I Really Want Mat To Fight This Forsaken In The Wheel Of Time Season 3

Mat Cauthon needs his own villain in The Wheel of Time season 3, and I can think of no character better for that role than Rahvin. In Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books, Rahvin is one of the 13 Forsaken and a villain that Rand al’Thor had to contend with in the fifth entry in the series, The Fires of Heaven. As it stands, there’s no confirmation that Rahvin has a counterpart in the TV show. He’s among the characters speculated not to appear, but I think not using Rahvin would be a massive, missed opportunity for the show.

Based on what’s known, two of the Forsaken are all but guaranteed to be on hand for Wheel of Time season 3. Lanfear is very much alive and Moghedien was introduced in the final scene of the Wheel of Time season 2 finale. And assuming the show goes by the books in regards to Rand’s Aiel Waste journey, I fully expect Asmodean to appear as well. Three may seem like enough for one season, but I actually think one more would be pertinent, particularly when considering what season 2 set up. Plus, it would allow a bigger role for Mat.

Why Mat Needs His Own Villain In Wheel Of Time Season 3

Mat Shouldn’t Be A Supporting Character In Rand Or Perrin’s Upcoming Adventures

Most of Wheel of Time’s main characters have either already had a nemesis or are set to get one in season 3. With the next chapter in position to adapt The Shadow Rising, Rand is likely to find two rivals in Asmodean and Couladin. Similarly, Perrin is due for clashes with both Dain Bornhald and Padan Fain. As for the female protagonists, at least two of them (Elayne and Nynaeve) are on track to battle Moghedien in Tanchico. Moiraine also has a developing feud with Lanfear, which is sure to be a factor going forward.

From the looks of things, Wheel of Time has some exciting rivalries in store for its characters, but none of this setup promises anything for Mat. If season 3 follows along with the books, he’ll tag along with Rand and get swept up in his adventure. The Shadow Rising admittedly does offer some great moments for Mat, but with the series already reworking the story where he unlocks his memories, I’m not sure where significance would lie if this plotline were to be recreated on the small screen. Wheel of Time may struggle to avoid Mat becoming a supporting player in Rand’s next narrative.

So far, I think the show has done a good job at giving each of the protagonists their own meaningful journey in both seasons 1 and 2, which is why I’m confident the series will stick with this approach. True to that, I think the show would benefit greatly from taking Mat away from the other Wheel of Time characters and giving him his own quest to concern himself with. And just like the cases with Rand, Perrin, Elayne, and Nynaeve, this story will require a compelling villain from the books to drive the action and drama.

Why Rahvin Could Appear In Mat’s Wheel Of Time Season 3 Story

Rahvin Could Fit Easily Into Mat’s Story If He Doesn’t Go To The Aiel Waste

As for which villain Wheel of Time could pit against Mat in season 3, Rahvin would be among the most obvious candidates. After all, the show wouldn’t have to change too much to get their paths to intersect in its adaptation of The Shadow Rising. It’s true that they didn’t meet in that particular book, but their paths did intersect in both The Dragon Reborn and The Fires of Heaven, and it’s from those books that The Wheel of Time can draw from if it wants to craft a Mat-Rahvin plotline.

Rahvin first wound up on the radar of the main characters when Mat and Thom Merrilin took a trip to Caemlyn to bring a letter to Queen Morgase from her daughter, Elayne. In the process, the pair learned of a plot to kill her, one that was orchestrated by Rahvin of the Forsaken. With Mat heading to Tear afterward, this storyline wasn’t properly advanced until The Fires of Heaven, which evolved Rahvin’s scheme from a subplot to the focus of a whole book. To help condense the 14-book series into a show with significantly fewer seasons, the show could have this entire arc told in season 3.

The timeline of the books would make this a seamless move for the show. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Mat met Rahvin before the events of The Shadow Rising in the first place. After leaving Falme, Mat went to Tar Valon, and from there, set off for Caemlyn. All of this happened before Rand left for the Aiel Waste. For most of the characters, the books appear to be skipping their Dragon Reborn arcs, but it may not do the same with Mat if the meat of his Shadow Rising arc has already been covered. Instead, it can send him where he’s meant to go after Falme anyway.

Why Rahvin Would Be A Great Choice For A Wheel Of Time Season 3 Villain

Mat’s Memories Could Make Him A Challenge For Rahvin

The show would be laying the groundwork for a great story if it sends Mat to Caemlyn, especially in light of what Rahvin would bring to the table. Ishamael and Lanfear helped provide worthwhile introductions to the concept of the Forsaken, but there are certain elements to them that the series hasn’t really captured accurately yet. Two of them are their expertise in manipulation and their ability to maintain disguises. There was a touch of this in Lanfear’s story, but it didn’t take long for her mask to be removed. That wouldn’t be the situation with Rahvin.

In the books, it’s discovered that Rahvin has inserted himself into Andor politics by living as Gaebril Byrne and becoming the lover of Queen Morgase, all in an effort to kill her. Through him, I can imagine Wheel of Time really leaning into the political intrigue of the books and creating a complex mystery in the process. And to me, the best character to solve it would be Mat, whose new memories give him access to ancient knowledge that Rahvin likely wouldn’t be prepared for in the show.

Not only does Mat and a member of the Forsaken squaring off in The Wheel of Time make sense logistically and from a character perspective, but it also lines up perfectly with the direction of the show as a whole. By confirming that all of the remaining Forsaken are now on the loose, the season 2 finale was able to end on an extremely ominous note that made me excited for what the next fights with the Forsaken would offer. That’s not due to what it set up with Moghedien, but because it paved the way for multiple Forsaken to wreak havoc in season 3.

To pay that off, the show needs to avoid focusing on Moghedien specifically and spotlighting the threat posed by several Forsaken at once. Having as many as four causing problems for Rand and company in TheWheel of Time season 3 would be an excellent way of making that work.

The Wheel of Time

3.0

Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan’s expansive fantasy series is brought to life in The Wheel of Time, a fantasy tv series created for Amazon Prime Video. The series follows a woman named Moiraine, a member of the all-female Aes Sedai group who can utilize a great power. Following an attack on a local village, Moiraine heads there to find a villager that may be the reincarnation of an all-powerful dragon that will either save or destroy the world.

Cast

Barney Harris , Zoe Robins , Madeleine Madden , Marcus Rutherford , Daniel Henney , Rosamund Pike , Josha Stradowski , Kate Fleetwood , Priyanka Bose , Hammed Animashaun

Release Date

November 19, 2021

Franchise(s)

The Wheel of Time