The Enigmatic Hero: Unveiling Mat's Role in the Epic Wheel of Time Narrative
Delve into the enigmatic character of Mat in The Wheel of Time as we unravel his memory issues and explore the connection to a surprising twist in the book Discover why Mat is unlikely to turn into a villain and what gaining new memories could mean for his future
Summary
Mat Cauthon's encounter with Ishamael and the mysterious tea suggests that he may be manipulated into becoming a villain in The Wheel of Time series.
Based on the events in The Shadow Rising, the recent episode incorporates elements from the book's storyline. Mat acquires additional memories from the Eelfinn in this installment.
Although Mat's newfound memories have the potential to impact his character, it is improbable that he will ultimately remain an antagonist. Being a crucial hero in The Wheel of Time universe, his new memories could potentially transform him into a formidable ally and a respected leader.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for episode 7 of The Wheel of Time season 2.
In the latest episode of The Wheel of Time season 2, titled "Daes Dae'mar," a significant clue unveils the potential transformation of Mat Cauthon into a formidable adversary. This intriguing storyline connects to Robert Jordan's epic books and adds an unexpected twist to Mat's character, despite his apparent alliance with the other main protagonists in Amazon's series.
At Ishamael's request, Mat ingested a mysterious beverage that plunged him into an unusual state. Described by Ishamael as a tea capable of revealing one's true nature, the liquid induced visions of Mat's mother, who pledged that he would become "just like him," presumably referring to Abel Cauthon. This sequence culminated in Ishamael offering Mat guidance, prompting a peculiar smile from him. This encounter suggests that Ishamael is endeavoring to transform Mat into a villain, thereby fulfilling Min's prophecy and assassinating the Dragon Reborn in The Wheel of Time. Although it deviates from the original content, the recent event involving Mat holds significant implications within the context of the book.
Mat’s Memory Issues In The Wheel Of Time Explained
Due to carrying the ruby-hilted dagger and the consequent affliction, Mat, in the book version, observed persistent lapses in his memory even after being Healed by the Aes Sedai. In The Shadow Rising, the fourth installment, Mat encountered two enigmatic races (the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn) upon entering two distinct gateways. When conversing with the wish-granting Eelfinn, Mat requested them to fill these gaps. Although they granted his wish, it did not unfold as he intended. Mat's lack of specificity regarding whose memories he desired led to the transplantation of other men's experiences into his mind.
Mat’s Shadow Rising Story Explains Ishamael’s “Other Lives” Twist
The new memories Mat acquired were a result of the collective wisdom passed down by military leaders throughout the ages in the world of The Wheel of Time. This left him feeling perplexed and disoriented. In the books, he conveyed that he had vivid recollections of dying multiple times, leading to the misconception that he possessed memories from past lives in the Wheel. However, in reality, these memories were granted to him through a wish he made to the Eelfinn.
The events in The Shadow Rising provide insight into Ishamael's true intentions during his conversation with Mat in "Daes Dae'mar." Before serving the tea, Ishamael mentioned that by drinking it, Mat would recall "past lives." He explained that he had a similar experience when he consumed the tea. This concept of Mat receiving memories from his "past lives" mirrors the encounters he had with the Eelfinn in The Shadow Rising. The parallel between these two situations suggests that Mat's storyline in "Daes Dae'mar" is essentially a television adaptation of his overarching journey in The Shadow Rising.
If true, Mat will not have to meet the Eelfinn in Amazon's series. It appears that Mat's request for them to fill the gaps in his memory has been replaced by Ishamael's tea. This decision to involve Mat in this way suggests that The Wheel of Time is not completely reimagining his character's journey. Instead, it seems to be adapting the book's storyline with a twist. If the show is staying true to the books, the "past lives" mentioned by Ishamael do not belong to Mat, but rather to individuals who died long ago and may seem unrelated. Interestingly, the Wheel of Time suggests that Abel is one of the individuals whose memories Mat has acquired.
The role of Abel Cauthon in this narrative is unclear, especially as he does not have an obvious connection to the corresponding book story. Nevertheless, it seems apparent that Mat's storyline in season 2 will be influenced by his encounter with the Eelfinn in The Shadow Rising. The vision of Mat being hanged further strengthens this connection. In The Shadow Rising, Rand discovered Mat hanging from the Tree of Life after he gained his new memories. The vision in the episode could be a reference to that specific moment.
Mat Is Unlikely To Become A Villain In The Wheel Of Time
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The origin of Mat's new memories, whether from his past lives or different individuals, sheds light on the mystery of Min's visions and the show's suggestion of Mat's potential embrace of a villainous fate. Mat's acquisition of these memories appears to be the very cause of his altered personality in the final moments of the episode. The amalgamation of thoughts and experiences of various men in his mind could have led to a different persona taking control, which explains Ishamael's belief in using Mat against Rand.
This explanation offers a plausible reason for Ishamael's keen interest in utilizing Mat. Nevertheless, while this development could potentially transform Mat into a weapon of the Dark One, it is unlikely that any evil transformation will permanently define his character. As one of The Wheel of Time's crucial heroes, Mat is far from a villain in Robert Jordan's fantasy world. It is highly probable that Mat's normal state of mind will be restored, either by the conclusion of The Wheel of Time season 2 or at some point in season 3.
What Gaining New Memories Would Mean For Mat’s Future
Mat's acquisition of these memories is a game-changer for his character and he will not revert back to the status quo. In The Wheel of Time books, each main protagonist has a unique characteristic, such as Perrin being a Wolfbrother and Rand being the Dragon Reborn. Currently, the only thing that sets Mat apart from the other ta’veren in the show is his experience with the dagger. However, this is expected to change after episode 7 of The Wheel of Time season 2. Since Mat's additional memories form the basis of several stories in the books, the same can be expected for his TV counterpart's journey.
Living with the memories of deceased military leaders transformed Mat into a formidable ally and expert strategist. He eventually became the leader of his own group of warriors, known as the Band of the Red Hand. With his newfound knowledge of warfare surpassing that of anyone else in The Wheel of Time's world, he became an essential ally to the Dragon Reborn. While it is not confirmed whether Mat's new memories involve military knowledge, if the series follows this direction, Mat is likely to follow in the footsteps of the hero in the books.
The Wheel of Time releases new episodes on Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.
