The Wheel of Time Review: The Flame of Tar Valon (Season 1 Episode 6)
The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 6, “The Flame of Tar Valon,” is the episode I wanted The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 5, “Blood Calls Blood,” to be for numerous reasons. There’s some actual progress on the Emond’s Field Five’s joint storyline/quest. It’s a miracle!
“The Flame of Tar Valon” is a good balance of moving things along while also taking the time to explain some of the aspects of life in the White Tower. We really learn a lot of things during the hour, especially about Moiraine’s quest to find the dragon reborn.
For one, we learn that some of the confusion around this quest, the Emond’s Field Five, and their powers isn’t because the show hasn’t taken the time to explain them, it’s because Moiraine isn’t sharing everything.
Her conversation with Siuan reveals just how top-secret this mission is — they are the only two (well, and to some extent Lan) that really know about it. Moiraine hasn’t been able to trust our potential dragons enough to share anything, so that’s why she hasn’t expanded upon much of anything when it comes to them.
Most of the time, her answers could very easily be described as evasive, but she, as far as we knew, was also telling the truth. However, now we know that we simply weren’t let in enough to know that Moiraine was lying… up until this episode.
On The Wheel of Time Season 1 Episode 6, we know Moiraine has seen Mat and Rand, and yet she lies to Egwene about them. It’s the first time we really know that she’s lying, and it’s exciting to have that knowledge and get to see Moiraine in a new light.
She only reveals what is absolutely necessary at that particular moment, even after claiming to be more honest with people — she neglects to mention the whole certain death thing for the non-dragons. There’s still a bit of distrust in her, and a healthy suspicion that the five of them would bolt if they knew everything that was at stake.
Moiraine was already an interesting character before “The Flame of Tar Valon,” but now she’s absolutely fascinating. She’s keeping so many secrets and really is carrying the weight of this mission on her back. She’ll definitely be a character I scrutinize a bit more in the final two episodes of the season.
Siuan’s flashback honestly isn’t all that compelling up until her chat with Nynaeve and Egwene.
Because we had seen that piece of Siuan’s past, we side with her during her standoff with Nynaeve.
If we hadn’t had that flashback, we would’ve taken Nynaeve’s side. It would’ve been a no-brainer — we’ve fallen in love with Nynaeve over the course of five episodes, and we just met Siuan. Odds are, we would have believed all the points Nynaeve made to be extremely valid, considering Siuan’s position as the Amyrlin Seat.
The Wheel of Time recognizes this, and that’s why we have this perfectly used flashback. It doesn’t drag on too long, and it provides us with just enough context to understand Siuan and know that her intentions are good. Unfortunately for Nynaeve, sometimes life deals you a tough hand, and you just have to go with it.
Stray Thoughts
- I can’t believe Moiraine pulls a Blues Clues and goes into a painting.
- Despite knowing this is what Moiraine asked for, it is still heartbreaking to see her be exiled.
- Meanwhile, her threatening Liandrin is such a badass and applause-worthy moment.
- I’m so excited Loial is joining our troupe for the journey!
- Mat not walking through the portal thing… just wow. Problem child.
What did you think of this episode of The Wheel of Time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of The Wheel of Time premiere Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).