This tear-jerking, gut-wrenching episode was absolutely worth the wait.
Let’s be honest, this season’s been a bit of a slog.
Five episodes have gone by without much legitimate story progression.
Madeleine Madden as Egwene.Amazon Prime
The tone has felt inconsistent.
Turns out Egwene can’t eventouchthe water jug until she no longer views it as a weapon.
That means even if Egwene decided topretendto acquiesce, it won’t work.
There’s obviously a comparison to be made here toReek and Ramsay Bolton, but I have to say…
I thinkWoTjust outdidGame of Thrones.
This scene is, if you remember, just a dream of Rand’s.
Nonetheless, their conversation has a real impact on the world outside of Rand’s head.
Quick refresher: Rand’s plan here is to convince Lanfear that he’s open to trusting her again.
Lanfear agrees to help ifheagrees to stay away from Moiraine (Rosamund Pike).
Until they figure out how to get it off, they can’t save her.
Back in Egwene’s cell, the fun continues.
Sanna enters, instructing Egwene to pour her a cup of water.
Over and over, Sanna repeats:“Pour the water.
And each time she fails, pain surges through her body.
A fury that drives her to resist Sanna’s attempts to break her.
Strength, anger, fear, hope, despair… it’s all there.
But now he’s actually decided to do something about it!
And he’s tired ofwaiting around to see what happens to Moiraine(welcome to the party!
Satisfied and also a little terrified, Rand heads out…
And runs into Mat (Donal Finn).
That’s right, Mat’s back, baby!
And now he wants Min to double-check Mat accompanies Rand out of the city.
If you remember a few episodes back,Min had a vision of Mat killing Rand.
Ishamael wants it to happen.
Or at least he wants Mat to try, to push Rand towards the dark side.
Or…triesto leave.
Ryma, however, decides to sacrifice herself by exposing herself to the Seanchan.
“Pour the water.
