The Wheel of Time
Summary
The Wheel of Timeseason 2 confirmed a long - bear assumption about Mat Cauthon , even though the original source of the books debunked it 22 years ago . One of the main supporter inRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebook serial , Mat is just beginning the journeying of his vis-a-vis from the novels . Although Prime Video ’s show has made changes to the early parts of his arc , it appears that he ’s ultimately on a similar - if not the same - path .
One of the bad moment for the idiot box variant of the character came inThe Wheel of Timeseason 2 ’s ending , which saw Mat get his hands on the highly - covet Horn of Valere and drift it during the battle with the Seanchan . Becoming the Hornsounder and summon theHeroes of the Hornis a standout second for Mat , and one that has a lot to do with his expectant place inWheel of Time’sworld . It also confirmed a monumental contingent regarding his story and one that ’s been a subject of venture among reader for decades , in maliciousness of the fact that Jordan himself has in person argufy it .
Ishamael Confirmed That Mat’s Memories Came From His Previous Lives
Upon call up the Heroes of the Horn , Mat follow to the shocking realisation that he recognise Artur Hawking and all the others , remarking that he " remember " them . Artur Hawking returned the sentiment , having recognize Mat as someone he had shared the field of honor with before . This twirl was perfectly set up by the previous episode , which sawMat imbibe a tea leaf prepared for him by Ishamael . According to Ishamael , the tea would reawaken Mat ’s memories of his " retiring living . “This was keep abreast by various photoflash , suggesting that Mat was getting a glimpse into his prior experiences before being born-again as Mat Cauthon .
From the looks of things , Ishamael ’s tea is what allowed the Horn of Valere to have the impact that it did on Mat in the season 2 finale . It would seem thatthe Horn finished what the afternoon tea started , shift Mat ’s recently unlocked memories of his block adventures . In summation to helping him think whatever history he has with Artur and his ally , it also gave him a massive boost to his combat skills . Presumably , earlier versions of Mat were unbelievable warriors , which would explicate why he struggle so well against the Seanchan .
As for who Mat was in his previous existences in the Pattern , the show has offered a few vague clues . The minacious nature of his flashback when he fuddle Ishamael ’s afternoon tea insinuated that he may have been evil , but the closing curtain signal otherwise . Considering that he has some sort of anterior human relationship with Artur ( not to name the other Heroes of the Horn)it ’s safe to say Mat was a great hero in his own right field . Artur , Birgitte Silberbow , and many of the other characters were figures in some ofWheel of Time’smost historic battle , which means that Mat may have been affect in some of them as well .
What Robert Jordan Said About Mat’s Memories In The Books
The books' author had a different explanation for Mat’s memories
In a response to a question about the matter in a 2002 interview , Jordan definitively shot down the whimsey that Mat could recall his past lives[viaTheory Land ] . recount what happen to Mat in the early record , Jordan explained that because of the ruby - hilted obelisk ’s taint , Mat developed holes in his store . When he was able to dicker with theAelfinn and the Eelfinnfor a wish to be allow , he conk out to absolutely articulate his desire ; he asked for the crack to be fulfill , but never sound out for them to be filled by his own memories . As a result , he was given the storage of " adventurers and soldier and Isle of Man of daring . "
The direction Wheel of Time looks to be taking for season 3 create concerns that a major friend to the main character will be allow for out of the show .
In other words , Mat had no real personal connection to Artur Hawking , or any other Hero of the Horn for that issue . The " adventurers and soldiers and men of daring"mentioned by Robert Jordan may have make out them , but none of these multitude represented Mat ’s past times . But while this was the explanation that Jordan settled on for the record book eccentric , the serial opted to use the old , non - canon interpreting that Mat and these military loss leader fromWheel of Time’sancient account were one and the same .
Custom image by Simone Ashmoore
Why Wheel Of Time’s “Past Lives” Explanation Makes More Sense For The Show
The show’s book changes made the new explanation necessary
align the show ’s adaptation of Mat ’s story with a misconception - rather than what was formally laid out both by the books and their generator - was a surprising move , to say the least . That said , in light of the condition , this guidance establish sensory faculty for the series . After all , it ’s important to observe thatMat getting the memories of random general is a twist that link straight to his poor diction of his indirect request inThe Shadow Rising , which is an consequence that has n’t happened in the goggle box serial .
Admittedly , it would be hard to explain the Horn or Ishamael ’s tea impregnate Mat with memories of people with no connection to him whatsoever . Theoretically , it could propose that the Hornsounder like a shot becomes infused with memories of other heroes from the Pattern , but to do so would amount to a substantial , unneeded change to the lore . Alternatively , the show obviously could have made the original catalyst for Mat ’s retentiveness being unlatched work , but the fact that it did n’t is a polarity that it does n’t mean to contain the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn into the narrative .
If the show truly does have no intention of adapting Mat ’s experiences with the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn , that would have necessitated a dissimilar explanation for this aspect of the character from the book . Leaving them out completely - if that ’s what the show has done - will most assuredly culminate in more changes to Jordan ’s story , give their importance to succeeding events . likewise , the replacement its chosen for their role in Mat ’s discharge could also contribute to novel stories . The Wheel of Timeseason 3has the potential difference to invent extra layer to Mat ’s backstory .
Sources : Theory Land
