Unveiling the Mysteries: Decoding Mat's Insight into The Heroes of the Wheel of Time Season 2

Warning: The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 8

Summary

Mat displays his bond and ability to communicate with the Heroes of the Horn, affirming his connection to them and his previous incarnations.

Indulging in Ishamael's tea empowers Mat to recollect his previous lives, granting him wisdom and recollections of accomplished military commanders.

Mat's encounter with the Heroes foreshadows his future role in the battle against the Dark One. His newfound memories enable him to devise tactics and make him a valuable ally.

In a surprising turn of events, Mat Cauthon not only recognizes the Heroes of the Horn in the season 2 finale of The Wheel of Time, but also speaks their language. These Heroes, who were previously hinted at as "the Pattern's greatest heroes" in season 1, finally make their debut in live-action in the final episode of season 2. Summoned when Mat blows the Horn of Valere, this group of legendary warriors plays a crucial part in the defeat of the Seanchan army.

The scenes in the finale were not only exciting because of the long-dead characters from The Wheel of Time's ancient history fighting alongside Mat, Perrin, and the others. Another highlight was the exchange that took place between these characters and Mat. Upon blowing the Horn, Mat instantly recognized them and confidently stated, "I am one of you." One of the Heroes, identified as Artur Hawkwing in the credits, responded by telling Mat, "I have fought by your side countless times." Adding even more intrigue to the scene, Mat shouted a battle cry in another language.

Mat Recalls His Past Lives In The Wheel Of Time’s History

The events that transpired between Mat and the Heroes were not explicitly depicted in the episode itself. However, the explanation can be found in the previous episode. It appears that the tea which Ishamael gave to Mat had the exact effect he had described. Ishamael had claimed that Mat would remember his "past lives." This concept refers to the idea of reincarnation, which holds great importance in the lore. After a person's demise, their soul can be released from the Wheel and reintegrated into the Pattern at a later time. In essence, they are reborn as an entirely new individual, completely disconnected from their previous existence.

By consuming Ishamael's tea, Mat not only obtained the recollections of his past lives in the Pattern, but he also encountered legendary heroes such as Artur Hawkwing. This revelation, though astonishing, is logically comprehensible considering that in the literature, most of the memories he acquired belonged to accomplished military leaders. Judging by the evidence, it can be inferred that Mat's television counterpart shares a similar past. Consequently, in order for the two of them to have fought alongside Artur Hawkwing on numerous occasions, Mat must have been an exceptional military commander and warrior in several of his previous incarnations.

How The Wheel Of Time Season 2 Finale Hints At Mat’s Future

Mat's encounter with the Heroes of the Horn in the season 2 finale of The Wheel of Time foreshadows the transformation of his character. In the novels, Mat's memories are unlocked by the enigmatic Aelfinn in The Shadow Rising, which ultimately strengthens his role as a significant ally in the battle against the Dark One. This unlocks his ability to devise intricate military strategies, exhibit exceptional combat skills, and converse fluently in the Old Tongue. The finale glimpses Mat's prowess in these last two abilities, offering a tantalizing preview of what lies ahead. Just like his literary counterpart, Mat leverages his newfound memories to make a massive impact on the ongoing war effort.