Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 6
In establishing Thom Merrilin’s tragic backstory,The Wheel of Timebooks seemingly paved the way for an intense confrontation between him and some of its most important antagonists. Unfortunately, that level of payoff never really happened inRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooks. But after Thom joinedThe Wheel of Timeseason 3’s cast, I have a good feeling Prime Video’s adaptation will take another approach.
After disappearing in the first half of season 1 and missing out on the second season entirely, Alexandre Willaume’s Thom Merillin made his long-awaited return to the TV series inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 6. His surprise rendezvous with Mat Cauthon seemingly makes him a supporting character in the show’s Tanchico arc, which he was indeed a part of inThe Shadow Rising. While I’m glad that Thom is involved in this storyline just as he was meant to be, I’m hoping it differs from the book in terms of Thom’s personal connection to the Red Ajah.
Thom Merrilin Hates The Red Ajah
Elaida’s Red Ajah Lackeys Captured And Gentled Owyn
InThe Wheel of Timeseason 1, Thom told Rand the heartbreaking tale of his nephew, Owyn. As Thom explained, Owyn was captured and gentled by the Aes Sedai. Like most men who lose the ability to use the One Power, Owyn spiraled into a depression and ultimately took his own life. What happened to Owyn clearly haunted Thom, as evidenced by his telling of the event to Rand. That’s consistent with the impact it had on Thom and his distrust of the Aes Sedai in the source material. Thom typically advised Rand against taking the word of the Aes Sedai.
“Gentling” is the process in which a man is permanently cut off from the True Source, losing his ability to channel the One Power forever.
As for who perpetrated Owyn’s gentling, it’s known in the books that apprehending a male channeler and bringing him to the White Tower for gentling is the duty of the Red Ajah. In the source material, Thom inquired about the identities of the Reds responsible for Owyn’s fate, and a letter was eventually provided that confirmed the mastermind of the incident. Apparently, it was Elaida who set it all in motion. Both she and Thom worked inQueen Morgase Trakand’s courtat the time, and she had concerns about Thom’s influence.
Normally, a captured male channeler is only shielded by the Red Ajah, with the actual gentling being held for later. A formal gentling procedure is carried out after they arrive at the White Tower. But Elaida expedited the process, having Owyn gentled on the spot instead.
Understanding the emotional consequences the loss of Owyn would have on Thom, Elaida arranged everything, setting up Thom’s departure from Caemlyn in the process. Whether or not this sequence of events occurred in the TV show is unclear, but it certainly could have happened. After all, Elaida was already shown to be Morgase’s advisor, and Thom mentioned to Mat that he was once in the queen’s court. Elaida’s conniving behavior thus far further reinforces the idea that she could have orchestrated Owyn’s downfall.
The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Hints At A Possible Change To Owyn’s Gentling
Liandrin May Have Helped Gentle Thom’s Nephew In The TV Show
Knowing what happened to Owyn, it certainly caught my attention when Thom visibly reacted to the mention of Liandrin inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 6. Thom having knowledge of her is interesting, given that she’s a Red and could have theoretically taken part in the gentling of his nephew without significant changes to the canon.
Liandrin was never named as an accomplice to what happened to Owyn in the books, but as a Red, she technically could have been one of them. What’s more, Liandrin having a hand in Owyn’s fate would help explain Thom’s warning that Mat and the others should steer clear of her. Going in this direction would be a worthwhile addition to the lore, as it would give Thom a personal link to the Tanchico arc.
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If that’s the case, a direct acknowledgment of what Liandrin and her sisters did to Owyn could occur in one ofThe Wheel of Time’sseason 3 remaining episodes, if and when the two cross paths. This would be a welcome development, especially in light of how the books neglected this particular aspect of Thom’s backstory.
The show’s portrayal of Elaida, as well as her and Thom’s respective connections to Andor line up nicely with the books, so much that it would be easy for the series to tie her to Owyn’s gentling.
Owyn was always considered an important factor in Thom’s original motivations for helping Rand, but he was never awarded an opportunity to get justice for his nephew. Thom taking down a Red - or even better, Liandrin herself -would be one way that the TV series could offer some much-needed payoff for his origin story. At the very least, there should be a face-to-face meeting where he gets to call out the damage the Red Ajah caused to his family.
Thom Wouldn’t Win A Direct Fight, But Could Become A Thorn In Elaida’s Side
Image via Prime Video
Thom confronting Liandrin would be a great moment for Willaume’s character, but that shouldn’t be the end of the story. My hope is thatThe Wheel of Timedoes this and more when it comes to Thom’s history with the Red Ajah. It shouldn’t be forgotten that even if she was involved, it’s unlikely that Liandrin was the one behind Owyn’s gentling. The show’s portrayal of Elaida, as well as her and Thom’s respective connections tothe kingdom of Andorline up nicely with the books, so much that it would be easy for the series to tie her to Owyn’s gentling.
I see a collision course with Elaida as the perfect culmination of Thom Merllin’s story inThe Wheel of Time.
I see a collision course with Elaida as the perfect culmination of Thom Merllin’s story inThe Wheel of Time. So much of what went wrong in his life was due to her actions, and it’s not as if Elaida’s involvement wasn’t personal; the books made it clear thatThom’s relationship with Morgase had everything to do with why the Red Ajah targeted Owyn.
It was disappointing that Elaida never had to answer for this in the books, but the TV show doesn’t have to go down the same road. With Elaida being in the White Tower as things stand, there most likely isn’t any room for any Thom-Elaida scenes inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, but as the series progresses, there should absolutely be a chance for their paths to converge in an exciting fashion. If they do, Thom can air his grievances against Elaida and possibly even get some form of revenge against the person who doomed his nephew.
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.
