The final fight in The Wheel of Time season 2 may hold the explanation for an upcoming story shift. Prime Video’s adaptation of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books set a pattern for itself by providing a full season each to the first two novels in the series. But rather than moving to the third book for Wheel of Time season 3, the show is breaking with the formula by choosing a different installment to adapt.

It’s been confirmed that Wheel of Time season 3 will be a live-action retelling of The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in Jordan’s series. That creates questions about what it intends to do about book 3, The Dragon Reborn. Chances are, parts of it will be acknowledged or incorporated into the story in some form, but it won’t get the same level of attention provided to The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, or The Shadow Rising. The decision to skip a book is an interesting choice, but one that seems to tie into a fight from the Wheel of Time season 2 finale.

How Wheel Of Time Season 2’s Final Fight Could Change A Major Rand Decision

Rand May Not Abandon His Friends A Second Time

For the final fight against Ishmael, Wheel of Time made some noteworthy changes to how this battle played out. In the book, Rand battled Ishamael one-on-one and defeated him in the sky above Falme. The show, on the other hand, cast other characters into the fray, having Egwene make a failed stand against Ishamael and Rand receive such much-needed Healing from Elayne. According to Rand actor Josha Stradowski, these changes to the story served an important lesson: they helped Rand realize that he needs to lean on his friends. That being the case could explain why The Dragon Reborn is being sidestepped.

Rand’s loner mentality is a crucial part of the books, especially in regards to his arc (or lack thereof) in The Dragon Reborn. The character is missing through most of the book, with it being understood that Rand has headed off on his own. For that reason, The Dragon Reborn spends a lot of time with Perrin and his allies, who go on a long journey to catch up to Rand, who’s on his way to Tear. Because this takes up so much of The Dragon Reborn’s narrative, it makes sense that if this adventure doesn’t happen, it wouldn’t be necessary for the novel to get an eight-episode adaptation.

Based on Stradowksi’s comments, it can be presumed that Rand now has a reason not to follow the same course as his book counterpart. In The Dragon Reborn, Rand left all of his friends behind to go to Tear, not believing that he needed anyone else. If getting help from Egwene and the others in the season 2 finale really did teach Rand that he can’t accomplish his goals by himself, it’s possible that he’ll remain in the company of his friends and forego his solo trip to Tear (for now).

Other Ways Wheel Of Time Has Set Up Dragon Reborn Being Skipped

The Setup For His Arc In The Shadow Rising Is Already In Place

Rand ultimately deciding against leaving the group could be the primary foundation for Wheel of Time’s change in direction from the books, but it’s not the only way the move has been set up. Because of Aviendha’s arrival at Falme, The Wheel of Time has a clear direction to point Rand in when season 3 begins. After seeing him atop the tower, Aviendha identified him as the Car’a’carn, just as the Aiel do in the books. This is a significant step forward, as the Aiel teaming up with Rand is what leads to his adventure into the Aiel Waste in The Shadow Rising.

Not only that, but it looks like the character central to finding Rand in The Dragon Reborn will be occupied with other concerns. With Dain Bornhald and the Whitecloaks bearing witness to Perrin killing Geofram, the stage has been set for Perrin’s return to the Two Rivers in The Shadow Rising. With revenge likely on their minds, it’s not hard to imagine Dain Bornhald traveling to the Two Rivers and subsequently luring Perrin back home. Perrin is in Two Rivers for the majority of The Shadow Rising, contending with the Whitecloaks, the Trollocs, and the Slayer in Tel’aran’rhiod.

Taking all of that into consideration, Rand coming to the conclusion that he was wrong to walk out on his friends after Wheel of Time season 1’s ending should support the change to Perrin’s story in season 3. If Rand doesn’t repeat his mistakes, there shouldn’t be a need for Perrin to lead a search party and chase his friend all the way to Tear. Instead, he can focus on saving the Two Rivers community from the Whitecloaks and the Trollocs.

Why Wheel Of Time Is Unlikely To Permanently Change Rand’s Loner Mentality

By giving Rand a reason to stay with his friends, Wheel of Time can make sense of The Dragon Reborn’s story not happening in season 3, but not without opening the door for more changes down the road. After all, it’s important to note that what Rand did in that book was not an isolated incident. He has a long history of ignoring the advice of his allies to do what he thinks is best, even if it means going it alone. Were Rand to move away from this tendency in the show, several of his stories from the books would be altered significantly or removed altogether.

So for the sake of accuracy to the source material, it may be for the best if this teaching moment has a short-lived impact on Rand’s decision-making. That’s certainly plausible, especially if a mishap in The Wheel of Time season 3 causes Rand to once again reevaluate his partnerships. If that were to happen, The Wheel of Time can revert Rand back to his loner status, just in time to accommodate some of his other solo activities in the books.