The Mind-Blowing Season 2 Finale of Wheel of Time Unraveled (Complete Breakdown)

Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 8

Summary

The season 2 finale of The Wheel of Time concludes the Horn of Valere arc and foreshadows season 3, which will feature a new book adaptation.

In a surprising turn of events, six characters from the books meet their demise in the season 2 finale, with some deaths being anticipated while others unfold with unexpected twists. Notably, Ishamael and Hopper are among those who meet their end.

Mat blowing the Horn of Valere in the finale not only introduces the Heroes of the Horn but also establishes a connection between him and the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn. The Wheel of Time season 2 finale concludes the Horn of Valere story, setting the stage for the next phase in the Dragon Reborn saga. With the culmination of the buildup in Falme against the Seanchan over several episodes, The Wheel of Time season 2 delivers satisfying resolutions to various plotlines and faithfully adapts significant moments from the books.

Wheel Of Time Season 2’s Ending Kills Off 6 Book Characters

The Horn of Valere arc concluded with the demise of six characters from Robert Jordan's books: Ishamael, High Lord Turak, Ingtar Shinowa, Renna, Geofram Bornald, and Hopper. In some instances, these deaths were anticipated, as seen in The Great Hunt, the foundational book for season 2's narrative. During the climactic battle, Ingtar sacrifices himself to protect his comrades, Geofram falls in combat against the Seanchan, and Turak meets his end in a duel with Rand. The show maintains these three deaths, with the primary alteration being that Perrin—rather than the Seanchan—kills Geofram.

Although Ingtar's death in the TV show resembled the events in the books, the reason behind it seemed to be different. In the book, Ingtar was revealed to be a Darkfriend, secretly betraying his friends. Consumed by guilt, he sacrificed his life in the final battle to redeem himself. Interestingly, the TV show hinted at Ingtar's association with the Dark One when he urged Perrin to consider the possibility that Padan Fain had valid reasons for serving him. However, this link was never definitively proven, and Ingtar ultimately died after being inspired by Loial's speech.

In the case of Renna, her death occurred much later in book 10 (The Crossroads of Twilight). As a minor character in the overall storyline, her demise at the hands of Egwene was not surprising. However, the same cannot be said for Hopper, as his wolf companion was intended to accompany Perrin for a considerable part of The Wheel of Time books. Unexpectedly, the show decided to kill off Hopper, providing Perrin with a motive to kill Geofram. Another noteworthy loss is Ishamael, particularly because the book version survived his defeat in book 2 and perished while battling Rand in book 3, The Dragon Reborn. Apparently, the anticipated climactic confrontation between them at the Stone of Tear will not be included in Amazon's adaptation.

Mat Blows The Horn Of Valere, Sets Up More Book Stories

One of the key events from The Great Hunt that carried over to The Wheel of Time was the blowing of the Horn of Valere. When Mat used the Horn in Falme, it became one of the character's most significant moments in the books, making it a highlight of the season 2 finale. By activating the Horn, the Heroes of the Horn were summoned, representing the spirits of legendary figures from the Wheel of Time lore. Interestingly, the TV adaptation introduced Uno Nomesta as a Hero of the Horn, revealing that he became one after his death in season 2.

Although the Heroes disappeared after the fight, they are likely to be used again in the future. According to the prophecy, the Heroes of the Horn are expected to be called upon to assist the Dragon Reborn in winning the Last Battle. The Hornsounder, which Mat unwittingly became, is the one who calls upon the Heroes. Furthermore, the show established a connection between Mat and the Heroes, with the latter recognizing him. Surprisingly, it was revealed that the tea Mat drank actually allowed him to remember his "past lives," laying the foundation for his new memories to become significant in future stories.

The Wheel Of Time Season Fulfills A Key Part Of The Dragon Reborn Prophecy

In season 2 of the show, there has been speculation about Rand being recognized as the Dragon Reborn, described as appearing in the sky with fire. This is an important element of the Dragon Reborn prophecy and a significant moment in The Great Hunt's conclusion, making it inevitable that this event would occur in some way by the end of season 2. In the book, Rand fights Ishamael in the clouds while the people of Falme watch in awe, but the show changes this by having Rand kill Ishamael with a single strike on top of a tower. Instead of Rand summoning the fire mentioned in the prophecy, the show depicts Moiraine creating a fiery dragon as a symbol of the Dragon's return.

The significance of Rand's hand being affected when he kills Ishamael is also tied to the prophecy. In the book, the Dragon Reborn is supposed to be marked by "the heron" twice. Having the heron mark from his sword burned onto his hand fulfills one part of this foreshadowing, just as it does in the book. It can be presumed that he will be burned one more time.

What Happens Next For The Wheel Of Time’s Main Characters

The conclusion of The Wheel of Time sets the stage for the future direction of the series, aligning with the ending of book 2 and suggesting that book 3 will be the next focus. However, season 3 will actually center around book 4, The Shadow Rising, as confirmed. As a result, certain characters may have their future storylines from earlier books skipped or merged with their arcs in book 4.

This is likely the case for Aviendha, who recognizes Rand as the Car’a’carn. In the books, this recognition leads Rand, Moiraine, Lan, Mat, Egwene, and Aviendha to embark on a lengthy journey to the Aiel Waste. Given the setup and events of The Shadow Rising, it makes sense for season 3 of The Wheel of Time to focus on a storyline centered around the Aiel. Similar to book 4, the characters become divided, with Perrin and Loial heading to Two Rivers and Nynaeve and Elayne traveling to Tanchico. However, since the two girls have not progressed far in their Aes Sedai training, the show may have them return to the White Tower temporarily.

The Wheel Of Time Sets Up Moghedien & The Other Forsaken As Season 3’s Villains

With Ishamael out of the picture, The Wheel Of Time is not keeping the show's next major antagonist a secret. Lanfear has already mentioned Moghedien as the "insane" member of the Forsaken, making her the upcoming villain. To make matters worse, Ishamael released the remaining Forsaken before his demise, thus establishing the possibility of Rand and his companions facing multiple generals of the Dark One in season 3 of The Wheel of Time. As Moghedien's initial appearance suggests, her extraordinary command over the World of Dreams, also known as Tel'aran'rhiod, surpasses even that of Lanfear, making her an imposing adversary that the main characters must soon find a way to confront.