How Wheel Of Time’s Love Triangle Cheapens A Relationship From The Book

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time episode 7.

The Wheel of Time episode 7, “The Dark Along the Ways,” reveals a love triangle between Egwene, Perrin, and Rand, and in doing so, the show damages an important relationship in comparison to the books. The Wheel of Time is based on Robert Jordan’s fantasy book series of the same name that spanned 14 main novels and a prequel novel. In adapting the series, Amazon has sped up some events, aged up the characters, and made some other minor changes. While many of these make sense, not all of them land perfectly.

In The Wheel of Time episode 7, Rand, Perrin, Egwene, and Nynaeve are strongly debating going to the Eye of the World, the possibility that one of them might be the Dragon Reborn, and the risks to the rest of the group at the Eye. When things become heated between Perrin and Rand, Nynaeve rightfully chastises them for fighting over Egwene and treating her like she is simply a trophy to be won. Perrin’s affection for Egwene appears to be surprising news to both Egwene and Rand as it casts some of his actions in a new light.

In Robert Jordan’s early Wheel of Time books, the relationship between Perrin and Egwene is not thoroughly developed as much of the narration comes from Rand’s point of view. However, throughout, there are hints that allow the reader to understand their relationship. While Rand lived far from town and Mat on the outskirts, Egwene was the innkeeper’s daughter, and Perrin moved into town to apprentice to the blacksmith at a young age. Therefore, the two grew up together and had a strong bond similar to that of a brother and sister. Perrin is driven to protect her, and Egwene notes at one point that he taught her how to powerfully punch someone properly. When Amazon’s The Wheel of Time adaptation turns this relationship into a romantic one with potential sexual desire, they cheapen the beauty of the platonic relationship that is well portrayed in the books and so rarely represented in Hollywood productions.

It is possible that Amazon’s The Wheel of Time will be able to move past this portrayal of their relationship later. Perrin can acknowledge that he has moved on, and it was only an infatuation from when he was younger. Then, he can return to supporting his friends’ relationship and turning his attention elsewhere when it becomes relevant. However, even including this reveal of feelings at this point plays into a larger trope that any male and female pairing that shows a closeness between the characters must have an underlying romantic and/or sexual element.

With the other changes that The Wheel of Time adaptation has made, the introduction of the Perrin, Egwene, and Rand love triangle does make some sense. As they aged up all the characters and followed ideas from the book that indicated that if Perrin had lived in the Two Rivers for longer, then he would have married Laila, his accidental killing of her needs to be developed more. Adding in a potential love for another person and Laila’s jealousy of Egwene does provide another layer to Perrin’s guilt about the situation. However, ultimately, the love triangle mostly just adds needless drama that damages the original friendship that was portrayed in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Timereleases new episodes Fridays on Prime Video.

About The Author

Faefyx Collington
(487 Articles Published)

Faefyx Collington (They/Them) is a senior features writer for Screen Rant. They’re a British writer of both fiction and non-fiction, focussing on science fiction, fantasy, and mystery for the former and on culture, gender, and current affairs for the latter.
Never content to settle to one thing, Faefyx is also a co-host and producer of the podcast and video series “Unramblings,” and can occasionally be found making music around the internet as well.
Having acquired degrees on both sides of the Atlantic, Fyx has settled (for the moment) in the southern United States where they live with their spouse and an entirely appropriate number of cats.

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