give Moiraine and Rand a good headstart. This works as Lanfear goes in the wrong direction while Moiraine and Rand come back to Cairhien. They take a pit stop in Moiraine’s old family house, currently owned by Anvaere (Lindsay Duncan).
Perrin Goes Back For His Friends
After being rescued by Elyas (Gary Beadle) and the Wolfkin, Perrin learns about his ‘Wolf-identity.’ Elyas tells Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) that the wolves are his real family. However, at peace he might be, Perrin still wants to find his comrades. Loial and Ingtar are still captured by the Seanchan Empire’s army. Elyas does not share the same passion for helping human beings. So Perrin leaves him and the wolfkin. However, one wolf, the one Perrin named ‘Hopper,’ accompanies Perrin. While trying to get back to them, Perrin, with his wolf company, stumbles across a village where the Whitecloaks have taken control. And Perrin sees one of his old friends.
In the last season, the ruthless Whitecloak, Eamon Valda (Abdul Salis), had shown his contempt for anything ‘magical’. He tortured Perrin and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) before the wolfbrothers intervened to save them. Now, in this village, Perrin sees that the Whitecloaks have captured and caged a woman (Ayoola Smart). A friendlier Whitecloak warns Perrin not to go near that woman. While staying at the village inn, Perrin sees Valda making an appearance. Seeing that Perrin decides to leave the village. But he also decides to free the caged woman, knowing it would risk his life.
Liandrin’s Secret
Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) knocked Egwene, Nynaeve (Zoe Robins), and Elayne (Ceara Coveney) out in the last episode. The three inexperienced channelers wake up inside the “Ways.” Liandrin has taken them through the treacherous path of the “Ways,” which acts as a short-cut portal between distant places. When Nynaeve wakes up, bound and helpless, she realizes that Liandrin has a different motive than what she previously told her. She does not want to help Nynaeve’s friends.
As the portal door opens, Liandrin hands the girls over to the Seanchan Empire’s ruthless leader, Lady Suroth (Karima Mcadams). However, back in the White Tower, Aes Sedai Verin (Meera Syal), who was hosting Moiraine and Lan, comes to enquire about Egwene and Nynaeve. Verin realizes something amiss as the three girls (including daughter-heir Elayne) are missing. Liandrin and some of the White Tower folks’ stories about them going to attend some event sounds too flimsy for the history-loving Aes Sedai.
The Wheel of Time (Season 2) Prime Video Episode 5 Ending Explained:
Who are the Black Ajah?
The Black Ajah is a mystical sect of the Aes Sedai. The White Tower has mostly denied the existence of the dark Ajah. Each Ajah (denoted by a color) represents the role of Aes Sedai. The Black Ajah represents darkness. It refers to Aes Sedai, who has forsaken their three oaths. These Aes Sedai are Darkfriends, serving the purpose of the Dark One. Nynaeve realizes Liandrin is one as she has lied to her, and an Aes Sedai, respecting their oath, cannot lie.
However, Liandrin seems to be a mystery. She did hand Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne to Lady Suroth and Ishamael (Fares Fares). But she also untied Nynaeve’s hands, ensuring they could put up a fight. The three girls did fight, which helped Nynaeve and Elayne to escape. But Egwene gets caught. Lady Suroth, who was previously punished by the Seanchan Empire’s emperor, hopes the capture of Egwene will be a gift for the emperor.
What is Damane?
The word ‘Damane’ refers to being leashed. In the Old Tongue, it means ‘Leashed One.’ The Seanchan Empire enslaves women who can channel the One Power. As Lady Suroth put it, they believe the One Power should not be channeled in the first place. This is why they put a collar, or leash, on women who can channel. These Damanes could only channel if their owner, or holder of the leash, allows them to channel. The collar keeps them in check. The Aes Sedai are referred to as marath’damane. It means “those who must be leashed.” It is the goal of the Seanchan Empire to put a leash on every channeler in the world. We see Egwene succumbing to this fate at the end of the episode.
Why does Moiraine stop running from Lanfear?
In Cairhien, after a consultation with Anvaere, Moiraine realizes that Rand does not need protection. If Lanfear wanted to kill Rand, she could have done that a long time ago. Lanfear has always been in love with the Dragon Reborn. Rand, being the current reincarnated version of the Dragon, genuinely has a place in Lanfear’s heart. So, Moiraine decides it is time Rand talks to Lanfear. As Lanfear can reach people through their dreams, Moiraine asks Rand to go to sleep. In the dream, Rand is bound on a wheel (probably denoting the wheel of time) in a deserted place, whereas Lanfear sits on a throne in front of him.
Who was the woman Perrin rescued?
The woman rescued by Perrin is Aviendha. She is a warrior from Aiel Waste. People from Aiel Waste are known as Aiel. We have seen an Aiel warrior fight before. It was Rand’s mother who single-handedly took down multiple armored fighters. Rand is an Aiel. Perrin rescuing Aviendha is an important event in this story. As one might make the Aiel connection, Aviendha is going to play a role in Rand’s life.
