Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 5 Breakdown, Theories, Mysteries & More! (Unraveled)

Let’s break down The Wheel of Time Season 3 Episode 5, “Tel’aran’rhiod” for non-book readers and long-time fans alike!! Easter eggs, theories, book lore, and more!

SPOILER WARNING: This video contains show spoilers through E305. It’s mostly safe for show-only watchers (non-book readers), but I do talk about helpful backstory and lore related to things that were mentioned or hinted at in this episode that might have been revealed in the books or might be helpful for future context. No future plot spoilers. I believe this is safe for non-book readers, but as always, watch at your own risk!

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#WheelofTime #Breakdown #Unraveled

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CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro
0:18 - The Sakarnen
4:05 - Aiel Customs
6:06 - The Sea Folk
7:30 - The Two Rivers
9:12 - Tower Politics
12:00 - Forsaken Tracker
12:13 - Tel'aran'rhiod
15:06 - Entering Dreams
19:50 - Thanks!

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My Best Videos:

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HELPFUL LINKS:

S3 EPISODE BREAKDOWNS:
▶ S0305 Unraveled: This video!!
▶ S0306 Unraveled: Coming soon!
▶ S0307 Unraveled: Coming soon!
▶ S0308 Unraveled: Coming soon!

S2 EPISODE BREAKDOWNS:
▶ S0203 Unraveled (Part 2): Coming Very Soon!
▶ S0204 Unraveled: Coming Soon!
▶ S0208 Unraveled: Coming Soon!

S1 EPISODE DEEP DIVES:

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WOT 101:

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WOT 201:

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Please support my channel so that I can make more videos like this!

[theantoneric]

Love seeing the lanfear tracker ‘wherever rand is’

[geekyhive]

Your channel has become one of "those" channels for me, one that is dear to my heart, I don't even wait for you to start to click the like button. Long live, UnravelingThePattern 💗

[Arianrhod]

I love your map graphic in this video. It helps so much to place the girls on their travels, even for someone who's read the books many, many times.

[randytriezenberg]

As a book reader on my second time through the series, I truly appreciate the care with which you explain concepts and situations so that they aren’t spoilers for show-only people, but at the same time give them solid foundational knowledge so that they can appreciate the show even more. Excellent breakdown as usual.

I also appreciate your use of “maize, or corn” for an international audience. 😊

[JFielder]

Man I gotta say your videos are among the few that I watch from beginning to end. You do a great job. I'm sure it's a lot of work, but it's appreciated

[kyanperry]

I love this interpretation of Lanfear. She's more subtle and manipulative some ways but just as dangerous.
In regards to dream walkers and privacy? The less said the better.

[athomenotavailable]

In Season 1, Moiraine brings Rand and gang to the Eye because Siuan told her in her dreamhut that she had dreamt that they needed to go there. Of course it was probably just Ishy manipulating her with a fake foretelling dream, but I thought that the only reason why Moiraine and Siuan would trust her dream is because the show had made Siuan a Dreamer.
Anyway, I guess they changed their minds later. Darn that Covid for all the messes it left behind!

[jaysemitchells]

It's interesting you saw Lanfear with Egwene's hair as her manipulating Rand, I saw it as she's insecure of Rand's relationship with Egwene

[danalou_who]

Siuan was in her own dream according to Egwene. The picture terangreal goes to a space in TAR according to X-ray from Episode 106.

[gatomon]

Thanks for making these videos 🎉 I love channels like this with such a positive/open community for both book readers and non book readers. Thanks again for your hard work!

[nightangel]

Alanna getting Boromir'd I think will just be an excuse for why she can't participate in the Battle for 2 Rivers & leave the action to Perrin and the locals. If she were healthy and able to channel it'd be over it seconds lol

[maryhicks]

Would love a spoiler free video about Shadar Logoth and the Foresaken.

[Wunnay]

I see a Lauren video breaking down an episode I click its as simple as that - some Aiel probably

[kirkik.]

Always enjoy your episode breakdowns...Thank you for the effort and care you put into these was such a joy seeing Rand`s kinder side here. Josha is the perfect Dragon, it constantly amazes me how he`s embraced this role

[ryankwon]

I’m not trying to defend Elaida, but I don’t think Moiraine hated her in the show—at least not based on that quote from Season 1, Episode 8. If anything, Moiraine seemed to admire her or aspire to be like her. Even Elaida didn’t say anything negative about Moiraine in this episode. Her only criticism was directed at Siuan, calling her weak both as an Aes Sedai and as the Amyrlin Seat.

I theorize that the show might take Elaida in a different direction—one where she only respects Amyrlins who are strong, resolute, ruthless, and intelligent. In other words, she might admire Egwene so much that she chooses to crown her as the next Amyrlin Seat, just as she once crowned Morgase as Queen of Andor.

In The Expanse on Amazon Prime, Shohreh Aghdashloo excels at portraying a ruthless leader who believes she alone can save the world—so much so that she frequently insults others with harsh language. Over time, however, she embarks on a personal character arc that teaches her to place trust in others, even in her own rivals.

Elaida isn’t entirely cruel—she has shown moments of selflessness and even kindness. One example is how she took the time to help Min come to terms with her gift of foresight, ultimately changing Min’s perspective on it. During that conversation, Elaida also confided in Min that she had worked hard to ensure Andor would be prepared for the Last Battle under Queen Morgase when the time came, revealing a genuine sense of duty and long-term vision. Additionally, Elaida’s hatred for the Shadow arguably surpasses even Siuan’s; she was relentless enough to nearly break Joiya and extract the name of a Black Ajah sister hidden within the White Tower.

[Christina-oe]

I woke up from one of those dreams you wake up suddenly from wishing that the dream was real it was with a loved one and immediately watched this episode it was crazy cause it was about dreams an egwene saw everyone in their dreams with loved ones

[Panyc]

Another banger video.
This episode brought me a bit back to earth after last week’s lorefest.
Looking forward to seeing how they stick the landing this season.

[Laatzer]

A great episode unravelling, thanks Lauren.

In addition to the fantastic editing and content delivery, you're doing very well to inform non-book readers on gaps, changes from the book and lore insights without putting the show down yet promoting it for all the things it is doing well.

This seems like a fine line and you're weaving it very well.

[Daniel-iwoy]

Thank you for the episode! Love your videos. Listen to them while I’m walking to work.

[PsyrenXY]

GOD I wish I had your "Forsaken Tracker" while reading the books, what a bloody *brilliant* idea!!