Includes MAJOR SPOILERS for The Wheel of Time books, which the TV series is adapted from.

The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finally revealed some massive lore about Rand al’Thor’s origins, and most viewers won’t have picked up on it. Josha Stradowski plays Rand al’Thor inThe Wheel of Time’sTV adaptation cast, bringing the book series' main character to life. Despite being raised in the Two Rivers as the son of a shepherd,the show’s events reveal that his birth was far more mysterious than he initially believed. Rand al’Thor is the Dragon Reborn, and there’s more to him than that.

A closeup of Tigraine in the cadin’sor in The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Timeseason 3’s storyis set to explore Rand al’Thor further, with his journey in the Aiel Waste being the basis of his arc for the upcoming episodes. Theseason has also introduced new characters from the royal family of House Trakand, the current rulers of the Kingdom of Andor. Elayne, who was introduced in season 2, is the Daughter-Heir, while her mother,Morgase Trakand, rules on the Lion Throne. Morgase is played by veteran actress Olivia Williams inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3.

Wheel Of Time Just Explained Who Rand’s Mother Is

Morgase Told Us A Bit About Tigraine Mantear

Queen Morgase is introduced inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, episode 2, with a devastating flashback sequence. In it, she ascends the Lion Throne of Andor after an event called the Third Succession War and asks those who opposed her to step forward. Instead of offering them mercy, she brutally murders them. What the scene doesn’t reveal, however, is thatthe Third Succession War started because of Rand’s mother, a woman named Tigraine Mantear, who was previously the Daughter-Heir of Andor.

Years before the events of the series, Tigraine was the daughter of Queen Mordrellen Mantear, making her the kingdom’s heir. In a scene in season 3, episode 2, Morgase tells Elayne about Tigraine, though she doesn’t know that the woman she’s describing is actually the mother ofthe Dragon Reborn. After the battle at Falme in season 2’s ending, Morgase arrives at the White Tower trying to convince Elayne to return to Caemlyn, Andor’s capital. Morgase mentions Rand’s mother as an example,telling Elayne that she can’t run away from her duties as Daughter-Heir like Tigraine did.

Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski) training with his katana in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Ep 2

What Happened To Rand’s Mother After She Left Caemlyn

Funnily enough,we’ve already seen Tigraine Mantear inThe Wheel of Timeseason 1in an outstanding action sequence flashback, but it’s worth going back to explore how she got there first. While living in Caemlyn, Tigraine was married to Taringail Damodred, whom she had married for political purposes and had a son with. At some point, she encounteredan Aes Sedaiof the Blue Ajah named Gitara Moroso, who was known for her power in Foretelling. Gitara told Tigraine that if she didn’t leave Caemlyn to become a Maiden of the Spear, terrible things would happen.

Tigraine disappeared from Caemlyn to travel to the Aiel Waste, where she fell in love with the clan chief of the Taardad Aiel, Janduin.

Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time

Tigraine disappeared from Caemlyn to travel to the Aiel Waste, where she fell in love with the clan chief of the Taardad Aiel, Janduin. The twoconceived Rand al’Thor during an event called the Aiel War, and she was forced to give birth at the Battle of the Shining Walls on the slope of the Dragonmount, where Tam al’Thor found her. Tam took Rand in and passed him off as his own. Rand’s father gave him his height and red hair, which is notable among Two Rivers folk, leading many to note that he resembles an Aielman.

Rand Will Slowly Uncover Information About His Past

Image via Prime Video

Rand al’Thor begins to realize that Tam isn’t his biological father fairly early inThe Wheel of Timebooks, but it takes a bit of time before he learns more about his birth.InThe Shadow Rising, whichThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 is based on, Rand is told the story of Gitara’s Foretellingand how it affected his mother. Due to his mother being the Daughter-Heir of Andor, this later becomes a point of concern for Rand, who begins seeking out a romance with Elayne.

How Mat Beat [SPOILER] In Wheel Of Time Season 3 Episode 3

The Wheel of Time season 3’s opening episodes see Mat in a fight with [SPOILER], raising questions about where Mat’s fighting ability comes from.

Luckily for Rand, House Trikand’s bloodline isn’t close to his, so he and Elayne aren’t related. However, he is the younger half-brother of Galad, one of the new characters introduced inThe Wheel of Timeseason 3, due to his mother’s first marriage to Taringail. This also makes Moiraine Rand’s aunt due to Taringail being her brother. The royal lines of Robert Jordan’s universe get slightly confusing, but they’re fascinating to explore.

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