The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, and for our core crew in The Wheel of Time, Season 3 takes them on a wild ride. Prime Video’s ambitious high fantasy adaptation of Robert Jordan’s bestselling series returns this week for its next chapter. Does it measure up? Can this eight-episode new season outshine its predecessors?
About The Wheel of Time Season 3
Here’s a synopsis for the season per Prime Video:
“After defeating Ishamael, one of the most powerful of the Forsaken, at the end of Season 2, Rand reunites with his friends in the city of Falme and is declared the Dragon Reborn. But in Season 3, the threats against the Light are multiplying: the White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon… including Lanfear, whose relationship with Rand will mark a crucial choice between Light and Dark for them both.
As the ties to his past begin to unravel and his corrupted power grows stronger, Rand becomes increasingly unrecognizable to his closest allies, Moiraine and Egwene. These powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark… no matter the cost.”
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Season 3 stars Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, Ceara Coveney, Sophie Okonedo, Kate Fleetwood, Natasha O’Keeffe, Ayoola Smart, Kae Alexander, Hammed Animashaun and Priyanka Bose.
Audacious in Scope and Scale
I had the privilege of watching all eight episodes. If there’s one takeaway from this season, it’s that it’s indisputably the show’s biggest and boldest offering yet. Season 3 is quite cinematic and expansive in more ways than one. We meet a plethora of new characters while the series introduces storylines and builds on existing arcs. It whisks us away to locales previously unseen.
You can tell the production has a significantly increased budget. The special effects are an improvement; the cinematography looks cleaner and more crisp — even the camerawork is more creative, lending itself to that cinematic feel. You’re in for a visually stunning treat. Other elements contributing to the overall elevated vibe include the aesthetically pleasing, intricate costumes and the expressive score.
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Too Many Cooks in the Narrative Kitchen
That said, the multitude of plotlines is also Season 3’s Achilles heel. The pacing suffers because of this, and there’s a struggle to strike that balance between narrative movement and character development. It’s hard to root for the newbies because we don’t know them. Some arcs are introduced and promptly abandoned, with some characters getting very little screen time. The season doesn’t feel as cohesive or flow as well as it could.
Sometimes, I felt like I was watching different shows wrapped in one series. There’s a bit of connective tissue between a few storylines, but overall, there’s a disconnect. This wasn’t enough to hamper my enjoyment, though. I appreciate when a series takes big creative swings for the fences, and The Wheel of Time certainly does that. Episodes four and seven pack a punch in all aspects — episode four, in particular, has a surreal quality to it.
Standouts and Spectacle
Performance-wise, everyone brings their A-game. While Josha Stradowski is always a solid performer, he ups his acting game this season as Rand. You can see the struggle between the Light and Dark within our Dragon Reborn. He brings nuance and has a natural screen presence. Priyanka Bose is a force of nature as Alanna, bringing gravitas, humor and feistiness to her portrayal. Natasha O’Keeffe is formidable as Lanfear, infusing her Forsaken character with a mercurial edge.
RELATED: Read our The Wheel of Time recaps
Sophie Okonedo and Rosamund Pike are testaments of their craft, each offering complex, layered portrayals of Siuan and Moiraine, respectively. Meanwhile, Dónal Finn is expected — and welcome — comedic relief as Mat, and even Zoë Robins gets to let loose a bit as Nynaeve. Marcus Rutherford delivers an understated, easygoing performance as Perrin, who gets a larger arc this go-round.
Season 3 delves deeper into intriguing new character dynamics, which shakes things up narratively. The first 11 minutes of the premiere really set the stage for what’s to come, and for the most part, the season delivers on those stakes — but not without a few stumbles along the way. That said, those high-octane, propulsive opening moments are surprisingly gory and violent, but they’re absolutely engrossing. We see more political machinations at work this season, too, especially in the White Tower arc.
Entertaining Storytelling
The Wheel of Time Season 3 is atmospheric and immersive despite its all-too-dense narrative and lack of flow. It could’ve used more focus, but it’s still damn enjoyable. If you want fun and entertainment; if you want fantasy that provides an escape, look no further than Season 3. It pulls out all the stops.
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Be forewarned, though: the finale will break your heart, and it might prove polarizing among the fandom. That said, it effectively lays the groundwork for a fourth season should Amazon greenlight it.
The Wheel of Time Season 3 drops its first three episodes on Thursday, March 13, on Prime Video, with weekly releases leading up to the finale on April 17.
THE WHEEL OF TIME: Prime Video Releases First 11 Minutes of Season 3
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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