Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 6.
The Wheel of Timehas featured some particularly brutal deaths – Uno’s (Guy Roberts) murder by the Seanchan, or Renna’s (Xelia Mendes-Jones) death after Egwene (Madeleine Madden) reversed her torture methods in the Season 2 finale. Even Season 3 shows Aes Sedai dying graphically asthe Black Ajahattack — butEpisode 6, “The Shadow in the Night,“ends witha new death that will leave a permanent mark on the series. The episode ends with the tragic loss of Alsera (Julie Van Leeuwen),an Aiel girlwho is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This spirited, young, and enthusiastic character brought a different tone to the series as she proved to be much more lighthearted than the battle between light and dark going on around her.
Alsera dies after a fight with theForsaken Sammael (Cameron Jack), in which Rand releases an intense burst of the One Power. All of our heroes involved in the confrontation escape, leaving Alsera as one of the only unwitting casualties when a piece of Cold Rocks Hold collapses.Her sudden and unnecessary death nearly breaks Rand(Josha Stradowski), and for good reason. Alsera is only in danger because of Rand’s proximity, showing the immense risk he represents to everyone around him. While this scene doesn’t happen exactly the same way as in the book, Alsera’s death reflects that of another character who marks an important chapter in Rand’s development. However, by exploring the character of Alsera and making her so lovable, the show enhances the tragedy for both Rand and the audience.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Shows Signs of Rand’s Emerging Madness in His Reaction to Alsera’s Death
When Sammael shows up, Rand is unaware that Alsera is nearby, only to learn that she is in danger after part of the hold collapses. When he finds Alsera’s body in the rubble, Rand is visibly shaken, drawing all the power he can to heal her. As he desperately tries to bring Alsera back,Rand insists that he can do anything as his sobs turn into hysterical laughter. He points to theprophecy about the Dragon Reborn, believing that he should be able to restore life as he pours his magic into Alsera. Despite the gentle reminders fromEgweneand the others watching, Rand refuses to accept that Alsera is gone.
Rand’s reaction is the clearest sign thatThe Wheel of Timehas shown of him falling into madness like allmen who can channel. Though the Aes Sedai have discussed the fear of it, and Rand himself has confessed to feeling the taint of saidin, Rand has not shown signs of it, making the eventuality seem like a more distant threat. However, his reaction to Alsera’s death proves that it is more present than anyone realized. It’s a significant moment for Egwene, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), Lan (Daniel Henney), and Aviendha (Ayoola Smart), all of whom witness his reaction, knowing that they are reliant on him to defeat the Shadow. After that display,Rand cannot deny the danger that he or his abilities present to his loved ones.
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Rand Blames Himself for Alsera’s Death in ‘The Wheel of Time’
While Rand’s reaction has a hint of madness, there are many more emotions behind it. Alsera’s death is a shock to Rand and the audience, as it proves how dark things will get withthe Forsaken, most of whom have been an implied threat working from the shadows. The ones he has encountered directly want him alive, not using lethal force, but the fight with Sammael is different.This fight proves that when the Forsaken come, everyone who is so much as near to Rand is at risk.Alsera did not join the fight or intend to risk her life, but died anyway, and Rand blames himself. He hasn’t seen a loss like this that he can directly attribute to his presence in a given location. After all, Sammael only goes to Cold Rocks Hold because Rand is there.
Worse, it’s Rand’s power that leads to the hold’s collapse. Rand has a complicated relationship with theOne Power, having avoided using it in hopes of keeping his potential madness at bay, but this experience teaches him that when he unleashes the power he holds, there are unintended consequences.Rand releases a lightning storm meant to target Sammael, and when the dust settles, Alsera is dead. Unsurprisingly, he blames himself, and likely his powers and lack of control, for what happened to Alsera.Given his devastating reaction, Rand will not forget this event, and it will likely impact how he chooses to usehis channeling abilitiesnow that he knows the people he loves could get hurt because of his actions.
‘The Wheel of Time’ Makes This Scene Even More Emotional Than the Book
Alsera is not a character fromRobert Jordan’s books, strictly speaking, but the scene is taken from a moment in the fourth book of the series,The Shadow Rising, which Season 3 adapts. In this version, when Shadowspawn attack Rand in Tear, rather than the Aiel Waste, he usesCallandorto defeat them, creating a lightning storm. In the aftermath, he finds the body of a young Tairen girl who died in the battle. He’s not fully sure what killed her, but knows she would be alive if it weren’t for his proximity to her.Like he does with Alsera, Rand desperately tries to heal her, a feat which is impossible.
The scene in the book is heartbreaking enough, butThe Wheel of Time’s changeenhances the tragedy by letting Rand and the viewers get to know Alsera before her death. Knowing her as the granddaughter of Rhuarc (Björn Landberg) instantly makes it sadder, given her connection to multiple characters. It’s an effective change for the series, growing Rand’s character development while raising the emotional stakes. Alsera’s death is particularly hard because she was innocent in a way few characters can be, and Rand blames himself. The final moments ofThe Wheel of Time’s latest episode turn the death of Alsera intoa tragedy that will have far-reaching consequences for Randas well as the entire series moving forward.
New episodes ofThe Wheel of TimeSeason 3 premiere Thursdays on Prime Video.
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