Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 5
Summary
In The Wheel of Time season 2, Liandrin's character undergoes a surprising transformation when she aids Nynaeve and Elayne in their escape from the Seanchan, which diverges from her portrayal in the book.
Liandrin's motives in the show appear to stem from a combination of spite and sympathy, adding a layer of complexity and suggesting that she may not be entirely malevolent.
Liandrin in the TV version of The Wheel of Time exhibits redeemable qualities, hinting at the possibility of her embarking on a path of redemption and potentially renouncing her allegiance to the Dark One. A surprising departure from the books, this alteration in Liandrin's story paves the way for a fresh direction for her character in Season 2. While remaining a traitor within the White Tower like her literary counterpart, Kate Fleetwood's portrayal of Liandrin manages to convey a sense that her fate may diverge from the original narrative, despite their shared allegiances.
Why Liandrin Helped Nynaeve & Elayne Escape The Seanchan
: In episode 5 of The Wheel of Time season 2, titled "Damane," the aftermath of Liandrin's betrayal towards Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne was explored. This event mirrored what occurred in The Great Hunt, the second book in the series, where Liandrin betrayed all three characters to the Seanchan. After delivering them into the custody of Lady Suroth, Liandrin returned to the White Tower. However, only Egwene was captured, as Nynaeve and Elayne successfully managed to escape. This narrative closely adhered to the original storyline from the Wheel of Time books, with the exception of Liandrin's involvement, which deviated in a significant manner.In "Damane," Liandrin silently lifted the shields off the girls before departing, granting them the ability to access the True Source once again. This particular choice paved the way for Nynaeve and Egwene to successfully break free. Although it deviates from the original depiction in the books, Liandrin's actions hold significance in the given context. The desire to spite Lady Suroth, who had treated her disrespectfully, and disrupt her plans could have been motivating factors. However, Liandrin's interactions with Nynaeve also bring forth another possible explanation: compassion.
Could Liandrin Turn Good In The Wheel Of Time?
Liandrin is not portrayed as an empathetic character in both the books and the show. However, moments in season 2 revealed that there is more to her than meets the eye. Apart from the surprising revelation that she is trying to save her dying son, Liandrin also showed emotional connection with Nynaeve. Although some of it may have been manipulation, there were instances, like their conversation in episode 4, where she appeared genuine. Additionally, she attempted to defend her actions towards Nynaeve in The Wheel of Time, indicating a sense of guilt.
If it's true that Liandrin experienced a pang of remorse for the dreadful fate she had imposed on Nynaeve and her comrades, there is a possibility of a shift in the trajectory of her story. In the books, Liandrin was portrayed as an unabashedly wicked character and remained a villain until her disappearance in the eleventh book, Knife of Dreams. However, as the TV adaptation begins to demonstrate redeemable qualities in her character, there exists a chance that she may one day embark on a path of redemption and perhaps even renounce her allegiance to the Dark One. Granting Liandrin this narrative arc would be a remarkable way to give due recognition to The Wheel of Time's endeavor to humanize the character.
The Wheel Of Time releases new episodes on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.