For better accuracy to the books in the long run, Egwene’s story is need of a significant change in direction in The Wheel of Time season 3. Like her book counterpart, Egwene’s journey in The Wheel of Time season 2 saw her go from a novice at the White Tower to a slave of the Seanchan. Based on the how Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books correspond with the respective seasons of Prime Video’s show, the most obvious route for Egwene’s next story is her time with the Wise Ones in the Aiel Waste.

The Wheel of Time season 3 is confirmed to follow the events of the fourth book in the series, The Shadow Rising. For Egwene, The Shadow Rising represents the period where Egwene learns about her unique Talent: Dreaming. Since Dreaming is considered a lost Talent by the Aes Sedai in The Wheel of Time, the Aiel were naturally the only people who could show Egwene how to harness the ability. Because of this, it’s easy to assume that the TV version of Egwene will be accompanying Rand when he inevitably sets off for the Aiel Waste. But while this is crucial to her arc, it would actually be beneficial for her long-term story if she goes somewhere else instead.

Why Egwene Needs To Be In The White Tower For The Wheel Of Time Season 3

Egwene Should Return To The White Tower After Leaving Falme

As important as it may seem for Egwene to be in the Aiel Waste during the upcoming season, it’s even more imperative that she spends some time in Tar Valon. The Wheel of Time season 2 notably didn’t get very far in regards to Egwene’s training, as she was still struggling immensely when she, Nynaeve, and Elayne were sold to the Seanchan. This wasn’t an issue for the books though, as she was swiftly returned to the White Tower for the subsequent entry in the series, The Dragon Reborn. But with the show seemingly skipping The Dragon Reborn, the show can’t easily adapt this storyline and her arc in The Shadow Rising together.

Glossing past what happened in The Dragon Reborn may be feasible with some characters, but perhaps not Egwene, especially in light of what she ultimately becomes in the source material. As Min Farshaw’s Viewing already confirmed in season 1, Egwene is fated to become the Amyrlin Seat. In the books, Egwene had a remarkable rise at Tar Valon, going from a novice to an Accepted, to a full-fledged member of the Aes Sedai, to the Amyrlin Seat. It’ll be challenging for the show to properly honor this tumultuous journey if it keeps her away from the White Tower for two seasons straight.

Aes Sedai politics are an integral part of Egwene’s story, which is exactly why The Wheel of Time needs to prioritize that connection when pushing her arc forward. If Wheel of Time keeps her away from the White Tower until season 4 or later, it’ll hardly feel appropriate for her to succeed Elaida (the expected replacement for Siuan Sanche) Egwene was already considered inexperienced when she became the Amylin Seat in the books; if she doesn’t get to at least the Accepted level in the near future, making this an earned moment for the character will be considerably more difficult for the show.

Sending Egwene To The White Tower Doesn’t Mean Wheel of Time Has To Give Up Her Dreaming Story

A Way Exists For Wheel Of Time To Tell Her Book 3 & 4 Stories At Once

The dilemma facing Wheel of Time ahead of season 3 isn’t exactly an ultimatum, as it’s possible that the show can fit the biggest parts of both The Dragon Reborn and The Shadow Rising into one season. The Aiel Waste and Tar Valon being on different sides of The Wheel of Time map makes that challenging, of course, but the nature of the Dreaming puts that possibility on the table. Because of how Tel’aran’rhiod a.k.a. The World of Dreams works, Egwene could theoretically interact with the Wise Ones without ever stepping foot in the Aiel Waste.

As the show demonstrated in season 2, Tel’aran’rhiod exists as an opportunity for characters in completely different locations to communicate with one another. Because distance isn’t an issue for Dreamers, Egwene could meet the Wise Ones either purposely or accidentally when she enters Tel’aran’rhiod. If that happens, she can learn about Dreaming at night, and continue her training at the White Tower in the daytime. Taking this course may be the best way to ensure that nothing significant is left behind or ignored when telling Egwene’s story.

Wheel Of Time Already Has The Perfect Story For Egwene If She Returns To The White Tower

Egwene Can Witness The White Tower Coup

Confining Egwene to the White Tower and isolating her from her allies doesn’t mean her story will be all about training and averse of excitement. In fact, she could act as a fitting focal point for one of The Shadow Rising’s biggest plot developments. In the book, Elaida led an Aes Sedai coup at the White Tower and had Siuan deposed. Both Siuan and Min are vital to this particular story, but neither counts as one of The Wheel of Time’s protagonists. For that reason, the series may opt to make one of its main characters the centerpiece of this arc. If Egwene is there already, there would be no better candidate for this role than her.

After all, Egwene is destined to become the Amyrlin Seat. With that being the case, it would make sense for the show to use Wheel Of Time season 3 to begin its setup for her highly anticipated ascension at the White Tower. This can be done by establishing relationships between Egwene and other power players in Tar Valon, having her climb higher in the ranks, and gain a better grasp of White Tower politics. Most importantly, it can ingrain her in the conflict over who controls the White Tower, a battle she’ll one day become the face of in The Wheel of Time.

Being In The White Tower Would Also Be Good News For Egwene’s Wheel Of Time Love Story

Egwene’s Main Love Interest Should Be At The White Tower In Season 3

An added advantage of placing Egwene in The Wheel of Time is the ease in which it can acquaint her with her main love interest from the books. In the source material, Egwene moves on from her feelings for Rand and develops a romantic relationship with Elayne Trakand’s brother, Gawyn. She met him for the first time at the White Tower in The Great Hunt, but the show never took this course. That can easily be rectified if she goes back to the White Tower in season 3, especially since Gawyn is a key figure in the Aes Sedai coup. In the books, he winds up on Elaida’s side.

Were The Wheel of Time to send Egwene to the Aiel Waste, there wouldn’t be much narrative justification for her to meet Gawyn in season 3. As a member of Andor’s royal family, it’s hard to imagine him having a good reason for being on that adventure, particularly when he has no existing connection to any character traveling in the Aiel’s lands. However, Gawyn and Egwene can still interact and form a dynamic with each other if both are in the White Tower.